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Soapstone Countertops 'Natural' Beauty From Top To Bottom
Soapstone kitchen countertops may be just the thing you’re looking for in a decorator’s dream of a kitchen! Not only do these type countertops look wonderful, they’re also one of the most durable and maintenance-free countertops you can choose.
The mineral used to make these soapstone countertops, steatite, comes from metamorphic rock. This non-porous material offers an ideal medium for applications such as kitchen countertops because it does not absorb liquids. Unlike other materials often used for kitchen countertops, including granite, countertops do not stain because of this unusual characteristic.
Another exceptional quality about these countertops lies in its unique thermal properties. Nearly heatproof, placing a hot pot or pan directly from the stovetop or oven on it causes no damage whatsoever. Because of its excellent ability to withstand heat, this mineral is used not only in this particular countertop, but also in a number of other applications including laboratory counters, oven interiors, grills, and many more.
One of the most remarkable and attractive properties of this countertop stems from its upkeep.
Maintaining these countertops means nothing more than regularly applying mineral oil to it with a rag. By keeping the same rag sealed in a zip-locked plastic bag and reusing it, one maintains the beauty and luster of soapstone countertops indefinitely.
The oiling of this countertops also creates the added benefit of it darkening over time to a dark gray and eventually to a rich, deep black color. Sometimes these countertops develop deep green markings that come from natural-occurring shadings of the rock.
Scratches or marring will occur in this countertop that receive heavy use. To remedy this, first sand with 120-grit sandpaper, then go over the mark with 220-grit sandpaper and water. Rub mineral oil into the area, wait a few hours and apply more mineral oil. Continue to apply mineral oil over the course of several days until it matches its surrounding areas.
Now that you know more about these countertops, why not do some research yourself?
You may find this unusually appropriate material just the thing for which you’ve been looking in a kitchen countertop. You’ll never know, though, ‘til you check it out. The wave of the future in kitchen design may very well be this particular countertop. Don’t miss out!
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