Do the New Tiles Look Familiar?

Design Combines Hexagons, Squares

Metro has finally decided whether the tiles on its subway station platforms will be hexagonal, part of Metro's trademark look, or squares. They're going to be both: hexagonal designs inside squares.

The transit agency has picked a concrete tile to replace the original tiles that were adopted during the construction of the rail system, which began in 1969. At outdoor stations, the tile platforms are treacherously slippery when wet. The Metro board had one lengthy discussion almost three years ago to decide what to do about the tiles. There's only one source for the distinctive six-sided tiles, and Metro officials have been trying to find a more durable tile that features the same terra cotta color and six-sided shape.

Agency officials tested the new tiles at the Takoma Metrorail station from December to April. The new ones are more durable and not as slick when wet, officials said.

Metro plans to replace old tiles with the new ones this fall at outdoor stations not covered by a canopy. The life expectancy of the old tiles is about five years, and the estimated cost of replacing them is between $1.2 million and $1.4 million, officials said. Officials could not provide an estimate of the life expectancy of the new tiles but said the durability of the concrete is likely to result in lower maintenance costs.