Many homeowners and businesses are turning to stone countertops to improve both the look and value of their properties. Stone is durable, attractive, and impressive. But which stone is right for your particular project?

The answer depends on a number of factors, including your tastes, the room’s aesthetics, and your budget. Here are some of the top stones used for countertops today.

Granite

Probably the most popular option for residential decorators is granite. Granite is attractive, durable, and more affordable than some other countertop surface materials.

Once it is treated, granite is essentially heat-proof, acid-proof, and shock-proof. It can take a beating for years in any kitchen or bathroom and still look as appealing as the day it was installed.

Slate

If you are looking for a low-maintenance option, slate could be the way to go. It generally has a more austere look than other surface materials and there tend to be less options in terms of colors or patterns, but its maintenance-free properties often make up for its lack of diversity.

Yet slate can sometimes be prone to cracking or chipping, especially when used in high-volume kitchens. If you have a tendency to bang pots and pans when cooking, you may want consider another option.,

Marble

Marble offers the best of both worlds. It comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns and it is very durable. Marble has a reputation for being one of the toughest surface materials in the world, which is why it is often used as a flooring material in high-traffic areas such as public buildings and train stations.

If marble can stand up to foot traffic of tens of thousands of commuters daily, imagine how it will perform in your kitchen or bathroom. While marble can sometimes cost more than other surface materials, it’s usually an investment that pays dividends long into the future.