Soapstone tiles offer the architect and interior designer an unlimited variety of applications, in part because soapstone endures extremely harsh conditions without complaining.  It can withstand the bitter cold of the Arctic, the extreme heat and humidity of the tropics, the grueling hot sun, acid rain or the smoke-filed air of industrial areas.  It also possesses a phenomenal acid and alkali tolerance. 

The stone is easy to work with; it can be lathed, cut or polished.  Its surface can be shaped, routed, cut, or milled either by machine or with hand tools.  This allows Pacific Soapstone Creations to custom create your own architectual masterpiece.

In a home, soapstone tiles are suitable for a multitude of uses in hallways, rooms with open fireplaces, bathrooms, kitchens, and saunas.  Some wonderful examples are walls, windowsills, pillars, and floors.  Soapstone also blends in well with other surfaces like wood and ceramic tiles. Tulikivi tiles are also excellent for countertops and backsplashes which can be installed like mosaic and ceramic tiles.

The tiles are ideal for bathrooms and washrooms because they do not absorb water and are not slippery when wet.  By installing heating elements under Tulikivi tiles, your floor can always be warm to the touch.    Also, a Tulikivi soapstone floor is virtually noiseless. 

Soapstone has long been used as a raw material for sinks and countertops.  This is because soapstone resists both acids and alkalis.  For many years across America major universities and colleges used Finnish soapstone for their sinks and countertops because of these unique properties.  Soapstone is extremely dense, yet soft, stone that may get scratched during ordinary use.  The white talc that rises to the surface when scratched will easily disappear when buffed out or rubbed with mineral oil.  Deep scratches or gouges can be repaired with minimal effort, unlike many other solid surface countertops.

Countertops are sometimes treated with mineral oil which darkens the stone- though it is not necessary for resistance to stains and scratches.  If pure mineral oil is used, over a 30 day period it will evaporate and have to be reapplied- however if B's oil is used instead, which is a mixture of beeswax and mineral oil, one application will last for 6-8 months and develop a rich, satiny texture on the surface of the soapstone.  Oil applications will not seal the stone- it only provides a measure of added protection against more stubborn stains.  Soapstone is better left to breathe as the talc in the stone will suspend the stains, preventing them from entering the cellular structure of the harder minerals.

Soapstone can accent, embellish or be the focal point of your kitchen or bath.  Soapstone is a beautiful choice no matter what style of cabinets it is paired with.  Pacific Soapstone Creations can fabricate soapstone countertops and sinks using slabs from the same beautiful stone that Tulikivi fireplaces are created from.  We also sell slabs directly for you or your contractor to fabricate.  The slabs are typically 1 3/16" thick and are available in 25 1/2" width.  Lengths of standard slabs are 47 1/4", however larger slabs are available upon special order.