Changes in the Tile Industry. The majority of ceramic
floor tile made in the U.S. before 1890 was encaustic, but various
factories gradually began to develop and produce other kinds of
tiles. The Trent Tile Company, among others, started to manufacture
both white and colored ceramic mosaic tiles by the mid-1890s. White vitreous wall tile became available, as well as more
decorative tiles with colored glazes, such as the variegated faience
glazes intended to give a more hand-crafted appearance that were
originated by the Grueby Faience and Tile Company in 1894, and
soon adopted by other potteries.
In the 19th and early-20th century, many ceramic tile firms had
their own engraving departments, while some used commercial designs
supplied by professional printers. Well-known designers were
often commissioned to work on specific product lines for a particular
firm. These designers worked for one firm after another which
resulted in similar designs being produced by different companies.
(Historic ceramic floor tiles were usually identified by a manufacturer's
or designer's mark on the back, if they were marked at all.)
By the latter part of the 19th century ready-mixed glazes and
colors were also available.
 Ceramic mosaic tiles are a practical floor covering in the entryway of this early 20th century school building. Photo: NPS files. |
This was a great advantage for potters
who, prior to this, had to mix their own colors and glazes.
During the 20th century, the floor tile industry continued to
evolve as much as it had in the previous century. Modern methods
of production employed sophisticated machinery, new materials
and decorating techniques. In the years following World War II,
there were many advances in the industry. Commercially manufactured
dust-pressed tiles, which had previously required more than 70
hours just in the kiln, could be made in less than two hours from
the raw material stage to finished tiles, boxed and ready to ship.
Dried, unglazed tiles were sprayed with colored glaze evenly
and automatically as conveyors carried the tiles into the tunnel
kilns, and the extrusion process ensured that the tiles were cut
to a uniform thickness and size. The changes and developments
in the production of floor tile brought forth a wide range of
shapes and sizes, along with new colors, glazes and decorating
techniques.
After the turn of the century, fewer encaustic floor tiles were
used, particularly in residential architecture. The introduction
of ceramic mosaic floor tiles was a factor in their decline. The development of rubber interlocking floor tiles in 1894,
along with other, more resilient, flooring materials, was instrumental
in the decreased popularity not only of encaustic tiles, but also
other ceramic tile flooring. These new materials were not only
cheaper, they were not as fragile; they were also lighter and
thinner, and easier to install.
Ceramic mosaic tiles remained in common use through the 1930s
in part because an innovative development had made laying such
small tiles easier. The tiles were pre-mounted in decorative
patterns on 12" x 12" sheets of paper, and sold ready
to lay in cement. This greatly simplified the tile setter's work,
and no doubt was a significant factor in the increased popularity
of ceramic mosaic tiles. Sophisticated mosaic floor designs became
common in entrance foyers of public and private buildings. Small, white, unglazed tiles in round, square, octagonal
or hexagonal shapes were promoted for their sanitary qualities,
particularly for bathroom floors, while larger, rectangular, white,
glazed tiles were used for bathroom walls or wainscotting. Colored
tiles were also popular, especially for bathrooms, and even kitchens. Quarry tile, which was larger and thicker than other
ceramic floor tile of this period, was often used in public buildings,
as well as for entrance halls, small studies, libraries, dining
rooms and even living rooms in private homes. But, by the 1930s,
the fashion for art tile had diminished to the point where floor
tiles were, for the most part, generally regarded as primarily
utilitarian, as opposed to important decorative elements.
"Preserving Historic Ceramic Tile Floors" an Historic Preservation Brief
