David asked the other day:
We’re planning our basement finishing project and looking at VCT tiling options in the basement. Does anyone know where to find design ideas for Vinyl tiles? I’m seeing a lot for ceramic, but not many for VCT.
You ask, I deliver: Here are scans from 1950s Armstrong and Kentile catalogs.
The thing I like about the designs in my 1955 Armstrong dealer catalog is that they show the percentage of each color required. The Kentile designs come from a retail brochure, so you will have to do the math yourself.
Also remember: Armstrong still offers the the decorative shuffleboard. Come on — you only live once — get the shuffleboard, especially if you are doing a basement floor. I also like VCT like this for kitchen flooring. If you’re planning a retro remodel of your kitchen, be sure to start here to scope all the products, ideas and inspiration — for floors and much more — available.
Finally — Please know, readers — these designs are provided with the intent that you will use them with new vinyl composite tile (VCT). Always be sure, when you move into a house, to consult with experts to test all the materials in your house, including flooring, for stuff like lead and asbestos — and make informed decisions about how to handle these issues. For more info, see our Be Safe / Renovate Safe page.
READ THIS VIEWING TIP: I have inserted the images very large so you can see the designs well — I had to click on the image THREE times to get to the largest version. Then, use my back button to return to the post.
Angela says
this is probably posted already somewhere on this site, but here is a link (if that is allowed):
http://www.armstrong.com/commflooringna/products/vct/_/N-75h/Ntt-excelion
I used the imperial texture in basil green & black. There are some really amazing bright colors also, like bright purple, orange and pink even! I used the more subdued green for a more authentic look, being my house is a 1947 house and still has all it’s original cabinets & sink cabinet. 🙂
Angela says
MrsErinD, I bought mine at Home Depot. They had some colors in stock, but you order the others. They have a little sample board you can look at. A rainbow! I got the black there, but had to order my green. No biggie though! I have a small kitchen and was inspired by a house at an estate auction I went to for the colors. I figured I could add any color to the black and green when I felt like changing stuff. It’s surprisingly neutral. I’ll have to email Pam some pics of the finished product. I did it myself too! I didn’t rent a cutter, I used a knife and scored it until it cut all the way through, or I could snap it off. I DO want to add that the darker colors show way more dirt than the lighter, even with the pattern.
Heart says
Would love to see your photos Angela, thanks for sharing your expertise.
MrsErinD says
Love these! I like the yellow/gray/black and red/gray/black but would like pink or aqua/green with the gray and black for mine.
Where do you get these vct tiles? Do they come in colors and shades/pattern of individual tile like those anymore? I’d so love to use those on my kitchen floor, I adore that look and didn’t know if you could find that anymore. Our kitchen floor they replaced with ugggggly stick floor linoleum tiles that are crooked, sigh, the bathroom too. Thankfully they didn’t mess with anything else.
Happy Daze says
I really wish VCT patterns would come back in style; they’re such an inexpensive way to add color and depth to a space. To me, the ubiquitous white “quarter-turn” pattern that is in nearly every drug store and school is really boring.
Vanessa Bugge says
These patterns are great for VCT and would also work beautifully for Marmoleum tile, it is true Linoleum and comes in tiles. It’s beautiful and comes in lots and lots of colors, is eco friendly and sturdy as can be.
gavin hastings says
I really need to collect ALL my thoughts before posting, but:
Most of the patterns shown were created when tiles came 6 or 8 inches. If you chose one of these patterns- rent the tile cutter! Most all vinyl tiles today are 12 inches and would lose the pattern effect unless installed in a really, really big room.
Ok..thats all….for now.
pam kueber says
Gavin, I actually read about a homeowner who wanted true vintage sizing of her new linoleum tile. So, she bought sheet and had it cut at a water-laser place into 9″ (as I recall) tiles. I am thinking, that if you want to cut your VCT down to these authentic sizes, you are going to have to take it someplace special that can really do a fine cut.
Jason says
Absolutely agree with Pam’s post about this. There’s no way you can cut tile down yourself and have it actually work. The cuts need to be absolutely perfect and 100% the same for every single tile. Otherwise you’ll end up with ugly gaps and ragged edges all over your floor!
gavin hastings says
…..oh, and I plan on NOT turning the direction of every other tile. A one way design gives a more “linoleum” look.
gavin hastings says
Un-advertised, but still very available are Armstrong “Fashion Strips”. They are 1 or 2 inch strips is solid color vinyl tile that come 24′ in length…
I plan on creating a white 2 inch “racing stripe” double border one foot from the wall in my kitchen of Armstrong Excelon. I am sure they could be used to make 100’s of other patterns.
Total floor materials cost: appox $175.
Wendy says
Oh WOW! I want to do a black kitchen floor with two stipes (one red & one green) and dreaded having to cut all the tiles!!!
How do you go about getting them?
Mark says
Where was this 3 months ago!?
I just re-did my kitchen with VCT and had a heck of a time coming up with a pattern.
Dang!
Thanks for these though.
Lara Jane says
Gorgeous! I collect floor patterns like a mad woman. I started out being obsessed with 1920s houses and I’ve worked my way to the 50s. I’ll probably go back and forth many times before I actually end up in my “forever” house, but my kitchen will be linoleum no matter what, so I’m covered! haha!
By the way, linoleum is not only “greener,” but quite a lot healthier for the people living with it, than vinyl.