Natural stone countertops are popular, but it can be hard to know which stone to choose. Granite has long been the most popular choice, but as of 2009, many homeowners are choosing soapstone. Each kind has benefits and drawbacks you should consider carefully before you make a decision.

Identification

Soapstone is a metamorphic rock also known as steatite. It's made up of three different elements--talc, magnesium silicate and chlorite--so it will be harder or softer depending on the percentage of each of these parts in that piece of soapstone. The more talc involved, the softer the stone will be.

Granite is a natural stone that began as liquid magma from the Earth's core. It contains several minerals, such as quartz and mica, which were compressed over time into one of the hardest stones on earth, second only to diamond. It is also quite porous.

Features

Soapstone has a limited range of color choices. Most soapstone is a fairly uniform gray-green, gray-blue or gray. With an application of mineral oil, this color will darken to nearly black. There are some marbled varieties of soapstone available, but these tend to be softer and require more care if used as a countertop.

Granite comes in a wide variety of colors, with many interesting variations of marbling available. You can find a granite countertop to fit nearly any color scheme. With granite, you also have a choice of a slab countertop or one made from granite tiles, which will be cheaper and still provide the look of granite.

Benefits

Soapstone is non-porous and extremely stain resistant. It's been a favorite for use in science labs due to this quality--even acid spills don't hurt it. It's also heat resistant and fairly easy to repair if it gets damaged. With its talc content, most scratches can be sanded away.

Granite's major benefit is its strength. You'll have a hard time scratching a granite countertop, even if you use it as a cutting board. It's also a hygienic counter surface. Another benefit is the wide range of choices in color, style and texture.

Drawbacks

Soapstone does scratch easily. If you use soapstone for your countertop, you will probably be repairing scratches often. You may find the few color choices a drawback. Also, if you choose not to apply mineral oil to darken the stone, the areas you touch more often may darken due to oil from your hands.

Since granite is porous, it stains easily. You'll need to apply a sealant to your countertop and should still wipe up spills promptly. Be careful about which cleaning products you use on your granite countertop. You should get a list of which ones are likely to damage the surface.

Cost

Since part of the cost of natural stone countertops is based on transportation from the quarry, costs can vary widely in different areas of the country. In general, granite has a wider range of price levels based on type and quality. Granite prices begin at about $75 per square foot and can go as high as $250 per square foot. Soapstone, in general, is more comparable with the price of mid-range granite, running from $100 to $150 per square foot.

Considerations

When trying to decide between granite and soapstone for your countertop, think about the ways you use it. How often do you cook in your kitchen? Are you more likely to have trouble with staining or scratching? How important is it to you to match your color scheme? The answers to these questions will lead you to the natural stone countertop you'll love.