What is Soapstone?

Soapstone or Steatite is a metamorphic rock that comes in degrees of hardness. It is composed of talc, magnesium silicate and chlorite. The softer is known as “talc” and is used to carve or crush to a powder for a variety of purposes. Soapstone West uses the harder version of steatite, which makes it appropriate for countertops and other similar uses that require durability and other unique properties. It is a quarried stone that comes in shades such as green/gray, blue/gray and charcoal gray in its natural state but turns quite dark to almost black with the application of mineral oil.

Warm, rustic, iniviting and yet modern

Soapstone’s look is a warm, rustic, inviting one, which is soft to the touch and user-friendly. Soapstone has also been used as laboratory counters in schools and colleges because of inertness, its ability to resist stains and not react to chemicals and acid. Therefore its finish isn’t jeopardized by acidic spills such as lemon, vinegar, or wine, like high gloss marble and granite can be.

Soapstone is a time tested material

Centuries old farmhouses have original soapstone sinks and countertops still in use today. Soapstone has been used for hundreds of years in fireplaces, countertops and sinks. As a countertop material it is an obvious choice because of its ease of workability and durability.

Easy to work with

Soapstone is relatively easy to work with and can be cut with a circular saw equipped with a diamond turbo blade and can then be finished by hand with sandpaper. Both are available in most hardware stores. It also can be fabricated by Soapstone West to fit the needs of the customer. Different edge profiles such as a bull nose, bevel, or ogee can be achieved because of it’s 3cm thick edge, the most popular is the plank edge with softened top and bottom corners giving it a simple, old world look.

Completely non-pourous

Soapstone is non-porous. Because of its density and with mineral oil applied as a further protective topcoat it is virtually stain-proof. After installation soapstone is often oiled with mineral oil. It will then patinate to a deep black matte finish with the beauty of natural stone markings. Surface scratches can be repaired with the application of mineral oil or an occasional light sanding.

A stone you’ll love

The use of this beautiful, natural and time honored material will make any project a source of great pride and enjoyment for many years to come.