The two most popular rooms in any home are the kitchen and bath, yet these are the often the last two rooms considered when you think of a home remodeling project. In almost every home, the kitchen is where friends and family gather for holidays and celebrations. It is where the children do homework while their parents are cooking dinner and the location of weekend breakfasts before fun family outings. At some point, everyone who visits your home or lives there will need to use the bathroom. This is why you want a kitchen and bath that is updated, attractive and reflects your style. Not only do you want these rooms too look good, but updating a kitchen or bath can bring you more than a 100 percent return on your investment should you decide to sell your home. If you are considering a kitchen or bath remodel, natural stone is the perfect selection for your kitchen or bath countertops.

Granite is one of the most popular types of natural stone countertops because it is extremely durable and close to maintenance-free. Granite is stain and scratch resistant, although it is recommended that you use a cutting board on the surface. This is more to protect your knives than the counter, however. Granite gives your kitchen or bath a timeless beauty and the stone comes in a variety of colors. The stone resists heat and, with proper sealing, will also resist stains. It is important to wipe up acidic stains quickly, however, because if the counter is not sealed or has been damaged, tomato, red wine or coffee can leave a stain. It is recommended that granite countertops be sealed periodically.

Quartz countertops are actually engineered stone counters created from crushed quartz mixed with resins and coloring. Because the counters are manufactured, you can find them in a wider range of colors than you can in granite or marble countertops. It resists chipping, cracking and scratching but it doesn’t feel as cold or hard as other types of natural stone. Quartz countertops are non-porous so they resist stains and does not harbor bacteria or mold like some countertops. Quartz is not as resistant to heat as other types of stone so it is important to use hot pads and trivets to protect the surface.

If you love to bake, marble countertops are your best choice if you are considering a kitchen remodel. The coolness of the surface is perfect for working with pastry and other dough. Marble has been used for centuries to add beauty, elegance and a classical look to homes. The fact that it is still just as beautiful in historic buildings hundreds of years later is a testament to its durability. Marble is softer than other types of natural stone so it does scratch easily. It is also porous so it can stain if acidic materials are left on the surface. Because no two slabs of marble are the same, if you have a large counter area, you will see variations in the surface because different slabs will need to be used.