Soapstone slabs tend to be found in shades of grey, black, and green with some thin, light streaks. The pattern of the stone tends to be subtle and fairly consistent. Soapstone slabs are available in a honed/matte finish.
Natural soapstone colors can range from grey, green or black to a bluish-grey hue. Some soapstone options, like our grey soapstone here at Cosmos SurfacesTM, feature white swirls and dramatic veining patterns.
Untreated soapstone has a natural, light gray color that varies in depth by the slab variety. Natural soapstone is a popular option for kitchen countertops, but the light gray can darken in certain spots if oil spills onto the surface.
Minas soapstone is grey, one of the lightest soapstone varieties available with its light color coming from its high talc content. This high talc content also makes Minas a softer soapstone with a sensual quality that makes it wonderful to touch.
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 a little more expensive than granite, although not by much. The prices can be comparable, depending on the stone. A high-end soapstone may be very expensive but also improves property values significantly.
Depending on the type of soapstone, they are usually grey or dark grey but can also be bluish, green, or brown in colour. It has a somewhat soft and soapy feel which is where the name came from.
While it may appear soft, soapstone countertops do not crack easily. This is however a problem when it comes to scratches. The softness makes it easily susceptible to scratches but protects it from cracking.
Quartz Countertops are your most durable option for New Stone Countertops. Scratch-Resistant, Chip Resistant, and Stain Resistant without ever having to Seal your Countertops.
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. The mineral content of the original deposits determines the different kinds of hues present, with no two slabs of soapstone being exactly the same.
Soapstone is used because it's heat resistant and needs little maintenance.
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 in general has a ranking between 1 and 5. Most soapstone counters rank between 2.5-3.5 depending on talc content, with a similar hardness to marble countertops. Quartz counters, comparatively, have a Mohs ranking of 7.
What many do not know, is that Soapstone will naturally turn or patina dark through day to day use over time. An immediate and more uniform matte black or green black look (depending on the look of the stone mined) can be achieved through a simple oiling process right away.
Because it lasts forever and offers a timeless look, your new soapstone countertops will never become dated. It looks stunning with all different types of cabinets, from the stark white cabinets in a traditional or farmhouse kitchen to stained wood cabinets in any style.
What are the cons of using soapstone counters? 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.
Due to its beauty and durability, granite has been one of the most popular kitchen countertops for many years. When choosing a natural stone option, granite is widely considered to be the best stone slab for kitchen countertops. It has a reputation as a premium stone material that will elevate your kitchen design.
Low maintenance: Soapstone is relatively low maintenance and does not require regular sealing or special cleaners. Heat resistance: Soapstone is highly heat resistant, making it ideal for placing hot pots and pans directly on the surface.
Therefore, practically any household cleaner can be used to clean soapstone. Unlike most natural stones, soapstone is not damaged by ammonia.
Quartz countertops are the easiest natural stone to take care of. They are engineered using ground stone and resin, so they don't require regular sealing they way most granite and marble countertops do. This stone is non-porous, so it does not easily stain or etch.
Soapstone is non-porous and, unlike marble and granite, does not need to be sealed.
You should apply it with a clean cloth, then wipe the excess away—it's that simple. Although soapstone is naturally nonporous, it will benefit from a beautifying sealer like SimpleCoat to make the colors pop and protect it from staining. Water, oil and greasy substances can cause it to become discolored and stained.
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.
Mineral Oil and Soapstone
These liquids cause the stone to oxidize, which darkens the stone's color and really brings out its natural beauty. To help expedite oxidation of the stone, we recommend that you treat it with mineral oil from time to time. This treatment will keep oxidation uniform across the entire surface.