Soapstone
is the best natural surface.
It is the only non-porous stone on earth. Pores cannot be completely sealed, no
matter the sealer, thus exposing other non-solid surfaces to bacteria and
potential stains caused by everyday use. Secondly, due to its
neutral-mineral content, soapstone is impervious to chemicals and
therefore can be cleaned using even the strongest of household cleaning
products; applying chemicals to other natural stone
surfaces will typically damage them. Thirdly, soapstone will not
burn, as it is completely heat proof (the best fireplaces are made of
soapstone). Lastly, seams on countertops are very inconspicuous, a
benefit matched only by synthetic surfaces.
Now
that the technical stuff is out of the way - it looks and feels
beautiful.
Something
only nature can provide.
