Soapstone Countertops in Thornton, CO
We measure, supply and fit soapstone countertops in kitchens and bathrooms across Thornton, Colorado.
- Quotes in writing
- 20 areas covered
Thornton Countertops fits soapstone countertops in homes across Thornton. We measure your cabinets first, then have each soapstone slab cut to fit them.
What soapstone is
The U.S. Geological Survey says soapstone is a metamorphic rock that is rich in talc. The National Park Service says metamorphic rocks form when high temperatures and pressure act on a rock and change it, and it lists soapstone among them. The Survey says the talc makes soapstone very smooth, and that native people carved it into bowls, vases and decorative objects.
We fit soapstone in kitchens, on islands and on bathroom vanity tops.
How soft soapstone is
The U.S. Geological Survey says that because soapstone is rich in talc, it is not as strong as other rocks, and that it is fairly easy to cut and shape with tools. The National Park Service rates minerals on the Mohs hardness scale, which measures how well a mineral stands up to scratching. On the Park Service's chart, talc is 1 and a fingernail is 2.5.
On any soapstone top we fit, we'd have you use a cutting board for knives.
Soapstone and silica dust
OSHA says stone contains crystalline silica, and that very small silica particles, at least 100 times smaller than ordinary sand, are made when stone is cut, sawed, ground or drilled.
Whoever you hire, ask where your slab will be cut and how they keep the dust down.
What sets the price of soapstone
We price soapstone countertops for your house once we've measured, and you get that quote in writing. Our price depends on the slab you choose, how much counter we cover, the edge you pick, and how many holes we cut for the sink and the cooktop, the burners set into the counter.
Can't decide on a stone yet? We can quote more than one. We also fit granite, quartz, quartzite and marble.
What to get in writing
Ask for these in writing, whoever you hire:
- The name of the soapstone and the thickness of the slab.
- A drawing of the layout, with every seam and cutout marked.
- Which edge you are getting.
- Where the slab will be cut and shaped.
- Whether taking out and hauling away the old countertops is in the price.
- Who disconnects and reconnects the sink, faucet and cooktop.
Questions about soapstone countertops in Thornton
Do I need a permit for new soapstone countertops in Thornton?
Not for the countertops themselves. The City of Thornton lists replacing cabinets and counter tops among the inside projects that don't need a building permit. Plumbing, electrical or structural modifications do need one. If your new soapstone top means moving the sink, we'll check with the city's building division with you before we start.
Is soapstone the same as talc?
Not quite. The U.S. Geological Survey says talc is a mineral and calls soapstone an impure rock containing talc and other minerals. It says the major markets for talc are ceramics, paint, paper and plastics.
Is soapstone the same as quartz?
No. NIOSH says engineered stone is also known as quartz, and OSHA describes engineered stone as man-made, while the U.S. Geological Survey calls soapstone a rock. If you want engineered stone instead, we fit quartz countertops too.
Is soapstone the same as marble?
No. The U.S. Geological Survey says marble is made of crystals of a mineral called calcite, while soapstone is rich in talc. On the Park Service's Mohs chart, calcite is 3, two steps harder than talc.
How do I clean soapstone countertops?
FoodSafety.gov says to wash countertops with hot, soapy water, especially after they've held raw meat, poultry, seafood or eggs. It also says never to thaw or marinate food on the counter.
Can you replace my old laminate with soapstone?
Yes, we can take out old laminate or tile tops and fit soapstone in their place as part of a countertop replacement job.
Can you put in a backsplash at the same time?
Yes, we can. Once the soapstone is set, we do backsplash installation, facing the strip of wall just above the counter with tile or stone that goes with it.
Can you fix a chip in a soapstone countertop?
Send us a photo, or we can come out and look. We'll tell you whether a countertop repair will hold or the piece should be replaced.
Get a quote for soapstone countertops
Call us, or send the quote form with your ZIP code and the rooms you want done. We'll measure, go through soapstone slabs and edges with you, and give you a written quote. To see the other countertops we fit, go to the Thornton Countertops home page.
Ready to talk about your countertop job?
Send the quote form with your ZIP code and what you need. We will get back to you with a written quote.