(ARA) Soapstone Countertops Provide Beauty, Durability & Style The kitchen is probably the hardest working room in your house. It’s the main gathering spot for family and friends, and it’s used for everything from preparing meals to doing homework to working on craft projects.

The materials you use in the kitchen need to be able to stand up to all this, and look good as well. When talking about countertops, you want a durable surface that won’t stain, can stand up to heat and will enhance your décor. Choosing which stone to use in a kitchen application (soapstone, granite, slate, etc.) is a lot like choosing what type of wood to use for floors or kitchen cabinets. You will want to consider durability, maintenance, and price along with the look, tone, and feel of the material.

While granite has been a popular countertop choice in recent years, more and more homeowners are discovering the appeal of soapstone for countertops and sinks. Soapstone has a more interesting grain than granite and has a warmer look and feel that is more like slate. It is softer than granite and, unlike granite, it is not polished to a high-gloss finish. Soapstone is the perfect choice for a kitchen that radiates warmth and hospitality. It has an earthy look and feel that other solid surfaces just can't match.

The experts at Woodstock Soapstone Company use soapstone to build wood and gas stoves as well as countertops. “The heat resistant qualities that make soapstone a great choice for stoves also makes it the perfect choice for kitchen countertops when you need to set down a hot pot or pan,” says company owner Thomas Morrissey. It’s also non-absorbent, so the inevitable spills won’t ruin your countertop. Soapstone cleans easily, especially if a sealer has been applied.

Soapstone is extremely durable, but use the same TLC and common sense you’d use with any countertop: use a cutting board for chopping and wash periodically with warm, soapy water. Because it is relatively soft, it can be scratched if treated carelessly. But unlike other countertop materials, any scratches can be easily removed by buffing with fine steel wool

“One of the things that we really like about soapstone is that it is possible to repair almost any serious damage,” explains Morrissey. A severe chip or gouge can be repaired with two-part epoxy mixed with soapstone dust and small pieces of stone. After this filler sets, it can be sanded down and blended with the surface so that it virtually disappears. This is something that you can't do with hard stone or synthetic countertop materials. “We know of people who have soapstone sinks that have been passed down from their parents or grandparents, they’re that durable,” says Morrissey.

The West Lebanon, N.H.-based company quarries its soapstone in Quebec, Canada, where the mineral content means that the color range is predominately gray, with subtle tones of green and blue. Each piece of stone does have a unique grain, but remains within the same basic color palette.

Buying countertops from Woodstock Soapstone Company is simple. The company can fabricate the whole countertop, including building a soapstone sink to fit, or simply ship stone slabs with one side sanded for you or your contractor to fit and finish.

To see photos of soapstone counter installations, or for more information, visit www.woodstocksoapstone.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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