Soapstone is a beautiful experience in itself, making your home look beautiful and cozy, whether used for bathroom flooring or wall cladding purposes, or as countertop surfaces. Being a metamorphic rock formed due to the movement of tectonic plates and transformation due to temperature, it is found only in some places. Even though there are stones like granite, marble, limestone, and travertine, you’ve ample reasons to choose soapstone over other natural stones.
Soapstone remains soft and comfortable to touch, unlike granite which feels hot or cold to touch depending on the surroundings. Looking subdued, even when polished in comparison with granites, they have more to offer than meets our eyes.
Beautiful patterns
Due to their distinct origin, soapstones feature rich vein patterns and color variants of dark green, gray, and black. Even though you can polish them and get some shine, over time they lose luster and look dull.
Protection against stains
Many sellers claim, soapstones are non-porous and resist stains. It’s true to an extent when it comes to acidic orange and citrus juices, oil, or water. However, as they naturally look tanned in due course, protecting their looks becomes necessary. Coating the soapstones with mineral oil gives a darker tone, but ensures uniform looks for longer periods.
Non-porous shield
Soapstones are non-porous, and easily resist accumulation and growth of microbes on their surfaces. Soapstone is a healthier candidate as a countertop which needs less maintenance.
Soft and vulnerable to scratches
As these natural stones contain talc, they are soft; their softness varies based on the occurrence and variety. For architectural purposes, the ones with talc percentages of around 30% are used, as they are harder enough to resist deforming forces for some extent.
Temperature retention
Soapstones retain and release temperature gradually, thus making excellent materials for purposes such as lining stone hearths, insulating floors, cooking vessels, whisky stones, etc. This also protects them against heat-induced damage, giving them an advantage over other natural stones for use as kitchen countertops.
