Features of a Soapstone Countertop

Soapstone is a great material for countertops for a variety of reasons. It is non-porous and easy to care for. It is also stain-resistant and easy to clean. Read on to discover more about the different features of this type of countertop. Soapstone is also a good choice for bathrooms and other areas of the home.

Non-Porous

If you want a non-porous countertop, soapstone countertops Butler, PA is a great choice. It has a high talc content, making it easy to cut and shape. You can use a circular saw with a diamond blade to cut soapstone slabs. A router with a diamond bit is another great tool for cutting shaped profile edges. It would help if you also used a straightedge to help you cut the slab. You can also use masking tape to protect the surface while cutting.

Another reason to choose a non-porous soapstone countertop is its heat resistance. Native Americans used this natural stone as a source of cooking tools. In addition to being heat resistant, a soapstone countertop won’t burn or get damaged by fire. Moreover, soapstone doesn’t absorb stains or liquids, making it the perfect choice for kitchen countertops.

Soapstone is also a great option for high-moisture areas. However, you should be careful with this type of material. If you plan to use it as a pool surround or patio tiles, you’ll want to talk to a soapstone supplier before installing it. A supplier can recommend a more porous slab for this type of application.

Easy to Maintain

Soapstone countertops are a popular choice for kitchen countertops. Besides being hard and low-maintenance, they also look beautiful. The available colors include white, charcoal, blue and green. However, there are some limitations to the colors available in soapstone. If you are looking for a unique countertop that will last for many years, consider a more durable material.

If your soapstone countertop is scratched, you can use sandpaper to remove scratches. You should use medium-grit sandpaper to remove scratches and finer sandpaper to make the repaired area match the rest of the countertop. If the scratch is deep, you can repair it with epoxy, which will help the scratch heal.

To clean a soapstone countertop, you should use a mild household cleaner. Avoid harsh chemicals and acids, as they may remove the mineral oil treatment. You can also use soapy water to sterilize soapstone countertops.

Resistant to Stains

One of the best things about soapstone countertops is their stain resistance. It’s one of the few countertop materials that will not absorb stains. This makes it the ideal choice for busy parents and professional chefs alike. It won’t get stained by greasy foods or spills and can be cleaned easily with any household cleaning solution. Soapstone is also resistant to bacteria.

Another great thing about soapstone is its natural beauty. Unlike granite, soapstone slabs are never the same, which means the resulting surface is unique. It’s also non-porous, which means liquids on it will evaporate and won’t stain it. It’s also great at transferring heat and resisting acidity.

Easy to Care For

When you install a soapstone countertop in your kitchen, you’ll find it relatively easy to care for. Because soapstone is naturally dark, it develops a unique patina over time. Your soapstone countertop will scratch and chip, but most scratches can be easily sanded off. However, you should avoid chopping directly on it because the sharp edges of knives will leave marks on the surface.

You can use mineral oil to maintain the beauty of your soapstone countertop. You can purchase it at a hardware store or from an online store. Mineral oil adds a thin layer of moisture to the stone and accelerates oxidation. After a couple of months, the mineral oil will begin to discolor and fade.

In addition to using mineral oil or wax to maintain the appearance of your soapstone countertop, you should sand down any scratches. Even if the scratches are minor, you can still sand them with sandpaper. It’s better to use worn sandpaper than a brand new one because it’s kinder to the surface. You should also use mineral oil to clean the area.