York Victorian Tilers is a specialist heritage tiling practice based in York, providing conservation, restoration and reproduction of historic tiled floors and walls throughout the UK.
Founded by heritage tiling specialist Mark Taylor, the practice has more than 20 years' trading experience and over 30 years' experience in heritage construction and tiling. Its craftsmen work with traditional materials and techniques and have undertaken projects in private houses, stately homes, churches and Grade I and Grade II listed buildings.
Victorian and encaustic tile conservation
York Victorian Tilers specialises in the conservation and restoration of Victorian, encaustic, geometric, Minton and other historic ceramic floors. Existing floors are surveyed to identify loose, cracked or damaged tiles, defects in the underlying substrate and areas requiring conservation or replacement.
The aim is to retain historic material wherever practicable. Where tiles are beyond repair, appropriate replacements can be sourced or specially reproduced to match surviving originals.
Traditional lime-based floor repairs
Historic tiled floors may require repairs to their supporting construction as well as the tiles themselves. The practice has experience working with traditional lime mortar screeds and breathable fixing and grouting materials appropriate to historic buildings.
Reproduction Victorian floors
New floors can be designed and installed using traditional geometric layouts, borders and decorative encaustic tiles. Designs may reproduce established Victorian patterns or be developed specifically for an individual property.
Floors can be installed over timber, concrete or lime substrates using preparation methods appropriate to the building and floor construction.
Surveying and design
Services include site surveys, assessment of structural movement and tile defects, floor design, substrate preparation, tile laying and conservation advice.
Major heritage projects
York Victorian Tilers undertook the conservation and repair of the encaustic tiled floor in the Chapter House at York Minster, becoming the first tilers to work there for nearly two centuries. The project involved inspection and recording, removal of damaged tiles, repair of the lime mortar substrate and the production of replica encaustic tiles based on historic originals.
The practice has also undertaken recent repairs to the historic Minton tiled floor at St George's Hall, Liverpool, using traditional methods and lime mortar.
York Victorian Tilers works with homeowners, architects, conservation professionals, churches and heritage organisations on projects throughout the UK.
Contact the practice for historic tiled-floor surveys, conservation and repair, replacement encaustic tiles or the design and installation of a traditional Victorian-style floor.
| Services & Expertise | |
|---|---|
| Principal Areas of Work: | Historic tile conservation, Victorian tiled floor restoration, encaustic and geometric tiling, Minton tile restoration, tile reproduction, floor surveys, replica Victorian floors, lime-based floor repairs |
| Capabilities and Specialisms: | Encaustic tile conservation, geometric floor layouts, replacement tile matching, traditional lime mortar screeds, tile defect surveys, substrate repair, bespoke floor design, listed-building tiling |
| Accreditations, Certifications & Memberships : | Tiles & Architectural Ceramics Society (TACS), CITB, Heritage Wall & Floor Tiling CSCS qualifications |
| Accreditation & Membership Details: | York Victorian Tilers is listed as a member of the Tiles & Architectural Ceramics Society (TACS), specialising in the conservation and restoration of historic ceramics. Founder Mark Taylor holds qualifications in construction and heritage tiling and has studied at Leeds College of Building, York College and mosaic schools in Italy. Project documentation for the York Minster Chapter House conservation works records Advanced Craft Heritage Wall and Floor Tiling CSCS qualifications for the operatives undertaking that project. The practice also records involvement with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). |
| Geographical Areas Covered: | Nationwide UK coverage from York |
| Contact & Online Presence | |
| Mobile: | +44 (0) 7799 337444 |
| Contact(s): | Mark Taylor, Founder & Heritage Tiling Specialist |
| Email: | info@yorkvictoriantilers.co.uk |
| Business Details & Insurance. | |
| Company Trading Name: | York Victorian Tilers |
