4 Compelling Benefits Of Soapstone Kitchen Benchtops

One of the most important things to think about during a kitchen renovation is what material to use for your benchtops. There are plenty of options, but one you might not have heard of is soapstone. This is a natural stone that is becoming increasingly popular for kitchen benchtops, and it isn't hard to see why once you understand its many benefits.

Here are just four reasons you should consider soapstone benchtops for your kitchen.

1. Natural Beauty

One of the best things about choosing natural materials is that they tend to look more impressive and luxurious than man-made materials. That's certainly the case with soapstone. Its colours range from close to pure white to charcoal grey, and most possess a slight marbling that helps them stand out. This makes soapstone great for those looking for a statement piece, and its muted colours ensure it fits with everything from modern designs to more traditional or rustic aesthetics.

2. Eco-Friendly

People are thinking more and more about how the decisions they make impact the environment, which might help explain part of soapstone's popularity. The fact that it's a natural material means that no synthetic chemicals are used during production, and it doesn't cause any harm to take it from the Earth. If you're looking to stay eco-conscious, soapstone is a great option.

3. Non-Porous

One issue people often experience with natural stones is that they tend to be porous. This means they can stain easily when not properly treated. However, this isn't something you're going to need to worry about with soapstone since it is non-porous. Spilled liquids aren't going to penetrate and stain it, including acidic ones such as coffee. Its non-porous nature also makes soapstone more convenient to maintain since you don't need to worry about periodically sealing or treating it.

4. Durability

While the benefits above might be compelling, they're not going to count for much without durability. After all, kitchen benchtops need to cope with plenty of stress during their lifetimes. Here again, soapstone is impressive. While it is relatively soft for a natural stone, it's actually quite pliable instead of being brittle. This means soapstone benchtops are very resistant to cracking, so even dropped pots and pans shouldn't be a concern. Additionally, soapstone stands up well to heat, so you'll be able to place hot pots and pans on soapstone benchtops without having to worry about causing damage.