Resistant to heat, moisture, and stains, ceramic tile is an excellent choice for a kitchen countertop. If you've never worked with ceramic tile before, installing countertop tile is an ideal first-time project because it's a horizontal and relatively small surface. The keys to a successful tile job are planning and surface preparation.

Before selecting your tile, take careful measurements of your countertop. In calculating the number of tiles required to cover it, be sure to allow for any specialty tiles such as those needed for edging or a backsplash. (Manufacturers make a number of edge tiles, the most common being the bullnose shown in step 1 of 'Tiling a Countertop Surface.') To allow for cutting and breakage, order slightly more than you need; the rule of thumb is to buy 10 percent extra. Once you've made your purchase, lay out the tile on the countertop to ensure you have enough for the job and to see where you will need to make cuts.

Building a Substrate
Countertop tiles should rest on a surface that is solid, level, and able to withstand moisture. The front edge must be thick enough to accommodate the edging you have chosen.

In most cases, a layer of 3/4-inch plywood topped with 1/2-inch or 1/4-inch cement backerboard will do the job. Although a standard kitchen countertop is 25 inches deep and a backsplash is commonly 4 to 6 inches high, you may want to modify these dimensions slightly in order to minimize cutting of tiles.

Before you begin work, protect the base cabinets from damage and falling mortar by covering them with plastic sheeting or construction paper. Also position a drop cloth on the floor.

Don't forget about the kitchen sink. If you intend to install a flush-mounted sink, do so before the backerboard is in place. If you're planning an undermount sink, install it after the backerboard or tiling is finished. A typical self-rimming sink is installed after the countertop.

Cut the plywood pieces so they overlap the cabinets by about an inch, and install them with the factory edges facing out. Check the entire surface to make sure it is level as you attach the plywood; if necessary, remove screws, install shims, and redrive the screws.

Backerboard is easy to cut and install: You simply scribe and snap it and then attach it to the plywood foundation with special galvanized screws. Once backerboard is in place, cover the screw heads with thinset mortar and tape the seams with fiberglass mesh tape.