Old glazed tiles

How do glazed 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 historic buildings, no batch is exactly the same. This gives the tiles a unique, handmade character.

The difference between glazed and smoked tiles

Although we often recover both glazed and smoked tiles from historic buildings, they were made through different processes. The colour on the floor tiles is created in two completely different ways. With glazed tiles, the 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.

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

Laying a beautiful floor with glazed tiles

A floor of glazed tiles gives an interior a refined and characterful appearance. The colour of the tiles adds atmosphere and creates a lively effect. They look especially good in living kitchens, entrances, garden rooms and historic homes, but also in modern interiors where a colourful accent is desired. We often have glazed tiles in the following colour variations:

• Yellow glazed
• Brown glazed
• Green glazed

The tiles can show wear because of their historic origin.

Buying beautiful antique glazed tiles

At Van Dillen Antique Building Materials you will find a carefully selected collection of high-quality antique glazed tiles. We are happy to advise you on colour, size and application, and we 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.