Plastic tiles seem to have been very popular in the 1950s and, my mom tells me, into the 1960s. In estate sale houses, I see them in both bathrooms and kitchens. I attribute their popularity to the fact that homeowners could install them themselves — and we were a very DIY nation at the time. Also, these tiles could be easily installed over existing plaster walls — meaning that they were good for renovating the “imperfect” plaster walls in old farmhouses, Victorians and bungalows and to get that “modern” look.
In fact, the benefits of plastic were highly touted during the entire postwar period. I kind of have a feeling folks thought plastic and ceramic were equal in attractiveness? We were fascinated with the lure of the man-made and technology — this is a critical part of the American identity, even still. Also, I am pretty sure it’s a good guess that plastic tiles were significantly cheaper than ceramic tiles, and that must have been part of the allure as well. In my very recent travels I have picked up three vintage brochures — from Church, Pittsburgh and Coronet Tile Companies — and have scanned the prettiness, and info, for all to share.
Check out the complete slide show…. Click on first thumbnail to launch it, then move forward via the arrows below each image:
Mind you:
- I am not necessarily the world’s biggest fan of plastic tile. All three of my bathrooms were outfitted with the stuff. The bathrooms had seen some hard livin’, I think, and the stuff was…. nasty. The plastic tiles in my tub/shower surrounds had all rotted through. So much so that previous owners had then pasted marbleized vinyl panels on top of it. The seams were grucky and moldy and oh, I shudder at the memories…. I had that plastic ripped out with joy in my heart and replaced it with ceramic tile all around. Bottom line: I fear that if plastic tile has not been installed well, and if the bathrooms or kitchens have been used heavily, it may not be worth salvaging. I am all for function, folks, and in a bathroom especially, there is nothing that beats waterproof ceramic tile, in my mind.
- All that said, I did buy a bundle of vintage plastic tile for my kitchen backsplash. Two (gulp) years later, it’s still in a box waiting to be installed. (I’m nerve wracked about how it will look, and yes, simply procrastinating regarding launching yet another house project, one of a gazillion always in the works, or at least, rattling around in my head.) So, you can see, I am not “anti” plastic tile, either.
- And importantly : Precautionary Pam here: If you do decide to rip your plastic tile out, Lord knows what’s in the old adhesive… smart to have it tested.
Finally, hey, remember this post? Kurt’s kitchen with the large 8″ tiles all around. Wow!
!
Linda Kingston says
Not everything “retro” is valuable or should be saved. Some things faded for a good reason.
Jen8 says
Just because the product was used in the mid-century, doesn’t make it attractive!
kate mckinnon says
Hey where did the cool globe art go? Did my asking about if the pic with the tag was from the same piece cause trouble? Hope not!
pam kueber says
kate – i did not mean to publish it today, so i pulled it. it will likely publish next week. sorry ’bout that. and yes – the pic with the price tag was from the same piece!
Retro Junkie says
We bought a custom 1957 ranch about 25 years ago and the bathroom had tin tiles in the bath. I got rid of them too, it sounds like they were comparable with the plastic.
Justin says
The house I grew up in Minnesota had the plastic wall tile in the upstairs bathroom. One of the previous owners had painted over it though. Eventually my dad remodeled the bathroom and ripped all the old tile out. Then about a year ago I picked up a large amount of pink plastic tile. Just not to sure about installing it yet. Also a neighbor of ours has tin tile in his bathroom. It has the look of the regular cermaic or plastic tile, but its tin.
michelle says
did you every install your plastic tile…i have some and want do but an unsure of what to use and grout…is there any i don’t remember. any help would be appreciated
Mike B says
Michelle see my comment dated 11/28/13 at the bottom of this thread.
nutella says
When we purchased our 1937 rowhouse in 2005 we had gray 4×4 plastic tiles (not interlocking) installed on the lower half of the plaster walls in the bathroom . They were in terrible condition, falling off the wall, mold and mildew behind then. We happily removed them ourselves and the mystery adhesive (whole wearing safety googles, gloves and masks) that was used. To replicate the look without the expense of tile we installed white laminated tile look press board and a white subway tile trim.
We still have the original tub, inset medicine cabinet, and black asbestos floor tile. We had the original wall mounted sink but replaced it because we couldn’t stand having seperate taps for hot and cold water.
jkaye says
Just looked at a ’57 ranch with pink and black plastic tiles in the half bath. It’s in great shape, and managed to look great and really cheesy at the same time.
(Oh, and by the way, I’m no longer sumac sue because I dug out the sumac, which was taking over the front yard. Definitely a landscaping mistake.)
Gavin Hastings says
The plastic bath tiles left my home about 20 years ago. A lifespan of 50 years isn’t too shabby.
Were they the vinyl-clad picket fencing of 1940…? Funny how the appeal of plastic often wanes- I remember that my parents came back from vacation in 1972 ….and couldn’t stop talking about the “fabulous” modern plastic tub and wall surround in the pricey hotel.
I always assumed that maybe ceramic tile was unavailable during the war: Which would explain the cedar shingles on my roof and plastic tiles in the bath.
error 404 says
Don’t do it!
Only Sharon Stone could pull off a Gap T with a Valentino skirt, and even then Mr Blackwell wasn’t impressed.
Your cabinets are too upscale for such a low-brow backsplash.
I love hightop keds, but would never wear them with a suit.
Save the plastic ‘you do it’ tiles for some poor wall in need of a quick and cheap cover-up, like behind the washer/dryer.
pam kueber says
thank you, error 404, i tend to think you are right…i think that instead i might paint the backsplash a very light aquamarine…
Gavin Hastings says
Pam-I agree with Error 404
There is enough going on in your perfect kitchen. What really makes it appealing is that you knew when to stop: It draws from the 1940’s and 50’s with the simplicity of the 1960’s tossed in and “makes sense” to the 21st Century eye.
pam kueber says
thanks, gavin. you hit a nail on the head: “knowing when to stop” is always a key question. another reader said: it’s like dressing up to go out to a fancy dinner. just before you leave the house, you want to look in the mirror and remove one piece of jewelry. a little bit less… editing… usually has a big payoff.
Gavin Hastings says
I can’t resist
:
The only piece of jewelry I remove before going out is a wedding band!
How’s that for Mid-Century Humor?
Frank says
Gavin,
Your wedding ring comment gave me a chuckle.
Pam,
As for your decision leave the plastic tiles in the box–I always trust my gut feeling.
Janet Gore says
Those plastic tiles … this really brings back memories. When my mom and step-dad married in 1956, we moved to his house in Mahanoy City, PA (the hard coal region) where ‘company houses’ didn’t have the best of walls … or anything. Anyway, the tiles were sort of pink square with burgundy accent subway shaped tile. Dad was a perfectionist, so it was done correctly, but then no grouting was involved so if you could measure a straight line, you were pretty safe. It was a fright, though, and it was great to see it come down in the early 60’s … to be replaced by “marlight” (sp?). Was that better???? Oh my ….