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Not including installation, a typical 30-square-foot slab of granite or quartz costs about $1,500 to $3,000, while a soapstone countertop costs about $2,100 to $3,600. It is a highly durable countertop material used in science labs across the country.

Soapstone is a non-porous stone that has been used for counter tops for over 100 years. Its durability and sophisticated look make soapstone a premier counter top option.

Latera has the Largest Selection Of Soapstone Slabs in Austin and Dallas. With over +50 Slabs of Soapstone in stock in Austin and +50 slabs in stock in Dallas, Latera will be able to provide you with the perfect slab of Soapstone for your project.

How does it compare, cost-wise, to granite and quartz? Granite and quartz cost about $50 to $100 per square foot, while soapstone countertops costs $70 to $120 per square foot. Not including installation, a typical 30-square-foot slab of granite or quartz costs about $1,500 to $3,000, while a soapstone countertop costs about $2,100 to $3,600.

Soapstone weighs an average of 20 lbs. per square foot! It is a nonporous stone and will not absorb liquids and stains like other natural stones will. It is also heat resistant.

Since soapstone countertops do not crack easily, they are more durable than other countertops made of natural stone. Its non-porosity feature also means that your soapstone countertops can serve you for a long period without requiring sealing.Apr 29, 2021

Soapstone is a relatively soft material, and it will scratch. Soapstone is primarily composed of the mineral talc, the softest mineral there is. ... So while soapstone may be easily scratched, one of its most positive takeaways is that it may be quickly brought back to its original beauty.Dec 30, 2019

Soapstone almost always has a muted gray, gray-blue, or gray-green color. It often has white veins running across the stone, and sometimes has swirls of white or quartz. Soapstone is quarried in many places around the world, and these locations each provide unique slabs.

Natural soapstone colors come in a selection of hues. Typically, the color options range from a palette gray, green, black, or blue-ish gray. Additionally, there some options may have swirls of quartz and white.Oct 8, 2019

Soapstone is both chemical resistant and heat resistant, so you can set hot pots and pans directly on soapstone without risk of cracking or scorching. Soapstone is much softer and more prone to scratching than granite or quartz however, so preparing food directly on your soapstone counters could easily scratch it.

The Composition of Soapstone

Soapstone (also known as Steatite) is a metamorphic rock that consists primarily of talc. Depending on the quarry from which it is sourced, it also contains varying amounts of other minerals such as micas, chlorite, amphiboles, quartz, magnesite and carbonates.Jan 21, 2020

Architectural-Grade Soapstone

Many people are surprised to learn that soapstone, while somewhat softer than granite, is less porous and susceptible to staining, and is harder than marble. ... It is less dramatic than most types of granite, but many people prefer its subtle beauty to the loud exuberance of granite.Aug 14, 2021

Soapstone is durable and heat-resistant, just like quartz and granite. Like quartz, soapstone is also non-porous — but unlike quartz, soapstone is naturally non-porous, so you do not need to worry about staining at all. There are no compounds that could get damaged and discolored.Aug 15, 2019

Soapstone is the common name for the mineral steatite. Steatite is at least 50% talc combined with other minerals, mostly magnesite, that have been geologically metamorphosed into stone through a combination of heat, pressure and time. It is called soapstone because the talc gives the stone a soapy feel.

Soapstone Countertop Pros

Durable: Though soapstone is relatively soft compared to other stone countertops, it remains durable. Soapstone typically lasts for more than 20 years. It's eco-friendly: Soapstone is naturally found and can be recycled.Sep 16, 2021

Soapstone was first discovered in America by Native Americans. Domestic soapstone derives geologically from a line of talc and accompanying miner deposits that run along the Appalachian Mountains from New England to Georgia.

• Soapstone is an excellent choice for countertops. While soapstone has been used for laboratory countertops for years, this rustic stone is currently being rediscovered by homeowners who appreciate its good looks and durability. Soapstone countertops can have either an old-fashioned, New England look, or a fresh contemporary appearance.

• Soapstone is a malleable stone with exceptional density that feels to the touch like a dry bar of soap.
• Cut the stone using a circular saw with a dry cutting diamond blade. Set up a straight edge to guide you as you use the saw.
• The next step is to measure the island (Image 1). A template is not needed for these pieces of stone because they are rectangular.
• Dry-set the three pieces on the island and look at the seams. You want the island to appear seamless.
• Once the epoxies and adhesives are dry,use a belt sander to sand off any excess epoxy and smooth the entire stone.
• Next,we return to the kitchen counter. The two pieces on either side of the stove in this project are rectangular,so no templates are needed.
• If you have a faucet to install into the soapstone,measure carefully for the hole or holes that need to be cut.
• File the edges of the countertop as you did with the island. Use a fine-cut file and 80-grit sandpaper.
• To add a backsplash against the wall around the perimeter of the counter,make sure the height matches the molding that is already in place.
• With all the pieces of soapstone glued and sanded,the final step is to treat the surface of the stone with mineral oil.

• If you use soapstone cookware, be aware it has some dangers. Because soapstone naturally conducts heat so well, it can retain heat for hours after being removed from the stove. Just like touching any other hot cookware, touching hot soapstone cookware can cause burns.

• Soapstone is natural stone material that has been used for centuries in countertops. It’s milky appearance gives it a rustic feel when compared with the urbane and elegant look of granite or slate.

Soapstone is an excellent choice for countertops. While soapstone has been used for laboratory countertops for years, this rustic stone is currently being rediscovered by homeowners who appreciate its good looks and durability. Soapstone countertops can have either an old-fashioned, New England look, or a fresh contemporary appearance.

^{How to Lay a Soapstone Countertop}

1. Soapstone is a malleable stone with exceptional density that feels to the touch like a dry bar of soap.
2. Cut the stone using a circular saw with a dry cutting diamond blade. Set up a straight edge to guide you as you use the saw.
3. The next step is to measure the island (Image 1). A template is not needed for these pieces of stone because they are rectangular.
4. Dry-set the three pieces on the island and look at the seams. You want the island to appear seamless.
5. Once the epoxies and adhesives are dry, use a belt sander to sand off any excess epoxy and smooth the entire stone.
6. Next, we return to the kitchen counter. The two pieces on either side of the stove in this project are rectangular, so no templates are needed.
7. If you have a faucet to install into the soapstone, measure carefully for the hole or holes that need to be cut.
8. File the edges of the countertop as you did with the island. Use a fine-cut file and 80-grit sandpaper.
9. To add a backsplash against the wall around the perimeter of the counter, make sure the height matches the molding that is already in place.
10. With all the pieces of soapstone glued and sanded, the final step is to treat the surface of the stone with mineral oil.

If you use soapstone cookware, be aware it has some dangers. Because soapstone naturally conducts heat so well, it can retain heat for hours after being removed from the stove. Just like touching any other hot cookware, touching hot soapstone cookware can cause burns.

Soapstone is natural stone material that has been used for centuries in countertops. It’s milky appearance gives it a rustic feel when compared with the urbane and elegant look of granite or slate.

Quartz has its good points as well. It's highly resistant to scratches, if that's something you're often concerned about, and it tends to be less expensive than soapstone. It's best to weigh all of the pros and cons, your personal style, and needs before making your final decision.Mar 19, 2021

• Granite and quartz cost about $50 to $100 per square foot, while soapstone countertops costs $70 to $120 per square foot. Not including installation, a typical 30-square-foot slab of granite or quartz costs about $1,500 to $3,000, while a soapstone countertop costs about $2,100 to $3,600.

• Soapstone countertop cost. Soapstone usually costs $70 to $120 per square foot, though some vendors sell the stone for as low as $25 per square foot. Typically, a thicker slab of soapstone is more expensive, but also more durable.