Soapstone is one of the most popular kitchen countertop materials along with quartz, marble, and granite countertops. Here is everything you need to know about this material and how to choose the perfect soapstone for your kitchen.
Architectural vs Artistic Soapstone
Firstly, you need to know about the different types of soapstone. There are two main varieties of soapstone available. One is called artistic soapstone. The composition of artistic soapstone is mainly talc and this gives the stone its characteristic softness. It is used for artistic purposes like carving and making sculptures since it is very easy to mold and shape.
It is not suitable for use in the kitchen or as a countertop, because it is too soft and will get damaged very easily. The second variety of soapstone, on the basis of composition, is architectural soapstone. This is much harder in nature and this is the right stone to opt for kitchen countertops, bathroom countertops, and other stone fixtures.
The Color Options
One of the greatest features of soapstone is the variety of soapstone colors you can choose from. Usually, with natural stones, there aren’t a lot of color variations and you need to stick to something generic and basic. But, with soapstone, there are many options and you can choose from an array of beautiful colors, belonging to soft and neutral color palettes.
Here are 3 basic and most popular color choices of soapstone, which go perfectly with any kitchen type, color, and interior.
Gray Soapstone
This is a beautiful color because it is available in light and dark variants. The veining is extremely subtle, but can still be seen, giving it a soft blurring effect. This color is very neutral and it goes with a lot of other color combinations as well. It will also make the kitchen look large and spacious.
Black Soapstone
If you want something darker and edgy, then black soapstone is perfect for you. The veining on this colored countertop is white, but it doesn’t look harsh at all. It has a beautiful whitish-gray blurring effect and it doesn’t look out of place.
Green Soapstone
You shouldn’t be wary of this color, just because it screams green. This color is a very neutral and subtle color and it hardly looks green at all. Rather, it looks like a mixture of blue and gray and the color is truly extraordinary.
You don’t see this color combination everywhere, but it is a great option to go for if you’re looking for something which is a bit different than normal colors, but is still classic and doesn’t look harsh. This color will definitely earn a lot of compliments from people.
It Will Need Protection
If you are considering soapstone for your kitchen, then you need to understand the fact that it is a soft stone and it will be prone to a lot of scratches. To prevent this from becoming a consistent problem, you can seal the countertop or have a protective coating applied on it, just in case for scratch resistance and protecting the countertop from heat.
Even though soapstone doesn’t need to be sealed, as it is non-porous in nature, you can apply a protective layer of some sort of resin-based solution, which is going to serve as a barrier between the stone and things that can scratch the stone.
It Darkens Over Time
When choosing a soapstone perfect for your kitchen, you need to keep in mind that it does darken and patina over time. This is the basic oxidation process, which can occur if the soapstone has too much talc in it.
This is why you need to select a soapstone that has less talc and more structure and strength to it. This soapstone will be unaffected by the weather and the environment and the best thing about it is that you can leave it as is; you don’t need to treat it, in any way, shape, or form.
Conclusion
There you have it! These tips will make buying soapstone countertops so easy. You don’t need to be an expert on stones or materials to decide whether soapstone is worth buying or not. However, if you need help, consult granite contractors Potomac to walk you through different kitchen countertop materials to decide which one is the best for you.