Reclaimed glazed floor tiles

How do glazed floor tiles get their beautiful colours?

Glazed tiles owe their appearance to a thin glaze layer applied after the tile has been formed. This glaze consists of minerals and natural pigments that fuse with the clay during firing. The result is a strong, smooth surface finish in many colours, from soft greens to deep blues or warm reddish-brown tones combined with another colour. The glaze adds not only colour, but also a subtle shine that reflects light beautifully. The downside is that the glaze layer is somewhat more sensitive to scratches. Because we recover these tiles from historical buildings, no batch is exactly the same. This gives the tiles a unique, handcrafted character.

The difference between glazed and reduction-fired floor tiles

Although we often recover both glazed and reduction-fired tiles from historical buildings, they were made through different processes. Their colours arise in two completely different ways. With glazed tiles, colour is applied in the glaze layer, which fuses with the surface during firing. This keeps the colour clear and the tile beautifully glossy, sometimes even after years of use. Glazed tiles are also known as glazed estrikken, a traditional Dutch name.

Reduction-fired tiles get their colour through a firing process in which oxygen is removed from the clay. This creates a matt blue-grey tone within the tile itself. The look is calmer and less glossy. Glazed tiles stand out through colour variation, shine and the lively effect of their glaze. They are a more expressive and colourful alternative to reduction-fired tiles.

Laying a beautiful floor with glazed tiles

A glazed tiled floor gives an interior a refined, characterful appearance. The tiles’ colour adds atmosphere and creates a lively effect. They look especially good in kitchen-diners, entrances, garden rooms and historical homes, but also in modern interiors where a colourful accent is wanted. We often have glazed floor tiles in the following colour variations:

• Yellow glazed
• Brown glazed
• Green glazed

The tiles can show wear because of their historical origin.

Buying beautiful antique glazed floor tiles

At Van Dillen Antieke Bouwmaterialen, you will find a carefully selected collection of high-quality antique glazed tiles. We are happy to advise on colour, size and application, and arrange safe, professional delivery throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. Visit our showroom in Bolsward or view the glazed tile range online. Contact us for more information about current availability, prices and delivery times. We are happy to help you choose the best option for your specific use.