Old-School Aluminum Tile – On the House
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Old-School Aluminum Tile

By on April 17, 2014
metal tiles

Question

I own a home that was built in about 1954. It has four-inch square aluminum tiles on the walls of the bathroom and kitchen. Are these tiles still being made? Also, who makes them? What kind of adhesive is used to glue them to the wall?

Shannon

Answer

Aluminum tile was extremely popular in the 1940s and 1950s with the advent in popularity of the then “new wonder metal”. We’re surprised they didn’t make diapers out of the stuff. Who knows, maybe they tried.We made a call to the Tile Heritage Foundation (THF), the non-profit tile research group in Healdsburg, California, and spoke with Sheila Menzies who recently began researching the history of aluminum tiles. Sheila tells us that the product was once manufactured by a company in Fresno, California. She asked us to send her a copy of your letter and advised us that when her research was complete she would forward her findings to us. Although the foundation has a few pieces of aluminum tile, they are being kept for archival purposes and aren’t available for sale.The Tile Heritage Foundation not only does research on tile for historical purposes, but also has a list of companies that warehouse new, outdated tile. They just might be able to help you find what you’re looking for. You can call them at (707) 431-TILE. And good luck!

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