Buying Soapstone Slabs: Key Things To Look For

Soapstone is a superior material for making custom countertops in your bathroom, kitchen, or outdoor living area. The stone’s beauty, heat and stain resistance, and natural antimicrobial properties make it a popular choice among homeowners and interior designers.

There’s a lot to think about when you choose soapstone for your home. Use our guide below to discover the key things to look for when buying soapstone slabs for your home renovation.

Hardness Level

Soapstone has many incredible qualities, but it’s still a naturally soft stone. On the Mohs scale—a hardness ranking system that ranges from 1 to 10—soapstone ranks between 1 and 4.5 Mohs. This means that while soapstone offers incredible heat and staining resistance, it can scratch easily.

Soapstone slabs that are lower on the Mohs scale are so soft a fingernail can easily scratch them. Slabs that are higher on the Mohs scale are a little more impervious, but they will still scratch beneath a key, knife, or other sharp objects. If you’re looking for countertops for a more active room—such as the kitchen or an outdoor grilling space—consider a soapstone slab with a higher Mohs ranking.

The Perfect Shade

While every soapstone slab boasts its own unique color variations, most soapstone comes in shades of gray. However, soapstone darkens over time through a natural patina process. Take this into account if you want a specific color of soapstone for your room.

Pro-Tip: Oiling and Waxing Are Unnecessary

Some homeowners believe that you need to oil or wax your soapstone to maintain it. The truth is oil and wax only speed up the stone's natural patina process. There is no need to oil or wax your soapstone counters. Additionally, keep in mind that your soapstone will darken faster around prep areas where oil might splash onto the counter.

Different Patterns and Veining

One of the beauties of soapstone is the different patterns that make each slab perfectly unique. No two soapstone slabs are exactly alike, which means there is an endless variety to help you find the perfect look for your project.

One of the most important things to look for when buying soapstone slabs is a pattern that suits your room design. Plainer slabs offer a clean, sleek look that is perfect for a modern layout, while more dynamic veining and flecking offer a more creative twist to your counters.

Let LaCour StoneWorks help you find the perfect soapstone slab for your home or commercial project. We offer soapstone slabs wholesale along with our expert fabrication and installation services. No matter what vision you have for your countertops, the team at LaCour StoneWorks can help bring it to life.