True to their name, soapstone countertops are light-colored, beautiful, and slippery slabs of natural stone. If you love light and muted colors, then this is what you want to go for. However, all that shimmers isn’t exactly perfect, so you want to know the ins and outs of the material before you buy it because there are other materials like quartz and granite countertops you can pick. Here are the pros and cons of soapstone countertops.
Benefits Of Installing Soapstone Countertops
When it comes to soapstone countertops, they’re some of the most underrated materials. Here are all of the great things about this gem of a material.
Low Maintenance
When you hear the word “natural stone” the first thing that comes to mind is maintenance. Well, soapstone is a wonderful exception in this regard. It is a natural stone, but it’s not nearly as demanding when it comes to maintaining it.
It is a very easy material to clean, take care of, and generally look after, because it is not like other natural stones. You hear the list of things you need to do to maintain stones like granite and marble, but when it comes to soapstone, the list shrinks down a lot and you’re only left with the regular stuff.
Durable
Soapstone is also a very durable material. It is one of the strongest materials out there and it’s going to stay out for a long time. When it comes to natural stones, they can either be hard as a rock or they’re usually very fragile.
But soapstone is a very wonderful blend of materials and temperature, that makes the stone beautiful like marble, but it has the strength of granite and even more. It is a strong material but it can chip over time so consider this fact before choosing a kitchen countertop.
Stain Resistant
One of the great things about soapstone is that it is naturally resistant to stains. When you’re talking about natural stones, stains are something that follows the material around like a contagion. But soapstone, thanks to its amazing properties and durability, isn’t going to suck liquid like a sponge. Rather, it’s going to stop liquids from forming stains on the surface of the countertops, which is amazing.
So, if you want to invest in a natural stone that will ensure that your countertops will stay clean and amazing for longer, then you need to go for soapstone because it will change the way you think about stones.
Naturally UV Resistant
UV resistance? In a natural stone? That’s something you don’t hear every day. Well, soapstone has its way of surprising you when you least expect it. Soapstone is a material that has built-in UV protection from the sun.
UV rays are not only harmful to you, but they can also lead to a lot of damage to the stone if you leave it exposed to the sun for too long. UV rays can darken the material and just weaken it in general. Well, with soapstone, you don’t need to worry about these things, because it won’t let UV rays damage the material.
Appearance Is To Die For
If you’re a sucker for things that are pretty, then you will love soapstone. There is just something so soft and ethereal about soapstone that will make you look at it in awe. It is a matter that mimics the look of marble countertops Durham NC in the best way, but it’s more durable.
It is strong, it is beautiful and truly, it’s the best of both worlds. So, if you want your kitchen to be a showstopper, then soapstone is what you need to go for because people will notice.
Drawbacks Of Installing Soapstone Countertops
Soapstone sounds amazing and it is, except a few things. Here are some things that make soapstone not the greatest choice for kitchen countertops.
Prone To Scratches
As strong as soapstone is, it’s not going to be the same way when you’re constantly using sharp knives and pointy things on the surface of the countertops. You need to take care of soapstone when you’re dealing with knives because things can take a sharp turn and you’ll end up with scratches on soapstone countertops that will not only look hideous but are also a pain to remove.
So, whenever you want to cut anything on the surface of soapstone countertops, make sure that you’re using a cutting board or a plate to create a barrier. Not only will you get the job done and not scratch the countertops, but you will also prevent contamination.
Deformation Is The Norm
Soapstone is not immune to damage. There can be a lot of things that can damage the stone and you will see it in an uneven pattern on the surface of the countertops.
When you run your palm on the surface of soapstone, you will feel the unevenness of the damage and what is so frustrating is that it’s really hard to fix, because everywhere the damage is, it’s very irregular and you won’t know how to make it go back into its original condition.
They Are Expensive
Soapstone, even though it is an amazing and durable material, can be expensive. It is a natural stone at the end of the day and it’s not something people can make in a manufacturing company. So, it’s going to be expensive.
Soapstone can even surpass granite in price, which is just bonkers if you think about it. Soapstone, because it’s a very rare and natural stone, is going to be super expensive for a lot of people which is why they tend to go for other options that fit their budget a bit better.
Water Can Damage Them
Water is a seemingly harmless liquid, so why does it cause a lot of damage? That too, on soapstone? Well, water is kind of like an unsuspecting culprit when it comes to damage. It will not only stain soapstone if it’s not sealed, but it will go inside and spoil the material from within, which is a whole other mess in itself.
This is why it’s recommended never to let water sit on the surface of soapstone countertops, or any material for that matter. You want to wipe away the water quickly and ensure that the countertops are as dry as they can be.
Only Light Colors Available
This one is a bummer for all of you color lovers out there. If you are a fan of dark and vibrant colors, and muted and neutral is not so much your thing, then maybe you’ll need to skip soapstone this time around.
Soapstone is only available in a variety of light and muted colors, so if you’re looking for something dramatic, like granite, then soapstone won’t be able to satisfy you. If you want options, then you won’t find them in soapstone and that’s a huge reason why people loathe soapstone.
Conclusion
Soapstone countertops are beautiful and unique, but weighing the pros and cons of this very material is important so that you know what you’re getting. If you want something more durable and popular, then choose granite countertops by contacting a granite company Raleigh NC.
