Minton Hollins Floor Tiles in Shavington Cheshire - Restoration Needed - Looking for local skilled tiler

[ElliesDad]

Hi all
This is part of a fire, water damaged floor.
The building itself was built in 1732, it was nearly destroyed by fire in 2018 and we’re slowly working our way through it.
Roof is on, windows in and all exterior building works completed.
We’re strongly governed by English heritage and local planning officers but all in all it’s slowly taking shape.
The photographs are of the original floor tiles that run through the main entrance corridors.
As can be seen they’re in a poor state but we will (somehow) fix them.
Anyone in here that knows if these are still available?
I’m thinking we might have to sacrifice one section in order to reinstate the rest.
Any help or ideas will be gratefully received.
Thanks.
Jim.

 

[Tile Marble Granite]

Hi all
This is part of a fire, water damaged floor.
The building itself was built in 1732, it was nearly destroyed by fire in 2018 and we’re slowly working our way through it.
Roof is on, windows in and all exterior building works completed.
We’re strongly governed by English heritage and local planning officers but all in all it’s slowly taking shape.
The photographs are of the original floor tiles that run through the main entrance corridors.
As can be seen they’re in a poor state but we will (somehow) fix them.
Anyone in here that knows if these are still available?
I’m thinking we might have to sacrifice one section in order to reinstate the rest.
Any help or ideas will be gratefully received.
Thanks.
Jim.

1732 Victorian tiles, or 1800? If that old the pictures alone are worth a lot. That is a piece of history for sure.
I am sure there are loads of tile shops throughout UK that deal with old school Victorian tile, I would call them in a heartbeat.

Try this tile shop
These guys are dealing with British antique tiles, very knowledgeable with Victorian tiles. Worth calling them.


Dominion Mosaic & Tiles Co.Ltd

4-8 Bull Lane

Edmonton, London, N18 1TQ

tel: 0208 344 7070

[email protected]

 

[Dan]

@TimelessJohn also works with this stuff but is a bit out of your area.

If they're real minton, they'll be Minton Hollins in Stoke, went bump years ago. Not too sure if you can get straight copy.

You may be able to save a lot of what's there. I'd be tempted to try clean a few of the worst of it with Lithofin or HG products. (www.TradeTiler.com). See how well they clean with a lot of elbow grease and constantly changing the water so you have a clean sponge each wash off.

Then perhaps match up the rest, then use sealer to give it all a real shine. The floor might have lovely character. Patina I think they call it these days? Maybe.

Smoke smells you can get rid off with an Ozone Generator (you can get commercial ones you'd run in the property for a few hours a time, a few times). Super weird magic machines than physically alter the air.

But it might also be as cheap to replace the lot than to try and patch up if the substrate isn't brilliant. And then you'd have to ask whether actually some other tile might be more current.

Depends what look you're going for I guess.

 

[ElliesDad]

Thanks for replying.
They’re definitely Minton as are many other tiles in this building.
As stated we’re heavily governed by English Heritage.
I have enough to repair two large areas by lifting the ones at the entrance.
I’ll probably lift the lot and relay them.
The sub floors need levelling because they’re all over the place level wise.

I’ll contact Topps or CTD and hopefully get a tile that will suit this building.
Do you know of any specialist tile fixer nearby (Nantwich) that can relay this floor.
Thanks

I’m not the best when it comes to computers and forums, maybe admin could put this in a thread for people looking for specialist work?

 

[Tile Marble Granite]

Send us more pictures as it goes. We all love seeing pictures from a building that old

 

[Dan]

Thanks for replying.
They’re definitely Minton as are many other tiles in this building.
As stated we’re heavily governed by English Heritage.
I have enough to repair two large areas by lifting the ones at the entrance.
I’ll probably lift the lot and relay them.
The sub floors need levelling because they’re all over the place level wise.

I’ll contact Topps or CTD and hopefully get a tile that will suit this building.
Do you know of any specialist tile fixer nearby (Nantwich) that can relay this floor.
Thanks

I’m not the best when it comes to computers and forums, maybe admin could put this in a thread for people looking for specialist work?

Will do Monday morning matey. Any tile of this type that you find these days would pass heritage all day long. They use them to repair their own.

Try find a local independent tile shop not one of the big chains. I'll find you some options Monday.

 

[TimelessJohn]

Saw this on LinkedIn and everyone thinks it’s great!!
Done by a cleaning and restoration co. where the base came up in patches.
Not sure how anyone could consider it a satisfactory repair.
Or am I missing something?

 

[ElliesDad]

Saw this on LinkedIn and everyone thinks it’s great!!
Done by a cleaning and restoration co. where the base came up in patches.
Not sure how anyone could consider it a satisfactory repair.
Or am I missing something?

Yeah that’s not great is it.
I think the owners of this Manor House would be extremely disappointed if that was the end result of their floor being repaired.
Surely the “fixer” can see the broken tiles and how uneven it is?
One of the owners here is a Maritime architect and his attention to detail knows no bounds.
I’m good with that because mine is as bad as his.
👍

 

[Dan]

Wow teej! Tiled over a bed sheet on a washing line or something there it seems to be catching the wind lol

Tj is super experienced in this field. Another guy who was closer to Cheshire sadly died a few years ago. This art skill needs passing on as there are very few able to carry it out. Even the best tilers need a few goes before getting it right. It's always best to go with somebody who can do it.

This is one of many of timeless John's jobs. Gorgeous Geometric Floor by Timeless John June 2024 | Tilers Forums - https://www.tilersforums.com/threads/gorgeous-geometric-floor-by-timeless-john-june-2024.104524/

Well worth paying for his fuel to come quote for the work. If you want to contact him its this link https://www.tilersforums.com/conversations/add?to=TimelessJohn

That'll send a message to John who can then give you phone number or whatever and you guys see if you can meet up or something.

Teej, do you know of anybody in the midlands? Phil Hobson was my man for it but I don't know anybody else. It's you or some southern fairy who's charges will be mental.