Many of us will have already heard of quarry tiles as they are very popular in the interior design community, but you may be wondering just what makes them so special. By name alone they might not sound like much, but they can be a fantastic addition to a space.
Here at Cawarden Brick & Tile Company Limited, we stock a range of quarry tiles, so we have decided to put together a quick guide as to just what they are in our latest blog below.
History
Quarry tiles have been used for centuries, renowned for their strength and durability thanks to a unique production process: a unique production process for tiles, at least. They are made from ground minerals and fired at a high temperature, similarly to bricks, which is where they get their strength.
This production process makes quarry tiles much stronger than ordinary clay tiles.
Characteristics
As well as being strong and durable, quarry tiles have other desirable characteristics that have helped them remain a staple in homes for such a long period of time. Unlike clay terracotta, quarry tiles are impervious, which means they resist water. Also unlike other types of tile, quarry tiles do not have a surface layer glaze, which can be a benefit or a drawback depending on what your intended use for the tiles is.
Common colour options for quarry tiles include earthy tones such as grey, tan, beige and brown. The most prominent colour, however, is a deep red.
Applications
If you’re now wondering where quarry tiles would fit into your home, we have you covered:
Main interior rooms such as living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are the ideal place to lay quarry tiles as these high traffic areas can make the most of their durability. It can also be an interesting design feature to have strong, red flooring in rooms such as these.
Naturally, walkways - whether internal or external - are a common place to put quarry tiles as they can again make the most of the strength of these tiles. Interestingly and in part due to there being no top-layer glaze, some quarry tiles can have a slip-resistant quality that makes them perfect for walkways.
Certain quarry tile grades may also be used in extremely cold climates as they can possess some anti-freezing characteristics that renders them much more effective than those that fall victim to thawing.
Finally, it can be feasible in some settings to use quarry tiles on countertops, though it’s very uncommon to use quarry tiles on walls. This is certainly possible, however, and could make for an interesting design feature.
Cawarden Brick & Tile Company Limited
If all of this interesting information has made you consider quarry tiles for your home, take a look at our inventory on the reclaimed quarry tiles page of our website. We have original, restored options that date back over 100 years, and also expert reproductions that help create the same appearance for a lower cost.
To discuss with us our products, please call on 01889 574066 or fill out our simple contact form.