If you are considering a remodeling project at home, you may want to start with your kitchen or bathrooms. Although they are often the last rooms on the remodeling project list, updating kitchens or baths can bring you a more than 90 percent return on your investment. If you are considering remodeling these rooms or any rooms in your home, consider natural stone counters and flooring.

Granite countertops have been a popular choice for counters for many years due to their durability. They resist cracking, scratching and chipping. They are also non-porous as long as they are sealed properly which means they resist bacteria. It is recommended that you use cutting boards on granite counters, not to protect the counters, but to keep from dulling your knives. You can also add granite flooring for an even more unique look to your kitchen or bath.

Engineered stone countertops made of 90 percent crushed quartz mixed with pigments and resins, are extremely durable and stain resistant. Because they do not need sealing, they require less maintenance than other types of stone counters. Engineered stone countertops are manufactured so the colors are the same in each slab while no two slabs are the same in granite or marble slabs. If you have a large kitchen, this provides you with counters that look the same throughout.

Marble has been used for building materials for thousands of years and the fact that it is still found in buildings that have stood for centuries is a testament to its durability. Marble is softer than granite or engineered stone and it must be sealed regularly to protect the surface. The softness of the stone makes it susceptible to scratches and cracks as well. Oils should never be stored on the counter as they can discolor the stone.

Marble flooring is another option to add a luxurious look to kitchens or bathrooms. Adding marble flooring to a bath can give it a spa-like appearance if you include a whirlpool tub, steam shower and heated towel racks. It is important to wipe any acidic material spills like coffee, red wine or tomato sauces as they can stain marble fairly quickly.