Is Soapstone Better Than Granite
Soapstone has pluses and minuses so it really depends on what you are looking for in a countertop.
Is soapstone better than granite. After you set soapstone in place you should rub it with mineral oil to accent the stone s striking marbling. Surfaces such as granite quartz and corian have eclipsed economical laminate and homeowners looking for something even more exotic can opt for soapstone countertops marble and limestone. Most often found in dark grey with light gray veins. Tomato juice wine and vinegar do not discolor the stone.
It is unaffected by acids and alkalis. Also you can put a hot pot on soapstone and it won t damage the surface. However construction grade soapstone the kind that is used for counters and other around the home purposes generally falls around 5 5 6 5 on the mohs hardness scale which isn t much softer than either quartz or granite. At the turn of the century it was not uncommon to find soapstone counters in kitchens.
Basically soapstone feels to me like a living breathing ever evolving surface that is timeless in its beauty and durability rather than timeless in the sense looking new for years and years the way granite probably would. General cost not including installation 70 100 per sq. Basically soapstone is still plenty hard but it s just soft enough that it s less brittle than granite or quartz. Soapstone countertops are non porous and unlike marble countertops concrete countertops and granite countertops do not need to be sealed.
Also a high quality natural stone granite will not cost you as much soapstone. Soapstone countertops have become quite fashionable again. Many natural and random colors and styles. 70 100 per sq ft.
On the plus side soapstone is almost completely non porous which means it resists stains well. It is also less brittle than granite or marble so chipping isn t as big an issue. Soapstone is more resistant to stains and chemicals than granite is. Lighting cabinetry and flooring are all important in the kitchen but many designers say countertops often create the wow factor.
It is less dramatic than most types of granite but many people prefer its subtle beauty to the loud exuberance of granite. Are soapstone countertops better than granite. The material typically costs in the range of 40 to 100 per square foot installed. 70 100 per sq ft.
Once known as the original stone countertop soapstone was commonly found as countertop and sink material years ago. Soapstone slabs are usually in creamy shades ranging from nearly white to dark gray with subtle veining.