Skip to Content

Countertop Materials: Soapstone vs Granite

What are the Differences between Soapstone vs Granite? Soapstone is an excellent, versatile, and inexpensive natural stone. Soapstone is made from rock, and it’s the leading natural stone for countertops and more.

It’s also not porous like other stone types. It is stain/scratch resistant, which makes it durable and easy to clean material. Because of those qualities, soapstone is a popular, low-maintenance type of countertop material that’s easy to install and use. And because soapstone isn’t porous, it can only be installed on kitchen and bathroom countertops. If you want to know more about soapstone countertops, then here  https://www.caesarstone.ca/blog/what-is-the-average-cost-of-soapstone-countertops/  for more info.

Granite is a natural stone made from granite, quartz, and quartzite, and it’s made to look like marble with the same richness.

Soapstone vs Granite Countertops

In this guide, you will read a comparison of soapstone countertops vs granite.

Soapstone

Soapstone has a similar hardness rating as quartz, so it is in that range of hardness too. Thanks to this consistency, it doesn’t change much between different types. So soapstone is a pretty consistent stone. It comes in a range of soft yellow colors to harder gray shades. And it is also generally cheaper than granite and quartz.

It is typically used as a countertop option for residential kitchens but is now gaining popularity with businesses as well. Soapstone is also incredibly non-porous, making it a great option because it prevents spills from getting into the stone and discoloring it. While it is not as stain-resistant as quartz, soapstone does allow spills to wipe away. Soapstone tends to stain like other stones, primarily because the dirt gets picked up in the seams. So, it will have to be cleaned more often.

Pros of Soapstone Countertop

For kitchen countertops, soapstone is often an undervalued option. That’s because it comes in a variety of colors that makes it more versatile than quartz. This means you can potentially avoid some of the quartz’s downsides. For instance, quartz counters are usually available in a limited number of colors. Another pro of soapstone vs granite is that soapstone is more akin to marble in that it can take on a wide range of colors, and it is a pretty solid stain-resistant option.

It is one of the most durable natural materials, and as a kitchen counter alternative, it is about equal to granite on the Mohs Hardness Scale. It can withstand spills, knife cuts, and all of the other nicks and scratches that a daily scrubbing of a kitchen countertop is going to throw at it. The biggest pro for soapstone counters is that soapstone counters need little to no upkeep (apart from basic cleaning).

Cons of Soapstone Countertop

Even though soapstone is chemically inert and, as a result, hard to get stained, it can still be slightly porous, so care is essential. If you spill any liquid or oil onto your soapstone counter, you can leave behind a trace of moisture that eventually turns into stains. To remedy this, soapstone must be kept in a warm, dry area with low relative humidity because air and water create tiny pinholes in the stone.

Soapstone countertop that is installed in your house should be kept somewhere with a relative humidity of 60 or lower. In other words, a house with humid conditions isn’t enough, and a house that has a humid basement isn’t enough–the soapstone has to be in its enclosed room to prevent liquid from soaking into it.

Granite

Granite is available in nearly any combination of colors, widths, cuts, veining, and even patterns. You could even get it with color-changing pigments!

When compared to granite, soapstone and quartz counters appear stark at first, but once installed, this is a great alternative that offers more than just appearances and durability. Granite is a long-lasting material that can withstand most cleaning products without losing its beauty.

Pros of Granite Countertop

Granite countertops are highly durable. They are a popular choice. If you’re looking for something that can last for decades, granite is a good choice. With that, however, comes some serious cost. A good quality granite slab can cost up to $10,000 as opposed to the cheap, pre-laid slate tiles that are very common.

If you have the budget for it, granite countertops are a good way to upgrade any kitchen, dining area, or bathroom! Some people also believe there is an air of sophistication, and the look they create is just beautiful. With that, however, comes some serious cost.

Cons of Granite Countertop

On the other hand, granite is not as versatile as the other leading stone countertops. For example, it is not as easy to cut, shape, or polish granite. So, if you are looking for that modern open kitchen look, granite might not do the job. They are also not easy to reseal at a high level, so the risk of looking at that countertop as a permanent fixture is low. For that reason, granite counters are usually limited to kitchen countertops. They also do not stack on top of each other for easy storage.

Granite is not particularly practical as a stone for a shower. The large pieces of granite stone can get slippery, and that becomes an extremely slippery situation when there’s water behind you. Another big issue with granite is that it’s not very easy to maintain.

The durability factor is also a big selling point. Because granite is a natural stone, it is more difficult to cut and install than man-made products. In the end, this may imply additional hours of work. Granite counters, on the other hand, can last for millennia once fitted.

Conclusion

In this guide, you have read the comparison of soapstone vs granite. Soapstone is an easy option if you are looking for a high-end and natural choice that’s great for kitchen and other residential uses. Granite isn’t as hard as soapstone countertop, but it’s the hard-wearing marble alternative that has been around for a very long time.

Both of these stones are highly stain-resistant, and granite tends to cost a bit more than soapstone, though both of them are still pretty affordable. And if that’s your call, then it comes down to personal preference as to which one you like better.

 

Jeff Campbell