Reclaimed glazed Dutch floor tiles

What are glazed estrikken?

Estrikken are traditional Dutch ceramic floor tiles. Glazed varieties receive a glass layer, or glaze, after the first firing and are then fired again. Glazed estrikken are also known as glazed floor tiles. This process creates the characteristic shine and a hard, liquid-resistant top layer. One advantage is that glazed tiles are easy to maintain. The glaze layer is, however, sensitive to wear.

What makes our estrikken truly special is their origin. Van Dillen Antieke Bouwmaterialen salvages these old tiles from demolition projects involving historic buildings, such as old farmhouses, townhouses and even churches. By rescuing and hand-cleaning these materials, we give you the chance to use a floor with a story in your own project. It is the ultimate combination of sustainability and aesthetics for renovation or new construction.

How do you recognise glazed estrikken?

To distinguish genuine antique quality from modern imitations, we use a few clear indicators. You can recognise authentic glazed estrikken by the following features:

• Unique colour nuances: because the tiles were made by hand, no two tiles are exactly the same. You see subtle differences in the depth of the glaze.
• Wear and crazing: antique pieces often show light signs of use or a fine network of small cracks in the glaze, adding to their historic charm.
• Irregular edges: the edges are never perfectly straight like those of modern factory-made tiles; handmade production creates a lively laying pattern.
• The back: the clay underside of an old tile is often robust and may show traces of the original lime mortar.

How do you maintain glazed estrikken?

A major benefit for your interior is that glazed floors are relatively easy to maintain. The glaze protects the tile against dirt and moisture. It still deserves some care, so what is the best way to maintain an old tile floor?

• Clean regularly by removing dust, loose dirt and sand with a vacuum cleaner or broom.
• For stains, mop the floor with a mild detergent, natural soap or a specialist cleaner for ceramic floors. Avoid aggressive acids and abrasives, as they can damage the glossy layer.

Buying antique glazed estrikken

Do you want to make your floor a real eye-catcher? Glazed estrikken are an excellent choice. With us, you can rely on honest advice and materials with a story.

Whether you are looking for a specific colour for your hallway or a larger batch for an entire living room, we are happy to help you make the right choice. You can also find inspiration on our projects page. Contact us for current stock or visit our showroom. We arrange transport throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. Buy old glazed estrikken today.