A Brief History
These ubiquitous 3″ x 6″ rectangular tiles are enormously popular among the homeowners right now. The beloved, distinctive ceramic tiles made their first appearance in the New York’s subterranean subway back in 1904.
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-33715" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_01.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_01" width="600" height="480" />
New York's City Hall Subway Ticket Station
Fanciful Guastavino tiles covered the arches and vaulted ceilings while ceramic subway tiles covered the walls
Image from <a href="https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/all-about-ceramic-subway-tile" target="_blank">oldtownhome</a>
Due to practical and aesthetic reasons, these sterile 3-by-6-inch glazed white rectangles, which are easy to clean, stain resistant and light reflective, quickly captured the people's hearts. Subsequently, these tiles made their way into home interiors and even hospitals.
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-33722" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_00.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_00" width="600" height="386" />
"1920s was a decade of tremendous design change and in no place was that more apparent than the kitchen"
Image from <a href="http://www.antiquehomestyle.com/inside/kitchen/1920s/gallery/gallery-2011.htm" target="_blank">antiquehomestyle</a>
Nevertheless, over the years, these simple white porcelain tiles slowly took on a life of their own, evolving into a mind-boggling array of shapes, colors and finishes. In fact, now we have beveled, stone, glass, crackled, textured, dimpled and so on subway tiles added to the mix to the meet the architectural challenges of today.
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-33718" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_02.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_02" width="605" height="405" />Image from <a href="http://www.oldtownhome.com/2014/8/29/Not-All-Subway-Tile-is-Created-Equal/" target="_blank">oldtownhome</a>

Ways to lay Subway tiles
Aside from the traditional offset pattern for the subway tile, there are actually <a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/a-beautiful-mess-4526/subway-tile-designs-inspiration-4528370379" target="_blank">9 other ways to lay the subway tiles</a> to add distinct personality and variety to your tiled spaces. Here is a simple round-up of the subway tile installation patterns which can be used.
<a href="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_000.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-33788" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_000.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_000" width="600" height="1572" />
</a>Images from <a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2015/09/subway-tile-designs-inspiration.html" target="_blank">a beautiful mess</a>
1. Cross Hatch
Alternate between color and texture to add more depth and visual interest to the tiled walls.
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-33736 size-full" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_03.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_03" width="640" height="691" />
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-33741" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_13.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_13" width="600" height="600" />Image from <a href="http://www.backsplashideas.com/backsplash-tile-kits" target="_blank">backsplashideas</a>
2. Stack Bond aka Straight Lay
In a stack bond, the subway tiles are literally stacked on top of each other, meeting at the corners. Stack bond subway tiles made the space look wider and more spacious.<a href="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_05.jpg">
</a><img class="aligncenter wp-image-33735 size-full" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_04.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_04" width="640" height="691" />
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-33745" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_14.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_14" width="600" height="378" />Image from <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/nightflights/kitchen/" target="_blank">pinterest</a>
3. Traditional Herringbone
Named after the bone structure of a herring fish, herringbone is a classic pattern that adds timeless character to any design.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-33734" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_05.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_05" width="640" height="691" />
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-33747" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_15.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_15" width="600" height="800" />Image from  <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/321303754647248278/" target="_blank">pinterest
</a>
4. Running Bond
Running bond is composed of tiles offset by 1/2 tile per course. It is the most commonly used patterns in laying of brickwork. Variations can be achieved by offsetting the tiles. 
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-33733 size-full" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_06.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_06" width="640" height="691" />
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-33750" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_16.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_16" width="600" height="900" />Image from <a href="http://www.homebunch.com/modern-new-construction-beach-house-ideas/" target="_blank">homebunch</a>
5. Straight Herringbone
Straight herringbone is a variation of the traditional herringbone design. It is achieved by laying tiles at right angles into a zigzag pattern.<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-33732" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_07.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_07" width="640" height="691" />
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-33756" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_18.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_18" width="600" height="900" />Image from <a href="https://www.viasanvito.com/blogs/news/subway-tiles-a-beautiful-mess" target="_blank">viasanvito</a>
6. Diagonal Herringbone
Diagonal herringbone is yet another variation of the traditional herringbone design.<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-33731" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_08.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_08" width="640" height="691" />
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-33757" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_19.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_19" width="600" height="900" />Image from <a href="https://www.viasanvito.com/blogs/news/subway-tiles-a-beautiful-mess" target="_blank">viasanvito</a>
7. Offset
Offset is another variation of running bond tile style. The edge of the tile above it lays at the center of each tile below it.<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-33730" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_09.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_09" width="640" height="691" />
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-33759 size-full" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_20.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_20" width="640" height="594" />Image from <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/40462096626932123/" target="_blank">pinterest</a>
8. Diagonal Offset
Diagonal offset is yet another variation of offset tile patterns.<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-33729" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_10.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_10" width="640" height="691" />
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-33761" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_21.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_21" width="600" height="744" />Image from <a href="http://www.home-designing.com/2014/04/bathroom-vanity-ideas" target="_blank">home-designing</a>
9. Vertical Stack Bond
Vertical stack bond makes the space look taller and more spacious.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-33728" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_11.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_11" width="640" height="691" />
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-33763" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_22.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_22" width="600" height="750" />Image from instagram
10. Vertical Offset Bond
A vertical offset bond is a combination of vertical stack bond and offset.
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-33727 size-full" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_12.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_12" width="640" height="691" />
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-33765 size-full" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Subway_tiles_23.jpg" alt="subway_tiles_23" width="564" height="846" />Image from <a href="http://homedecorinfo.com/2016/07/11/freshen-up-your-interior-spaces-with-these-design-tips-3/" target="_blank">homedecorinfo </a>

<blockquote>
 Number of Tiles needed for a Renovation Project

A simple formula to calculate the number of tiles needed for tiling is as follows:

Estimated number of tiles needed = Wall area/Tile area
Number of tiles actually needed = Estimated number of tiles needed + 5%  of tiles due to wastage
</blockquote>
However, there are actually a number of online calculators which you can use to make the calculation easier; we have <a href="http://www.calculator.com/pantaserv/construction/simpletile.cgi?units=Feet" target="_blank">tile calculator</a> from calculator.com,   <a href="http://www.calculator.net/tile-calculator.html" target="_blank">calculator.net</a> and <a href="http://www.besttile.com/TileCalculator.aspx?name=Resource-Center" target="_blank">besttile.com.</a>



<hr />
Are you curious about the progress of a certain BTO? Anxious to find out what yours looks like right now? You can try to locate yours in this <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/project-updates/" target="_blank">list</a>.

What you need to know about Subway Tiles

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