According to HGTV, adding natural stone countertops to your kitchen consistently ranks among the top value remodeling projects.
When most people consider natural stone countertops, they think of granite or marble. However, soapstone countertops are an increasingly popular alternative.
Read on to learn more about soapstone, including what it is, what it’s used for, and how to take care of it.
What Is Soapstone?
Soapstone, or steatite, is a natural stone quarried from the earth. It consists of more than 50% talc. It also includes other minerals, like chlorite, mica, and carbonate.
Because it is made up mostly of talc, soapstone has a softer feel than many other natural stones. The name “soapstone” actually refers to the stone’s soft texture. Holding a piece of soapstone feels like holding a dry bar of soap in your hands.
What Type of Rock is Soapstone?
Soapstone is a metamorphic rock. This means that it formed when intense heat and pressure altered other types of rock. The forces of heat and pressure are often greatest at the earth’s plate boundaries. Therefore, soapstone tends to form where the earth’s tectonic plates meet.
The United States, Brazil, and India are common soapstone quarry locations. In fact, soapstone is one of the best choices for individuals seeking to support American businesses. Soapstone is one of the few natural stones quarried in the United States.
The appearance of soapstone varies depending on its source. In general, though, soapstone colors include grays, gray-green, and gray-blue. Many slabs feature white veins running across the surface. White or quartz swirls are also common.
What Is Soapstone Used For?
Soapstone has many artistic and architectural applications. The two main kinds of soapstone cater to these two uses.
Artistic soapstone includes more talc—usually at least 75%. This high concentration of talc makes artistic soapstone very soft. This softness lends itself to carving and other artistic projects.
Architectural soapstone is used in kitchen countertops, sinks, fireplaces, and other home features and accents. These applications require a harder, more durable stone. Thus, architectural soapstone includes less talc—between 60 and 70%.
Types of Architectural Soapstone
If you’re looking to add soapstone countertops to your home, you might have a particular aesthetic in mind. You might even have seen a soapstone countertop you liked in a friend’s home or in an online gallery. Unfortunately, finding a specific variety of soapstone can be difficult.
This is because soapstone is much less varied in appearance than other natural stones, like granite. Trying to distinguish their stock, suppliers often attach names to particular varieties. However, these names are not consistent and, therefore, not very helpful in locating a particular type.
The best way to find a slab of soapstone that fits your needs is to keep the main color variations in mind while exploring sample slabs available at local suppliers.
Gray Soapstone
Common names associated with gray soapstone include:
- Barocca, which has a lighter gray background punctuated occasionally with thin white veins
- Black Venatta, which has a darker background run through with long veins and dappled colors
- Porto Allegre, which has a light gray-blue background and prominent veining
- Python, which features a raw gray background and very subtle patterns
Other than Python Soapstone, which is quarried in India, the other types of gray soapstone above are sourced in Brazil.
Green Soapstone
Green soapstone is available from Brazil, India, and the United States.
Common types of Brazilian green soapstone include:
- Fantasia, which features wide and swirling veins on a gray-green surface
- Santa Rita, which has strong marble-like veining on a blue-green background
- Belvedere, which is dark and has a subtle gray-green color
Belvedere Soapstone is sought not just for its color but also for its durability. It is much harder and better resists scratches and chips than other soapstone varieties.
Indigo Soapstone is a popular Indian green soapstone. Its dappled surface has a signature dark gray and green color.
Finally, Vermont quarries produce various colors of soapstone, including green.
Black Soapstone
U.S. quarries also supply black soapstone. Quarries in Virginia produce Churchill, American Original, and Old Dominion Soapstone. Churchhill Soapstone has a classic grey appearance, which can include simple veins. When oiled, Churchill Soapstone can take on a richer and darker hue.
PA Soapstone, another type of black soapstone, is not quarried in Pennsylvania. PA stands for the Pinheiros Altos Quarry in Brazil where it is sourced. PA Soapstone is characteristically simple and dark. It offers a stunning contrast with white marble.
White “Soapstone”—or Not
Some suppliers offer white “soapstone” varieties but don’t be fooled. Soapstone is never white. What is marketed as “white soapstone” is actually marble that appears to invert the look of soapstone—offering a white background with darker veining.
What Can You Expect If You Choose Soapstone Countertops?
Aesthetic appeal is one factor that draws homeowners to soapstone. As a homeowner, though, you also must consider functionality. Fortunately, soapstone countertops are both aesthetically appealing and highly functional. Understanding how soapstone can work for you and how to take care of it requires understanding soapstone properties.
Heat-Resistance
Like granite, soapstone can withstand contact with high heat. This means that you’re unlikely to damage your soapstone countertops with hot pans or plates.
Keep in mind that soapstone also conducts heat. This makes it ideal for fireplaces. However, it also means that soapstone countertops may feel hotter to the touch than other natural stone materials.
Stain-Resistance
Soapstone is also nonporous and, therefore, highly stain-resistant.
In a nod to its ability to withstand strong chemicals, soapstone is a common material not just in homes but in science labs. If a soapstone counter can withstand high school chemistry experiments, it can surely withstand cooking and cleaning in your kitchen.
Softness
Compared to granite, soapstone is much softer.
The Mohs scale provides a measure of a stone’s hardness. On the Mohs scale, granite tends to be a 6 or a 7. The Mohs rating of a particular soapstone slab depends on how much talc it includes. Most architectural soapstone falls around a 3 on the Mohs scale. This makes it similar to marble in terms of hardness. It also makes it relatively easy to nick or scratch soapstone countertops.
Unlike marble, though, soapstone allows easy removal of scratches. In some cases, a quick wipe with water or a soapstone oil or wax is sufficient. Even stubborn scratches can usually be removed by using steel wool before applying the oil or wax.
Besides scratches and nicks, soapstone’s softness also leaves it vulnerable to dents. These cannot be removed. If your soapstone counter gets dented, you can consider the dent another “character” of your counter’s aging. Alternatively, you can have the damaged portion replaced.
Color
Once you’ve chosen a soapstone slab, bear in mind that its appearance can and will change over the course of your countertop’s life. Even a lighter slab of soapstone will develop a patina as it ages.
Many people choose soapstone with this natural aging in mind. At the same time, soapstone is versatile. This means that you can allow your countertop to age naturally or maintain the original look if you prefer.
In fact, achieving different looks with soapstone can be as simple as altering the schedule on which you have been treating your surface. Applying soapstone oil or wax darkens the counter’s surface and keeps it looking fresh. If you want to prevent a weathered appearance, you’ll need to treat your countertops more frequently.
At most, you’ll need to treat a soapstone surface at least once a year to prevent aging. However, some owners choose to treat the surface as often as every few months.
Importantly, this schedule—and your countertop’s appearance—is not set in stone. If you have allowed your countertop to weather, you can always return to the fresher look. In contrast, if you’ve been treating your soapstone, you can, in the future, decide to go natural.
Price
In terms of cost, soapstone is on par with higher-end granite countertops. Choosing soapstone, therefore, represents a significant investment. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that it is an investment.
Well-maintained stone countertops can last a lifetime or more. Granite and marble are the most common natural stone countertop materials. However, soapstone is growing in popularity. This means that choosing soapstone can set your home apart from the competition if and when you decide to sell.
How Do You Care for Soapstone Countertops?
Caring for soapstone countertops involves regular cleaning and, if you choose, oil or wax treatments.
Cleaning soapstone countertops is easy. Simply wipe the surface with mild dish soap and warm water. Natural soapstone can withstand strong chemicals. However, they’re just not necessary. If you’re treating your soapstone with oil or wax, moreover, you should take particular care to avoid harsh cleaners. These can remove the protective oils.
Again, treating your counters with soapstone oil or wax is optional. Experiment with different looks and decide which you prefer. Also, remember that you can decide to begin treating your soapstone countertops at any time.
If you do decide to treat your soapstone, maintain at least a yearly schedule. Each time, plan to completely cover the countertop, allowing the oil to sit for at least 30 minutes.
Finally, as you get to know your soapstone countertops, you’ll likely encounter scratches and nicks. Remember that most of these can be easily removed.
Always approach suspected scratches conservatively. What appears to be a scratch may simply be the shifting of mineral oil used to treat the surface. Wipe a suspected scratch with your finger or water first. If that’s not enough to remove the mark, apply a bit of oil or wax. For deep scratches, try sanding the surface before applying the treatment or contact a professional.
Soapstone: Aesthetics and Durability You Can Count On
As a natural stone, soapstone offers all the benefits of granite and marble. However, soapstone sets your home apart. Soapstone countertops are beautiful, durable, and easy to maintain.
Rock Solid Creations offers a full range of natural stone countertops. Explore your options in our showroom or online. We’re always ready to answer your questions and provide more information. Contact us via our website today.