Building on my list of 15 (now 16) places to find basic 4 x 4 (or -ish) tiles including replacement tile, I recently heard from a *new* company that says they may be able to help readers. The company — Vintage Building Supply — in Sacramento, Calif., says that have and continue to accumulate vintage stock — that they are eager to work with homeowners to match replacement tiles — and they even sent photos of some catalogs to illustrate some oldies but goodies they may have in stock.
Owner Andy Rosten wrote:
We have a large stock of numerous manufacturers of discontinued tile from 1930s to 2000, and we offer free identification of those seeking to match existing installations as well as many retro colors, and ship all over North America. We welcome you adding us to your source list: Vintage Tile, 1619 E St, Suite B, Sacramento CA 95814 916-451-8424. In addition to wall and counter tile, we also carry many 8″ discontinued floor tiles and several 12″ floor tiles from Dal and Florida Tile.
I have been a general contractor doing repairs on older homes for over 25 years. Our building is rather non-descript with just our business name, Rosten Remodeling Inc. on the front door. This has been a side business for about a year, but I am slowly developing it as a separate one. I’ve made up some business cards that say Vintage Building Supply (I also have many antique plumbing, electrical, hardware & molding items), but I haven’t yet made a sign out front and I’m working on an advertising plan. It is VERY time consuming to seek out, clean, sort, identify and inventory tiles, and I’m still trying to get everything organized. Every week I run across new items I was unaware of, and I am planning to take photos of tiles from the other manufacturers that I don’t have sample boards. The photos I sent you are sample boards that are over 20 years old. We also have several floor tiles (mostly 8″) that are no longer available to help people trying to repair their floors.
I asked Andy if they have stock of every tile shown in the boards, and if they stock sufficient to do entire bathrooms. He replied:
No we do not have stock of every tile shown. Some we have none, some we have many, and some we may only have a few or only certain pieces. However, we are acquiring new tiles all the time as we search salvage yards. We have tiles from over 20 different manufacturers, although some we only have a few. However, I have been developing a cross reference index because many manufacturers copied colors/patterns of others so sometimes we can offer close substitutes. This is especially true for such patterns as oatmeal, golden granite (a white with tan specks) and the Dal Mayan series (which was copied by at least 6 companies). Our specialty is helping those who are trying to repair existing installations, and we offer free identification. We are not a good source for new installations where buyers are looking for large quantities as they would sell out quickly and then we couldn’t help others. I can also send a diagram that shows the different pieces made with their corresponding part numbers. Most lay people do not know how to accurately describe what piece they need. We often hear customers say they need a “bullnose” and there are more than a dozen different pieces called “bullnose.”
Some vintage tile boards in Andy’s collection:
Link love:
- This company does not have a website. Contact Andy at Vintage Tile, 1619 E St Sacramento CA 95814; phone: 916-451-8424. He also says you can send photos of the tile you are looking for to the company’s email address, rosten@softcom.net
- Our overview story: 16 places to find 4′ x 4′ bathroom tile in vintage colors
I am working on a 1953 Arts & Architecture case study house. Tiles were from the Mosaic Tile Co. I’ve found the original factory in Corona, Ca. (after speaking with an archivist from Zanesville, Ohio where the parent company was located) The tiles are an odd size 1&9/16 sq. but I have sample tiles in hand for repair tiles needed and samples of glazes for new tiles needed. I have looked all over and now I am thinking I need a ceramic artist who can reproduce the tiles for this project. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Nancy, what a wonderful project! Here is some research I’ve done, perhaps one of the more specialized companies can help you: https://retrorenovation.com/2019/01/22/12-places-to-find-4-x-4-ceramic-bathroom-tile-in-vintage-colors/
I believe there are additional companies that do hand made tiles — California is an epicenter — that might be able to help you. Good luck!
Hi Pam, I wonder if you might be able to help me? I’ve recently bought an original, 1 owner house, built in 1958 and am having a very difficult time in finding replacement bathroom tile! I came across your web site and thought that I’d hit the jackpot but I still don’t see what I’m looking for! I found this color in Lowe’s but can’t find 4 x 4 or 6 x 6 anywhere so far?
https://www.lowes.com/pd/American-Olean-Starting-Line-Gloss-Gray-3-in-x-6-in-Ceramic-Subway-Tile-Common-3-in-x-6-in-Actual-3-01-in-x-6-03-in/1000397389
I’ve contacted Daltile and other local tile companies but they said they don’t have that color anymore, which seems weird, as Lowe’s has it but not in the sizes I would like! I see every other color under the stars online but not Gloss Gray? If you could point me in the right direction, I’d be eternally grateful!
In the meantime, I’ll continue looking through your site and the web for links!
Cheers!
Rich
See: https://retrorenovation.com/2019/01/22/12-places-to-find-4-x-4-ceramic-bathroom-tile-in-vintage-colors/
happened across your site, I have in the past been a distributor of tile in N. Ala. I have 2-3 pallets of Monarch tile and trim I am interested in getting ride of.
Jerry
Hi Jerry, I do not buy things and the comment threads are not meant for buying/selling or it would be chaos. Contact the company(s) listed in various stories directly. Brite blue bold text = hotlinks.
Another thought: There are sellers on ebay who specialize in replacement tile – perhaps they might be interested in your stock.
Good luck.
Hi, I am trying to find four 4-1/2x 4-1/4 peachy pink wall tiles to replace broken ones on our bathroom wall. The tiles have a shiny smooth finish.
The house was built in 1948. Any help is appreciated! Thanks.
See this story: https://retrorenovation.com/2012/07/16/12-places-to-find-4-x-4-ceramic-bathroom-tile-in-vintage-colors/
OMG, I just called the, and Lordy! They are charging SO much! 4.50 for just one 4″ tile. An entire shower would be a fortune! I’m so glad they have options, but holy cow.
For a new bathroom try B&W — https://retrorenovation.com/2012/07/16/12-places-to-find-4-x-4-ceramic-bathroom-tile-in-vintage-colors/