These 15 VCT floor tile designs are manufactured using the same process
as vintage designs in place for at least 34 years,
likely longer
Breaking news: Azrock — the same company that manufactured the beloved Azrock Cortina Autumn Haze VCT flooring, the classic 1950s-style streaking vinyl composite tile that I put into my kitchen — has created a new line of flooring using the exact same process that includes a whopping 15 designs. The new line is called Azrock TexTile. Colors are a low chroma greyed out (no pastels), but, hey, I am not complaining: 15 colors = fantastic.
UPDATE: Azrock now part of Tarkett, see the retained lineup of products ala Textile here. I spoke to the Azrock brand manager for this flooring line on Friday, and interestingly, she told me that Azrock Cortina Autumn Haze has been in the lineup for at least 34 years — as long as she’s been at the company. Yes: This is a classic, classic floor for 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s homes — and beyond. And now: It’s coming back full force into the lineup again — hurray!
Azrock Cortina Autumn Haze is NOT discontinued
For this story, snaps to Sarah, who alerted me a few weeks ago that her flooring salesperson told her that Azrock Cortina Autumn Haze was going to be discontinued later this year. When I finally connected with the right person at the company, I was able to clarify: Autumn Haze [<-website link] is not going to be discontinued. The real story is: Azrock Cortina Autumn Haze will no longer be marketed to residential customers, but it will still be available to commercial customers. That means: If want it, you can still get it. Sarah, your salesperson wasn’t wrong per se — retailers have been told to start removing it from their displays, etc. — they will say it’s discontinued; but it’s not. In any case: See the TexTiles. Same process, same look, many more colors!
Thank you, Sarah, your tip led me to this discovery of the new TexTile lineup.
In any case, now we not only have Autumn Haze, we have a bundle more colors — with a bundle more undertones (not just beige/brown) to choose from.
Remember: If you get this floor, you must strip, polish and buff it regularly. I think that it’s most aesthetically pleasing if you install it in quarter-turns, tesselated. And one downside: The floor will last forever — that is, you will be sick of it well before you ever need to replace it.
The company sent me full-sized samples of each of the tiles — they exceeded my expectations. They are way more beautiful than shown in these images. This is a great lineup!
Link: See all the 1950s style Azrock TexTile vinyl composite tile flooring designs.
Julie says
Wondering if anyone has had issues with surface indentations under their furniture with the Azrock Textile? I’d love some input.
The static PSI listed is only 150 lbs, This is concerning since many of my vintage furnishings (loaded-down china hutch, sofa) have small hairpin or wooden dowel legs that may distribute close to that load on a very small area of the flooring. I need the tile to be continuous from the kitchen into the attached den. I’ll be placing a few heavy pieces on it and I’d like to have the freedom to rearrange without weird indentation circles showing.
The Congoleum someone linked has a 250 psi, but it’s not quite as neat as the Azrock design. I really have my heart set on this design.
Am I worrying for nothing? Would love to hear from folks with this installed before making decisions!
pam kueber says
I don’t know the answer to this one. It’s certainly a good thing to learn about and consider, when considering this kind of flooring.
I have the Azrock Cortina Autumn Haze in my kitchen. I have not noticed issues from our kitchen table or chairs, but then I have not looked closely either, plus, I think that’s distributed weight. One issue I’ve noted: The substrate underneath must be absolutely smooth. I have cracking tiles in two places where, clearly, there was not smooth substrate underneath. It’s very princess-and-the-pea sensitive.
Mary says
http://www.wayfair.com/Congoleum-Alternatives-12-x-12-Vinyl-Tile-in-Multi-Desert-AL-06-KGL1062.html
Found these on Wayfair, though I think they are expensive, I think they might be classified as Vintage Style.
Elizabeth says
We just purchased a 1958 side split time capsule, and we excitedly removed hundreds of square feet of dusty carpet, revealing original streaked reddish brown and cream vinyl composition tile (VCT). I want to keep the VCT, but pulling up the carpet nail strips around our baseboards damaged the edges of many of the tiles. I was happy to discover this Retro Renovation article about how Azrock still makes the same 1950s tiles, and I am in the process of deciding whether to remove the old tiles or just tile over them with the same, but new, Azrock VCT (which will raise the VCT floor about 1/8 inch above our wood floor). According to a U.S. Court of Appeals case, from the 1930s to the early 1980s, Azrock manufactured floor tiles containing asbestos fibers. Has anyone had their 1950s Azrock VCT tested and found asbestos? I might just have ours tested if no one knows for sure which of the Azrock tiles were manufactured with asbestos fibers. Thank you.
pam kueber says
Hi Elizabeth, When it comes to this issue, I repeatedly advise: Consult with your own properly licensed professional to determine what is in the materials and layers of your house so that you can make informed decisions how to handle. I don’t allow readers to offer such advice — only to repeat what I say, which is, you gotta get your own testing done.
Good luck – congrats on the house!
Elizabeth says
Thank you, Pam, for the advice. We had our 9×9 VCT tile and adhesive TEM tested for asbestos at a local NY lab for about $100 per sample and lucky for us, it tested negative. Now we are replacing the tiles in our entryway, kitchen and lower level den with 12×24 Azrock TexTile in Berber Grey from http://www.fastfloors.com/vinyl/azrock. I’m so happy that I came upon this article, and that we can replace the floors with the same material and maintain the original style of the home.
pam kueber says
Good on you!
Kaye says
Where can I find this tile?
pam kueber says
start calling local flooring companies to see if they carry or can get your Azrock
Tracy Woytas says
I just had to share, when we pulled up some awful foam backed carpet we found a vct floor that I just loved. It had a lot of cracked tiles. I was trying to decide/figure out what i. Was gointo do. We’ve owned the house 2 months and my husband found some old tile stuffed behind an old cabinet. They’re curled up but I squealed with delight that i get to keep my floor. Ive laid out the tiles on a flat floor hoping this hot Oklahoma weather will flatten them. Fingers crossed!
pam kueber says
Okay, but be aware: These old layers may contain vintage nastiness like lead and asbestos — consult with a properly licensed professional to determine what you have so that you can make informed decisions about how to handle safety and environmental issues.
Heather says
We just purchased a 1957 Airsteam Flying Cloud. The original owners daughter told me everything in the trailer is as her mother ordered it- in dark grey, turquoise and pink. Unfortunately all the curtains and upholstery fabrics were “updated” due to need. But I just had to tell you about the original streaky tiles in you guessed it- dark grey, pink and turquoise! Half are missing so I’m on the lookout for new old stock or possibly working in some new VCT with the old streaky tile.
Rebecca prichard says
I just had this installed in my storage/ exercise room. It looks great!
Tom says
Are their any retro VCT products that don’t require waxing? We installed Armstrong VCT in our Eichler a few years ago and it’s just too much of a pain to strip and wax. Being in California, the doors are open all year round with dogs and kids messing up the finish in no time flat. We can’t be going through the disruption of stripping every room in the house every year.