Soapstone Countertop - No, It Won't Melt on Contact with Water

You could probably write a history of the United States and Canada based on the prevailing trend of kitchen countertop styles. How did Formica affect world events? What does the choice of ultra-swanky granite countertops say about the financial bubbles of the early 2000's?

Even concrete countertops have had their heyday. But when will soapstone counters have their resurgence? Even though soapstone has an appealing soft-and-warm feel, it is surprisingly harder than you might think (and no, doesn't dissolve on contact with water!). But the most surprising thing about soapstone countertops is that they are nearly impervious to staining, something that granite cannot claim. Part of this is the fact that new soapstone must be wiped down with mineral oil, and then this process repeated monthly for about a year. The light-gray soapstone turns dark gray, so possibly it may stain but the stains simply don't show.

Soapstone counters aren't for people who are looking to pare their remodeling budget close to the bone (but again, it does beat the cost of some granite). Nor is it for people who want a very sleek, sterile, contemporary look. It will develop what soapstone owners like to affectionately term "patina."

Image Copyright/Courtesy Vermont Soapstone