Ask any real estate agent, and she'll tell you that when it comes to home equity and return on investment, the two most important rooms are the kitchen and the bathroom. Forget the fancy pool; it's nice, and it might close the deal at sale time, but prospective buyers are going to decide yea or nay in the kitchen.

The kitchen is a focal point for family gatherings and entertaining guests. So what are the main components of the typical kitchen? Well, there's the major appliances. They should match and be energy-efficient. Storage? There should be plenty of cabinets to stash food, dishes, pots and pans.

But what really stands out are the kitchen countertops. This is where the real work is done. Because of that, lighting should be focused on them, literally putting them in the spotlight.

Whether you're planning on building a new home or you're rolling up your sleeves for a remodel, you have a lot of choices when it comes to selecting the countertops. The things to consider are personal preference, aesthetics, matching the rest of the decor, and, of course, budget. Let's have a look at some of the choices.

DIY projects come in many flavors. They all use materials and usually need some method to bond them together. That typically means a glue. Let's look at what type of glue works for what type of project.

• Super Glue. It's all over the place; every checkout counter, convenience store, or mega marketer has it. This is really a great adhesive but it's only effective on non porous surfaces, like plastic. Believe it or not, it's also used in forensic science to bring out fingerprints. It's true; I learned about it when I was on the jury for a capitol murder case.
• Contact Cement. Its been around for a long time and cabinetmakers would be lost without it. It's what's used to bond plastic laminate (or the generic brand name Formica) to plywood in countertop construction.
• Carpenter's Glue. This is the one most often used. The brands you'll most often see are DAP and Elmer's. It works well with wood and ceramics.
• Hide Glue. Hide glue is so named because it's made from collagen from cattle hide and connective tissues. You can buy it in a powder form and mix it with water. This is the glue that you must use when repairing antique furniture. If you use anything modern, the piece will lose its antique status. It's also the glue of choice for craftsmen making stringed instruments.
• Titebond. Titebond I, II, and III are an evolving family of woodworking glues. Their greatest claim to fame is their waterproof characteristics. For outdoor projects, this is a must-have.
• Gorilla Grip. This is a polyurethane-based glue and it's incredibly strong. But remember to clamp wooden pieces together tightly because it cures by reacting with humidity and it foams, creating outward pressure.

All of these glues work well, as long as you use the correct one for the project.