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Soapstone Sink: Enjoy The Rich And Smooth Look And Feel Unlike Other Sinks
A soapstone sink can add a stylish look to almost any kitchen design and is perfect for a traditional décor. One of the most attractive features of these sink (outside of their stunning appearance), is the smooth and silky look and feel they provide. They're very soft to the touch and that's how the stone got their name: it's smooth like soap.
There are a few things you should know about these sinks before deciding if one of them is the best choice for your kitchen design plans.
This type of sink is a strong and versatile option and this material has been used for hundreds of years. It is used widely for a number of different household items and is frequently used for
countertops.
Because soapstone is a dense material, it will hold up to heat, chemicals, and resist stains making it a great choice for kitchen sinks. A sinks of this type has a beautiful luster, however, it does need to be wiped down with mineral oil regularly and may chip upon impact from a heavy item.
Pieced Together or From a Solid Slab
Because it can be carved and shaped easier then some harder materials, soapstone will give you a variety of custom design options.
A soapstone sink can be made from slabs and pieced together or carved out of a thick slab of stone to make a seamless sink with rounded corners.
The downside of a pieced together sink is that it has joints that can breakdown and cause leaking over time and can hold dust and food particles. That's why many times homeowners opt for the solid carved sinks.
The most common sink options are a large single bowl rectangle or a double bowl. These common styles are often pre-made and readily available. Another option is to have a custom sink made on a special order basis.
Color Choices and Patina
There aren't as many color choices with soapstone as there are with "man-made" sinks, but there are a few different colors and shades available. Colors range from deep blue-grays to charcoal and some include flecks and streaks of green and blue running through them.
A soapstone sink will darken as it ages and if you like a sink with more luster, you can wipe it regularly with mineral oil as mentioned. This will not only give it a luster but also speed the darkening process. As a rule, it's best to keep this material treated with mineral oil or it may lose its patina over time and take on a dull appearance.
If you choose to buy a soapstone sink for your new space, be sure to let your cabinetmaker and your installation contractors know. There are a number of things that may need to be modified to allow the sink to be installed correctly.
See how a soapstone sink is assembled in this video
Installation And Cost of a Soapstone Sink
Soapstone is a dense and solid material which makes it heavy. This added weight will need extra support when mounted in your new cabinet and attached to your countertop.
If you choose one of these sinks that are larger than a standard sink, your plumbing, garbage disposal, and cabinet width may need to be adjusted to fit.
Another thing that you need to think about is the cost. Soapstone is more expensive than a stainless steel model and your kitchen remodeling budget may or may not allow for this added cost.
While this type of sink is more expensive, the strength and life of it will justify the added cost over the long term. Outside of the higher price, soapstone is one of the best choice for an upscale design if you want something that is totally unique.
If you don't want to pay the price for a soapstone sink or you don't want the worries of maintenance, then there is a huge assortment of other sinks that may be better suited for your remodeling project.
Check out PlumbersSurplus.com to see a large selection of alternative sinks if soapstone is not your first choice. Narrow your search by sink type and then...material, brand, color, cost, or collection that you want. They have an array of sinks at low prices that will save you money on your project!
