Tile Countertop Cost

For information about granite tile countertops, see How Much Does a Granite Countertop Cost. For information about how much other stone tile countertops cost, see How Much Does a Stone Countertop Cost.

• Ceramic tile countertops cost $1 -$225 per square foot; that is, $30 -$6,750 for a typical kitchen with 30 square feet of counter space. Installation is not typically included in the price of ceramic or porcelain tiles.
• Most glazed ceramic tile costs $1 -$30 per square foot, that is $30 -$900 for a typical kitchen. Ceramic tiles are sold by home improvement stores such as Home Depot and Lowe's, usually in cases that contain several square feet of tile each. Ceramic tiles are also sold at kitchen and bath specialty stores.
• Handcrafted, hand-painted artisanal tiles cost $30 -$225 per square foot, or $900 -$7,650 for a typical kitchen. Large online retailers like Amazon sell a wide variety of colorful tiles; many local artists across the country also make decorative tiles suitable for countertops and backsplashes.
• Professional installation of a tile countertop costs about $35 -$40 per square foot, making it $1,050 -$1,200 for a typical kitchen, including materials and labor, using inexpensive glazed ceramic tiles. Inlays and custom cutting tiles in unusual shapes costs extra.

• Most ceramic and porcelain tiles are sold in cases that include 6-8 tiles. Cases of tile do not include any of the materials needed to install them.
• Installation of a tile countertop should include a professional pre-installation measurement, preparation of the counters (including leveling and shimming, and insulation near stovetop if required), laying the tile, sealing the grout, cleanup, and final inspection.

• For DIY tile countertop installation, the plywood, grout, sealant, and tools all cost extra. These items are sold at hardware stores like Ace Hardware and home improvement stores like Home Depot. Expect to pay $5 -$40 for grout depending on the amount you need, about $30 for sealant, and $10 -$20 for plywood. Tile cutting saws cost $100 -$600; replacement blades cost $5 -$20 each.

• Ceramic tile can be laid on an existing countertop by a DIYer in about a weekend, saving the cost of professional installation. HGTV describes how to install tile countertops.
• Home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe's occasionally offer special discounts on tiles and construction materials. Check their weekly ad pages for possible discounts.

• Before beginning to price tile countertops, measure the countertop area. Home Depot provides a worksheet to help calculate the measurements. The installer or contractor will do an official measurement later, but a good estimate can give a rough sense of the costs.
• Choose what kind of tile will work best. BobVila.com describes the differences between ceramic and porcelain tiles. And HGTV.com has tips from Ann Sacks on evaluating your needs and wants, then shopping for tile.
• Consider how heavily the countertops will be used before deciding on the size and style of tiles. Hand-painted or mosaic artisanal tiles can be severely damaged if they're placed in the middle of a heavily used kitchen countertop. Larger tiles mean fewer seams, but large tiles may cost more than smaller tiles in a similar style, and more of the large tiles will need to be cut to fit into tight spaces.
• The National Tile Contractor Association (NTCA) is a nonprofit contractor's association that offers a members locator and a buyers guide to assist homeowners in selecting a reputable tile installer.

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