Sinks

 

A beautiful kitchen

 
 
 
 

Soapstone countertops without mineral oil.
 

Soapstone, as the name implies, has a smooth soapy feeling. Primarily composed of talc, soapstone is light blue/gray when fresh from the quarry, but its surface  darkens immediately with mineral oil and also oxidizes deepening in color and developing an attractive patina. Soapstone is softer than marble or granite so it is easy to repair nicks and chips in its surface. Although soft, soapstone is durable: the nonporous surface will not stain or burn and is impervious to acids, a quality that has made it a popular choice for countertops in laboratories and darkrooms. Because the stone retains heat better than materials such as steel or enamel, the dishwater stays hot longer, a quality that made soapstone a popular choice for sinks before the days of hot running water. Unlike marble or granite, soapstone does not require a coating or sealer to protect it from staining, so when you run your hand across it's surface you feel the stone and not the coating. Mineral oil is applied strictly for cosmetic purposes to darken the stone. Take a closer look at the photo to the right to get an idea of the color of the stone.
Soapstone is quite strong and well suited in kitchen design. However in the situation where it needs to extend past the cabinets, additional support is required. While the stone can overhang up to 12" without any support, we feel anything beyond that should have a bracket. Take a closer look at the photo on the right for a better idea of what we're talking about.
Soapstone installed as a counter top is 1 1/4" thick and weighs just over twenty pounds per square foot. The 1 1/4" thickness gives it a nice heavy old world look. Kitchen designers may find the weight daunting, but it's easily supported with standard cabinets. Click on the photo for a better look. 
Soapstone has the ability to withstand immense heat - so go ahead and put that hot pot right on the countertop. Soapstone has also been used for years in the making of fireplaces.  Hot pots and pans in the kitchen are a fact - and if you're always wondering if your counter can take the heat - maybe it's time for your counter to get out of the kitchen!  No need for a closer look - we think we made our point.
Soapstone when quarried comes out in large blocks that are then sawn into slabs. The finished slabs are approximately 32" x 60". This creates more seams in a soapstone counter when compared to granite or marble. The nice thing is that when installed properly the seams become barely discernible. With this counter the seams run from side to side - enlarge the picture on the left and try to find them.
Soapstone sinks are another beautiful addition to any kitchen. Their size can vary to suit your wishes and needs.      Click the image on the right to watch a video of a countertop installation
And don't feel that you're the first kid on the block to use Soapstone - check out these two kitchens in the 2004 This Old House Kitchen and Bath special issue. -Kitchen#1- and -Kitchen#2-