New project - Octagonal quarry tiles

[charlieboy]

Hi all,

Another first time poster here!

In a few days I hope to be the owner of this listed building.

I am sure I am going to have many questions over the next few months but my first is about these quarry tiles.

I cannot recall ever seeing old octagonal tiles like these in a house before. Are they common in other areas of the country? Perhaps they have come from a church?
What age are they likely to be? Parts of the house are believed to date from the 1600's.

CB

 

[LadyArowana]

What an interesting looking building, congratulations in advance. I can't offer any useful comment on the tiles I'm afraid.

 

[plasticpigeon]

OOh that's nice. I've seen the octagonal ones, often with small square encaustic tiles in a different colour between them. Not really sure of age, but I'd guess from mid to late Victorian era.

 

[Zebra]

I've seen octagonal tiles like that in a very old farmhouse just up the road, 17th century at least. They're direct onto the earth, get daily wear with boots and dogs, and a wash with a mop once a week.
Edit: come to think of it, they might be six-sided (what's the word for that) or another shape that interlocks, because I don't remember the little different coloured ones inbetween. But definately another geometrical shape than square.

 

[88v8]

Hello and welcome.

Lovely house. Some layers of history here, I see an old pitched roof with a much later parapet front. An unplastered ashlar wall to the hall. Fascinating to see the rustic innards behind the once fashionable facade.

What are the tiles bedded in? Are the individual tiles flat, or are they wonky? What size are they?

As far as I can see from your pic, they're pretty large, and the sides are equal. I've never looked in detail at such tiles but my perception is that more usually the corners are shorter than the sides like these
http://www.abergavennyreclamation.co.uk/cmsms/index.php?page=flooring---tiles-stone

and they tend to be 6"x6"
http://www.mascosalvage.com/Product/EQT%20018%20R

whereas yours look larger.

I guess they were more widely used at one time. A jolly nice feature.

It's good when a house finds a sympathetic owner.

Ivor

 

[charlieboy]

The tiles are about 8 or 9 inches across as I recall (when I get the keys I can be more precise).
The spaces between the tiles are diamond shape rather than squares and are filled with a light coloured soft stone.
I am not sure what they are bedded in.
Each individual tile seems flat but some are higher than others. I may have to relay them.
CB