Stone is the default choice for a fireplace surround for a simple reason: it is the one material that looks better with heat nearby and lasts as long as the house. Marble brings veining and polish, granite brings density, quartzite brings hardness, and slate brings texture, and each one carries a different maintenance load. The […] The post Stone Fireplace Surrounds: Comparing Marble, Granite, Quartzite, and Slate appeared first on Building and Construction .