What should homeowners know before choosing stone?
Natural stone varies in color, veining, absorption and maintenance needs, so the material has to be chosen with the room in mind.
Marble, travertine and other stones can stain, etch or darken with moisture or harsh cleaners. That does not make stone wrong, but it does mean a homeowner should understand the tradeoff before installation.
When lower maintenance matters more than natural variation, large-format porcelain tile can sometimes give a similar visual direction with different upkeep.

