Bruno Republic
Active Member
As do I. I think the original Vitrolite was ghastly.
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Original Vitrolite station tiles
- Thread starter mgl
- Start date
As do I. I think the original Vitrolite was ghastly.
TheTigerMaster
Superstar
Did one of us write that lol?
TheTigerMaster
Superstar
Just paid my respects to the College Vitrolite. 
There were two people there taking photos of the Vitrolite and some "graffiti" in the dust reading "Love Vitrolite". The tiles are in horrible condition. Huge cracks everywhere.
There were two people there taking photos of the Vitrolite and some "graffiti" in the dust reading "Love Vitrolite". The tiles are in horrible condition. Huge cracks everywhere.
D
Duck
Guest
I'm so confused - is the term "Virolite" common parlence? I've never heard of this term, before this thread, and I definitely feel I'm in a minority. Like my beard isn't thick enough.
Armour
Senior Member
Vitrolite would be an excellent alternative to plastic spandrel.
TheTigerMaster
Superstar
I'm so confused - is the term "Virolite" common parlence? I've never heard of this term, before this thread, and I definitely feel I'm in a minority. Like my beard isn't thick enough.
Vitrolite was the tiling used in all stations when our subway system was opened in 1954. the Vitrolite has been covered over by new tiling in all stations except Eglinton. Vitrolite seems to be held in high regard. Unfortunately it is no longer manufactured.
Go on google images to see more examples. It's fantastic stuff when used properly.
smallspy
Senior Member
I'm so confused - is the term "Virolite" common parlence? I've never heard of this term, before this thread, and I definitely feel I'm in a minority. Like my beard isn't thick enough.
It's a coloured glass tile. You can still get Vitrolite, but not in the sizes that were used in the original subway stations. That, and the fact that it was somewhat delicate, is why they either replaced it or covered it over.
Dan
Toronto, Ont.
TheTigerMaster
Superstar
I didn't know you could still get them. Maybe it was their original manufacturer that shut down and someone else started production. Is it still branded Vitrolite?
wopchop
Building Toronto
In the glass industry, it is also known generically as vitreous marble. Vitrolite was a specific product, as were competing products such as Sani Onyx or Carrara Glass.
Glass tiles that you see used for mosaics are a common modern application.
I don't believe that it is still manufactured in Canada or the United States (could be wrong). I do know that as of a few years ago there was still production of a similar product going on in Germany.
ShonTron
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Someone already wrote "Love" - I added the "Vitrolite" below.
adma
Superstar
I think it's the other way around these days--because of the physical vulnerability of Vitrolite-type cladding, porcelain enamel is the preferred material whenever something approaching a "classic 50s Toronto subway aesthetic" is called for. As in the renos at St. Andrew and York Mills. (In fact, porcelain enamel was first used by the TTC in 1963 in the Queens Park/St Patrick "tube stations"--but when it came to Bloor-Danforth, they opted for the glazed concrete block first used in Museum/St George instead.)
AlbertHWagstaff
Senior Member
So much so that former TTC Chair Julian Porter was quoted in the paper as saying he didn't drink the night before he had to go to Dundas Station.
44 North
Senior Member
I actually don't mind Dundas either. It's got a bit of a warm two-tone colour, so it's not fully in-your-face with its garish bile-ness as it could be. Ultimately I think Wellesley is one of worst. It's blue, it's cold, and it's befitting of a prison washroom. On the whole I don't mind because it's obviously just a station, and not supposed to be a fancy community hub like we're building them now. But I think the colour at platform level is worsened by the bus bay overtop. Dark, dingy, dirty is all I can say about it.
On the point about Vitrolite. It may not have existed at the time, but we've made some advances in glass/porcelain strength over the years. NE of Peterborough is one of the world's largest nepheline syenite deposits and a mine which is very much active in extracting it. Not all that sure how, but I guess the stuff is used by industries to strengthen their glass products. Had it been incorporated into Vitriolite at the time, perhaps we'd still those tiles in our stations.
On the point about Vitrolite. It may not have existed at the time, but we've made some advances in glass/porcelain strength over the years. NE of Peterborough is one of the world's largest nepheline syenite deposits and a mine which is very much active in extracting it. Not all that sure how, but I guess the stuff is used by industries to strengthen their glass products. Had it been incorporated into Vitriolite at the time, perhaps we'd still those tiles in our stations.
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kotsy
Senior Member
Personally I love the colour of Dundas station but I know very people share my feelings there.
As for Wellesley - isn't that station green or am I colour blind?
As for Wellesley - isn't that station green or am I colour blind?
AlbertHWagstaff
Senior Member
Dundas was worse originally because they fitted the station with really pink warm white fluorescent lights which altered the colour of the tiles. Changing the lights to the normal white light helped a bit.
Wellesley is green. The original station architecture is overwhelmed by that garage sitting on top of it.