What is Soapstone?

How does Soapstone Age?

Patina: Over time, soapstone develops a natural patina, which is a thin layer that forms on the surface due to exposure to air, moisture, and oils from human touch. This patina can give soapstone a richer color and a slightly weathered appearance, enhancing its aesthetic appeal.

Surface Texture: With use and handling, the surface texture of soapstone can become smoother and more polished in areas that are frequently touched or rubbed. This can give soapstone a distinctive feel and appearance that adds to its character.

Color Changes: The color of soapstone may also change over time due to oxidation and other environmental factors. This can result in a deepening or darkening of the stone's color, often enhancing its natural beauty.

Scratches and Marks: Soapstone is relatively soft compared to other stones such as granite or marble, so it can scratch and dent more easily. Over time, soapstone may accumulate scratches, marks, and dents, which can contribute to its aged appearance and character. Light scratches can be removed with sandpaper and water.

Stain Resistance

While soapstone is not completely impervious to stains, it is relatively resistant compared to other natural stones like granite, quartzite or marble. It's non porous and can be treated with mineral oil or wax to enhance its resistance to stains.

Durability

Soapstone is a dense and durable material that can withstand daily wear and tear in a kitchen environment. It's less likely to chip or crack compared to other stones like marble.

Low Maintenance

Soapstone countertops are relatively low maintenance. They don't require sealing like granite or marble countertops, although applying mineral oil or wax periodically can enhance their appearance and help maintain their resistance to stains.

Heat Resistance

Soapstone is highly resistant to heat, making it ideal for kitchen countertops. It can withstand hot pots and pans without being damaged or discolored.

Chemical Resistance

Soapstone is resistant to acids and alkalis, meaning it won't react with acidic foods or cleaning products commonly used in kitchens.

Anti-bacterial Properties

Soapstone has inherent anti-bacterial properties, which is beneficial in a kitchen environment where cleanliness is important.

Timeless Appearance

Soapstone has a natural, timeless appearance that complements various kitchen styles, from modern to traditional. Its color ranges from light gray to charcoal, with subtle and prominent veining that adds character to the stone.

Properties of Soapstone

Aesthetic Benefits

It comes in a range of colors, from light gray to dark charcoal, and often features beautiful veining and patterns. This makes it a versatile choice for interior design, as it can complement various styles and color schemes. Whether used for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, or even as a decorative accent, soapstone adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to any space. Its natural beauty combined with its functional qualities make soapstone a popular choice for homeowners and designers alike.

Enviornmental Advantages

Soapstone is a natural and eco-friendly material, as it is quarried from the earth and does not require any harsh chemicals or pollutants to be produced. Soapstone is also a sustainable choice, as it is a long-lasting material that does not need to be replaced frequently. This reduces waste and the need for constant manufacturing of new materials.

Natural Beauty

Soapstone's natural beauty lies in its smooth, matte finish and varying shades of gray, black, and green. Over time, it develops a natural patina that adds to its character and charm, making it a timeless choice for both modern and traditional designs.

Utilization

Cultures around the world have utilized soapstone for centuries due to its versatile nature and distinctive qualities. It has been used for everything from cooking vessels to artistic sculptures and even architectural features in buildings.

Did you know?

Some very famous soapstone sculptures can be found all over the world. The giant Rio de Janeiro statue, "Christ the Redeemer," is made out of soapstone and concrete. The Hoysala Empire temples of India are made of soapstone, as are many Native American relics, Inuit carvings, Chinese seals and Egyptian amulets.

Fabrication Process

Measurement and Templating: Before fabrication begins, precise measurements of the countertop area are taken and templates are created to ensure a perfect fit. Sinks and drop-in cooktops should be available prior to templating. If the project will include an undermount farmhouse sink, the sink must be sitting in place inside of the notched cabinet and level with the top of the cabinet prior to template. These steps are crucial for customizing countertops to fit specific kitchen or bathroom layouts.

Cutting: Using specialized equipment such as bridge saws or waterjet machines, the selected Soapstone slab is cut to the required dimensions according to the templates. This step involves cutting out sink openings, cooktop cutouts and any other necessary features.

Edge Profiling: The edges of the countertop are profiled to achieve the desired edge design. Common edge profiles include eased, beveled, bullnose and ogee edges. This step is typically done using CNC routers or hand tools.

Edge Polishing: After edge profiling, the edges of the countertop are polished to create a smooth finish that complements the overall appearance of the countertop.

Quality Inspection: Before heading to installation, the fabricated countertop undergoes a thorough quality inspection to ensure that it meets the required standards for appearance, dimension, and functionality. Any imperfections or defects are addressed before delivery to the customer.

Installation Process

Transportation and Installation: The finished countertop is transported to the installation site, where it is carefully prepared for installation. The installers may use specialized carts, suction cups or other methods to transport the fabricated countertop from the truck to the installation site.

Preparation of the Installation Area: Before installation, the area where the countertops will be installed must be prepared. This may involve removing old countertops, ensuring that the supporting cabinets or structures are level and sturdy and making any necessary adjustments.

Installation of Support Structures: Certain areas will require necessary support structures, such as plywood or substrate, corbels, metal support bars or brackets to provide a stable base for the countertops. This step is crucial for ensuring the long-term stability and integrity of the installation.

Undermount Sinks: Countertops with sinks are set at this time. Undermount sinks are secured inside of the cabinet base using brackets or other methods. Undermount farmhouse sinks should be sitting in place inside of the notched cabinet and level with the top of the cabinet in the exact position it was at template. Following countertop installation, the necessary holes for plumbing will be drilled and the inside of the sink will be sealed with a silicone or caulking.

Placement and Securing of Countertops: The countertops are carefully positioned onto the support structures, ensuring a proper fit and alignment with surrounding elements such as cabinets and walls. The countertops are then secured in place using adhesive, shimming and other methods may be used in taking care to maintain a level surface throughout the installation.

Seaming: Many cases require countertops to be seamed to join two separate pieces of material together, creating the appearance of a single, continuous surface. Several reasons include countertop size limitations, material constraints, installation constraints, design flexibility and cost efficiency to reduce material waste and fabrication cost.

Top mount Sinks and Drop in Cooktops: Top mount sinks and drop-in cooktops will be dry fitted to ensure they will fit inside of the cutout made either during fabrication or on site if needed. Following installation, a contractor or licensed plumber will be responsible for connecting the sink or cooktop and sealing with silicone or caulking.

Final Inspection and Cleanup: A thorough inspection of the completed installation is made to ensure that everything meets the desired specifications and quality standards. Installers will clean up any debris or leftover materials from the installation process, leaving the kitchen area clean and ready for use.

Oiling and Waxing: Applying Mineral Oil or Wax is not required, but it is suggested for most homeowners. New soapstone countertops will darken naturally and patina over time. Applying mineral oil or wax speeds up the oxidation process and will give your stone a more uniform color across the surface. Untreated soapstone may have dark spots and patterns, particularly around the sink, cooktop and heavily used areas, which may stand out compared to the rest of the countertop. Applying mineral oil or wax minimizes the difference in color and darkens the stone more evenly.

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