The Durable Kitchen Countertop Material That Gets Better With Age

From quartz to granite, there are many beautiful, durable countertop materials to choose from — but there's one that gets better with age: Vermont soapstone. If you're the kind of person who loves to cook and wants a durable work area but enjoys a more lived-in feel, soapstone may give you precisely the look you're going for.

Just like marble or granite, soapstone is a natural material quarried from the earth. It has an advantage over its better-known competitors, though. It's non-porous, which makes it stain resistant, and you also don't have to worry about the household cleaners you might use on it. In fact, it's so impervious to chemicals, soapstone is used in laboratories. It's also more likely to dent than chip or crack, so you don't need to worry too much about dropping a heavy pan.

Soapstone, however, is a bit more limited in color than other stones. It mostly comes in shades of gray, sometimes with a bit of white or gray veining. It's also worth noting it is naturally on the lighter side but darkens over time as it oxidizes with exposure to common kitchen liquids, such as oil, grease, or even water. But you can hasten that process by applying mineral oil. For those living with soapstone, this patina is just part of the charm after years of use.

Vermont isn't the only place to get soapstone — it can be found from Brazil to Finland. It costs anywhere from $70 to $120 per square foot for materials and labor, and the average cost to homeowners is about $2,850. This is slightly under the average cost for granite or marble countertops — depending, of course, on the exact materials you choose and the size of your project.

If you love the appearance of soapstone but don't think it's right for your kitchen, there are other ways to get the look. For instance, there are honed granite and quartz options that have a similar look, though granite will need more care and quartz will not gain a patina over time. When it comes to choosing the best type of countertop for your kitchen, many will have advice, but like most things within your home, it's about your personal preference and how you use the space. Still, try to avoid these mistakes when choosing your countertops.