Soapstone Quartz is a man-made product made of natural quartz and other raw materials. It is a color variation of Quartz, created to look like soapstone. Currently Silestone by Cosentino and Corian Quartz (formerly Zodiaq Quartz) offer “soapstone looking quartz” slabs. The Corian product is called Nero Soapstone.
Copacabana quartz is a beautiful surface that will give you the soft grey look of soapstone with the benefits of quartz.
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.
Soapstone is durable and heat-resistant, just like quartz and granite. Like quartz, soapstone is also non-porous — but unlike quartz, soapstone is naturally non-porous, so you do not need to worry about staining at all.
Quartz has its good points as well. It's highly resistant to scratches, if that's something you're often concerned about, and it tends to be less expensive than soapstone.
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.
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.
While hardness is desirable in a countertop for structural stability, what soapstone lacks in hardness, it makes up in density. Soapstone particles are extremely compact—more so than those of quartz, marble, or granite—which makes it more sanitary and easier to wipe clean.
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.
Black soapstone is classified as a soft, black, metamorphic rock. Soapstone is also called steatite or soaprock at times. Metamorphic rocks, such as this one, are formed from one type of rock through a physical change over time.
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.
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.
Unlike other mineral stones, soapstone comes in limited color options. Its typical color options are green, black, white, bluish gray, and gray.
The look of soapstone, but with the durability of granite. Many of these black granites are close in appearance to the quintessential soapstone. The field is a dark gray/charcoal to black, and it has white veining.
If you think “plain” when you consider limestone, Sandy Cove Quartz will change your mind. It features a more dramatic blend of beige, brown, and cream swirling together with lots of eye-catching movement. With a polished surface, this limestone lookalike can turn your center island into an elegant focal point.
There are options in quartz, however, as a man-made stone, it comes with its own issues, like not being heat resistant. Luckily, the gorgeous and strong naturally sourced stone granite also has options available that look like soapstone.
Soapstone's natural qualities make it the perfect material for outdoors. It's thermal qualities allow it to withstand the winter temperature with freezing and thawing. Because soapstone is non-porous, rain, leaves, bird droppings, etc will not stain it.
Soapstone Leather is a 26" x 110" x 3cm prefabricated granite slab with an eased edge. Virtually maintenance-free clean with warm water and soap! Check out the slightly-textured 'leather' finish on the top of this granite - it's very unique and beautiful!
The most common size of a soapstone slab is approx 70” x 118” and 3cm (1-1/4” thick).
Believe it or not, bleach will not harm it either. However, Bleach is not needed, since the soapstone's natural high density will not harbor bacteria of any kind. Simple soapstone and water or vinegar and water. Will work wonderfully well and clean any surface bacteria just as well as bleach or harsh cleaners.
When it comes to natural stone countertops, there are more options out there than just marble and granite. If you love the dark beauty of granite and the light veining of marble, consider soapstone instead. It's durable, relatively low-maintenance, and has a lovely, old-world feel.
Soapstone is the common name for the mineral steatite. Steatite is at least 50% talc combined with other minerals, mostly magnesite, that have been geologically metamorphosed into stone through a combination of heat, pressure and time. It is called soapstone because the talc gives the stone a soapy feel.
Visible seams: Since slate slabs are smaller than other natural stone materials, you're more likely to see seams on your countertops. Brittle: Compared to other stones, slate is much more vulnerable to chipping and cracking.
Soapstone when first mined is typically bluish/gray.