I think subway tile refers to the rectangular shape and the way it is laid with every other row starting with a half block. It comes in many different colors.

In this picture we have not grouted yet, and you can see that there is almost no space at all between the tiles. The tile surface continues flat across tiles; there is no dip into the space between them.

You don't have to have these flat rectified tiles to have subway tile, but that's the classic tile. The rectified tiles are generally more expensive than the pillow-topped tiles.

i think subway tile has become synonymous with any 3x6 tile. from my searching, adex and daltile ("rittenhouse square") both seem to have relatively inexpensive, widely available white tile. theyare probably pillow-type, though. not sure. home depot carries daltile and their expo stores definitely have the ritt. square. not sure about adex, but a couple of the places around me have it. they run between $3 and $5/s.f.

I live in NYC and ride the subway daily, (and we're planning a kitchen remodel), so subway tile has been on my mind for a while. I think the traditional NYC subway tile is not pillowed, but I've noticed that most stations seem to have the pillowed tile. I'll look a little more closely to see if the "original" stations on the West Side line (ie, Times Square, 72nd St.), use the flat tile. Regardless, it's a great look because it provides a good transition from the verticality of the cabinets above it to the horizontal-ness (i just made that up) of the counters below it.

Regardless, it's a great look because it provides a good transition from the verticality of the cabinets above it to the horizontal-ness (i just made that up) of the counters below it.

I believe the word you're looking for is horizontalosity. I'm sure glad I'm not the only one who makes up words in a pinch. :)

I'm looking forward to hearing which tile the older stations use, so do please report back.

You want to see REAL subway tile? I took this picture last weekend.

That's hilarious, pasigal. My stop is "Prospect Park" in Brooklyn. If I were a pessimist, I could imagine posting that sign in the same place you would imagine for Flushing. Thank God, I'm not. LOL!

I believe the correct word is horizontalian.

For traditional flat tile (as far as I have found) that allows for grout lines of 1/16 or less, the only 2 choices are Restoration Tile (google for website) at around $24 sq foot (but custom so they can make anything for you, including soap dishes, etc.), and Subway Ceramics (subwayceramics.com), at around $15 sq foot. Don't confuse Subway Ceramics with Subwaytile.com. They are both owned by Subway Ceramics now, but the latter tile is a bit different-edges not perfcectly flat and square, so grout line of 1/8 recommended.

Most kitchens and baths I have seen use the modern, and less expensive style (thinner than 3/8, and pillowed). Of course, it can look lovely. But to me, it just aint subway tile!

Oh, subway tile is also commonly called 3 x 6 "field tile."

:-)

Francy

pasigal - Flushing Ave (G line in Bklyn) and Main Street - Flushing in on #7 in Queens...haven't been there in a few years so I don't remember the sign but Flushing Ave would be perfect...been there more recently.

Actually subway tile with a station name mosaic in the backsplash behind the cooktop would be kind of cool....

I can just see it. Penne Station behind the cooktop and Corona at the wet bar.

Thanks blkyn, I checked the map on Sat. and there is indeed a Flushing/Main St. stop...and as a side note, the original name for Flushing in Dutch was Vlissingen.

Ah, thank you very much. And i'm sorry for such a late followup response...no internet at home.

Thank you for clearing that up for me!

I just bought my subway tiles at Home Depot for $1.14 sq.ft. I'm still waiting for my countertop to be installed so no pic yet.

home depot carries daltile and their expo stores definitely have the ritt. square. not sure about adex, but a couple of the places around me have it. they run between $3 and $5/s.f.

If you're paying more than 2.00 a foot for Rittenhouse Square, you're getting burned bad. I'd either try and argue the salesman down, or go somewhere else. Adex isn't much more. That's ridiculous.

lol, bill - i'm in fairfield county($$$$) Best I can do on Daltile is $2.80 at a place with "outlet" in the name or $2.88 at expo in westchester ( their daltile prices are the same as the hd in norwalk, i think)
i'm going to buy from the tile store very nearby where i got my floor tile - the one with adex for $4 something. i'm willing to pay for the "intangibles":convenient, lots of samples in stock to take home (not sure i'll go with white), can get in a couple of days if not in-stock, and they really helped me pick the right floor tile and grout color. owner saved me some money by talking me out of buying what she thought was too much tile...and she was right. :)

Glad, it might be a little bit of a treck, depending where in Fairfield county, but I was down there working last summer, and I was in the HD in North Haven right off exit 9 off 91 more times than I can count, and I know for certain they had Rittenhouse square there for less than 2.00 a foot. Hell, Dal's got a warehouse right there in West Haven, right off of 1st Avenue. If you know anyone who does tile, they could get it directly from the warehouse for WAY less than waht you're paying!

thx, bill! i'm in stamford--probably 40 miles ea. way. i'll keep it in mind if i settle on the ritt square. but i only need 30-35 sf, so this is one of the very few things i'm not being that price-sensitive over, given quick turnaround: granite comes friday and the plan is to pick tile saturday, after having a chance to make a color decision, for tues or wed. install (not by anyone who'd have clout at the warehouse...). tile shop gets a delivery on tuesday.

Yep, you can get it at Home Depot or Lowe's. They also have special order from Dal-tile and American Olean. Those companies make fairly inexpensive (as well as more expensive) tiles, some of which they've been making or reintroduced since the 20s. I have a special fondness for the old styles.

Yep-- I agree-- not worth the trip up from Stamford for that much!! My family had a union shop in New Haven, and I did alot of work in Stamford, going back years ago. I remember when we'd get going in the morning-- if we left New Haven at 6:30 am, we could be in Stamford by 7:30. If we left at 7:00, we wouldn't get to the job until 9:00 MINIMUM! Same in the afternoon!! I wouldn't wish that traffic on anyone unless it could REALLY save them some money!