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"Here are pics of the Bathroom tile (kitchen repair will happen next week)."
Architectural Recovery · Sacramento
Rescuing the irreplaceable.
We locate, identify, and supply historically accurate ceramic tile for pre-war and mid-century restorations. Don't demolish the past — let us find the missing pieces.
Stocking over 100 manufacturers, some as early as the 1920s. We offer free identification when you email a photo or bring a sample.
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This site is designed to help you identify the manufacturer of your tile so we can help you more easily. We are constantly updating it as we discover new manufacturers, patterns, and colors. If you cannot find your tile, we offer free identification when you provide photos or samples. If we cannot readily identify your tile or do not stock that manufacturer, we may require a $10 research fee to find something similar.
Identification
Two ways to begin identifying your tile.
Method I
Identify by size.
Precise measurement — within 1/16" — narrows the possibilities dramatically. Measure across two or three tiles and divide for accuracy.
Tip: What people call a "4-inch" tile is rarely 4 inches exactly. The most common is 4¼", followed by 4⅜". Tiles sold as 8" or 12" floor tiles are typically about ¼" smaller.
Size
Likely Manufacturer(s)
3 3/4"
Claycraft Potteries
3 7/8"
Monarch (Roma) · Huntington (round corner) · Westminster (round corner)
3 15/16"
H&R Johnson · C.L.P. · Huntington · Sintopress
4"
AO · Florida (2005+)
4 1/16"
H&R Johnson
4 1/8"
AET · GMB (Buff Tropico Plant)
4 3/16"
AET · B&W · Cal Tile · Mosaic (early)
4 1/4"
DAL Tile
4 5/16"
Maple Leaf Ceramics
4" Hexagon / Octagon
AO
5"
Westminster
Method II
Identify by shape.
Counter edge pieces and trim profiles are often unique to a single manufacturer. Compare your trim against the plates below.
Codes (e.g. A-7250, SN-4449) reference common factory designations. Photograph your trim against a plain white or black background and include a tape measure in frame for scale.
Still unsure?
Send a photo →We'll identify it for free.
Email a photo or bring a sample. Most inquiries receive a same-day reply.
From the Archive
A glimpse of current stock.
Over 100 manufacturers, with pieces dating as early as the 1920s. Decorative murals, plain field tile, hand-painted singles, counter trims, and V-caps. The selection rotates constantly — what you see is a small fraction.
Pink & blue floral spray
4-tile mural · maker TBD
Hand-painted tabby cat
Decorative single · folk-art
Red & blossom counter trim
Embossed flower border
Crackle-glaze florals
Lily & fuchsia · pre-war
Cream daisy spray
Soft-fired matte · 1940s
Color trim selection
V-caps & bullnose · multi-maker
Read this first
Identification, matching & pricing.
Identification
We seldom can identify tiles by photo only, especially solid colors, as it is hard to determine the sheen (gloss, satin, or matte finish). Photos don't accurately show shading — tiles can appear darker or lighter at different angles or lighting, so a sample is the best way to match. For many colors we have over 25 different shades.
Photos of counter edge pieces are useful as many are unique to a manufacturer. Photos of the tile back are also very useful — most backings have raised lines, symbols, or lettering unique to specific tile companies. Numbers stamped into the back are not color numbers; they're production numbers of the blanks (called bisques).
Even after we identify the manufacturer, you may not get an exact match. Many firms produced at multiple plants over decades, and when lead was banned from paint in 1970 many removed it from glazes — so formulas changed, affecting shades and patterns. We strive to get the closest possible and ensure tiles you receive are consistent among themselves, even if they don't exactly match yours.
On size & thickness
There is no standard tile size. Precise measurement — within 1/16" — is crucial. Some makers produced multiple sizes depending on era. Floor tiles sold as 8" or 12" are typically about ¼" smaller.
Modern tiles are typically ¼". Most imports are only 3/16". Pre-WWII tiles are often thicker — many ⅜", even ½" — so they may not sit flush with substitutes. Older tiles also have very square edges; modern tiles are slightly beveled to reduce chipping.
Pricing
Most of our tiles are new old stock; the older the tile, the more likely it is reclaimed. Unlike others, all reclaimed tiles we sell have mortar and grout removed so they are ready to install just like unused stock.
Unlike most discontinued products, vintage tile increases in value over time, because each tile is installed once and the supply decreases daily. We can't offer quantity discounts — often we have only handfuls, not boxes, of a specific color or pattern.
Research fee
We offer free identification when you email a photo or bring a sample. If we cannot readily identify your tile, or do not stock that manufacturer, we may require a $10 research fee to find something similar in another manufacturer.
Sending samples
- Take photos in good lighting, preferably on a contrasting surface.
- Photos of nearby tiles, especially counter edge trim, help us identify the maker.
- A photo of the back of the tile (without mortar) makes ID very easy.
- Measure your tile accurately to within 1/16".
- Include your phone number and a minimum 1 sq in sample — preferably larger.
- Cover envelopes with packing tape (except stamps) so they survive transit.
Mail samples to
Vintage Tile · 1619 E St, Suite B · Sacramento, CA 95814
About
A life's work in matching the irreplaceable.
Andy Rosten became a California licensed general contractor in 1991, specializing in repairing older homes. Since then, nearly every source of discontinued tiles ran out of stock.
Since 2016 he has been transitioning from construction work to selling his accumulation of hard-to-find building supplies to fill that void. While other internet sites offer vintage building supplies, no one both identifies and sells discontinued tiles.
We stock over 100 companies — some as early as the 1920s. We travel throughout the United States to find tiles, then take considerable time and expense to clean, identify, grade, and inventory them.
We're always in need of new "old" stock. We are especially interested in old tile catalogs and sample boards — we have many tiles we cannot identify by manufacturer or pattern. This site is designed both for business and historical education.
From the Field
What clients have written.
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"They responded very quickly and shipped very quickly at a reasonable price."
03
"Impressive supply of tile and great service from the owner, Andy."
Excerpts from Google reviews. Visit the full Google listing to read all 38.
Contact
Send the tile.
The fastest way to begin is a clear photograph. The more detail you provide below, the faster — and more accurately — we can help.
Save a trip
Please send photos of the tile(s) you need before coming in, so we can determine if we likely have what you need.
Free identification
Free tile ID when you email a photo or bring a sample. If mailing samples, include your tile measurement within 1/16", quantity needed, plus your phone number and email address.
Vintage Tile
1619 E St, Suite B
Sacramento, CA 95814
By appointment · Opens 8 AM · Call ahead.
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