Cleaned reclaimed yellow, IJssel, moulded and handmade bricks in Waal and Vecht formats for new construction

Knowledge base about reclaimed building materials

Learn more about reclaimed building materials in our knowledge base, from old masonry bricks, floor tiles and period doors to restoration, new construction and reuse. Read about brick sizes, bonds, maintenance, installation and choosing suitable materials for your project.

Water-repellent treatment of reclaimed bricks in new construction

Facade impregnation: how it works, benefits, drawbacks and costs

Facade impregnation reduces rainwater absorption in masonry. Discover how it works, its benefits and drawbacks, and what to consider with historical facades.

Original authentic farmhouse floor tiles

Reclaimed floor tiles with underfloor heating: is it possible?

Yes, reclaimed floor tiles work very well with underfloor heating. Discover why they are suitable and what to consider when laying antique tiles over a heated floor.

Antique French terracotta floor tiles

Impregnating old floor tiles: when and how?

Impregnating reclaimed tiles can help protect against moisture, dirt and stains. Discover which antique floor tiles can be treated and how to do it correctly.

Reclaimed masonry bricks

New builds with reclaimed building materials: authentic character

Reclaimed building materials bring instant character to a new home. Discover how old masonry bricks, roof tiles, floor tiles and other historical materials can be used in new builds.

Large batch of antique red purple nuanced handmade and moulded Waal format bricks

Building a house with reclaimed bricks: benefits and possibilities

Reclaimed masonry bricks give a new home immediate character and an authentic appearance. Discover their benefits, different types and what to check when choosing a batch.

Cleaned IJssel and yellow bricks for renovation and restoration

Renovating a facade with reclaimed bricks

Renovating an old facade? Learn how to find a matching reclaimed brick by comparing size, colour, texture, manufacturing method and existing pointing.

Reusable brick ends in old masonry to save on reclaimed materials

Headers in brickwork: what are they and how can they save money?

Usable brick headers can save on materials in certain brick bonds. Discover what headers are, where to use them and how the header gauge is determined.

Yellow antique floor tiles

Plavuizen and estrikken: what is the difference between these Dutch floor tiles?

Plavuizen and estrikken, two Dutch names for old floor tiles, are closely related and their names overlap. Discover the historical distinction and which reclaimed floor tiles suit your interior.

Antique ensuite doors with stained glass

Installing period dividing doors: a complete step-by-step guide

Installing reclaimed period dividing doors needs accurate measurements and preparation. Follow the steps for fitting old doors, tracks and surrounding cupboards.

New-build inspiration using reclaimed materials and bricks

How to recognise an old brick

How can you recognise an old brick? Learn what to look for in its size, surface, patina, manufacturing method, colour, mortar residue and other features.

Laying reclaimed bricks: how to build an authentic wall

Laying reclaimed bricks: how to build an authentic wall

Laying reclaimed bricks needs extra care with dimensional variations, suction, mortar and colour distribution. Learn step by step how to work with old bricks.

Laying antique floor tiles: a complete step-by-step guide

Laying antique floor tiles: a complete step-by-step guide

Laying antique floor tiles needs extra care with differences in size, thickness and colour. Learn step by step how to lay and finish reclaimed floor tiles and traditional Dutch estrikken.

Antique Dutch terracotta floor tiles

Cleaning and maintaining old floor tiles: a practical guide

Reclaimed floor tiles need care suited to their historical surfaces. Discover how to clean and protect terracotta, reduction-fired and glazed tiles safely.

Removing a wall or facade

Removing a wall or facade: safe demolition and brick reuse

Removing a wall or facade needs careful preparation. Discover what to consider with load-bearing walls, safe demolition and reusing old bricks.

Antique handmade floor tiles with a warm, classic appearance

Antique tiles or DIY-store tiles: what is the difference?

How do antique floor tiles compare with modern DIY-store tiles? Compare appearance, quality, dimensional consistency, maintenance, price and laying requirements.

Delivery of reclaimed building materials in the Netherlands and Belgium

Delivery of reclaimed building materials in the Netherlands and Belgium

Need reclaimed building materials delivered? We arrange transport of old bricks, floor tiles, doors and other materials throughout the Netherlands and Belgium.

Antique interior doors with stained glass

Modern sliding doors or antique dividing doors: which should you choose?

Modern sliding doors or antique period dividing doors? Compare appearance, dimensions, installation, price and possibilities to find what suits your interior.

Cleaning old masonry bricks by air gumming or sandblasting

Cleaning old bricks: fine abrasive blasting or sandblasting?

Want to clean old bricks without unnecessarily damaging their historical surfaces? Discover when fine abrasive blasting or sandblasting is suitable and what to consider.

Old internal dividing doors with stained glass

Period dividing doors: a complete guide to buying and installation

Period dividing doors bring instant character to an interior. Learn about types, stained glass, dimensions, prices, installation and what to check before buying.

Old yellow and red handmade and moulded masonry bricks

Sandblasting an old facade: is it a good idea?

Sandblasting can remove dirt from an old facade, but can also damage the surface of historical bricks. Discover when blasting is appropriate and what to consider.

Old handmade masonry bricks in Waal format

Buying reclaimed facing bricks: what should you look for?

Buying reclaimed facing bricks? Find out what to check in the type, size, colour, quality, sorting, quantity and price of old bricks.

Removing old floor tiles without damaging them

Removing old floor tiles without damaging them

Want to remove old floor tiles without unnecessary breakage? Learn how to lift antique floor tiles and estrikken carefully and keep them suitable for reuse.

Antique red handmade masonry bricks

Reclaimed versus new bricks: what are the differences?

Old and new bricks differ in appearance, dimensions, production and laying requirements. Explore the advantages and disadvantages and which brick suits your project.

Removing mortar from reclaimed bricks

Removing mortar from reclaimed bricks: do it yourself or use a specialist?

Removing old mortar makes reclaimed bricks suitable for reuse. Discover how brick cleaning works, which tools are used and when professional mortar removal is the better option.

Ceramic tiles with a weathered classic look

Aged-effect tiles or antique tiles: what is the difference?

Choosing between aged-effect tiles and genuine antique tiles? Discover the differences in appearance, dimensions, patina, laying requirements and origins.

Classic old sliding doors with stained glass

Reclaimed dividing doors or new made-to-measure doors?

Reclaimed dividing doors or new bespoke doors? Compare appearance, dimensions, price, installation and possibilities to find the right option for your home.

Masonry bond with reclaimed bricks

Brick bonds: types, differences and uses

Discover the differences between stretcher bond, English cross bond, English bond, klezoor bond and random bond, and which patterns suit reclaimed bricks.

Large batches of antique bricks for sustainable, circular new construction

Renovating with old building materials: give your home character

When planning a renovation or new build, reclaimed building materials are an excellent way to add character and sustainability to your home. They can also save costs. Van Dillen Antieke Bouwmaterialen offers a range of high-quality reclaimed materials that bring character to your project.

Damp in the walls of an old house: causes and solutions

Damp in the walls of an old house: causes and solutions

Damp in an old house? Learn to distinguish rising damp, penetrating rainwater, condensation and leaks, and identify an appropriate response.

Which pointing mortar should you use for reclaimed bricks?

Which pointing mortar should you use for reclaimed bricks?

Which pointing mortar suits old bricks? Learn about lime mortar, lime-cement mortar, joint colour, hardness and important considerations for historical brickwork.

Exclusive building materials

Where can you buy distinctive building materials with character?

Looking for exclusive building materials with character? Discover what to consider when choosing old bricks, floor tiles, doors and other historical materials.

Reclaimed building materials for sale

Why buy old building materials? Five important benefits

Discover the benefits of reclaimed bricks, floor tiles and doors for restoration, renovation and new builds.

Reclaimed floor tiles

Why are reused building materials sustainable?

Discover how reusing building materials can save raw materials and new production, and how it contributes to circular construction.

Old masonry and facing bricks

What is the price of reclaimed bricks?

What do reclaimed bricks cost? Discover which factors determine their price and how to compare prices per brick and per square metre.

Facade of cleaned reclaimed moulded bricks

Cleaning old bricks with fine abrasive blasting: how does it work?

Considering fine abrasive blasting for old bricks? Learn how fine abrasive blasting works, what it can remove, how it differs from sandblasting and when it is safe for old bricks.

Antique red, purple and orange handmade bricks in Waal format

What is Waalformaat? Brick dimensions explained

What is Waalformaat? Find out the dimensions of a Waalformaat brick, how many bricks you need per square metre and why reclaimed bricks can vary in size.

Antique glazed terracotta floor tiles

New or reclaimed floor tiles: which is the best choice?

New floor tiles or reclaimed tiles? Compare appearance, dimensions, laying, maintenance, price and underfloor heating to find the floor that suits you.

Dimensions of old bricks

Brick dimensions: formats, joints and bricks per square metre

What are the dimensions of bricks? Explore common formats, the effect of mortar joints and how to calculate the number of bricks needed per square metre.

Facade of cleaned reclaimed moulded bricks

What are ensuite doors? Period room-dividing doors explained

What are Dutch ensuite doors? Discover how a traditional connected-room layout works, the different door types and what to consider when buying reclaimed dividing doors.

Building with reclaimed bricks

What are facing bricks? Types, sizes and uses

What are facing bricks? Explore the types, colours and sizes available, and what to consider when choosing facing bricks for restoration or a new build.

Antique red handmade bricks

Which brick suits my home?

Which brick suits your home? Discover reclaimed bricks for 1930s houses, country homes, Frisian houses, modern homes and other styles.

Old masonry bricks

What types of reclaimed bricks are there? A complete guide

Discover the differences between handmade and moulded bricks, IJssel bricks, Frisian yellow bricks, Groningen bricks and historical brick formats.

Antique floor tiles

What types of reclaimed floor tiles are available?

Discover the types of reclaimed floor tiles, including terracotta and reduction-fired tiles, traditional Dutch tiles, glazed tiles and classic French château tiles.

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