Some soapstone colors, here used as soapstone bowls.

One of the great things about soapstone is the many different and unique colors it is found with.  Soapstone counter tops and soapstone stoves are so popular because rarely you’ll find two that match in color and texture.  Each is basically a one of a kind piece.

Georgia soapstone counter tops are not found in solid colors but instead come with mottled, texturized colors of their natural states.  In its discolored state, Texas soapstone looks mottled brownish with reddish casts. The color of a Minnesota soapstone counter top is also dependent on the amount of light which is reflected or transmitted from it.  A traditional soapstone stove or soapstone masonry heater, for example, is a shade of opaque and translucent with a pearly or waxy brilliance to it.
The various kinds of soapstone used in kitchens are sold in soapstone slabs.  These slabs are then separated and categorized according to their color. Combarbalite soapstone, for example, comes from the Chilean province of Coquimbo in Combarbala. This particular type of soapstone is found with various colors of brown, yellow, green, and red. While Palewa soapstone is usually gray, green, or tan, which deepens when polished and is found in India.  The most common type of soapstone is called steatite and is a light gray.

Traditional homeowners normally stick with these basic colors because of the neutral appearance of them and the fact they are easier to mix and match with existing furniture or color palettes of the room.

Maintain the luster of soapstone kitchen counter top colors
Here at Dorado Soapstone, we’ve found that the best and easiest way to preserve the soapstone’s distinct colors is to regularly rub the surface with mineral oil.  The mineral oil protects it from scratches and cuts, while giving it a deeper and richer shade.

When deciding on adding a new soapstone countertop to your kitchen, it is important to do the proper research beforehand.  One of the first pieces of information you must absolutely know is the size of your kitchen in respect to how large of a California soapstone countertop you want.  This huge detail influences everything else about the redesign and flow of your kitchen.

The size of any countertop, especially made from Texas soapstone, determines the look of the room as well as how much money you will spend. Choosing a countertop in the incorrect size can result in a room lacking balance in regards to your soapstone stove or worse yet, one which doesn’t fit at all.  Also a poorly supported countertop poses numerous structural hazards to the home.

Small homes

Installing Soapstone Counters in Kitchen

People who own smaller to medium sized homes tend to place Minnesota soapstone countertops in their kitchens. Depending on the size and design, your countertops should bee placed against the wall as a working area.  If you prefer to have it in the center of the room, allow it to become a multi-purpose island.  Try not to install a soapstone countertop which extends the entire wall of the room. Not only is this extremely expensive, but it leads to a large amount of installation problems later on.

A kitchen, 20 by 20 feet in size, would require a seven foot long countertop.  This not only gives you adequate space to work in but also enough room for a working table and all of your kitchen appliances.

Large homes

Large homes have a little more room to play with which allows you to install a longer and wider countertop made from Georgia soapstone. In these homes you can also consider placing your countertop against the wall or in the middle of the room. For wall countertops, leave at least a half-inch between the wall and the countertop. This space leaves room for expanding and contracting, which can sometimes happen in extremely hot or extremely cold weather.

Commercial Properties

Soapstone countertops are perfect for properties zoned for commercial business, such as bars and restaurants.  The countertop must be large enough to accommodate dozens of customers or workers at once.  Keep in mind that some distributors and manufacturers charge more for commercial establishment installation compared to homes and residential properties.  The reason for this is because of the different state permits to do.  Most home installations don’t require these permits.  However, you’ll find that warranty terms with a commercial soapstone countertop are usually much better than residential, due to the fact they undergo more wear and tear than a typical home countertop.

Soapstone Fireplace

With the high price of fuel oil and recent spikes in prices, many homeowners are looking for less expensive fuel alternatives for heating their homes.  A soapstone fireplace from Dorado Soapstone can not only save you big bucks on fuel costs this winter, but it also makes a great looking addition to your interior decor for any style home

One of the many benefits from using a soapstone fireplace is that it burns a wide variety of fuels.  Unlike a oil fireplace or a gas fireplace that can only run on a single fuel, you have a bit more flexibility with a soapstone fireplace.  This allows you to price your fuels from year to year and take advantage of the best buys seasonally.

Another advantage that comes from these fireplaces is that they are highly efficient.  The fuel that you use in the soapstone fireplace burns at very high temperatures, so that the fuel is completely combusted.  This means that there is little smoke, making the air quality in your home much healthier.  It also means that you are spared the usual unpleasant task of cleaning messy ash and soot from the fireplace.

Soapstone fireplaces are also efficient in their heating ability.  After fuel has been burnt in the fireplace, you can expect the soapstone fireplace to retain the heat gained from the fuel for up to twelve hours.  A soapstone fireplace also radiates heat extremely well, so that nearby rooms will also benefit from the heat output of the soapstone fireplace.  It is not unusual for a soapstone fireplace to heat up to 1,800 square feet of space, the size of many compact homes.

Not only are these fireplaces flexible and efficient, but soapstone fireplaces come in a host of beautiful, natural colors and designs.  The stone comes in various shades of grey, green and blue, with veining ranging from white and green to black, and the colors can be somewhat altered by rubbing oil into the stone.  The stone used for fireplaces can be custom cut into different shapes and sizes to fit with your home’s interior.  Soapstone fireplaces are usually crafted from slabs of the stone that are professionally adhered together to create a rectangular shape.  The fireplace can come with a bench, tile parquet, chimney or even an amazing oven used for cooking pizzas and breads.

Dorado Soapstone offers the best Brazilian stone that is crafted into the finest soapstone fireplaces available for residential use today.