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Has ANYONE heard of 2x6 marble subway tile? (field tile)

14 years ago

I've googled and googled and can't find anyone. I'm sure having larger pieces cut to size (or slab or whatever) would cost far too much but I have had my heart set on 2x6 tile just because it's not only different from most which are 3x6, but because this 1913 house originally had 2x6 subway tile in it (I know the old woman who was raised here).

Anyone?

Thanks! :)

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Comments (9)

wolfgang80
14 years ago
I linked a place that carries it.
I have no experience with them; I just happened onto their website last week and remembered their choices of 2x6 or 3x6.

Here is a link that might be useful: 2x6 Subway Tile
worldmom
14 years ago
I think Wolfgang's link is actually ceramic tile. :o)

I found this post from November in which evilbunnie said she had installed 2x6 *marble* subway tiles. Perhaps you can shoot her an email or post here to get her attention and ask her about it. Hers is the first response to the original post.

Here is a link that might be useful: Evilbunnie writes of 2x6 marble subway tile
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Oh, Spincrazy I am happy to hear Adex does have a 2x6. Do you know if they have it in non crackle? Is your crackle subtle? Any pictures? And where did you find it and how much? I read in Blakey's post that the Sonoma was around $25 sf, a little pricey for me. So the Adex would be a good solution. I assume that Ann Sachs is pricey too, but I'll look! Scoutcat- thanks for the info, I'll check them out. They also sell Sonoma tile so I can look at that. Keep those suggestions coming! Thanks again.
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I wouldn't do it... By the time you pay to have them cut, the cost difference would be much smaller than the materials cost, and you'd always know you settled. Plus, if the cuts are anything less than PERFECT you'll be able to see it easily, meaning you need a *really good* tile guy with a *brand new* blade and a high quality tile saw. Again, costing more than most other 'merely good' tile guys who could do a nice job on a simple backsplash without a lot of unnecessary cuts. I'd try to either feel the love for the Adex 2x8 (a really nice tile, by the way) or figure out the total dollar cost difference for the WZ (my personal favorite tile, bar none, and the ONE place in my kitchen remodel where I refused to scrimp) and learn to live with it. One thing I know about the WZ -- If you can scrape up the money (and I know, not everyone can) -- it's one decision you will never regret, and will find joy in every day.
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Thank you pllog! According to my admittedly limited research, white subway tiles were primarily what was used during 1913 (not colored tiles just yet), or else white or cream-colored wainscoting. I know the colorful tile was used on fireplace faces though, as is the case on ours - but I think the whole sterile kitchen and bathroom look was going on in 1913 (?). I know my house originally had it cause not only is 2x6 white subway tile in the original bathroom upstairs, but the previous owners, who I am friends with, remember it having been in the house at one time. The previous owner now in her 80's moved in with her parents in the '40's when she was a teenager. There was only one family that lived in the house before them, which is kind of neat to know. I'd love to find out more about them someday if possible. All that said, if I had the time further to obsess (I'm already taking LOADS of time away from my kids to obsess over every detail that I am already!), and the eye/confidence/creativity, or a designer, and the money, I'd do something much more fun and much more "me" in a NY heartbeat. But alas, I don't. Maybe someday. The following cut/paste link is to absolutely inspiring backsplashes, which you'd probably love: http://finishedbacksplashes2.blogspot.com/ It would be impossible for me to do if the tile were to get up to $100/SF. How did you come up w/ that calculation? Oh dear - I'd better do the math again! I was told that by going to a fabricator with big machinery, it wouldn't take that long at all for a back splash my size - but that was just one person who said that; he could have been wrong. One consideration for a backup plan for me has been white or off-white minibrick. I think with a non-matching grout - e.g. a noncommittal but darker sand color (sand having both tan and grey in it?), all those little lines would be more interesting w/ the stainless than the bigger subway tile (or, maybe that would also be the case w/ standard 2x6 tile w/ darker grout?). I wish I could find the link I've lost to ceramic minibrick (if that's the word for it) that's attractive to me. I imagine they didn't have that size in 1913 though (does anyone know?) but it's still a nice classic look. If I find it on my other computer I'll post it! I've looked at Thassos which does seem too white. The in-person samples of calcutta are too grey from a distance (I don't want it to match my stainless counter so precisely) but yes I have time to keep looking. I also still pine for the Walker Zanger lightly crackled and glazed 2x6 tile I was all excited about when I thought I would do a honed black counter. haven't ruled that out completely, but it's $25/SF. Thanks!
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shmoop
14 years ago
Waterworks makes it too (that version has a rounded edge, whereas the subways wolfgang mentions have a flat one, I think)
histokitch
14 years ago
It depends how machine-look you want, but I am getting some that are 5 3/4" x 2". They are from Mosaic House in New York. I have attached a photo from my inspiration picture (the designer Michael S Smith's kitchen in LA).

Here is a link that might be useful: Michael S Smith's kitchen
amberley
14 years ago
histokitch- that is one of two favorite inspiration kitchens! If we could only all have a barrel-vaulted ceiling...
theresse
Original Author
14 years ago
Wolfgang80 - I agree that I don't think they carry it in marble, but thanks for the good intention! :) I actually have a couple of samples of theirs right now in basic ceramic. I like how thin their tiles are which is much more "period."

Worldmom - unforunately, I have NO IDEA how to email evilbunnie cause this site is impossible to navigate. Very non-intuitive. I did a search for her name and it didn't even come up. I clicked on her page (that has the options of clicking on her journal or clippings, etc.) and of course there's nothing there - there never is. Ugh. I wish I could find her!

Shmoop - are you saying a marble version you know of has rounded edges? I definitely don't want rounded edges - just your typical square edge (if that's the correct discription).

hikstokitch - thanks! That's a great kitchen you linked us to. I went to the tile website and there was nothing there about marble tile. Sigh... Nevertheless I emailed the company and inquired, just in case! In your inspiration picture that's not marble tile though, right? Still nice tile, it seems!

If I'm forced to go with 3x6 or else minibrick (or that other size - I think it's 2x4?), I need help deciding which would be most appropriate in a 1913 period-ish kitchen.

Thanks everyone!
histokitch
14 years ago
It's not marble, but was marble tile originally in your house, or just what you like? You can have anything cut. you can get 6 x 6 marble tile and have it cut into 3 tiles if there are edges that are not smoothed out. Might be more labor. Sorry. I read the post but not the whole title and missed the "marble."
megpie77
14 years ago
Theresse-I have a sample here of thassos marble in 2x8 (left pic, perhaps you remember seeing this in my thread). I know it's not 2x6, but it's close and perhaps it comes in different marble types and sizes. The company is Tribeca. The calacatta to the right of thassos is from GBI tile. Perhaps you could call and ask them what other sizes their marble comes in. I also have 4x12 from Walker Zanger. I believe these came in a wide range of sizes.
GBI link
http://www.gbitile.com/
Walker Zanger link-I'm pretty sure their site doesn't list all of the sizes available.
http://www.walkerzanger.com/catalog/ecatalog.php

Here is a link that might be useful: Tribeca
growlery
14 years ago
I have not done this, so I do not know the peculiarities of cutting marble, but would it not be possible for you to buy 6x6 pieces of marble tile, rent a stone/tile cutter and slice them into 3 2x6 tiles yourself, at a much smaller cost than having it done?

I believe you can rent one at a big box store or specialty tool rental company by the day or a small number of days. It's a messy, messy tool -- it uses a spray of water to keep the dust and friction heat down, so you'd need to use it outside.

The rectified corners make it possible to use the pieces interchangeably, unlike a tile with rounded corners, where they would not match.

As I recall the backsplash area in your house is not vast, so you would not be cutting forever.

I think Circuspeanut cut 6x6 ceramic tiles in half to get subways for her beautiful, buttery kitchen. I don't know if it's any different cutting marble though -- it's a soft stone and the blades are very sharp.

It would take some time, you might break/chip a few tiles, so there would be some losses (and some you could hide with grout or use in less noticeable places, like right up under the cabinets). But at least you wouldn't be paying for someone else's labor.

I would let the tile setter know that this is what you were planning, and at least get his quote on the work. He or she might decide that they'd rather use tiles they cut themselves and give you a good price on that part of the project, just to make sure they have a good product in their hands. I would not just cut them and spring it on them.

Or you might even find out that, once you rent the tools and start breaking tiles and give up your Saturday, that their rate is actually very reasonable.

Good luck!

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