FEATURE A NEW LEA
Alex Patrick-Smith, Managing Director of Ketley Brick, discusses the revival of quarry tiles as a when it comes to selecting
Performing equally well inside and out, Ketley’s quarry tiles can merge the indoors with the open terrace making the outdoors a seamless extension to the home.
The appeal of quarry tiles has endured over the centuries. Not only are they a highly sympathetic replacement flooring in old and listed properties, but they are also an increasingly popular design feature for contemporary homes.
Historically favoured for their warm and natural appearance, low-maintenance, durability and versatility, they were traditionally laid in hallways, kitchens, and living areas.
With their penchant for the ornate, the Victorians created classic black and red chequerboard, herringbone and octagonal geometric floor designs, which remain a striking feature of many 19th century homes, churches, schools and civic buildings.
Although old quarry tile floors subsequently fell out of fashion, with many covered over in the 1960s and 70s, they are now being rediscovered and lovingly restored. A whole new generation is also turning to quarry tiles and applying creative new interpretations for modern homes.
— 24 — Choosing Quarry Tiles for Renovations
When renovating old properties, finding high-quality historically sympathetic replacements for the old, discontinued tiles, once made by manufacturers like Dennis Ruabon, Daniel Platt and Hawkins, can be a minefield.
There are many modern variants on the market, often imported from Spain or Italy, with some from as far away as Vietnam, being sold as traditional quarry tiles but without the colour or texture of the originals, making them unsuitable for renovation alongside older tiles.
Whereas old English quarry tiles, made from dense clays like Etruria Marl, were robust, durable and typically 18 mm thick, many of today’s imitations tend to be much thinner at 9-11mm and - when examined close up - have a uniform and smooth finish that is very different from the charming irregularities in a traditional quarry tile.
Another important consideration is the colour of modern quarry tiles. Genuine old English quarry tiles came in
www.tomorrowstileandstone.co.uk
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