Reclaimed floor tiles with underfloor heating: is it possible?

Can reclaimed floor tiles be used with underfloor heating?

Yes, reclaimed floor tiles work very well with underfloor heating. Made from fired clay, they absorb heat from the floor and release it gradually into the room.

This does not apply only to modern ceramic tiles. Authentic old floor tiles and estrikken (traditional Dutch terracotta floor tiles) can also be laid over underfloor heating.

With old tiles, sound floor construction and correct installation are particularly important. The tiles can vary in thickness and are often less consistently sized than modern tiles.

Why are fired-clay floor tiles suitable for underfloor heating?

A tiled floor is a good match for underfloor heating because ceramic material can absorb and release heat effectively.

A fired-clay tiled floor has several practical characteristics:

• Heat is released over a large floor area.
• The tiles absorb heat and release it gradually.
• There is no thick insulating floor covering between the heating and the room.
• A well-laid tiled floor is very durable.
• Reclaimed tiles combine the benefits of a tiled floor with the appearance of authentic material.

The final performance of the heating does not depend on the tile alone. The subfloor, complete floor construction, tile thickness and heating system also play a part.

Which reclaimed floor tiles are suitable for underfloor heating?

Several types of reclaimed floor tiles can be combined with underfloor heating.

Reclaimed terracotta tiles

Reclaimed terracotta tiles are made from fired clay and commonly come in red, reddish-brown and other warm earth tones. Age and use often give them natural colour differences and a distinctive surface.

These tiles work well on a floor with underfloor heating.

Reduction-fired floor tiles

Reclaimed reduction-fired tiles are also suitable. Their historical firing process gives them characteristic grey to blue-grey shades.

In principle, the same considerations apply as for other reclaimed ceramic floor tiles.

Reclaimed estrikken

Old estrikken also work very well with underfloor heating. They come in various historical forms, including glazed examples in green, yellow and brown.

In practice, a glazed estrik can be viewed as a glazed terracotta floor tile. A glaze does not make the tile unsuitable for underfloor heating.

Reclaimed French floor tiles

Reclaimed French terracotta tiles can also be laid over underfloor heating. They come in different formats and often have warm red, orange and salmon tones.

Here too, the main considerations are the condition of the tiles and a correctly constructed and installed floor.

What should you consider with reclaimed tiles and underfloor heating?

The biggest difference from new ceramic tiles is not so much the heating itself as the installation of the old material.

Variations in thickness

Old tiles can vary slightly in thickness within the same batch. With some historical tiles, these differences are more pronounced.

The installer needs to allow for this to achieve a level finished surface.

Variations in size

Length and width can also vary slightly. An old tiled floor is therefore generally not laid with the same tight, minimal joints as a modern floor of uniformly sized tiles.

These natural differences contribute to the floor’s character.

A suitable substrate

As with any heated tiled floor, a stable, suitable substrate is important. The complete floor construction must suit both the heating system and the chosen tiles.

Gradual warming

A newly laid tiled floor needs to respect the drying and curing times of the materials used. The underfloor heating must not simply be turned up fully immediately after laying.

Follow the heating start-up procedure appropriate to the floor construction and the mortar or adhesive used.

Do reclaimed tiles need cleaning first?

Before old floor tiles are laid again, residues from their previous use must be sufficiently removed.

At Van Dillen Antieke Bouwmaterialen, old floor tiles and estrikken from historical buildings and farmhouses are carefully selected and prepared for reuse.

Depending on the batch, signs of use, patina and natural colour variation may remain visible. These are part of the character of an authentic old floor.

After laying, consider the specific tile type when cleaning, maintaining and, where appropriate, treating the floor.

How thick are reclaimed floor tiles?

Thickness varies by type, age and batch. There is no standard thickness for all old floor tiles.

This needs to be included in the planned floor construction, particularly with underfloor heating. Consider not only the room’s floor area but also the actual thickness of the batch you want to use.

Where thickness varies considerably, the floor tiler can accommodate this during installation.

Buying reclaimed tiles for underfloor heating

Van Dillen Antieke Bouwmaterialen offers a large, changing range of authentic old floor tiles. These include terracotta tiles (also in glazed varieties), reduction-fired tiles, estrikken and French tiles.

As these are reused historical materials, every batch differs in colour, size, thickness and appearance.

Would you like to combine reclaimed tiles with underfloor heating? Browse our current selection of old floor tiles and estrikken. We are happy to answer questions about the size, thickness and properties of a specific batch. For inspiration, visit our projects.