Mirror-edge backsplash tile style
Here on our website and on our blog, we’ve looked at numerous different styles of kitchens and bathrooms. The amount of different styles that can be used for the design of kitchens and bathrooms is almost without limit. Even the different types of categories of these styles are so numerous that we’re only scratching the surface. Many different types of elements come in different colors, styles, and finishes. Different elements can be matched in pairs in a variety of combinations and permutations. That makes it so that almost every kitchen and bathroom can have some unique details of qualities to make it stand out from the next. There’s almost unlimited options for personal customization.
Today, we’re looking at a kitchen with a contemporary type tile backsplash. This backsplash is a running bond type pattern with a subway tile. The running bond pattern is a half staggered layout. Each tile is set so the center of the tile is halfway between the joint of the tiles below. Essentially it’s halfway above the tile below to the left and halfway above the tile to the right.
Sometimes people also call this layout a brick pattern layout, but that’s a bit confusing to us because we’re aware that there are many different patterns for brickwork. Some of the most common patterns are a common bond, but there’s also a running bond which is similar to this and an English bond and a Flemish bond used in typical historic brickwork here in Washington DC. So for us to refer to this running bond as a brick bond leaves some room for confusion and can be misleading because there’s many different types of brick patterns and bonds. Also, instead of using a running bond, subway tiles can also be installed in different patterns.
One of the popular types of alternative patterns is a 1/3 running bond where each tile is just slightly staggered 1/3 of its width above the joint of the tile below. In some more modern alternatives, people also install subway tiles or rectangular tiles in a vertical layout. This has a very contemporary look because it’s not a traditional type of style. We’re not saying it’s good, we’re just saying it’s different.
The history of subway tiles goes back to the beginning of the 20th century when they were used in the New York City subway system.. Those historic and original subway tiles did not have a bevel at the edge, instead they had an eased roundover. The bevel edge at the perimeter of subway tiles is a sharper and slightly more contemporary type of design element.
The original subway tiles were not installed with thinset mortar like both contemporary subway tiles and almost all types of contemporary tiles in kitchens and bathrooms. In the early 1900’s when the NYC subway system opened, the modern thinset mortar that is so common today, had not yet been invented. Thinset mortar was developed much later in the 20th century. Instead, back then, tiles were set using traditional cement-based mortar, a much thicker bed mortar that was very different from today’s thinset adhesives.
Typical tiles are made from ceramics and porcelains, in most cases. This particular type of tile, though, is very different. It looks like a similar type of shape and is installed in a similar configuration, but it’s actually made from glass. And even this type of glass is made in a very different type of process than the more typical or common glass that we find in things like windows.
The glass used in modern windows is generally made in a float glass manufacturing process where the molten glass is laid upon a molten layer of tin which, when properly balanced creates a flat surface with very few deviations or imperfections and variances. By comparison, glass tiles like this are made in a type of mold cast that shapes each of the individual pieces.
The mirror finish is then applied to the back of the glass tile instead of the front of the tile, as would be the case with the glaze on top of a porcelain or ceramic tile. Here in this case, the white center of each of the individual tiles is made from a white layer on the back of the tile instead of a glaze on the surface of the tile. Nonetheless, since the near entirety of the tile is made from glass the exposed surface is protected from things like moisture and significant permeability, similar to most types of glaze ceramic or porcelain
Dupont Kitchen & Bath Can Help
As dedicated and local DC metropolitan kitchen and bath builders and installers, we pride ourselves on turning your visions into reality. Your kitchen and bathrooms can reflect your unique style and be designed with personalized aesthetics. It can be a process from creative designs to the realization of your dream space. Specializing in kitchen and bath construction, we bring expertise and skills to every project. If you’re contemplating a renovation, upgrade, or modernization in the local market, we’re happy to be your team. Consult with us, and we can start together on a path to redefine and elevate your DC living experience.
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