Subway tiles have always been popular in terms of design. They are like luxurious doors or subtle homes. Meaning they have a feel of their own, and they are capable of adding style to any architecture. If you have wanted to replace your kitchen backsplash tiles with the new ones, subway tiles are a good option to go for. There are a lot of things you can do with the kitchen backsplash tiles.
There are a bunch of varieties of tiles available out there. These include terra cotta, porcelain, marbles, ceiling tiles, and more. Among all the available types, subway tiles have always been in the mainstream. But there are certain things that people do not know about subway tiles. What are subway tiles, where do they come from, and how do you recognize them? Get to know more about these tiles that you may not have heard before.
- It’s Origin
Subway tiles were first introduced below ground in New York City’s Metro Station. By now, you might have assumed the reason behind their name. Yes, because they were first used in the subway, people started recognizing them as subway tiles. When the subway system in NYC was opened in 1904, George C. Heins and Christopher Grant La Farge were given a tricky task. Both of them had to design a surface that was easy to clean but felt safe, familiar, and friendly to the individuals using underground transit for the first time. So the designers figured out subway tiles as the solution. The tiles with curvy edges and shimmery finish-so made subway stations clean, bright, and polished.
- Where to catch a glimpse of the first subway tile
Have you been a design enthusiast? You would love to see where the subway tiles were first incorporated. You can catch a glimpse of the oldest and very first subway tile in an abandoned station in NYC. Secure a visit to NYC’s first subway station- the City Hall stop that no longer operates. However, you can go there on tour with the New York Transit Museum. But many travelers catch a glimpse through trains.
- Subway Tiles do not have classic dimensions.
How do you recognize subway tiles? Well, if you were in the early 90s, you could’ve said that you can recognize these tiles by looking at the shape. The classic subway tiles used to be rectangular in shape. They measured 3*6 inches. However, nowadays, these tiles have length double their breadth. And it turns out; these tiles can be square too. So, subway tiles do not have a fixed dimension anymore.
- They come in glass and stone.
When you’ve lost hope to recognize these tiles by their size, here’s another one; their source material is not fixed. According to the definition, subway tiles are thin, shimmery, and low-fired tiles. But, it is said that these tiles were originally made using white glass. These tiles are no longer the definition for their name, subway tiles. They are made using different materials like stone, marble, glass, and more.
So how do you spot them? Subway tiles have their specific properties that include shimmer, glossy finish, and edges. Plus, if you are shopping from an online store, they have a specific section for it. There is no need to keep looking; the stores will show you separate sections for subway tiles. That’s it! Thanks to Oasis Tile for consulting!
