Ketley square quarry tiles are laid at an angle to refurbish this London garden designed by landscape designer Miria Harris
Choosing quarry tiles for old and listed properties
By Alex Patrick-Smith , Managing Director of Ketley Brick
Clay paving materials of various types have been a feature of British homes and gardens for centuries .
Often found in old and listed properties , quarry tiles in particular have been favoured for their naturally warm appearance , low-maintenance , durability and versatility , which has made them suitable for hallways , kitchens , living areas as well as , in more recent years , conservatories , patios and outdoor areas .
TIMELESS AESTHETIC APPEAL
In many ways the name ‘ Quarry tile ’ is a misnomer , as they are generally made from natural clay and shale , which has been processed , dried and fired – and not ‘ quarried ’ from solid slabs as the name might suggest .
Originally made by hand , they had charming irregularities and came in a variety of natural fired earth colours – ranging from red , brindle and grey through to blue-black – depending on the characteristics of the local clay and temperature in the kiln when they were fired .
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Ketley ’ s Staffordshire Red quarry tiles laid in the new kitchen extension to the Grade II listed Van Gogh House in London .
Then , with the advent of mechanization in the nineteenth century , pressed and extruded quarry tiles , known for their hardness and durability , were produced in volume and were often laid in utilitarian heavy-duty areas such as in kitchens , utility rooms and hallways .
With the Victorian penchant for ornate geometric floor designs , with black and red chequerboard , herringbone and octagonal shapes , quarry tiles soon became a classic decorative as well as a functional feature of 19th century homes , churches , schools and civic buildings .
Although , these elaborate designs eventually fell out of fashion and were often covered over in the 1980s and 90s , old quarry tile floors are now being rediscovered , lovingly restored and treasured by today ’ s homeowners .
Not surprisingly , since the demise of most of the small regional brickworks and tileries , the discontinued quarry tiles , once made by well-known manufacturers like Dennis Ruabon , Daniel Platt and Hawkins , are now much sought after in reclamation yards particularly by owners of old and listed properties , looking for genuinely sympathetic replacements for their restoration projects .
NEW QUARRY TILES IN LISTED PROPERTIES
Although new quarry tiles are by no means in short supply on the market , finding genuinely authentic replacements with the aesthetic qualities of the traditional old English quarry tiles , which are suitable for listed properties , can be a minefield .