We provide a free quote process so you can budget for your project with real numbers. We can also recommend styles and types of soapstone for your particular project.
Areas of Operation
All of New Jersey and Delaware, Northern Maryland and the Eastern part of Pennsylvania. See map for our location.
PA Original Soapstone
PA Original Soapstone is our staple stone. Over the years we have used many different soapstones and have determined that this stone is special. Not only is the hardest and most durable Architectural Grade soapstone in the world, it is also resistant to stains and heat.
Not all Soapstones are the same, but there are two basic types of soapstone that most people are familiar with. The first is Artistic Grade soapstone. Artistic grade is soft. It can easily be carved with hand tools to make statues and figurines. It also comes in a variety of colors: white, green, pink etc. This type of soapstone is made up of mostly mineral talc and is not good for making countertops and sinks.
By contrast, Architectural Grade Soapstone has much less mineral talc and is significantly harder than Artistic. This type of soapstone can be blocked and slabbed for the making of countertops and sinks and is very durable. That said, not all Architectural Grade soapstone is the same. Some are harder than others, but the common theme in all soapstones is that they all contain mineral talc. Without talc, it is not considered soapstone.
PA Original Soapstone has a minimal about of talc, which makes it very hard and durable. We are asked all the time to make vessel or carved sinks out of this stone, however it is simply too hard in construction for that application. The softer materials are great, though less durable. PA Original soapstone is perfect for countertops, vanities and sinks and is unique in veining and color.
Like granite and quartzite, PA Original Soapstone does not scratch, ding, dent like the softer ones do. It’s best to use this stone in an active kitchen. If you like to cook and make a mess and don’t want to worry about the surface, then this soapstone is a great choice. It’s like a beautiful workbench for your kitchen. Once you are ready to move forward, it’s always worth the trip to Philadelphia Soapstone to hand-pick your very own slab and ensure that you get exactly the look you want.
The Process
Here at Philadelphia Soapstone & Marble Company, we look forward to assisting you with your design goals. We offer a simple, effective, step-by-step approach to the ordering process so you know exactly what to expect:
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- First, get us as much information about your project as possible. A simple diagram, uploaded as a PDF through our website’s contact form, will suffice. Upon receipt we will begin putting together an estimate, obtaining additional information from you, if needed.
- Upon approval of the estimate, simply contact Philadelphia Soapstone & Marble to schedule an appointment to come in and personally hand-select your stone slab. While you are there, we will review all the details of your project and put your name on the slab(s) to hold them until your job is ready for them.
- The template comes next. Once cabinetry is installed, the sink is on-site and the stove is in place, we will come out to your home and firm up all the details, obtaining exact measurements and scribing the walls and other locations to ensure your stone will be a perfect fit.
- Installation is the final step. Once the template is complete, we will provide you with an installation date. Typical turnaround is dependent upon scheduling availability on both our part as well as the homeowners’, however a baseline average is generally one to two weeks from template to final install. Depending on the size of the job, you can expect the install to take approximately three to five hours.
Soapstone Sinks
Soapstone Sinks are custom fabricated to your specifications. We make a new sink with matching material for every job. Our standard fabricated sink is made using tongue and groove construction to last a lifetime.
It’s quite alright if you’re not using a soapstone sink. We can work that way as well.
Wax or Oil?
The most common form of soapstone enhancement is mineral oil, which is a great product to use on the softer varieties of soapstone, such as Mariana, Barocca and Santa Rita.
For harder varieties of soapstone, such as PA Original, Green Original and Julia, we recommend a carnuba wax/walnut oil combination. The wax product gets applied once at install and again the following day. After the initial wax application, a touch-up a couple of times a year is typical.