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.
Why renovate with old building materials?
A renovation is often where old and new meet. Reclaimed building materials can help new elements blend into an existing home or deliberately bring character to a modern interior. Think of reclaimed masonry bricks, antique floor tiles and reclaimed doors.
The main difference from new materials is that reused building materials already have a history. Colour variations, patina, historical sizes and small signs of use are not manufacturing faults: they are part of the appearance.
Which reclaimed building materials can you use in a renovation?
Not every material suits every application. Alongside appearance, always consider size, condition, available quantity and the project’s technical requirements.
Reclaimed masonry bricks
Old bricks are widely used for extensions, facade alterations, garden walls and restoration. A suitable historical batch can make a particular difference when new masonry needs to match an existing facade.
Do not look only at colour. Size, texture, production method and sorting also determine how well the new brickwork blends in. Read our practical explanation of laying reclaimed bricks.
Antique floor tiles
Reclaimed floor tiles, such as terracotta floor tiles and traditional Dutch estrikken, can be used in kitchens, living rooms, hallways and outbuildings. Their natural variation and well-worn surfaces give a floor an appearance that is difficult to reproduce exactly with completely uniform new tiles.
Because old tiles can differ in size and thickness, installation needs extra care. Our guide to laying antique floor tiles explains how to work with these differences.
Reclaimed doors and period dividing doors
Reclaimed doors can immediately bring more character to a renovation. They can be used as ordinary internal doors, sliding doors or part of a period dividing-door arrangement. Original timber, panel layouts, fittings and any stained glass are important parts of their appearance.
Accurate measurement is important for reuse. An old door does not always have to match an existing opening exactly, but the necessary adjustments need to be clear beforehand. For dividing-door arrangements, see our complete guide to reclaimed period dividing doors.
Historical tile tableaux
Reclaimed tile tableaux can also be reused as characterful features in a renovation. They might be placed in a kitchen, hallway, fireplace surround or another setting where a historical detail is intended to draw attention.
Combining old materials with a modern interior
Renovating with reclaimed materials does not mean the entire home must be traditional. Combining them with clean-lined walls, modern bespoke joinery, steel or contemporary lighting can make the historical material stand out more.
An old floor in a modern kitchen or a reclaimed brick wall in a pared-back interior can create a calm but distinctive contrast. Browse our projects using reclaimed building materials for examples.
Reclaimed materials in an extension
When extending an older home, a common question is whether the new part should look clearly modern or blend into the existing building as closely as possible.
Historical materials are interesting when a close match is wanted. A reclaimed brick of similar size and character can make new masonry blend in more naturally. The same applies to doors and floors when existing style elements continue into the extension.
Reclaimed materials can also be used in completely new homes. Read more about new builds with antique building materials.
What should you consider when reusing materials?
Available quantity
Old materials usually become available in finite batches. Check beforehand that there is enough for the whole project, allowing where necessary for cutting, breakage and selection.
Dimensions
Historical materials are not always as consistent in size as modern products. Do not measure only one brick, tile or door: assess the batch as a whole. This avoids surprises during installation.
Condition and suitability
Patina and signs of use belong to old materials, but structural damage or serious deterioration are different matters. Check that the material is suitable for its intended use.
Installation
A tradesperson accustomed to old materials can often handle variations in dimensions, sorting and historical details more effectively. Installation has a particularly strong influence on the result when materials remain visible.
Are reclaimed building materials more expensive?
That varies by material and batch. Rarity, size, quality, quantity, processing and transport all affect the price. An unusual historical batch may cost more than a common new product, while other reused materials can be competitively priced.
Look beyond the purchase price. In a renovation, it is above all the finished result that determines whether a material is worth the investment.
Renovating with reused materials and sustainability
Reusing existing materials keeps something already manufactured in use for longer. This fits within circular construction and can reduce the need for new production.
The actual environmental benefit varies because dismantling, cleaning, processing and transport also have an impact. Read more about the sustainability of reused building materials.
How do you choose suitable reclaimed building materials?
Start with the whole project, not just a colour or photograph. Which dimensions do you need? How much material is required? Must the new work match existing material? What degree of natural variation suits the desired result?
At Van Dillen Antieke Bouwmaterialen, you can compare different reclaimed batches. Do you have photographs, measurements or drawings of your renovation? Contact us so we can help you assess which batch suits the application.
Frequently asked questions about renovating with reclaimed materials
Can reclaimed building materials be used in a modern home?
Yes. Old bricks, tiles and doors can provide a deliberate contrast in a modern interior or extension. The combination does not have to be exclusively traditional.
Can reclaimed bricks be used to complete an existing facade?
Often they can. Size, colour, texture and sorting are especially important for a good match. Ideally, bring a sample brick or clear photographs and measurements when looking for a suitable batch.
Are reclaimed floor tiles suitable for daily use?
Many old terracotta floor tiles and estrikken can be reused as fully functional floors, provided the batch is in good condition and is correctly laid and maintained.
Should I order extra material?
A reserve is sensible with reclaimed batches to allow for selection, cutting and possible breakage. How much extra is needed depends on the material, pattern and application.
