Application & Maintenance

What is a Ceramic Encaustic Tile?

An encaustic* tile is a highly fired ceramic tile, baked in a kiln to a high temperature of c.1,100F. The design is created in a fabricated mould and the colors by the mixing and pouring of slips or a dust pressed clay into sections of the mould. The tile may be glazed or unglazed. Our reclaimed and restored tiles are typically unglazed but offer virtually zero surface porosity owing to the fine clay slips used in production.

* The word encaustic means ‘burning in’ from the Greek en ‘in’ and kaiein ‘to burn.

Where can the tiles be laid?

Indoors or outdoors. Our antique tiles are beautiful and durable. Their fabrication and high firing have produced a dense, quality ceramic virtually impenetrable to moisture, this allows for them to be laid indoors or outdoors, for example on entrance paths, garden walkways and patios and in locations where there are high summer or sub- zero winter temperatures.

The appropriate surface preparation and use of correct tile cements, grouts and sealants must be followed for any ceramic tile being laid outside, regardless of it being a modern or antique ceramic. If a tile cracks, owing to an accident for example, it is wise to replace it as freezing and thawing will eventually likely widen the crack, break the tile and perhaps start moving tiles in proximity.

And not just for floors. When installed with the right adhesives, our antique floor tiles can be fixed with stunning effect on walls, such as kitchen splashbacks, in showers, in chimney hearths and inglenooks or in commercial settings like on restaurant or café bars, behind cocktail bars, on the walls of WC and more. The results are not only decoratively beautiful but provides for practical and easy cleaning solutions in high use areas.

Can the tiles be used with an under-floor heating system?

Our antique ceramic tiles can be used with an under-floor heating system as they are superb conductors and retainers of heat and, having been fired to around 1,100F degrees.

The installer of your underfloor heating system or a qualified heating engineer will have the necessary technical knowledge to assess the heating efficiency of our tiles. If our tiles are to be laid with an underfloor heating system we highly recommend before purchase that you obtain a tile sample of the floor of interest from us to allow for that assessment by them.

Do I need a tiler who is an expert in antique tiles to lay the floor?

The simple answer is 'No'. Our reclaimed tiles are ceramic tiles which just happen to be antique, so the discipline and expertise required in the laying process, the cutting tools needed, and the cements, grouts and sealants used when laying will be the same as with a modern ceramic tile.

But a reputable, professional tiler is highly recommended for several reasons: -

• Antique tiles were handmade in small batches in a labor-intensive production process. As a result, the tiles often have slight width and thickness variances that modern ceramics, computer controlled and mass produced, don’t. A professional tiler will always lay out a section of the floor to familiarise himself with the tiles before laying them and, one he starts to lay the tiles, will adjust accordingly for these slight variances.
• Antique tiles were often designed to tessellate over four tiles to create their motif, usually of two linking patterns - if the tiles are not well laid from the start the pattern can quickly go out of line.
• Antique floors generally comprise of more than one tile type; the principal main tiles (known as field tiles), and their framing borders (which can be both the same size as the field tiles or be a half size tile). The lay design of the floor is beautiful but can also be complex for you to explain to your tiler so to make it easier we can provide the tiler with a floor plan for laying your purchased floor, if required. Often that is something you may have received before finalising your purchase decision with us anyway - Simply click here for more details
• The thickness and density of our antique tiles may involve cutting the tiles with specialist equipment, but it is nothing to create concern. Such cutting equipment will be commonly used by professional tilers.
• A professional tiler will also know about the surface preparation requirements for laying the tiles and which cements and grouts to use depending on whether the tiles are being laid on wood, cement, inside or outside etc. He will also likely be able to provide advice on the sealing or waxing of the tiles, if waxing is desired. There are many options available for tile cements and the MAPEI range of tile cement and grout products are held in high esteem.

We always recommend that tile joints are in a mid-grey (cement color) as they were originally when the tile was laid over 100 years ago. This allows visually for the tile to be the hero and not the joint. Lighter or darker tile joints simply highlight the joint. The most common and attractive joints from the original installation of the floors are between1/16th and 1/8th inch.

How do I clean and look after the tiles once laid?

Ceramic is almost impermeable owing to its density and our antique tiles will be dispatched to you cleaned and ready to relay. It is your choice whether to apply a sealant or wax the floor or not, depending on the lustre you desire. The best way to clean a ceramic floor is a regular washing, either by hand or with a tile washing machine, and using a mild ceramic tile detergent. Rinse with clean water after the wash.

Sealants offer a practical solution for easier cleaning maintenance, especially in high traffic areas like entrance halls and kitchens where there are muddy boots moments, accidental wine, coffee or grease spills etc. A sealant coats the tile with an invisible film of protection making it waterproof and resistant to grease and stains while at the same time not changing the aspect of the tile. They are low cost and quick and easy to apply. We also recommend products like FILAFOB, more details of which can be found at www.filachim.com

If you're looking for something that will add a little sheen to the tiles then products like HG GOLVPOLISH, a tile sealant that prevents stains and stubborn dirt spoiling tiles while adding lustre by deepening the colour and texture is recommended. It seals the tiles and gives a satin gloss as well as also having an anti-slip agent.

Waxing is a traditional option for the treatment of antique floors. Wax gives the tiles a glossy texture and a degree of protection against staining, making cleaning easier. Many modern detergents can be purchased with a wax in them so that, as you clean, a wax layer is being added to the tile but, as a cautionary note, it is difficult to remove wax from tiles later! The argument against waxing is that it can trap dust and dirt between its thin layers and over years the tiles will lose their crisp colours and instead start appearing ‘dull’ as you look through the wax film you have created.

As years pass and more stubborn dirt may appear we recommend the Lithofin range of products and a wealth of information on ceramic tile cleaning and sealing / waxing can be found on their site at www.lithofin.com.