While granite, marble and laminate are all commonly associated with kitchen worktops, homeowners are often less knowledgeable about soapstone.
Although the name may suggest it's not strong, it is in fact highly durable and more than up to the task of dealing with daily life in the heart of the home – and can even be used in other rooms too.
In this guide to what is soapstone, we explain what it is, its pros and cons, and take a look at its attributes so you can decide if it could be the best material for your kitchen worktop ideas.
Article continues below1. What is soapstone?
Unlike its foamy namesake, soapstone is a hard-wearing natural material, as Paul Dore, managing director at County Stone explains.
"Despite the name, soapstone isn’t made from soap; it is a natural metamorphic stone and gets its name from the soft, smooth, almost soapy feel of the surface. It is not an engineered product and is quarried in slab form, and then cut and finished for installation. That means each piece is unique, with natural movement, shading and markings."
'It is primarily composed of talc," expands Olli Webb, director at Cullifords. "Once quarried, slabs are cut, shaped and finished, often for use as kitchen worktops."
"It forms over millions of years when heat and pressure alter mineral-rich rocks," continues Paul. "Soapstone also boasts varying amounts of other minerals, and it’s these additional minerals and the degree of metamorphism that affect its hardness. Harder types are preferred for kitchen worktops because they are more durable than pure talc soapstone."
Paul is managing director at County Stone Ltd who has built a fantastic reputation for creatively responding to highly varied and often rather ‘different’ types of commissions and contracts both in the domestic and commercial markets.
Oli Webb is a Director at Cullifords, a supplier of natural stones specialising in marble, granite, quartzites, travertines, onyx and slates. They also distribute man-made ceramic surfaces, which are specifically designed for the kitchen market.
2. What does soapstone look like?
In terms of appearance, it's known for its rich grey-to-charcoal tones, often with subtle veining, although it can have a blue or green tinge too. Visually, differences are mainly seen in shade and veining.
"There are different types of soapstone available," explains Paul Dore, "but these are usually defined by the quarry source and mineral content. Some slabs are darker charcoal grey, while others carry green, blue or brown undertones. Veining can range from subtle to dramatic too," he adds.
"Hardness also differs between slabs, which is why it’s important to work with an experienced fabricator who can source suitable grades for busy kitchen worktops," notes Paul.
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3. Where can it be used?
While more commonly associated with kitchens, soapstone can also be used in other applications around the home.
"Soapstone is primarily used in kitchens – for worktops, kitchen islands and splashbacks," confirms Olli Webb, "but it also suitable for bathroom surfaces too, such as bathroom panelling ideas." Its high-end appearance makes it a good option if you're looking to create a luxurious master en-suite, or even a spa-like bathroom in line with this year's bathroom trends.
Some other uses, explains Paul, include, "fireplace surrounds and hearths, to create bespoke shelving and even for windowsills and home bar ideas."
4. What is it most like in terms of other materials?
In terms of what it can most be likened too when comparing it to other surface finishes, it's usually placed with worktop materials such as granite, quartz and marble, although it can have less variations in its appearance, and is generally a bit softer in terms of its physical make up.
"Soapstone sits somewhere between granite and marble in terms of appearance and perception," says Paul Dore. "It has the natural beauty and individuality of marble, but it tends to be more forgiving in day-to-day use.
"It is also often chosen as an alternative to honed granite because of its softer, matte appearance," he continues. "If a client wants something understated, tactile and characterful, soapstone is well worth considering. And, unlike quartz or other engineered surfaces, what you see is naturally formed, which gives every slab its own character, making it unique – in the same vein as granite."
5. What are its pros and cons?
As with any type of material that features in hard-working areas such as kitchens, it's important to weigh up its pros and cons. What looks good, doesn't always give you the most in terms of performance or stand the test of time with repeated use.
So how does soapstone stack up in terms of its good and bad points?
"Some of its appeal is that it's highly heat resistant, non-porous, hygienic, low maintenance and develops character over time," notes Olli Webb, "although as it has a softer surface, it scratches more easily than granite or quartz."
Paul Dore expands further, listing the following attributes along with some of the points you need to consider if using it in your home.
Pros of soapstone
➕ Beautiful natural veining and tonal variation
➕ Heat-resistant, making it practical in kitchens
➕ Generally resistant to acids
➕ Develops a unique lived-in patina over time
➕ Non-porous varieties can be lower maintenance than some natural stones
Cons of soapstone
➖ Softer than granite or quartz, so it can be scratched or marked more easily
➖ Colour palette is typically darker and more muted
➖ Natural fissures are common and part of the material’s character
➖ Less widely available in the UK than granite, quartz or porcelain
6. How much does it cost?
So do you have room for it in your kitchen costs? If you're looking for budget kitchen worktops, you'll probably need to consider something else such as a laminate worktop say the experts. Soapstone effect options such as this GoodHome Nepeta Multicolour Soapstone effect Compact Laminate Square edge Kitchen Worktop from B&Q can also give you the look without the price.
But, if you do have more funds available, soapstone could be an option, depending on a number of variables.
"Pricing varies depending on slab origin, thickness, availability and fabrication detail, but soapstone is often priced in line with mid-low end marble. Installation costs vary between installers, as well as the complexity of the installation," says Paul Dore.
"Much like similar, premium natural stones, like granite, it typically sits in the mid-to-high price range," confirms Olli Webb.
7. Is it sold under a brand name?
If you're keen to find it when you start looking into your kitchen design, your best bet is to ask for it by name, says the experts, rather than searching for a specific brand or manufacturer.
"It’s usually sold as a material, rather than under widely recognised consumer brands, though specialist suppliers may name specific slabs," say Olli Webb.
"Unlike quartz surfaces, which are often marketed under well-known brand names, soapstone is more commonly sold by quarry name, supplier range or stone variety rather than consumer-facing brands," agrees Paul Dore. "Homeowners usually choose the actual slab rather than shopping by brand alone."
While you may come across Silestone when searching for it online, don't make the mistake of assuming this is soapstone. Silestone is an engineered product designed to look like soapstone, which could be a solution if you wanted to include the appearance of soapstone in your design, but opt for a slightly harder-wearing manmade product instead.
8. What style of home or kitchen does it work best with?
The beauty of soapstone is that it can really work with any type of kitchen idea, although it will often come down to the colour variations available, and the visual appearance of it and whether this suits your personal preferences.
"Soapstone can work with all types of kitchens, but we tend to see it used more commonly in alongside shaker-style kitchen units, adding depth and contrast to kitchens, as well as contemporary and minimalist kitchens where the matte finish adds to the modern aesthetic," says Paul Dore.
"Our view is that soapstone suits homeowners who appreciate natural ageing and authenticity, rather than those wanting a perfectly uniform finish," he adds, and we often say to homeowners that soapstone is ideal for kitchens that want to add softness, rather than shine."
It may not be as widely used in the UK as other materials, but can also be perfect if you are looking for an understated, timeless kitchen, such as those using Scandinavian, traditional or minimalist influences, notes Olli Webb.
Seeking more advice on making sure your kitchen worktop selection is just right? Take a look at what you can expect to pay for other kitchen worktop prices, how to go about choosing the right kitchen worktop colour, and if you're leaning towards wood as an option instead, discover the truth about solid wood kitchen worktops.
