A countertop that consists of a solid plastic all the way through is said to be a solid surface countertop (as opposed to those built up in layers i.e. laminate). They are similar to quartz in that they’re also hardwearing. They are resistant to scratches, scorching and heat. If you do manage to do damage to the countertop you can easily repair it. You can expect to spend about three times more than you would for laminate, and twice as much for wood. A wide range of colors and styles are available to choose from and most suppliers will give you a good guarantee. Corian is the most famous brand (has been around for 30 years) and also the one most of the others copy in their colors. Avonite has unique color choices.