Marble countertops are one of the most popular countertop style choices of late—they’re luxurious statement pieces that come at a variety of price points and make a room more visually appealing. If you’re planning on installing marble countertops in your kitchen or bathroom, you can choose from various colors and grains to find a style that suits your taste.

Here’s everything you need to know about marble countertops, from heat resistance and durability to price and maintenance.

1. Heat resistance Marble countertops are heat resistant, making them a delightful surface for people who bake and cook frequently. Though this stone countertop is heat resistant, note that it’s not extreme-temperature resistant. Avoid setting down hot pots and pans on its surface since they could burn or scratch the marble; always use a pot holder to reduce the risk of discoloring or burning the surface.

2. Sealing process As long as you seal your marble, your countertop won’t stain that easily. Marble countertops should be sealed to protect them from stains, scratches, and other damage. If you seal your marble countertops upon installation, and then every six months thereafter, they’ll be less susceptible to stains and damage.

We recommend sealing white and light-colored marble more frequently, somewhere around once every three months. Many people seal their own countertops as a way of saving on upfront costs, whereas others hire professional help.

3. Durability Marble maintains its timeless and beautiful look fairly well over time, even with regular use. It’s a great surface for disguising wear and tear. You’ll want to avoid putting excess weight on the countertop though, as this could lead to cracks in the marble. As long as you properly seal, protect, spot treat, and maintain your marble countertop, it could last a lifetime.

5. Wide availability Marble is easy to find. You can purchase marble from home improvement stores, specialty marble businesses, online, or directly from a quarry.

6. Naturally beautiful One major benefit of marble countertops is their timeless beauty that never seems to go out of style. Most types of marble stand out because of their beautiful veining. In many cases, the veining pattern is determined by the way the marble is cut.

Since marble can work with a variety of design styles, it makes sense that this natural stone is a huge trend in kitchens, with homeowners typically installing a marble backsplash and smaller, marble accents to complement the countertops in the space.