Soapstone Slabs and Blocks Add Function and Form To Your Spaces

Author: Anne Harvester

You may have marveled at the beauty of soapstone sinks, fireplaces, countertops, tiles, mosaics and cookware. Their finished beauty defies their humble beginnings as soapstone slabs and soapstone blocks. Taking rough stone from the side of a mountain in Brazil through all of the processes needed to bring a sink or a countertop to life is an interesting and detailed task, but one that is offered by stone masons around the world so that you can enjoy the results of soapstone in your home or office.

Some of the world's most lovely soapstone hails from Brazil. Soapstone is a metamorphic rock that consists primarily of talc and magnesium. Miners drill holes with heavy water pistons into the side of a mountain where the soapstone is located and once a hole is made through the area, a heavy cable studded with diamonds is used to slice the chunk of soapstone from the mountainside, a little like using a piece of dental floss to slice through a delicate cheesecake. Heavy bucket loaders come in and loosen the large pieces from the earth. After a thorough washing with water, the soapstone is taken to a stone yard for processing, where large saws with diamond edges are used to cut the soapstone into the desired shapes.

Soapstone is typically sold in slabs and blocks. Both have specific uses in construction applications for homes and commercial spaces.

Soapstone slabs are used for making luxurious countertops. These countertops are much in demand, both for their beauty and for their heat and stain resistance. You can set hot food containers directly on the countertop, with no ill effect. They clean up easily with common household cleaners as well.

Soapstone blocks can be used for crafting sinks and fireplaces, although slabs can be used for this purpose as well depending on the specific design desired. Grinders, guided by lasers, are used to grind the sandstone to create basins, and drains are cut out with specialty cutters that can make a hole in the solid piece of stone. If soapstone slabs are used in creating sinks, heavy waterproof epoxys are used to glue the flat pieces together so that they will hold water. A very unified and elegant look can be achieved when soapstone slabs are used for the countertops, and soapstone blocks are used for the sinks in a bathroom or kitchen.

Soapstone comes in beautiful shades of grey, blue and charcoal, all with unique veining so that no two pieces are exactly alike. You can adorn your home and workspace with all of the sophisticated style and durability that comes from using products made from soapstone slabs and soapstone blocks from Brazil.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_648533_27.html

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