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.
Why impregnate old tiles?
Reclaimed floor tiles can be relatively porous because of their age and production method. Unglazed terracotta tiles in particular can absorb moisture, grease and other liquids.
Treating them with a suitable impregnating sealer can reduce the absorption of liquids and dirt. This often makes an old tiled floor easier to maintain and gives you more time to remove spills before they penetrate deeply.
Whether impregnation is necessary and suitable depends on the tile type, finish and desired appearance. Not every old floor tile needs the same treatment.
Which reclaimed tiles can be impregnated?
Impregnation can be particularly useful for porous, unglazed floor tiles.
Terracotta tiles
Old terracotta tiles are made from fired clay and generally have a porous surface without glaze. Water, oil and other liquids can therefore soak into them.
A suitable impregnating sealer can reduce absorption without necessarily losing the tile’s authentic appearance.
Reduction-fired tiles
Reclaimed reduction-fired tiles can also be impregnated, depending on their surface and porosity. Their historical firing process gives them characteristic grey to blue-grey shades.
Because old batches differ, always test the chosen product on a loose tile or an inconspicuous area first.
Glazed estrikken
Glazed estrikken, the traditional Dutch glazed terracotta floor tiles, are different. The glaze itself is much less porous than unglazed terracotta and absorbs liquids considerably less readily.
It is therefore not a given that the top surface of a glazed estrik needs impregnation. Joints and any unglazed or damaged areas may have different properties.
Always assess the actual material rather than applying an impregnating product simply because the tile is old.
French floor tiles
Reclaimed French terracotta tiles can also be porous and benefit from an appropriate treatment. As with Dutch tiles, size, colour, surface and porosity can differ between historical batches.
Do old floor tiles always need impregnation?
No. Impregnation is not a compulsory part of every reclaimed tiled floor.
Some owners want protection against moisture and stains soaking in; others prefer to alter the original material as little as possible.
There are also different ways to treat and maintain an old tiled floor. The most suitable method depends on the material, the room and the desired appearance.
Extra protection can be practical in a kitchen or another room where grease, drinks or other liquids may regularly reach the floor.
Does impregnation change the colour of old tiles?
A suitable colourless impregnating product does not necessarily change the appearance much, but the effect varies by product and substrate.
Some treatments are designed to be almost invisible, while others deliberately deepen the colour or alter the surface appearance.
For authentic old tiles, we always recommend making a sample first, preferably using a loose tile from the same batch. Once it is fully dry, assess whether the colour, sheen and surface remain as desired.
Cleaning reclaimed tiles before impregnation
An old floor needs to be thoroughly clean and sufficiently dry before treatment. Dirt, grease or residues from previous maintenance products may remain visible after treatment or affect the absorption of the impregnating sealer.
The appropriate cleaning method depends on the tile.
With reclaimed floor tiles, do not simply use aggressive acids or other strong cleaners. They can damage the surface, joints or natural appearance of the floor.
Allow the floor to dry sufficiently after cleaning before applying an impregnating product.
How do you impregnate old tiles?
First check the instructions for the chosen product. Not every product is applied in the same way.
Broadly, treatment involves these steps:
- Identify the tile type. Establish whether it is porous terracotta, reduction-fired tile, glazed estrikken or another material.
- Clean the tiles. Remove dirt, grease and unwanted residues.
- Allow the floor to dry. The required drying time depends on the situation and product.
- Make a sample. Check how the product reacts on a loose tile or an inconspicuous area.
- Apply the impregnating sealer. Follow the manufacturer’s application instructions.
- Remove excess product if instructed. This prevents unwanted residue or differences in the surface.
- Respect the drying time. Do not use or clean the floor before the product has cured sufficiently.
The exact quantity, application method and drying time differ by product. The manufacturer’s instructions therefore always take precedence.
How often should you impregnate reclaimed tiles?
There is no fixed interval.
How long a treatment remains effective depends on the product, tile porosity, intensity of use, cleaning method and the room in which the floor is laid.
A heavily used kitchen floor may behave differently from a bedroom floor, for example.
Instead of automatically repeating the treatment every year or every few years, assess how the floor behaves and follow the instructions for the product used.
Can reclaimed tiles with underfloor heating be impregnated?
Yes. Reclaimed tiles can both be combined with underfloor heating and impregnated, provided the treatment product is suitable for the particular tile and application.
These are two separate matters: underfloor heating primarily concerns the construction and heating of the floor, while impregnation aims to reduce the absorption of liquids and dirt at the surface.
For more about this combination, read our article on reclaimed tiles and underfloor heating.
Maintaining reclaimed floor tiles and estrikken
Impregnation is just one aspect of caring for an old tiled floor. Everyday cleaning also affects its appearance.
Use products suited to the material and be cautious with aggressive cleaners.
For guidance on keeping an authentic floor looking good, read our detailed information on cleaning and maintaining old floor tiles.
Van Dillen Antieke Bouwmaterialen offers a large, changing selection of authentic reclaimed tiles, including terracotta, reduction-fired tiles, estrikken and French floor tiles. Browse our projects for inspiration.
