Just a decennium ago , granite countertopswere all the rage ; today , quartz and quartz portmanteau word have earned accolades and admiration for their show and durability . Even marble is a sound tantrum in the kitchens of high - closing homes , specially those without children .
But how dosoapstone countertopscompare as far as aesthetics , enduringness and terms ?
There are many other options for countertop , including butcher - block , stainless steel and impressive laminates , and each has its benefits and drawbacks . How do natural stones like soapstone abide up ?
What Is Soapstone?
Soapstone , also called steatite , is a metamorphic rock made from talcum - schist , which have in mind it contains talcum , in this case around 50 percent .
If you live your minerals , you know thattalc is the softestone . What that means for soapstone is that it has a softer consistence than some other materials commonly used for countertop . In fact , it was named for its law of similarity to a measure of soap .
However , within dissimilar soap-rock slabs , the percentage of talc can depart , so some are harder than others , and the slabs used for countertops fall in the harder range .
On theMohs Hardness Scale , which ranks mineral from 1 to 10 based on hardness ( with ball field ranking 10 and talc at a 1 ) , soapstone falls between a 1 and 5 , according to BobVila.com . Soapstone used for countertops comes in at about 2.5 to 3.5 .
The vary story of hardness are find by the other minerals in the soaprock , which can include micas , chlorite , amphibole , quartz , magnesite and carbonate .
soaprock is dense and indite of thick particles , which gives it an impenetrable surface . It ’s so heavy , in fact , soaprock countertop do n’t even involve to be seal .
Compare that to marble countertops , which may need to be seal on a unconstipated groundwork . Soapstone also is low - maintenance , which is one intellect it ’s used in places like chemical science labs .
Soapstone for Countertops
Soapstone is love for its durability in science lab , but how does it do in a kitchen ? Can it do by a messyfamily breakfastor a Sunday afternoon football political party ?
" It is [ good for countertops ] , depending on the emptor , " says Mandy Carbia , senior interior designer forCrosby Design Groupin Atlanta . " It depends on their expressive style or their taste . "
Because steatite is a natural stone textile , buyers are restricted to the appearance Mother Nature creates . Its compass of hues are on the darker end of the spectrum . If a client is take care for a bumpkinly style , soapstone could be the right aesthetic fit , but if they want a modern farmhouse look , in all likelihood not , Carbia explains .
Consider the the great unwashed of people of color and pattern options of quartz offered byCaesarstone , as opposed to the more limited compass of color selection in soaprock fromCrocodile Rocks , a stone provider in Kenmore , Washington , just north of Seattle .
Crocodile Rocks has an extensive supplying of slab ; it ’s just that soapstone does n’t volunteer too many varieties when it comes to color .
When select a countertop textile , Carbia say it ’s important to ask buyers how they live . For a householder who cleanse up apace , marble can make a effective option , but for those who tend to leave the sauce out all dark , or those who do a caboodle of entertaining , soapstone could be a better fit because it ’s nonporous and does n’t stain like other stones .
" It is a diffused textile , so it does excise easier , " Carbia says .
Homes with small fry who sink things , or homeowners who prefer cutting straight on the countertop as opposed to using a cutting board , might damage soapstone .
Luckily , though , when a soaprock countertop gets scratch , it can be sanded to compensate it , although the finish might not be perfect .
Colors and Styles
For many homeowner today , the whiter the countertop the better , and some grey veining does n’t hurt either , say Carbia . And soapstone does not come in white — it veer toward grays and Negro , while some can have blasphemous or green chromaticity .
" It ’s kind of ' the darker the better ' with steatite , " Carbia says . Although steatite can have a bit of veining , it does not allow for that white expression so many are looking for today . If your soap-rock veers more towards light white-haired than you ’d wish , you care for it with mineral crude oil to darken it a bit .
That ’s not to say it ’s not democratic . It does impart an Old World , rustic feeling . And there are definitely storyteller who stock up it regularly , Carbia say . " There is still a recession for it , " she says .
The Pros and Cons of Soapstone Countertops
Of course , the good countertop material is one that fits a householder ’s tastes , lifestyle and budget . But like granite , quartz and even concrete , soapstone has its pro and cons .
Pros
Cons
Soapstone by the Dollars
Of of course , price is a consideration in most kitchen projects , and steatite offer a mid - range cost option .
As a natural material , its price point is roughly tantamount to a high - end granite or a quartz , Carbia says . But because granite come in a much wider variety , you could probably bump a granite selection that is much less expensive than soapstone .
Carbia figure soapstone runs about $ 72 to $ 150 per square foot , including installation . Inexpensive granite can be as low as $ 20 to $ 30 a square foot . Marble is typically about $ 75 to $ 250 per straightforward infantry , while lechatelierite can head for the hills from $ 55 to $ 155 a square foot , according toHGTV .
This article was update in conjugation with AI technology , then fact - checked and edit out by a HowStuffWorks editor .
