The price will depend on your location and also the availability. It is usually priced about the same as an expensive granite. Located near the Twin Cities? Get a free estimate on Soapstone Countertops.

A soapstone countertop will last many lifetimes. It is a dense natural stone which allows nothing to penetrate it, not even bacteria. It is impossible to stain and unaffected by heat. See similar questions...

A soft, clean cloth. Apply the mineral oil to your entire counter and then wipe up any excess oil with a soft clean cloth. See similar questions...

Soapstone is a metamorphic rock which comes in varying degrees of hardness. It is composed of talc, magnesium silicate, and chlorite. See similar questions...

Kitchen Master of California Inc. can help you in this area. We work with different fabricators of granite, plastic laminate and solid surface tops. Whatever you desire for your countertops, we can help you decide where to go and what to get. The fabricators that you will work with are the best around not only in the work that they do but also the pricing you will receive. Just let your design team member know what you would like. See similar questions...

We recommend using mild soap and water to clean your soapstone countertops. Because soapstone is dense and non-porous, it is very germ and bacteria resistant. Soapstone is naturally a clean surface. That being said, you can use any common household cleaners on your soapstone counters. You do not have to worry about using ammonia based cleaners, like you would with granite and marble. See similar questions...

Soapstone is a very durable, proven countertop material, but it can be scratched. The good news if you do not like the scratches, they can be buffed out with standard sand paper. Often what appears to be a scratch is actually the mineral oil being removed form the surface. Usually the "scratch" can be removed just by applying mineral oil to the area. Many of our customers like the patina that develops over time with their soapstone countertops. See similar questions...

It's a darker natural stone and comes in shades of grayish to green to blues, and charcoal gray. Random markings include white veining, shades of green, amber or beige in the shape of veins or other formations. See similar questions...

Nothing negative will happen to your soapstone if you choose not apply mineral oil, or if you forget to apply mineral oil. Over time the stone will darken naturally on its own. You will notice the soapstone darkening quicker around the high use areas, such as the sink, stovetop, prep areas, etc. If initially you leave your counters un-oiled and months later you want to oil them, that is fine. You do not have to commit to oiling soapstone the day it is installed. See similar questions...

No, sealers are used on stones that are porous, or stones that will etch. Soapstone is not porous and it will not etch. See similar questions...

Backsplashes, bathroom vanities, bathtubs, benches, bowls, cooking pots, countertops, fireplaces, fireplace fireboxes, fireplace surrounds, floors, furnaces, lintels, pizza stones, planters, sculptures, shower stalls, sinks, table tops, and window sills. If you can imagine it, you can probably use soapstone. See similar questions...

Artistic soapstone has a high talc content, is very soft, and is used for carvings, chalks, and welders pencils. No. Soapstone countertops can be placed directly on your cabinet frames with a silicone adhesive. Your cabinets must be sturdy. See similar questions...

A simple wipe with mineral oil and the small scratches are gone. For deeper scratches, a light sanding followed by mineral oil will remove any scratches. See similar questions...

To avoid inconsistant color or tone. Soapstone oxidizes (turns dark) when it is exposed to water, grease, and oils. Treating your soapstone with mineral oil will keep the oxidation uniform across the entire surface. Mineral oil will also bring out the richness of your stone's natural color, making the color deeper and more dramatic. See similar questions...

Our counters are generally cast 2” thick, or more, which gives them a pleasing sense of mass and sets them apart from the common 1 1/2” thickness of most other countertops. This thickness also provides enough material for integral drain boards and integral cutting boards. Drop edges of 8 inches or more may be incorporated for a heavier look, without adding appreciably to the weight, while our backsplashes are usually 5/8” thick. See similar questions...

All natural stone surfaces will stain if left untreated. Cast concrete is about as porous as marble and must be sealed, as naked concrete is vulnerable to acidic liquids such as wine, lemon juice and balsamic vinegar that can discolor the surface. We can confidently say our sealed countertops resist most household stains, but this is not to say that they are stain proof. See similar questions...

We prefer to deliver and install the countertops ourselves in Western Canada to avoid warranty issues and assure complete client satisfaction. Travel and installation charges are quoted in our estimates. Otherwise, we will provide installation instructions, but highly recommend using a contractor who is familiar with solid surface countertops, as the installation procedure is not difficult, but delicate, much like solid surface. See similar questions...

The color runs solid throughout the material so minor scratches and chips can be repaired easily. Check out the Care and Maintenance page for more details. See similar questions...

Because granite is usually sold in slabs no more than 9 ft long (approx.), most Kitchen countertops would have least one seam. The placement of seam is determined at the time of templating. See similar questions...