What types of reclaimed floor tiles are available?

What types of reclaimed floor tiles are available?

Reclaimed floor tiles come in many designs, colours, sizes and origins. The best-known groups in our range are old floor tiles, or plavuizen, and traditional Dutch terracotta tiles, or estrikken, but there are further clear distinctions within these groups.

Browse all reclaimed floor tiles or use this guide to learn to recognise the main types.

1. Terracotta floor tiles

Terracotta floor tiles have warm red, orange and earthy shades. The surface can be smooth or heavily worn, and historical batches often contain natural differences in colour and size.

They suit farmhouses and historical homes, as well as modern interiors where a warm floor is desired.

2. Grey reduction-fired floor tiles

Grey reduction-fired floor tiles gain their dark grey, blue or anthracite-like colour from the firing process. They create a calmer, often more robust floor appearance than warm terracotta tiles.

3. Traditional Dutch terracotta tiles

Old estrikken are a typically Dutch historical flooring product. In practice, the name partly overlaps with plavuizen, but it is often used for old square fired-clay floor tiles in Dutch interiors.

Read more about the terminology in the difference between plavuizen and estrikken.

4. Glazed traditional Dutch tiles and floor tiles

Glazed estrikken have a fired glaze layer that adds colour, sheen and a different surface. In practice, a glazed estrik is a glazed terracotta floor tile.

Historical glazes can show wear, colour variation and small signs of use that are part of their character.

5. Old French floor tiles, or tomettes

Old French floor tiles are often called tomettes in France. These terracotta floor tiles come in different shapes and sizes, including square and hexagonal versions.

The warm clay, handmade production and natural wear often give French batches a distinctive appearance.

6. Square, rectangular and hexagonal old tiles

Shape has a major influence on a floor’s appearance. Square tiles look classic and calm; rectangular tiles can be laid in different patterns; hexagonal French tiles create an immediately recognisable floor.

7. New tiles with an aged appearance

Not every tile that looks old is genuinely antique. If you want vintage character but prefer newly produced, more regular tiles, browse our aged-effect floor tiles.

We compare both options in detail in aged-effect tiles or antique tiles.

How do you recognise genuine old floor tiles?

Look at natural wear, patina, colour variations, small differences in size, edges, the underside and the overall production method. No single feature is decisive: the whole picture and the origins matter.

Which old tile suits your interior?

Warm terracotta shades suit country and Mediterranean interiors, while reduction-fired grey tiles can look calmer and more robust. Glazed tiles are interesting when colour and sheen are intended features of the design.

Browse our projects to see different old materials in complete rooms.

Are reclaimed floor tiles suitable for underfloor heating?

Yes. Old floor tiles and traditional Dutch terracotta tiles work well with underfloor heating when the floor build-up and installation are correct.

Read more in reclaimed floor tiles and underfloor heating.

Are reclaimed floor tiles harder to lay?

They require more attention because of differences in thickness, size and edges. A sound substrate and careful laying are therefore important. See our guide to laying antique floor tiles.

How do you maintain reclaimed floor tiles?

Maintenance depends on the surface. Porous terracotta tiles require different treatment from glazed tiles. Use products suitable for the material and avoid unnecessarily aggressive cleaning.

See maintaining reclaimed floor tiles for practical guidance.

Buying reclaimed floor tiles

Browse our current reclaimed floor tile collection, including old floor tiles, traditional Dutch terracotta tiles, terracotta tiles, grey reduction-fired tiles, glazed Dutch tiles and French floor tiles.

Because reclaimed batches are finite, it is sensible to buy enough material and a reserve from the same batch.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between plavuizen and estrikken?

The terms overlap. Their historical and regional use is not always the same; our separate comparison page explains this in more detail.

Are all reclaimed floor tiles terracotta?

No. Terracotta is an important group, but old floor tiles vary in clay, firing method, glaze, colour, shape and origins.

Can I combine reclaimed floor tiles with a modern interior?

Yes. The contrast between a weathered floor and clean-lined modern elements is a widely used combination.

Can I order exactly the same old tiles later?

Not always. Reclaimed batches are finite. Allow in advance for a reserve to cover cutting waste, selection and future repairs.

Further reading

Where can you buy distinctive building materials with character?