Soapstone is one of the most coveted stones used to craft kitchen countertops, backsplashes, sinks, and flooring, preferred for its heat-resistant, non-porous, easy-care properties. Natural soapstone is a metamorphic rock quarried in Brazil, the US, and other parts of the world to be fabricated and used for gorgeous kitchen, bathroom, outdoor, and commercial applications. Here, we explain common soapstone fabrication and installation processes that transform quarried slabs into countertops, bathroom sinks, shower pans, tiles, landscape walls, or outdoor kitchen surfaces.
Soapstone Fabrication: What Do You Use to Cut Soapstone?
You may think that any experienced natural stone fabricator can fabricate soapstone, but soapstone is finished differently from granite or marble. At M. Teixeira Soapstone, we cut, finish, and install our products using methods developed specifically for soapstone. Unique tooling, abrasives, and adhesives deliver a finished look with the most invisible seams.
Soapstone is a dense, heavy material, but its talc content makes it softer than marble or quartz. While fabricating soapstone is more dependent on craftsmanship than technology, we are happy and proud to say we use both. At M. Teixeira Soapstone, we use the latest technology available in the stone industry, paired with a team of highly trained and experienced craftspeople. We ensure each piece of soapstone we fabricate is correctly sized and carefully cut to specifications before we finish the fabricated soapstone slabs to create the kitchen countertop or other design you prefer.
Some of the technology we use includes:
- Computer Numeric Control (also known as CNC)
- Milling machines
- Bridge saws
- Digital measuring devices
- Sawjet
At the M Teixeira Soapstone headquarters in New Jersey, we use a state-of-the-art robot Saw Waterjet also known as a “Sawjet,” to cut, fabricate, and finish soapstone slabs to customers’ specifications. This is the same type of Robot used in the automobile industry, which is equipped with a diamond blade and a high-pressure waterjet nozzle. A robotic sawjet uses a diamond saw blade on one side, a waterjet nozzle on the other, and software-controlled technology to create precision cuts. Our sawjet makes soapstone fabrication and finishing more accurate and efficient than traditional options.
Professional Soapstone Installation
Installation of soapstone countertops, sinks, backsplashes, or shower pans requires measuring, laying, adjusting, setting, and bolting fabricated pieces into place. Our team of soapstone craftsmen has been working exclusively with soapstone for years. We are happy to work directly with clients or with your architect, designer, or contractor to complete any custom soapstone fabrication project. If it is made with soapstone, we can do it.
Depending on the soapstone fixture that is installed, once the adhesives are set, seams are sanded, and clips get tightened, your new countertop, bathroom sink, entryway floor tile, or fireplace surround is ready to go. We offer soapstone installation services near our locations in Boynton Beach, FL, San Francisco, CA, Glen Rock, NJ, and Long Island, NY—and, depending on the size of your project, we can travel anywhere in the United States to complete residential or commercial projects.
After soapstone countertop, sink, patio tile, or backsplash installation, you may choose to apply a mineral oil treatment to deepen the background and bring out the pattern in the stone, or leave it untreated to allow a natural patina to develop. Soapstone is naturally dark to light gray with sparse to abundant veining—oil will affect soapstone varieties differently, so you may wish to experiment by oiling soapstone samples to see what you prefer.
Slash Soapstone Countertop Installation Prices With a DIY Option
Over half of the price of soapstone countertop installation comes from the cost of labor. If you’re looking for a way to save money on soapstone, consider DIY countertops you can install yourself. A do-it-yourself soapstone countertop kit eliminates the price of labor during installation so you enjoy the beauty of soapstone without going over your budget. We offer complete DIY soapstone countertop kits with pre-cut slabs from 6 to 7 feet long, cut-to-size slabs for a custom fit—including finished edge options—and fully prefabricated kitchen countertops that are installation-ready upon receipt.
Where to Buy Soapstone Countertops
When deciding where to buy soapstone countertops, consider all the company has to offer. Choose a company that offers design, fabrication, and installation services to cut out the middleman and save a step in your kitchen countertop renovation process. We have been serving homeowners, designers, fabricators, and architects since 1998. We use digital laser technology for templating your countertops and CNC machining technology (NJ location only, others to upgrade soon) for accurate cutting, faster turnaround times and minimal waste. We also use state-of-the-art Robot SawJet technology for fast, incredibly precise cutting.
M Teixeira Soapstone offers everything you need to get the soapstone kitchen of your dreams. From inspiration to installation, we’ll stick with you every step of the way as you take your journey to create soapstone countertops and kitchen fixtures that enhance your décor. Visit our showrooms and warehouses in New Jersey, New York, California, and Florida—in person or online—to explore available soapstone slabs and pieces.
When you’re ready to talk about fabrication, installation, and soapstone countertop price, fill out an easy quote request or contact us directly to get started.