More often than not, when someone mentions soapstone uses, the instinct is to think of kitchen countertops — specifically, soapstone countertops gracing a cozy home kitchen. But soapstone isn’t a “kitchens only” product; in fact, it’s got myriad uses that work for pretty much any room of the house. Want soapstone tile in your hallways? No sweat! Looking for heat-safe counters for your laundry room? Soapstone works there too! Basically, soapstone is the right balance of soft and hard, which means it can be cut into a huge of different shapes for various uses.
One question we hear surprisingly often is whether soapstone is also good for commercial applications. Just because you often hear of it used as a home finish, that doesn’t mean it’s not also ideal for options like restaurants, hotels, and more. Here’s what you need to know about soapstone for commercial use:
It’s More Than a Granite Alternative
Soapstone started growing in popularity when people realized that the stone is a useful and cost-effective granite alternative. This was big news for a market in which granite has become increasingly in demand — and increasingly expensive. In many ways, soapstone is a good granite alternative because it offers many of the same benefits:
- It’s natural stone, so hard and durable.
- It offers many color options.
- It’s heat-proof, so it’s immune to burns and scorching.
- It’s cut in slabs, so you can have barely-visible seams.
It’s a lot of these qualities that make granite a great option for commercial use, just like it does for residential use. In fact, stone finishes are great for bathrooms, dining areas, and high-traffic areas because natural stone is so much more durable than tile or hardwoods. It can handle hotter and cooler temperatures and keeps looking great despite high levels of foot traffic. All told, most natural stone is a good option for commercial use because of the above properties.
Big Benefits for Commercial Use
What’s more, soapstone actually offers even more benefits than options like granite or marble for use in commercial settings. The biggest difference is that soapstone is non-porous. This means that soapstone doesn’t need to be sealed and re-sealed every so often and it will still be impervious to staining. Whether you want to use natural stone in a food-related area like a dining room, or simply want to use it in high-traffic areas, you can trust that soapstone isn’t going to get stained and look dingy after a few months the way other stone options can look.
Related to this, it’s also important to note that soapstone is chemically inert. Combine that with the fact that it is non-porous, and it makes soapstone impressively easy to clean! Not only does it not stain, but it also means you can use whatever cleaners you choose — no specialty cleaner needed like granite or quartz call for. In commercial settings where cleanliness rules are strict, soapstone offers the advantage over other stone options.
Possibly the biggest benefit of all, though, is that soapstone is a little bit softer than granite or quartz. This means it’s easier to cut it without worrying about cracking where breaks shouldn’t appear. One of the big price factors for granite is that slabs often crack during cutting. This is a lot less common with soapstone, which helps keep the cost down. It also means that soapstone can typically be cut into a wider variety of shapes and dimensions than other natural stone options.
Finding Soapstone Near You
Whether you’re looking for soapstone for a home renovation or a full-scale commercial project, Dorado Soapstone is here to help. Connect with us today to get answers to any questions you might have, and to find a supplier near you.
