Entry way tile - suggestions for "semi-period" replacement / tile pros / stores?
Due to ridiculous floor and joist conditions, we unfortunately had to rip out the original (?maybe?) tile from our 1864 brownstone. I have been pouring over Houzz and the ilk and found some options that I like, but I just wish we could have the original back. Are there any tile pros / stores that you can recommend in NYC that are relatively reasonable and have suitable “traditional” tiles? I’ve found a few based on recos here that are UK based but they are pretty price-y – figured NYC would have a few experts. A few notes: – Our (now larger) foyer is 8ft x 6ft. – The interior of our front door is a bit funky – when the contractor began stripping the door, we saw the WIP version halfway through and asked them to halt – we loved how it showcases all of the past paint colors (front is “clear” mahogany). The tile therefore can’t be too over the top detailed. – Original tile wasn’t incredibly amazing but the fact most other original details were not salvageable elevates it to me and would love something similar. Any advice is welcome – we were able to salvage pretty much only the front door, foyer door and newel post so would love to try to keep this as “traditional” as possible.
mattie180
in Flooring 9 years and 5 months ago
8
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8 replies
mattie180 | 9 years and 5 months ago
Thanks everyone for your help. We did hex white + black flower in the 1st floor PR, hex white on the 2nd, and hex marble for the 3rd floor master so if I can’t find something that doesn’t break the bank can at least be consistent and look to that style. Our place is in Mott Haven (South Bronx) so to be quite honest, not a lot of restoration work was done but because this particular address was mixed use beginning in early 1900s the tile likely is from that time (vs. 1864). Great idea to check what our neighbors have. We did go down to the joists (so much so that you could see from basement to 3rd floor skylights) so at least we will have an easy-to-install-over surface that is brand new.
mattie180 | 9 years and 5 months ago
Regarding the door / MDR’s comment: Ha! It was stripped and cleaned to give it a more “flat” finish as well as sealed – but still capturing the original colors. To each their own! Our contractor agrees with you but it makes both my husband and I very happy. 🙂 We have the original entry door as well that will be painted a very more “normal” basic color, so the front door + tile + antiqued mirror facing it will be their own moment that you won’t be able to see from the interior living rooms.
greenmountain | 9 years and 5 months ago
Go with ART and certainly not cement encaustic. English encaustic tile (high fire ceramic) would be fine too, but it is not what you have. There are other sources for historic tile. Heritage can do what you have, but does not have as many options as ART. I am not available to come and talk to you about this now, perhaps in a few weeks, but I could be available to do this work in warm weather next year, or 2017. I would remove the tile and substrate, and start over from the joists. If you tile over what have now, I expect the substrate crack in your picture, will reappear in the new tile. Green Mountain
greenmountain | 9 years and 5 months ago
Go with ART and certainly not cement encaustic. English encaustic tile (high fire ceramic) would be fine too, but it is not what you have. There are other sources for historic tile. Heritage can do what you have, but does not have as many options as ART. I am not available to come and talk to you about this now, perhaps in a few weeks, but I could be available to do this work in warm weather next year, or 2017. I would remove the tile and substrate, and start over from the joists. If you tile over what have now, I expect the substrate crack in your picture, will reappear in the new tile.
cate | 9 years and 5 months ago
Agree with all of the above. In addition, google “encaustic tile” — there are several traditional U.K. suppliers. Here is one: http://www.thevintagefloortilecompany.co.uk/ Going by the age of your front door (1850s-ish Italianate?), I doubt the tile you show here was original. It looks to me like it dates from the first half of the 20th century.
MDR | 9 years and 5 months ago
You could use [cement tile](http://www.cementtileshop.com) – there are many nice patterns that would look appropriate. And definitely finish stripping that door!
daveinbedstuy | 9 years and 5 months ago
Though it looks complicated, that floor pattern could be easily duplicated with hexgonal penny tiles; at least by a good tile guy. Or, just do a white penny tile floor with maybe a more simple “Greek key” border in black or a deep red or brown.
catboot | 9 years and 5 months ago
[American Restoration Tile](http://www.restorationtile.com) may have your tile. Have you checked with your neighbors? Do they have the same tile? Oftentimes the row houses were built on spec and finishes are similar from house to house. You might be able to determine if your tile was original or not.