Every now and then, Congress mulls whether to do away with the penny. Those in favor of eliminating the coin from production argue that it tends to be worth less than it costs to make, and that it's used so infrequently that it wouldn't be missed.

But even though the days of penny candy and penny dreadfuls have gone, Americans still have a soft spot for the one-cent coppers. And as long as they're around, you'll have the opportunity to complete a shiny home upgrade.

Pennies have become an increasingly popular choice for a do-it-yourself makeover of a dull countertop. The coins have also been used to make home elements such as floors or backsplashes more eye-catching.

You can start by deciding whether you'd like to use the coins to make a design. By sorting shiny and tarnished pennies, and perhaps mixing in some that have developed a green patina, you can create a repeating pattern or other distinct images. If you prefer a simpler countertop, choose coins with a more uniform appearance.

The counter can be surfaced with coins other than pennies, but the one-cent pieces will naturally be the cheapest option. Shane Selman, writing for Make Magazine, says you'll need about 288 pennies to cover one square foot.

Measure how much of the countertop you'll be covering and calculate how many pennies you'll need. The home blog Domestic Imperfection says you can pick up rolls of the coins from the bank and sort them out to find the shiniest specimens. Some dirtier coins will no doubt be mixed in, so you should order more coins than you expect to use; any extra can simply be deposited back into your bank account.

An effective but labor-intensive process is to shine any tarnished coins. Rinse the pennies to get rid of and dirt and grime, then soak them in a bowl of vinegar, with a small amount of salt added, for about a minute. The coins can then be polished with a paste of baking soda and water.

Another cleaning method involves placing a large quantity of pennies into a bucket of hot water mixed with a cleaner containing oxalic acid. Selman says you should then put a cover on the bucket and shake it for about two or three minutes.

You can add pennies to either a newly build countertop or an existing one. The coins are a particularly good way to liven up a laminate countertop once the laminate has been removed to expose the base material. Ann Salter, writing for SFGate, says the countertop should be sanded, cleaned, and dried before you start adding pennies.

It's also important to paint the countertop, since the coins won't cover the surface entirely. A painted background will be much more attractive than the bare countertop. Dark colors help the copper stand out more than light ones.

You'll want to cover the pennies with an epoxy coat later in the process, so attach a trim around the counter to hold this compound. Selman says the trim should extend at least one-eighth of an inch above the coins. You can use a temporary barrier such as aluminum flashing tape or a permanent one such as wooden trim.

This barrier needs to be watertight to hold in the epoxy. You can test it by pouring water along the edge to see if there are any leaks. Dry the surface before proceeding.

Now you can start to place the pennies on the countertop. Make sure they are pressed up close against the neighboring coins to create a more uniform appearance and avoid large gaps. The RTA Store, a kitchen cabinet business in Hopewell Junction, N.Y., recommends starting from one corner and working in a straight line to the other end of the cabinet.

There may be some awkward areas where a penny may not be able to fit into the space. Use a pair of metal shears or tinsnips to cut pennies so they can be inserted into the gaps.

Gluing down the coins isn't strictly necessary, but can help prevent the pennies from shifting as you work. Paula Tisch, a blogger whose work includes DIY projects, says you should keep away from expanding glues since they will raise the pennies above the countertop and fill in the gaps between them. Super glue is an effective way to attach the coins.

Once the coins are attached, it's time to add the epoxy. Salter says you should first set up drop cloths or plastic sheets to protect your floor, cabinets, or furniture around the counter.

Each epoxy will have its own specific instructions, and you should be sure to follow these. Selman says it is essential to take your time with this step and make sure the epoxy is thoroughly mixed. You don't want the epoxy to set to fast or fail to harden.

You should also be careful not to prepare too much epoxy. A square foot of countertop will require about 5.62 ounces of epoxy per square foot.

It helps to have several disposable containers available to mix the epoxy. In general, you'll need to pour two separate parts into a container to mix for a few minutes, then pour the mixed epoxy into another container. Salter says epoxy should not be mixed in batches of more than one-and-a-half gallons at a time.

A paint stirrer will work well for mixing epoxy. Make sure to scrape the sides of the container when mixing to ensure that the epoxy is fully combined. Don't use a powered mixer, as this will produce too many air bubbles.

Once the epoxy is ready, pour it slowly and steadily over the pennies. The RTA Store says you can use a putty knife to help smooth it out and cover the coins; the epoxy itself will level itself out as it hardens.

If you notice any air bubbles in the epoxy, use a hair dryer to bring them to the surface. Domestic Imperfection says a toothpick is useful for bursting any remaining bubbles.

Try to work quickly and efficiently when pouring the epoxy. Selman says that if you are trying to cover more than a small area, it is helpful to enlist an assistant. One person can mix batches of the epoxy and the other can pour them.

If you want to put on a second coat of epoxy, allow the preliminary coat to completely cure first. You should then clean it with acetone before putting on the next coat.

Avoid using the countertop for a few days after the epoxy hardens. The RTA store says that even if the counter looks ready, you might leave marks or impressions if you start putting items on it too early.

Even if you've tested the trim for leaks, some epoxy might drip over the edge of the counter. Selman says you can use a razor blade to remove this excess when the epoxy is partially set or sand it away after the epoxy hardens.

The epoxy can develop a yellow tint if the counter is in an area exposed to direct sunlight. Salter says a protective layer of a substance such as marine varnish or a urethane-based coating can help prevent this condition.