Kitchen Worktops - Soap Stone
Soapstone is a natural stone that comes in a wide variety of colors and sizes. Soapstone is a metamorphic rock, also known as “steatite”, which is comprised primarily of talc, chlorite, dolomite, and magnesite.
People are often confused by the fact that there are different types and grades of soapstone. Artistic grade soapstone contains more talc, so it’s softer and suitable for carving. When specifying soapstone for countertops be sure to ask for architectural grade soapstone. Architectural grade soapstone has much less talc thus it’s harder and more suitable for counter top usage.
Because of its mineral composition and the process by which it is formed, soapstone is very dense, non-porous, and chemically inert. Remember your old high school science lab? Soapstone has been used for decades as chemistry lab tables, because it is inert so won’t be harmed by acidic materials.
Nothing will stain or etch soapstone and you do not have to apply artificial sealers to protect soapstone counter tops. Other natural stones such as some granites and all marbles, will stain or etch even after applications of sealers. There are materials to clean stain, but removing a stain completely is hard to do.
Soapstone is also a great conductor of heat and can withstand very high temperatures. You can put hot pots and pans directly on your soapstone countertop surface. For centuries, soapstone has been quarried and used throughout the world. Soapstone was traditionally used in colonial New England for fireplace hearths, sinks, counter tops, and wood stoves.
In addition to soapstone’s traditional uses, it’s currently used for stair treads, balusters, sills, island tops and mixing bowls. Because of its unparalleled heat retention characteristics, it’s the perfect choice for cookware, cook tops, oven floors, masonry heaters and fireplace liners. After soapstone is initially heated from burning wood, pellets or coal, it slowly radiates the heat evenly for hours – even after the fire is out! Soapstone can also be used for carving and sculpture.
