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Similar to granite, soapstone is also a natural stone that is quarried and comes primarily from mines in Finland, China, and Brazil. Steatite, which is the geological term used for soapstone, can be as much as 400 million years old and is composed mainly of talc, magnesite, dolomite, and chlorite, but it’s the talc that gives the stone its warm and soft look as well as touch—unlike the cold and hard features of granite kitchen countertops in Milton. Though artistic soapstone, which can be up to 80% talc, is often used for carvings and sculptures, it’s architectural soapstone, whose composition is a little as 30% talc, that’s used for countertops. So why soapstone instead of granite? Well, it depends on your needs, but there are a couple of quite distinct differences between the two rocks. Permeability The most distinctive property of soapstone is that it is nearly impervious to staining, unlike granite. This is not the case with soapstone, which, although it is soft, is also very dense. This is why it’s considered a nonporous stone and, not surprisingly, is even denser than granite, marble, limestone, or slate. As such, soapstone is impermeable to liquids and therefore will not stain, which is also why soapstone has been widely used for countertops in forensic and science labs. In laboratories, soapstone is impervious to both acids and alkalis. In kitchens, it can’t be stained by vinegars, grape juices, tomatoes, wines, or any other common food products. Soapstone is also totally resistant to any type of bacteria growth, which means that the surface can be used for meat and dough preparation without concern for contamination. In addition, soapstone is unaffected by heat, so hot cookware can be placed directly on the counters without worrying about burning, melting, or other surface damage. Color Since it is a natural stone, soapstone will vary in hues and veining but its color palette is much more limited than stones such as granite. This can be a good thing, since it will make the task of selecting a countertop much easier. Depending on the mineral content of a particular soapstone deposit, slabs can range in colors from grays, bluish grays, blacks, and dark greens, though some can be darker or lighter and have less or more veining than others. Unlike granite, over time and exposure to oxygen, dry waxes, or mineral oils, the countertops will become darker in shade. In fact, soapstone countertops can be oiled to produce a darker and much richer look. Ideally, soapstone counters are perfect for a more traditional home, where the look of old things, as opposed to the more modern and pristine, will fit in well. This is due to the fact that over time, as soapstone ages, it attains a stunningly attractive patina, especially when treated with those mineral oils to darken the stone. There are drawbacks to using soapstone, such as susceptibility to scratching, but if you’re looking for an impermeable surface and a rich, traditional look, soapstone may be just the right alternative to your granite kitchen countertop in Milton.
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