Hard stone countertops are often chosen for their durability and aesthetic appeal. Granite and marble are both popular choices for their ability to withstand dents and scratches better than most other options available. Some varieties of granite and marble can be polished to make them shine even brighter than when they’re new, making them an excellent option for a high-traffic area like a kitchen countertop.

When it comes to countertops, there are a few things you should consider. One is the practical matter of ease of cleaning. There’s no point in having a beautiful countertop if you have to be extremely careful about what you put on it so that you don’t have to deal with the hassle of scrubbing off grease or food stains. For this reason, surfaces that are porous, like stone and marble, aren’t great choices for kitchen countertops. You’ll also want to think about how your countertop will interact with heat from your dishwasher, stovetop, and oven—many tiles and some laminate can warp if they’re exposed to high temperatures repeatedly, which can be a disaster when they lie beneath your cookware.