
Welcome to our blogs!
On this blog page, we go deeper into various topics and frequently asked questions about old facade bricks, old floor tiles, stone chipping, and various other topics about old building materials.
View collection Everything You Need to Know About Facade Impregnation
Impregnating a facade is an important step in protecting the exterior walls of your home or building from weather conditions. This is essential for both new and old facades. By impregnating the facade, you ensure that the outer wall becomes water-repellent. This way, you prevent moisture problems and mold growth. In this blog, you will read everything you need to know about impregnating an exterior facade, including the advantages, disadvantages, an indication of the costs, and whether you can do it yourself.
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View collection Everything you need to know about floor tiles and underfloor heating
Floor tiles and other ceramic tiles combine very well with underfloor heating. In this article, you can read why this is a smart choice and which types of tiles are most suitable for your home.
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View collection Everything you need to know about tile impregnation
Tile impregnation is an important step to protect your tiles from dirt, stains, and moisture. Whether it's for your bathroom, kitchen, or terrace, impregnating tiles ensures they stay beautiful longer, do not allow moisture to penetrate, and are easier to maintain. In this blog, you will read everything you need to know about tile impregnation, why it is important, which tiles can be impregnated, and how you can do it yourself.
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View collection Building with old masonry bricks: why more homeowners are choosing them
Building a house is much more than stacking bricks. It is about creating a home with an appearance that suits who you are. That is why more and more people deliberately choose old masonry bricks. Not because new bricks cannot be beautiful, but because antique bricks offer something no new facing brick can match: character, history, and lived-in authenticity. In this blog, you can read why building with old masonry bricks has become so popular, which benefits these materials offer, and how to choose the right bricks for your home.
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View collection Good Heads / Save Money
Do you need heads in a masonry? Read our blog and find out how you can calculate it and what heads are.
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View collection The difference between floor tiles and estrikken explained
Plavuizen and estrikken are both fired ceramic floor tiles made from clay, but the difference lies in the finish. Estrikken are always glazed, while the word plavuizen covers both glazed and unglazed tiles. Unglazed plavuizen are also called tumblers. At Van Dillen, we salvage authentic pieces from demolished farmhouses and historic buildings. Each piece shows decades of use and has a unique look through wear and patina.
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View collection How do you install ensuite doors?
Installing ensuite doors requires careful preparation and attention to detail. In this blog, we explain the best way to install ensuite doors.
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View collection How do you build an authentic wall with old bricks?
Building a wall with old bricks requires a careful approach that takes the properties of historic masonry bricks into account. Old masonry bricks differ from modern bricks, which affects the way you work. With the right preparation and tools, you can create a beautiful authentic wall.
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View collection How should you lay antique floor tiles?
Laying antique floor tiles requires a different approach than tiling a modern bathroom. Old plavuizen, estrikken, and French tiles often have thicknesses that differ by several centimeters. This calls for traditional laying methods, working under a guide line and choosing the right jointing material.
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View collection How to maintain old tiles?
Old floors come in all shapes and sizes. Nowadays, old tiles are a popular choice for flooring in homes. The right maintenance is crucial to preserve their beauty and functionality. In this blog, we explain how you can effectively clean and maintain your tile floor.
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View collection How to remove a wall / facade?
Removing an exterior wall is a complex task that requires careful planning and the right tools. Whether it's for renovation, restoration, or complete demolition, at Van Dillen Antique Building Materials, we have the expertise to carry out this task safely and efficiently. In this blog, we explain how to remove an exterior wall and share our methods for demolishing facades.
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View collection Delivery throughout the Netherlands and Belgium
At Van Dillen Antique Building Materials, everything revolves around quality, authenticity, and service. From our site and showroom in Bolsward, Friesland, we deliver antique building materials daily to customers throughout the Netherlands and Belgium.
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View collection Modern sliding doors or antique ensuite doors?
You face a choice: modern sliding doors, or the character of antique ensuite doors? Both have their own appearance and function. Modern sliding doors save space and feel sleek, while ensuite doors tell a story and immediately add allure and authenticity to a room.
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View collection Cleaning old bricks: air gumming or sandblasting?
Old bricks often have a beautiful, lived-in appearance, but after years of dirt, deposits, paint, or cement residue, cleaning may be necessary. The two most common techniques are air gumming and sandblasting. Both remove dirt, but the approach, intensity, and costs differ considerably.
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View collection Old facade sandblasting?
Are you considering having your old facade (sand)blasted? Discover here various possibilities to make your old bricks literally and figuratively shine again!
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View collection Removing old floor tiles: how to preserve the value of authentic materials
Removing old floor tiles is a job that can lead to surprising finds when done properly. Many old tiles released during renovation are authentic materials, sometimes centuries old. These materials can have considerable value today, as long as they are removed intact.
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View collection Breaking (having) stones
Breaking stones is a difficult and time-consuming task; here we share tips on how breaking stones works or having your stones broken by us.
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View collection Types of Masonry
There are different types of masonry, each with something unique. Want to know more? Read our blog about masonry types.
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View collection Renovating with Old Building Materials
When planning a renovation or new construction project, old building materials are an excellent choice to add character and sustainability to your home. Moreover, it is also a sustainable choice and saves you costs. Van Dillen Antique Building Materials offers a range of old building materials that not only add character to your project but are also of high quality.
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View collection Moisture in the walls of an old house: causes and solutions
Moisture in the walls of an old house is a common issue because historic building materials deal with water differently from modern construction. Many owners of characterful buildings worry when they discover damp patches, but not every moisture issue is immediately a problem.
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View collection Jointing mortar for old bricks: how to choose the right mix
Jointing mortar for old bricks is a specific mix of cement, lime, and sand matched to the properties of historic material. While new facades are often jointed with a hard, cement-rich mortar, authentic masonry needs a softer, breathable mix.
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View collection Why buy old building materials?
Choosing old building materials when planning new construction projects or renovations is not only a cost-effective choice, but it also contributes to sustainability. Moreover, it is also decisive for the style. Van Dillen Antique Building Materials offers a wide range of recycled building materials that are perfect for adding character to your construction project.
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View collection Why Reused Building Materials Are Sustainable
Choosing reused building materials is good for the environment and adds unparalleled beauty. Read all the information about reused building materials.
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View collection What is the price of old bricks?
At Van Dillen Antique Building Materials, we understand that the charm of old bricks lies not only in their unique and authentic appearance but also in their durability and history. But what does it actually cost to integrate these historical elements into your construction or renovation project? In this blog, we dive deeper into the world of old bricks, from definition to price determination.
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View collection Air gumming: what it is, how it works, and when to use it
Air gumming is becoming increasingly popular for cleaning and refreshing wood, furniture, doors, stairs, and even facades. Yet many people do not know exactly what air gumming is or when it is better than sandblasting. This guide explains how it works, what you can treat with it, the pros and cons, and whether you can do it yourself.
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View collection What is wall format?
Read here what an old wall format brick is and when and for what it is used.
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View collection Dimensions of bricks
In this article, you will read everything about the dimensions of bricks and how many you need per square meter.
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View collection What are ensuite doors?
Ensuite doors are double interior doors that separate two adjoining rooms and are usually designed as sliding doors. The term comes from the period when affluent homeowners wanted to connect their front and back rooms without losing character or privacy.
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View collection Types of (old) bricks
There are different types of bricks. Think of shaped bricks, handmade bricks, and so on. Read about the types of bricks that exist.
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