Unless you choose one of the more exotic varieties of marble, you can expect to pay between $60 and $85 per square foot for marble countertops. Soapstone countertops cost between $70 and $120.
Soapstone: Soapstone is slightly more expensive than marble. Home owners can expect to pay between $70 and $120 per square foot for countertops depending on the color of the stone and size of the slab. Marble: Common colors of marble are slightly less expensive than soapstone, ranging from $60 to $85 per square foot.
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.
Soapstone countertops cost anywhere from $70 to $120 per square foot. Not including installation, a typical 30 square-foot soapstone countertop costs about $2,100 to $3,600.
According to HomeAdvisor, as of 2021 the typical price range for granite countertops is $2,000 to $4,500 — the stone slabs cost $40 to $60 per square foot. For soapstone, the website reports a slightly higher price point, with a range of $2,700 to $4,200 and soapstone slabs coming in at $50 to $100 per square foot.
Overall, marble tends to be harder and more durable than soapstone. The durability of marble has come into question mostly because of common misconceptions or myths about the nature of marble.
Since soapstone countertops do not crack easily, they are more durable than other countertops made of natural stone. Its non-porosity feature also means that your soapstone countertops can serve you for a long period without requiring sealing.
Quartz countertops cost on average $3,500 to $4,900 for fifty square feet of countertops, significantly higher than soapstone countertops. Materials cost between $2,900 and $4,100, and installation is on the costly end, ranging from $600 to $800.
Unlike other mineral stones, soapstone comes in limited color options. Its typical color options are green, black, white, bluish gray, and gray.
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.
We strongly recommend soapstone in the bathroom because it's much easier to disinfect than other stone options — something with major value in a space as potentially germ-infested as the bathroom!
Because it requires no sealing, soapstone is relatively low-maintenance. With minimum care, your new countertop can retain its good looks for many years. Enhance your counter's natural darkening progression by applying mineral oil to the surface every week or two and rubbing it in thoroughly.
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.
Soapstone is darker than most marble, and it often darkens further with age. Color choices are limited to the gray/charcoal family. The surface is far more muted, and it doesn't have the same glossy feel of marble. While soapstone fits well into modern and elegant designs, it is much more rustic and worn in appearance.
Soapstone tends to be muted and darker than the sophistication of marble, presenting a pale, cloudy look, because it contains a considerable amount of talc — but that is part of its allure for many homeowners.
Soapstone Flooring Tile
Soapstone is an excellent choice for wet spaces such as bathrooms and sauna rooms because it does not absorb water and is not slippery, even when wet. Its soft touch feels good under bare feet. Because of its ability to retain heat, soapstone works well as a finished surface for radiant floors.
Yes, the majority of imported soapstones have a greenish cast, and will turn a deep green when waxed or oiled. However, there is one variety (and it happens to be American) that you can count on to keep its sought after grey color.
Scratch the surface of the stone with your fingernail. Soapstone is very soft; it is assigned a rating of 2 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. This means that simply by drawing your fingernail across the surface of the stone you should be able to mark it.
Churchill Soapstone is quarried in Pennsylvania, USA. Known for its beautiful aesthetic qualities, durability and thermal properties, Churchill Soapstone is an elegant and sophisticated choice for architectural and interior design elements used for both exterior and interior applications.
If moisture gets inside natural stone, it weakens the strength properties of almost all types of stone. If a stone gets wet unevenly, it can bend. Soapstone's high density prevents moisture and chemicals from entering the stone, and it is therefore not prone to the previously-mentioned problems.
Soapstone, which comes from Finland, China and Brazil, is quarried like granite and quartz and is composed primarily of magnesite, dolomite, chlorite and talc. It's anywhere from 300 to 400 million years old, and the talc gives it a soft, warm appearance and touch.
Soapstone is natural stone material that has been used for centuries in countertops. It's milky appearance gives it a rustic feel when compared with the urbane and elegant look of granite or slate. Many homeowners love the natural charm of soapstone.
Mineral Oil is Your Friend
Having a dedicated routine to clean and maintain your soapstone can help minimize the chance for your countertops to get scratched over time. The most essential cleaning tool in your arsenal to help reduce any scratches or scuffing is finding and using the right mineral oil.
The most common size of a soapstone slab is approx 70” x 118” and 3cm (1-1/4” thick).
Thanks to its mineral composition and nonporosity, there is no need for soapstone to be sealed to keep moisture, bacteria and food particles from penetrating its surface, as is often required for porous stones such as granite and marble.