Where can I find old porcelain tiles?

Discontinued tile can be found in tile warehouses and manufacturer or supplier tile closeouts or clearance sales. If looking for a vintage tile match, you can find old pieces in antique stores or architecture salvage shops, but finding a match is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Is there a quality difference in porcelain tile?

The grade of porcelain tile is affected by the mixture of materials used in its manufacture, but mostly the grade is determined by the tile’s thickness. Thin, grade 1 tiles are not necessarily lower in quality than higher grades, they just have different uses.

What to do when you can’t find matching tile?

If you can’t find matching tile, get creative by looking for a similar tile in a different color. Then look at the floor and figure out if it’s possible to create a random or regular pattern with a second color. You may need to move some of the existing tiles around so that the pattern is more widespread.

How do you match existing tile?

Apply a thin layer of tile adhesive to the back of the new tile and press it into place. Allow it to dry overnight. Meanwhile, spread a thin line of grout on a scrap piece of cardboard or heavy paper and let it dry. Place it next to the existing grout to see whether it matches in color and texture.

What is the best grade of porcelain tile?

Porcelain tile is graded on a similar scale. The Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) has established ratings ranging from 0 to 5, whereas 0 represents the softest tiles suitable for wall applications and 5 represents the hardest tiles suitable for heavy foot traffic.

How do I find the exact tile?

Take a picture of your tile — if you do not have a spare complete piece — next to a ruler, for scale. Show the store management the image and ask if they carry tile that may be a match. If so, they may let you purchase or borrow a piece or two to see if it is an exact match.

What to do when you cant match tile?

If you cannot match the older tiles exactly, or it is not cost-effective to do so, This Old House recommends using newer “accent tiles” among the older tiles to create a new pattern. For example, if the tile that needs to be replaced is near the edge of the room, create a border or checkered border with new tiles.

How thick should porcelain floor tile be?

Standard Tile Thickness Standard porcelain tile thickness ranges between 1/4- and 3/4-inch thick. In contrast, ceramic tiles range from 1/4- to 3/8-inch in standard thickness. The average minimum thickness is the same for both materials, but porcelain tiles come in thicker options.

How can I match my bathroom tiles?

Use tiles in different sizes and colours, but keep the shape consistent for a harmonious effect. This bathroom includes oblong tiles in two different colours and two different sizes, but maintaining the same brick pattern on each surface creates a visual connection between the planes.