Reclaimed Tiles: Matching, Condition and Fixing

“Tiles” covers a few genuinely different materials, and it's worth knowing which one your project needs before browsing, since it affects durability, finish and where a tile can be laid:

Tiles are laid edge to edge across a visible area, so consistency across a batch matters more than in most categories:

Reclaimed tiles are graded on visible condition, and for tiles that means more than the face. Ask about chips and edge damage that affect how tiles sit together, crazing (fine cracks in the glaze), and whether old adhesive or mortar is still fixed to the back, since that affects how easily and evenly they can be relaid. Slight thickness variation between reclaimed tiles is also worth confirming for a level finish.

Reclaimed tiles come into their own on heritage and character projects, where new tiles rarely match an existing floor or an original scheme. For a listed building or conservation-area project, take photographs of the existing tiling to your supplier so they can match pattern, colour and format as closely as possible, and order early, since period tiles can't always be topped up from the same source later.

Plan for a little more preparation than with new tiles. Old adhesive or mortar may need cleaning from the backs, the substrate needs to suit the tile's weight and thickness, and porous tiles such as terracotta or unglazed stone usually need sealing. Factor this into both cost and programme, especially at volume.

Every batch listed comes from an audited strip-out, refurbishment or demolition project, with material, condition and quantity recorded at the point of audit. Browse current stock in Tiles, or see how materials like this get identified during a pre-demolition audit.