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Ceramic tiles and kitchen counter tops don't always mix well. There was a time when the idea of covering your existing laminate tops with lovely tiles was very inviting. After all, it's a manageable DIY project and offers a big design change for your kitchen. Your range of choices for kitchen tops has exploded since then, with dozens of various materials in hundreds of potential colors now possible. Still, the concept retains a certain appeal. If you have more time than money, and some confidence in your skills, you might want to choose this option.

BUDGET:

Any time you perform a professional job yourself, you're guaranteed to save money. You can determine your budget for new kitchen tops in ceramic tile by doing some shopping. Arm yourself with a simple line drawing of your counter tops, with dimensions shown in inches. Any tile showroom sales rep can help you price out the job in less than an hour.

For comparison, do the math. New laminate tops (not normally a good DIY option), will typically range from $1,000 to $4,000. Higher-end choices from Corian (R) to marble, quartz, or granite (which must be installed by certified professionals), can easily reach $10,000. Again, a major part of your savings will come from doing the work yourself.

TOOLS:

Laying ceramic tile is half art, half work. The basic tools are simple:

* Sandpaper (for prep work)
* Measuring tape, pencil, and carpenter's square
* Adhesive trowel
* Tile spacers
* Rubber mallet
* One or two buckets
* Grout float, gloves, and sponge

You can buy this whole list for less than $100. You will, however, need to buy or rent a tile-cutting saw. Renting is the best option for most of us, since the right saw for the job could easily cost more than $1,000. (A dry-cutting tool can be had for far less, but offers more limited cutting.)

SUPPLIES:

Other than the tile itself, you'll also need adhesive or thin-set mortar, grout, and grout sealer. The store where you buy your tile will certainly be able to offer you these items, and help you make good decisions for purchasing each. In general, latex-based adhesive will work just fine, and is easier to use than mortar mixes. Your grout can be pre-mixed or not, but mixing grout is simple. Don't faint from shock at the price of good grout sealer, and don't decide to leave it off the list, either!

TILE CHOICES:

When you visit a tile showroom you will invariably be stunned at the variety of product choices available. Take advantage of the sales staff, and make your decision based

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