Stone switch plates

[crg]

I'm getting ready to do a wall/backsplash of botticino, tumbled marble. Anybody have any experience with stone switch plates? I'm thinking of having stone ones made but am not sure, I have 17 outlets so it will be pricey if I go that route.

[ceramictec]

you might try looking at this company http://www.switchhits.com/
they have every imaginable type and color of switch plates out there.
you might not even want to match it after you see some of these.

http://www.switchhits.com/marble-selections.html

http://www.switchhits.com/switchplat..._covers_s.html

http://www.switchhits.com/switchplat..._covers_g.html



or these, like you said they are pricey:

http://www.graniteplates.com/simulat...tchplates.html

[Marge]

crg, how handy are you with a grinder and rotozip/dremel? We made all our outlet covers (picture below).

Brian, I know there was a vendor at Coverings with surprisingly inexpensive covers but I don't have my vendor list. crg, I'll try some googling as I know their prices were in the $20 range. And I know there is a company out there that makes covers that look like stone as well.

[jadnashua]

If matching is crucial to you, one place I looked at will either supply the stone, or use yours to make them. They post processed them by stregthening fragile stone with epoxy infusion. The pictures were impressive - all done on diamond CRC machines, so very accurate and consistent.

[crg]

Marge,
That switch plate looks AWESOME.
I'm pretty dang handy with my rotozip and dremel, just havent used them with any stone. What bits did you use? Did you drill them out first?
Like I said I have a bunch (17) to do and I'm a serious DIY'er so any insight you can provide I much appreciate.

[Marge]

Lots of ways to do it. In hindsight, drilling out would have been a good idea and saved some time. Keeping your dremel/RZ dust free while you work is another good idea...trust me. The hardest part was getting the backs concave so they sit over the outlet flush.

Your tools should work well with a soft stone, just be aware of too much vibration for cracking. And take your time. If you enjoy putzing, it will be a rewarding, but time consuming project.

If you don't count the RZ we ruined, we figure each cover was about a buck.

[trecile]

Instead of pricey stone outlet plates I bought wood plates and used craft paint to match them to my copper slate backsplash tiles. Please excuse the white outlets - I still need to get my husband to replace them with brown ones.