Soapstone experience please
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Anonymous
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Hello,
We are considering soapstone countertops for our kitchen remodel. I understand the basic properties of soapstone but would love to hear from folks who have used it. Are you happy with your counters? Would you do it again? Did you end up seasoning them (with oil) or did you leave them untreated? Anything you wish you knew beforehand? TYIA! |
Anonymous
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We have leathered soapstone and generally are very happy with it. Have seasoned it once in the last three years when the surface was starting to look a bit dull and to bring out the veining more, but there's no actual need besides (minimal) aesthetics. I like that it doesn't stain and you can put hot pots and pans directly on it. It did chip around the edges of the sink at first when we weren't being as careful as we should have been. But they aren't bad enough chips to need to sand it, and the good thing is that you CAN sand them easily.
One thing I didn't consider was that we may eventually rent out our house, and I would be worried about renters not being as careful as us and damaging it. But that's also a risk with marble, quartz, and most other natural stone types. |
Anonymous
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Following-- i also want to do soapstone in my kitchen reno. What cabinets are you considering, OP?
We have a 1920s house and I think soapstone and white (or offwhite cabinets) will fit the house |
Anonymous
| We we went w Black mist honed granite as a less finicky alternative to soapstone and are very happy. |
Anonymous
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Terrible , get granite or quartz
Listen to real experience it sucks https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2667171/help-water-marks-on-soapstone |
Anonymous
| Thanks, everyone. |
Anonymous
OP here. We were also considering off-white. But if we don’t do soapstone, it may open up other choices for cabinet color. |
Anonymous
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I have had soapstone for 15 years and still love it. It has a warmth that granite lacks, and the veining is beautiful.
Back when it was new, we did routinely oil it with Boos beeswax, but it’s not a necessity. It does pick up small nicks here and there but not noticeable when you oil it. It looks way better than the butcher block we used in a small part of our kitchen. |
Anonymous
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I got it last year and I love it. I have a 1920s house as well and it goes perfectly.
We have hard water and that does form rings/water stains. When it starts to look dull I will oil it and it looks like new. Maybe every other month or so. |
Anonymous
| I love soapstone, too. But I did research on it and decided against it when I did my most recent renovation. |
Anonymous
| Love my soapstone counters. Had them for almost 10 yrs. |
Anonymous
+1 Love them and will probably do again in our next kitchen. |
Anonymous
| It has some great qualities (impervious to heat and food acids, won't stain), but it is soft. We moved back into our house 10 years ago when the older of our two boys was in kindergarten. The soapstone has a patina while the other counter material looks the same as the day it was put in. If that would bother you, you might think twice about soapstone if you have young kids, especially if you will be having them do some chores around the kitchen and learning to cook. |
Anonymous
| Line the look and feel of our but as a chef, the material is just too porous and soft for me, even in my home. I'm so glad i saved my granite counters and they're getting reinstalled |
Anonymous
+1 I have kids and a less than careful husband. I was going to do Virginia most/jet mist leathered, but went with leathered black mist granite. Love it, and I don’t worry about its durability. soapstone is gorgeous though! |