In this section:

• Countertop Materials Buying Guide
• How to Tile a Countertop
• How to Repair a Countertop

Expert advice on how to choose, install, and care for kitchen, bath, or utility countertops.

By Don Vandervort, HomeTips

Because they’re essentially glorified workbenches, countertops are generally very durable, flat surfaces located at a convenient height for handling household tasks. The task a given countertop is meant to handle, of course, depends upon the room it is in.

In the kitchen, counters are intended for food preparation, serving, and cleanup. In the bathroom, they’re used for makeup application, shaving, and such. And in offices and hobby areas, countertops provide surfaces for various types of work.

Countertop Materials Buying Guide

Countertops are made from a wide variety of materials in scores of colors, textures, patterns, and styles. With this in mind, choosing the right one can be a bit daunting. But the decision is important because a countertop will significantly impact both the look and the functionality of a kitchen, bathroom, or utility space. To read more about the specific choices, see the Countertop Materials Buying Guide.

How to Tile a Countertop

Because of its water and stain resistance, durability, and natural beauty, tile is a perennial favorite for many countertop applications. Tiling a countertop is a do-it-yourself project with the right materials and tools (it may require renting a wet saw) and, perhaps more importantly, the proper planning. A level surface and a dry run of the tile layout are critical to a successful outcome. See How to Tile a Countertop for photo-illustrated step-by-step instructions.

How to Repair a Countertop

Because countertops are highly visible, repairing cracks, breakage, and difficult stains can be challenging. In fact, with some issues, replacement of all or part of the countertop can sometimes be the only aesthetic solution. Some materials, such as tile, lend themselves to replacement if you have matching tiles available. Other materials, such as laminate, can be very difficult to repair without looking patched. Techniques for repair depend completely on the material. For information on repairing stone countertops, see How to Repair Stone Countertops. For issues with laminates, see How to Repair or Replace Laminate Countertops. For repairs to tile, see How to Re-Caulk & Re-grout Tile and How to Replace a Cracked or Broken Tile.