Actually I think I am going to go with MSI Montauk black or MSI Hamphire from Home depot. The pictures from customers look good, I just don't know what size to get for our entries....12x24, 16x24, 18x36 or 24x24

Buy double. You’ll have a LOT of culls.

I am reading the reviews now, and a lot of people say they have leftover because there was no breakage and the stone cut nicely...

Sophie is retired. He doesn't do this anymore so maybe things have changed, I've never had an issue with Home Depot or Lowes. It will be much easier to take back any that don't work out if you use a local place.

Some of us are on different budgets than others, here.

That's what I am thinking, I don't need a $20/sq ft slate when I don't live in a million dollar home. Plus, I plan on ordering it to be delivered to the store and check it there if it's broken or unusable..

Talk to your licensed, insured, and certified, tile installer. A good Tile Pro will have better to the trade resources for material And won’t be significantly more expensive by the time you factor in a 40% cull rate.

If you don’t have a tile pro lined up now, you are ahead of yourself in even selecting materials. https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-qualified-tile-installer