Buying Kitchen Countertops: What You Should Know about Soapstone | Soapstone International, Inc.

Buying Kitchen Countertops: What You Should Know about Soapstone

Soapstone is elegant, but can also add a boldness to any decor. With its light gray surface and subtle veins, soapstone merges old-world charm with modern beauty. Hot pans won't damage the stone, lemon and tomato juice won't discolor it, and it highly sanitary. Homeowners use this stone in several decor styles such as contemporary, country, traditional and french.

What Is Soapstone? 

Soapstone is also known as steatite or soaprock, and consists of metamorphic rock. It is composed primarily of talc, as well as magnesium, mica, quartz, chlorite and iron. These natural stones were made over time and under extreme pressure, due to the harsh enviroment, soapstone is extrememly durable, with standing heat up to 2000 degrees and will not discolor or stain.

View Soapstone Kitchen Countertops

A beautiful and industructable stone, meant for your home!

Considerations When Choosing Soapstone Countertops

Highlights of Soapstone

Destinct texture and color. Smooth surface. Will not permantly stain. Not affected by acids. Inhibits bacteria. Long lasting.

Cons of Soapstone

Can Sratch or dent but can be fixed with 220 grit sand paper. Requires regular maintenance.

Costs / Maintenance

$60 to $90 per square foot, installed. Wipe with soft cloth and warm water daily. Mild household cleaners work well.

Thickness and Edges. Most manufacturers of soapstone recommend an inch and a quarter thick countertops. Seams are virtually invisible. Preferred edge options include squared, eased, beveled, bullnose, radius and double radius.

Care and Maintenance. Unlike other stones, soapstone won't absorb stains and discolorations, so it simply doesn't require sealers. Stains and blemishes are only skin deep and can be removed with gentle sanding. Applications of mineral oil will remove most scratches. Light gray soapstone darkens over time, accentuating its gray veining. Regular applications of mineral oil enhance its beauty.

Wipe the countertop with a soft cloth and warm water. Mild household cleansers are suitable. Soapstone benefits from regular applications of mineral oil and will darken over time.

The Bottom Line. An age-old option, soapstone is at home in any style, from traditional to contemporary. Soft to the touch, the surface ages gracefully and lasts for years.

The Indestructable Kitchen Countertop - Soapstone | Soapstone International, Inc.

The Indestructable Kitchen Countertop - Soapstone

If you spent any time in high school chemistry class, you probably remember the black indistructable countertop. Those countertops were made of soapstone. It had to be indistructable if fire, chemicals and rowdy school children we involved. Soapstone has been a must have in science labs for ages because it's extremely durable and impervious to virtually all chemicals. Yes even battery acid! 


Your soapstone countertop weither in your indoor or outdoor kitchen, bathroom or whatever room you envision a soapstone countertop in, will with stand any heat, liquid or chemical that it comes into contact with. Many homeowners use soapstone for countertops, fireplace mantels, bathroom showers and bath tubs, sinks and back splashes. The list goes on, if you can think it, we can do it.

Unlike granite and marble, it's nonporous and chemically neutral, so problem spills - red wine, lemon acid, tomato sauce, olive oil, and such - just aren't a problem. The stone is also temperature neutral, so red hot cookware placed on top won't even phase the stone. This is why more homeowners prefer soapstone over granite or other stones.

Soapstone Countertops Sizes

& Pricing Options

For kitchen and bathroom soapstone countertops, we recommend using 
1 1/4" thick soapstone which, unlike thinner material, doesn't require a sub-base on your cabinets. 

Most backsplash soapstone material is made of 1-1/4" thick soapstone.

Generally, our slabs run 30" x 84", be aware that slabs longer than seven feet require more than one piece, which means there will be a seam. When done properly, seams are virtually invisible.

For exact estimates, please contact us at info@soapstonintl.com