• Solid surface countertops work in many kitchen designs.Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images
  
  One advantage of solid surface countertops, beyond their durability, economical price and many color choices, is that the appearance on the surface is the same all the way through the material. Solid surface countertops are also easier to cut than natural stone, similar to cutting wood, which makes it very easy to cut a decorative edge into the solid surface countertop. Use a router and router bits for solid surface material to cut a custom decorative design along its edge to accent the kitchen's decor and to smooth its sharp corners and edges.
  
  

Chamfer the Edges

• Keep with the linear edges of a standard solid surface countertop, but soften its hard lines with a chamfer routing bit. At a 45-degree angle, a chamfer bit makes a slanted, angled cut along the counter's edge. This type of cut goes well with minimalist kitchen designs, adding a touch of decor style and function but not deviating too much from its style. A simple chamfer cut gives a solid surface countertop a more detailed geometric profile than its basic rectangular profile.
  
  

Corner Round Edge

• Round off the edge of the solid surface countertop with a corner round router bit. This bit completely cuts off the sharp edge where the surface meets the sides of the countertop. Two approaches are used to rounding the edges of a solid surface countertop; round off the top edge of the counter, leaving the bottom with its sharp, 90-degree edge, or round off both the top and bottom edges of the counter to give its edge a completely smooth profile.
  
  

Decorative Edges

• The arrays of decorative router bits that can transform a plain solid surface edge into an elaborate, ornate carving are numerous. Some styles of edge router bits include the simple convex to concave curve cut, one that starts as a concave curve and then meets at a sharp 90-degree edge before turning into a convex curve over the edge of the countertop. More elaborate combinations of straight edges and convex and concave curvatures can be made with the ogee router bits.
  
  

Router for Sinks

• Several router bits are available for creating a custom, seamless connection between the sink and the solid surface countertop. Following the contours of an undermount sink, some router bits cut sharp linear cuts at slight angles or at straight 90-degree angles from the surface. Further decorative detail can be added to the undermount sink opening by routering its top edge with a curved bit.