Soapstone is often seen in historic homes but is also used in modern homes as both a countertop material. Not sure if its Soapstone? Check the texture and hardness. There should be a waxy, soapy feel to the surface of the stone, whether it is polished or not.
Hardness: Granite is hard and able to stand up to a great deal of wear and tear. This makes it an excellent choice for high-traffic kitchen countertops, bathrooms and other frequently used areas. Soapstone, on the other hand, is much softer and will show scratches, chips and gouges more easily.
Soapstone slabs are usually in creamy shades ranging from nearly white to dark gray, with subtle or considerable veining. It can appear less dramatic than most types of granite, but many people prefer its subtle beauty to the loud exuberance of granite.
Soapstone is typically gray, bluish, green, or brown in color, often variegated. Its name is derived from its "soapy" feel and softness. The name "soapstone" is often used in other ways. Miners and drillers use the name for any soft rock that is soapy or slippery to the touch.
While there are some black marble products on the market, they are less common than traditional marble, and often not available locally. Traditional marble is known for its brightness, and shiny finish. Soapstone is darker than most marble, and it often darkens further with age.
Large intricately carved pieces of Chinese soapstone (depictions of mountains, villages and the like) can bring serious money, but smaller pieces such as this one are much more common and less expensive.
In general, soapstone costs about $70 to $150 per square foot installed. Marble also comes in a range of prices. More common types of marble can be somewhere between $65 to $85 per square foot, but exotic or rare marble types can cost up to $300.
Soapstone is found in the Appalachian range from Maine to Georgia with significant deposits in Vermont and Virginia. Finland and Brazil are the largest international producers of soapstone.
The texture. After applying mineral oil on the soapstone countertop, the texture may change to a soap-like, leathery feel, hence the name. It is impossible to change this non-slick texture and you may have to endure it if you do not like it.
Soapstone costs roughly $70 to $120 per square foot installed, making it pricier than many other natural stone countertop materials. Also a high-quality natural stone, granite will not cost you as much soapstone. The material typically costs in the range of $40 to $100 per square foot installed.
Although soapstone has a beautiful and natural-looking appearance, it doesn't have a lot of options when it comes to different colors and patterns. Soapstone tends to come in various shades of black, grey and blue and not much outside of that.
Soapstone is a rare stone. This makes it relatively more expensive compared to man-made countertop materials. The average cost of soapstone countertops ranges between $70 to $120 per square foot, excluding installation.
Unlike other mineral stones, soapstone comes in limited color options. Its typical color options are green, black, white, bluish gray, and gray. The veining of this stone is less compared to granite and marble.
Soapstone, being softer than granite and marble, is also more prone to scratches. The great advantage is that any scratches can be easily removed with a light sanding and/or mineral oil. Light scratches can be hidden by lightly applying some mineral oil.
Smooth texture: Due to the talc in soapstone, these countertops tend to feel soft to the touch. Heat, impact and stain resistant: Since soapstone is softer than granite, it tends to be more pliable.
Soapstone counters can scratch easily, and they require routine oiling to maintain their appearance. They also come in limited color options and are more expensive than other countertop materials.
Soapstone is both chemical resistant and heat resistant, so you can set hot pots and pans directly on soapstone without risk of cracking or scorching. Soapstone is much softer and more prone to scratching than granite or quartz however, so preparing food directly on your soapstone counters could easily scratch it.
Soapstone can have two distinct looks, depending on the finish. It can be left untreated and will attain a soft grey color and a matte finish. Or, the surface can be oiled or waxed, which will darken the color and impart a satiny luster.
Soapstone—also known as Steatite—is a metamorphic rock that consists primarily of talc. Depending on the quarry from which it is sourced, this natural stone also contains varying amounts of other minerals such as micas, chlorite, amphiboles, quartz, magnesite, and carbonates.
Talc and soapstone may contain asbestos. In a longitudinal study in Germany samples of materials used have been taken over a periode of 10 years. Only very small quantities of asbestos have been detected.
Soapstone (also known as steatite or soaprock) is a talc-schist, which is a type of metamorphic rock. It is composed largely of the magnesium rich mineral talc.
Soapstone is on the high end of countertop materials and is significantly more expensive than granite and on par with quartz for the most part (the high end of the range for soapstone is more expensive than quartz).
Because of its density, it is non-porous, making it an ideal kitchen surface. Here the soapstone is used for a kitchen island. Soapstone is very popular in kitchens today for a variety of reasons.
Natural soapstone colors come in a selection of hues. Typically, the color options range from a palette gray, green, black, or blue-ish gray. Additionally, there some options may have swirls of quartz and white.