Expert Reveals Insider Knowledge of Edwardian Floor Restoration

I took these pictures earlier in the year when a homeowner got in touch requesting repairs to a Geometric Tiled Hallway floor at their property in Birstall, Leicestershire.

The tiles were made by Craven Dunhill back in the Edwardian Era, a company which is still in operation today. They are an original Victorian Geometric & Encaustic Tile manufacturer and have been operating from their facility in Jackfield, Telford since 1872. The tiles were a lovely example of their work but clearly the tiles were now in need of some work to bring them back to their former glory.

I popped along to the property to have a look at the floor in person, survey the floor and produce an accurate quote for renovating it. I could see there was damage to border tiles from tacks, fixing holes and resin adhesive which indicated the floor had been covered by a carpet at some point in its long history. The main body of the floor also had movement cracks, and a section in front of the stairs had dropped considerably. This was loose underfoot and a trip hazard.


After surveying the floor, I was able to give the owners an accurate quote for repairing and restoring the floor back to its original condition. They were happy with the quote and we agreed a date for my return. Original features like these are well worth preserving as they are very sought after and add a lot of value to a property, especially when the tiles are from a respected manufacturer like Craven Dunhill or Mintons.

Cleaning and Repairing an Edwardian Era Geometric Tiled Hallway Floor

Arriving on the first day, we prepared the area by taping off the surrounding areas with dust sheets. We then began the careful process of repairing the floor starting with the removal of the damaged and loose tiles.


With the tiles removed the next step was to repair the damage to the subfloor using cement to fill the voids and raise the lowered section. Once this has dried the tiling was replaced using a combination of original and replacement tiles. As the manufacturer was still in business the client had managed to source some replacements tiles which made the job a lot easier to complete and would ensure the heritage of the restoration.


Once the tiles had been replaced you could really see the floor was starting to come together and I we were all looking forward to seeing the finished result.

With the repairs completed we carried out a low-moisture restorative clean and seal using Tile Doctors Remove and Go and Acid Gel products along with light diamond pads. This two-stage process remove the build-up of soiling and sealers. Following this the floor was thoroughly rinsed, and the waste extracted with a wet vacuum. The floor was then left for a few days to dry out.

Sealing an Edwardian Era Geometric Tiled Hallway Floor

We retuned a few days later and tested the floor with the damp meter to check the floor was ready for the seal. The readings were acceptable and so we were able to finish the floor by apply a protecting sealer. For this floor we selected to use Tile Doctor Colour Grow. This is an impregnating sealer that soaks into the pores of the tile intensifies the colours and providing durable protection from within. Colour Grow is fully breathable sealer which is a vital consideration for floors of this age which do not have a damp proof membrane installed.


The work took us a week to complete and by the end floor was level and the lovely patten, colours and appearance of the floor was restored as promised. The owners were very happy with the results and new sealer will help protect the floor for up to 5 years if properly maintained with our Tile Doctor pH Neutral Tile Cleaning Concentrate.




Source: Victorian Floor Cleaning and Restoration in Leicestershire

Types & Costs of House Flooring

Flooring sets the tone of every room. Select the type of flooring according to the room’s function, the desired effect, foot traffic and your budget. Installation is relatively easy for some flooring such as vinyl tile squares and laminate boards, but hiring a professional may be more economical in the long run, particularly for more complicated materials such as stone and wall-to-wall carpeting. The type of material you choose can increase the value of your home. Average costs are current as of August 2010.

Carpet and Rugs

Carpets and rugs provide a quiet, comfortable and slip-resistant surface that enhances the look of a room. Nylon is most commonly used for carpeting due to its ease of maintenance, durability and affordability. However, homeowners can now choose from a variety of natural fibers such as wool, linen and grass. Wool provides a flame-resistant surface that is soft and luxurious, as well as environmentally friendly. Linen fibers are durable, and grass-based carpeting provides a natural anti-static surface. Given the range of materials, consider carpets that have received the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label certification. These carpets emit lower levels of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, that contribute to allergies and asthma, and promote a green and sustainable environment. Pricing for natural fiber flooring can be as low as $2 per square yard to over $100 for high-end custom designs. Homeowners can expect to pay between $14 and $30 per square yard for nylon-based carpeting and between $30 and $60 per square yard for wool carpeting.

Wood and Laminate

Homeowners can choose between two types of hardwood flooring: solid or engineered. Engineered wood boards consist of a wood veneer surface that covers layers of plywood. Unlike solid wood, these boards cannot be sanded down over the floor’s lifetime but are less susceptible to moisture and temperature changes. The existing sub floor determines the type of wood that may be used. Wood-like sub floors allow for glue down, staple, or floating installation methods of wood boards so both engineered and solid wood flooring may be installed. However, concrete and other hard sub floors limit the choice to engineered wood flooring. Pricing for hardwood floors average $8 to $14 per square foot for material and installation. Laminates imitate the look of natural materials such as wood and stone for a fraction of the real material‘s price. Laminates are comprised of a high resolution photographic image printed on a dense fiberboard with a moisture-resistant underlay. However, laminates do not add appreciably to the value of the home and are easily damaged by water. Laminate flooring ranges from $7 to $11 per square foot including installation. Bamboo flooring is gaining in popularity. Technically a grass, bamboo is a durable, resilient and moisture-resistant alternative to hardwood floors. Its rapid growth rate compared to hardwoods makes bamboo an environmentally friendly option for flooring. Bamboo flooring averages $4 to $6 per square foot for material only.

Stone and Tile

Stone flooring can make the right home look elegant while adding to its resale value. Use natural stone, which includes marble, granite and limestone, or choose agglomerates, which are manufactured by binding natural stone chips in cement, epoxy resin or polyester. They offer the natural look of stone with the advantage of being stain and scratch-resistant, and practically maintenance free. Ceramic tiles are primarily made of clay and fired to hardness. These tiles offer a durable, low-maintenance surface that is fire, water and scratch-resistant. Note that not all stones and tiles are equal; some stones and ceramic tiles can be porous, and will require extra care and attention, particularly if used in high-traffic areas. Ceramic tiles range from $1 to $20 per square foot; natural stone tiles cost more, starting at $2 per square foot and rising according to custom designs and special orders. For best results, these materials should be professional installed.


Source: Homeguides.sfgate.com