Subway Ceramics » Recent Posts

1881victorian on "Vincent House Restoration - La Crosse, WI"

1881victorian — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:21:48 +0000

Gorgeous bathroom & stunning home. Please continue posting photos! - Jason in Marinette, WI

Keith on "Matching vintage tiles"

Keith — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:51:01 +0000

I suggest that you order a sample of our Avalon glaze (#14), as this glaze finish was formulated specifically to blend-in with the vintage tilework from that period which has taken on a slightly amber tone over these many years. You may not see this natural 'patina' unless you also order a sample of our standard Gloss White glaze (#10) and put them next to one another. The Crackle White glaze (#21) is intended as a decorative glaze finish, and would not be suitable for the restoration project you have described. Most likely you are trying to match the other artifact of vintage tilework, the fine network of 'crazing' lines that formed on the glazed surface due to physical stress that these wall surfaces have been exposed to over time. These crazing features, normally invisible when present in a solid, opaque glaze, are gradually revealed when stained through normal use. In contrast, the White Crackle glaze is clear and transparent, and these crazing features are revealed as they reflect light. Not unlike our own wrinkles, crazing is a natural effect of aging in ceramic tiles that adds character as the structure matures. Your new tilework will undoubtedly take on similar characteristics in the future. The final consideration for your project is matching the physical dimensions and form of the original tilework. The Subway Ceramics collection is made in the same manner as the originals, and we conform to all the standard physical specifications of the tile produced during this period by virtually all of the tile producers of the day. It is due to this industry standardization that Subway Ceramics is able to faithfully and authentically reproduce the tilework incorporated into over 50 years of American homes and businesses during the pre-war era.

Keith on "Matching vintage tiles"

Keith — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:26:38 +0000

RE-POST OF CUSTOMER SUBMITTED QUESTION I have a home in Miami, FL built in 1926, I'm looking to match bathroom tile for repair I's difficult to tell the color on the computer, I think it might be White Gloss Crackle?

Keith on "Crackle glazes"

Keith — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:34:11 +0000

The crackle glaze finish results when crazing lines form in a translucent glaze and are reflected by the ambient light penetrating the glaze layer. This is a decorative effect that is produced in a somewhat controlled manner by creating stress between the glaze and the tile bisque. This stress is achieved by formulating the glaze with a coefficient of expansion slightly different than that of the bisque. As the tile cools following the glaze firing stage, this mismatch in the coefficient of expansion forms a uniform network of random crackle features. Over time this same effect will be produced naturally on wall tile with a translucent glaze due to physical stress. As a building moves, the structure imposes stress on individual tiles and crazing lines form, albeit in a less uniform way. These crazing lines will continue to form throughout the life of the tiled surface, more in some areas and less in others. This can clearly be seen in vintage installations where translucent glazes were used as decorative liners. Solid, opaque white wall tiles will also form crazing lines gradually, and these features are vividly revealed when stained over the course of time. These natural effects of tile aging can also be seen in vintage installations and add to the character of these tiled surfaces. Solid color glazes are less likely to show crazing lines even when stained, but the glaze lacks the depth and luster of a classic translucent glaze. We do offer some glazes with this finish (Concorde Blue) but not within the Subway Ceramics collections as they are not historically authentic in the strictest sense.

Keith on "Crackle glazes"

Keith — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:33:04 +0000

RE-POST OF CUSTOMER SUBMITTED QUESTION Do all the colors come in either solid or crackle?

Keith on "Cap for bevel tile field"

Keith — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:23:32 +0000

RE-POST OF CUSTOMER SUBMITTED QUESTION We are using your bevel edge tile in a wainscot condition. Is there a stock bullnose bevel tile for the top of our wainscot?

Keith on "Recessed Cabinet Trim"

Keith — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:56:59 +0000

I addressed this question in the blog titled <a href="http://www.tilehaus.com/blog/?p=274" rel="nofollow">http://www.tilehaus.com/blog/?p=274</a>

Keith on "Recessed Cabinet Trim"

Keith — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:17:41 +0000

I would like to create a ceramic tile frame around a recessed cabinet. I am working with a traditional mud-set installation. How do I trim the cabinet with tile?

Keith on "stuggling with outside corners"

Keith — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:59:56 +0000

I'm want to use the 3x6 subway tile on the walls in my bathroom, but I'm struggling with what to do on the outside corners. In other projects, I've used a bullnose tile, but for this project, it would seem that I need both a 3x6 bullnose and a 3x3 bullnose to keep the brick pattern I want. I was looking at your 33RB03 and 36RB03 as a solution, but it's hard to tell from the website pictures if this will work. Could you please direct me on what you suggest for outside corners? Thank you. - Scott -

Keith on "Vincent House Restoration - La Crosse, WI"

Keith — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:16:40 +0000

Follow the progress of this Subway Ceramics bathroom restoration on The Old House Web: <a href="http://www.oldhouseweb.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=20192&st=0&sk=t&sd=a" rel="nofollow">http://www.oldhouseweb.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=20192&st=0&sk=t&sd=a</a> Their Flickr photo gallery can be found at: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vincent-house/3992882219/in/dateposted/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/vincent-house/3992882219/in/dateposted/</a>