Soapstone and granite are two popular materials to consider when building luxurious constructions, but which of the two is more expensive?
Granite is considerably more expensive than soapstone, particularly where kitchen countertops are concerned. It can cost around $60 to $105 per square foot of soapstone, but granite can cost anything from $80 to $200 per square foot, depending on the quality of the rock.
Read on to learn more about soapstone and granite, and why they’re such popular materials.
Don’t Take It For Granite
Soapstone and granite have both been used by the human species for thousands of years, primarily in carving and construction. The latter is the most popular, boasting high durability, resistance to damage, and heavyweight.
Conversely, soapstone, while still a common enough material used in construction, is considerably softer than granite. This is because soapstone is made up primarily of talc, a material that ranks the lowest on the Mohs scale.
This scale is used to determine the hardness of materials, with diamond being rated at the very top of the spectrum. However, while soapstone primarily consists of talc, it’s packed in very densely, making soapstone somewhat resistant to scratches.
Granite is a much more common rock, being used in construction for around five thousand years – as far as we know, at least. Today, there are entire buildings, foundations, and statues made from granite.
It’s a versatile material that can be polished to a fine sheen and makes for an extremely attractive surface. As it’s such a hard material, it’s also naturally resistant to most scratches and gouges, making it perfect for a kitchen work surface.
When comparing the two materials, soapstone boasts a lower price overall – particularly where kitchen construction is concerned. For example, it can cost as little as $60 per square foot for a soapstone countertop in your kitchen.
However, a granite countertop starts at around $80 per square foot and climbs to as high as $200 per square foot. While it is more expensive, the price has declined a little in recent years owing to its mass availability.
Call Of The Countertops
There are those who prefer the look of a soapstone countertop because of its vintage and classic nature. On the other hand, many people prefer granite for its diverse appearances, coming as it does in various colorations and patterns.
Ultimately, both surfaces will be unique, a fact driven by the natural process of their creation. When you’re purchasing authentic soapstone and granite, it hasn’t been manufactured, but literally carved from the Earth.
While the aesthetic of each stone is a subjective factor, there are honest facts about each material that drives its popularity either up or down. For example, soapstone is naturally non-porous and therefore doesn’t require sealing.
Granite isn’t non-porous and it will require regular sealing to be resistant to any moisture, such as spills. Although, granite is more resistant to heat and scratches, while soapstone can easily be damaged by even the slightest cut of a knife.
More often than not, homeowners will gravitate toward soapstone because of its relatively low maintenance concerns. It doesn’t need sealing, it can be cleaned with any product, and it’s quite durable.
Both materials reportedly hold their value very well, and while they won’t necessarily boost the overall value of your property, they can help to close a sale. It’s always a bonus to see natural, hard stone surfaces in a kitchen or bathroom.
There are dozens of materials that can be used for kitchen countertops, from marble to quartz, and glass to metal. It’s a diverse range and a competitive market, with very little variation in price from surface to surface.
However, sitting proudly at the top of the scale is the beautiful and coveted lava stone, the most expensive countertop material you can buy. It’s estimated that this stone can cost anything from $250 to $350 per square foot.
This stone offers extreme durability and resistance, it’s non-porous and therefore doesn’t require any sealing, and it can be used both indoors and outdoors. It’s also available in a wide range of hues and it’s a very environmentally-friendly material.
Typically, lava stone will be glazed as part of the production process, giving the stone a stunning sheen and making it available in a range of colors. It doesn’t matter if you want a green, blue, yellow, or red kitchen – lava stone has you covered.