If you're among the one in ten Americans seeking a kitchen remodel this year, choosing between kitchen countertop materials can be a daunting task. From quartz to granite to soapstone, the near-limitless possibilities can be overwhelming when trying to make a selection.
Here, we're going to talk about soapstone countertop options, their pros, and their cons. Read on to learn whether soapstone slabs are the best kitchen countertops to fit your needs!
The Benefits of Soapstone Countertops
Soapstone is a type of natural slab. This means that it's a naturally occurring material sourced from the earth, and no human engineering goes into creating the material. It's less common than engineered alternatives, which gives your kitchen an air of unique sophistication.
The lack of synthetic chemicals that go into creating soapstone makes it extremely eco-friendly. It also is easy to recycle when you eventually decide to replace it, so your carbon footprint goes down even further.
Soapstone is also nonporous, meaning that it has no microscopic holes in the surface that absorb liquid. You don't need to seal it to avoid stains from seeping into its pores and developing. Maintenance is easy because you won't ever need to reapply sealant, and all you need to keep it clean is a soft cloth.
Contrary to popular belief, soapstone is also durable. It's heat-resistant, and putting hot pots and pans directly onto the surface won't damage it. Plus, while it's soft, it doesn't crack regularly despite its propensity to scratch easily.
Downsides to Keep in Mind
Cracking may not be an issue with soapstone, but scratching is inevitable with normal wear and tear. Commercially-sold soapstone has a Mohs hardness rating of 1-4, the lowest numbers on a 10-point scale. This is because it has a lot of talc in it, which is a solid 1, so it scratches and chips with normal wear and tear.
Also, despite soapstone's non-porous nature, it does stain when exposed to oil. Things like olive oil and salad dressing can darken the stone a lot even if they just spill a single time. Dark patches are inevitable over time.
To prevent this, many people choose to spread oil over the entire countertop surface. This keeps it even looking even if it stains, but it also makes it a higher maintenance surface than quartz or marble. You'll need to oil it fairly frequently, which negates the low-maintenance benefit of not requiring regular sealing.
Speaking of coloring, soapstone comes with a lot of aesthetic restrictions and limitations. Natural stone may have a unique appeal, but it only comes in a few shades of black, gray, and blue.
Patterns are also super limited, but you're going to have trouble finding two slabs that match perfectly when creating a holistic look in your kitchen. Engineered quartz can be created to match other slabs, but soapstone is completely at the whims of nature.
Alternatives to a Soapstone Countertop
Despite its disadvantages, soapstone does have its merits. Stonewood Grantite's Soapstone Metropolis slabs have a smooth, even hue that looks perfect in any space. The thin white veins give each slab character, and the natural nature of the stone means that you can expect a one-of-a-kind design.
However, because of soapstone's functional downsides, we offer a wide inventory of other stone slabs that might work better in some kitchens.
Granite
Granite is another sustainable natural stone option to consider. Its speckled appearance makes for a great focal point in any kitchen, and it comes in more color and design options than soapstone does.
When considering soapstone vs granite, note that granite is a far more heat-resistant and scratch-resistant alternative because of its Mohs hardness ranking of 7. It may be porous, but having experts seal and re-seal it can make it just as stain-resistant as nonporous soapstone is. Maintenance is no harder.
Marble
Marble is technically also a "natural stone" alternative to soapstone. However, this term is loose because cultured marble is human-made. Manufacturers blend natural marble with synthetic resins, dyes, and durability-enhancing materials. It's coated in a protective gel to stop scratching and chipping as well.
Marble is often considered a luxurious countertop material, which increases your home value a lot. This is because of its beautiful hues, diverse options, and striking veining. The high-end look makes your kitchen appear as sophisticated as an old marble building, which gives your space some high-class flair.
Quartz
Quartz is generally hailed as one of the best countertop materials because of its durability and longevity. It's made from 66% natural minerals and 33% resin that binds it together. This engineered aspect makes it a great work surface that doesn't scratch, crack, chip, dent, stain, or overheat easily (if at all).
There are also basically no imperfections when it comes to quartz. They're human-made and can look perfect as a result of their engineered nature.
Plus, people can also make quartz look almost any way they want it to. This opens up a world of possibilities when it comes to aesthetics because quartz comes in virtually all colors. Veining and patterns are also extremely diverse, so you'll have several options to choose from.
The only real "downside" to quartz is that you can't DIY installation. However, you shouldn't be doing that anyway if you want an even look and well-installed slab.
Which Material Is Right for You?
Asking Stonewood Granite experts questions about countertop materials is a great way to determine which is best for your needs. When considering soapstone slabs, ask about:
What will look best in your specific space
What soapstone styles and aesthetics are available
Installation costs of soapstone vs granite vs other materials
How long the material will likely last
How the installation process works
What countertop maintenance tips you need to know for soapstone
Gathering information about soapstone ensures that you have all the information needed to make an informed decision.
Browse Kitchen Countertop Materials Today
Now that you know the ins and outs of soapstone countertop materials, it's time to start planning your kitchen renovations.
Independence Stonewood Granite and Quartz is committed to helping you choose between the best countertop materials. We're excited to help you find a slab that meets your precise specifications, so contact us for more information about our Missouri-based remodeling team.
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