This solid surface countertop -- and also a solid surface sink -- are making big improvement in this existing kitchen. They'll take years off the look and provide a smooth, seamless surface around the whole countertop area. Anywhere two pieces are joined together in the installation process, a special sealant is applied that includes the same color as the countertop. Then suction cups are attached to the surface and pulled together with tension brackets to make sure the bond is solid. And after the sealant has set for about an hour, the seam is sanded smooth, and no one will ever know it was there.

Solid surface countertops are the biggest and best improvement in countertops in many years. They are more expensive, but worth the investment for at least two reasons: One, since there are no seams anywhere, there are no crevices for food particles and dirt to get down into. The second reason is that if the countertop ever gets scratched, burned or marked on, all you have to do is take a scouring pad and scrub the damaged area until you work back down to the original color.

There are several manufacturers of solid surface countertops, and you can expect to pay about 4-to-5 times as much as laminate, about 2-to-3 times as much as tile, and it's actually about the same price as marble.

Solid surface countertops are thick enough to last for decades -- surviving a long history of everyday kitchen accidents. So consider them now for your new kitchen or kitchen remodeling job.