Color Sample Box - Tiles

Tile trims are decorative borders around a floor, usually laid in a contrasting pattern, colour or format. They were commonly used during the turn of the century and are often found in hallways, bathrooms and entrance areas. A central field (checkerboard or straight-laid) is typically surrounded by a tile trim in a different colour or laying direction. We sell tile trims by the metre, with all pieces included to create the decorative pattern.

Popular tile colours and patterns during the turn of the century varied, not least depending on where they were used. In stairwells and entrance halls, more intricate patterns, detailed tile borders and contrasting colours were often used. In homes, patterns were usually simpler, such as checkerboard designs or octagonal layouts with two colours. In some cases, single-colour floors with square tiles were used.

Common tile colours included: white, beige and black, earthy shades such as brick red, chocolate brown and ochre, as well as lighter and richer tones such as pearl grey, grey-blue and grey-green. Feel free to browse our guides for more inspiration:

Our Winckelmans floor tiles are produced from a very hard material made from natural clay and minerals. The raw materials are pressed and fired at high temperatures, resulting in low porosity and excellent durability. The result is a tile that withstands both the passage of time and everyday use – in homes as well as public environments.

Our Winckelmans floor tiles have been used in flooring applications since the late 19th century, often in high-traffic areas such as stairwells and entrance halls. They are through-bodied, frost-resistant and extremely dense, making them ideal for floors in bathrooms, hallways and kitchens.

Our floor tiles are made from natural materials and fired at high temperatures, which can result in natural variations in both shade and size. Minor dimensional variations may occur, meaning that some tiles can be slightly larger or smaller than the stated dimensions. This is part of the character of the material and is not considered a manufacturing defect. We always recommend inspecting the tiles before installation.

Porcelain floor tiles may also display small fine lines or slight crazing along the edges, which is completely natural for this type of material.

Yes, either through our website or by collecting a complimentary sample, subject to availability, from our store at Karlavägen 7 in Stockholm or our collection warehouse at Västbergavägen 43 in Hägersten. Please note that the sample tile is primarily intended as a colour sample and comes in the form of a thinner, smaller square tile. It may also vary slightly in shade from the production batch you later order.

Yes, Winckelmans floor tiles work very well with underfloor heating.

Yes, floor tiles are an excellent choice for hallways, bathrooms and kitchens. Winckelmans floor tiles are highly durable and absorb very little water, making them particularly suitable for high-traffic and heavily used areas. They also have an untreated matte surface, which helps reduce the risk of slipping.

Yes, porcelain floor tiles are an excellent choice for outdoor use. Our Winckelmans tiles have low water absorption, making them a durable option for entrance areas, porches and conservatories, while offering minimal slip risk. This applies to all of our floor tiles, regardless of colour or size. Please note that outdoor installation places higher demands on materials, subfloor preparation, adhesives and grouts designed for outdoor environments. Therefore, it is important to inform your tile installer, who will need to assess and approve the site conditions.

Winckelmans floor tiles have a very high density and absorb minimal amounts of water, which means they generally do not need to be sealed. In particularly exposed areas, such as bathrooms, shower areas, hallways or kitchens, we recommend applying a sealer to prevent stain-causing substances (such as grease) from penetrating the pores. For optimal protection, apply a new coat approximately every five years, depending on location and wear. Perform the water test: place a few drops of water on the tile and see if the droplets remain on the surface. If the water is absorbed and darkens the tile, it is time to reseal it.

However, many customers choose not to seal their tiles and are very satisfied with the result.

For a classic turn-of-the-century look, a slightly narrower grout joint is often recommended.

Guideline:
Floor tiles: approximately 2–3 mm.

Around the turn of the century, grey grout was the most common choice, preferably in a shade close to the colour of the tile itself. For a more pronounced and decorative effect, darker grey grout can be used to create contrast and highlight the shape of the tiles.

For white or light-coloured floor tiles, we recommend a lighter grout to avoid discolouration on the tile surface. We offer two grey shades in our range: Schönox SB Silver Grey Grout 15 kg and Schönox SB Dark Grey Grout 5 kg.

Use a gentle cleaning product and warm water – avoid products containing strong acids or abrasive agents, as these can negatively affect the grout. We offer specially developed cleaning products that are gentle on both the surface and the environment.

All-purpose cleaner: 1 litre all-purpose cleaner – Fila Cleaner Pro
Grout cleaner: 750 ml grout cleaner – Fila Fuganet
Limescale remover: Fila Deepclean 750 ml
Highly concentrated cleaner for stains: Highly concentrated cleaner – Fila PS87 Pro 1L

Please read our guide here: Cleaning tips for Victorian Floor Tiles from Winckelmans

To calculate the amount of floor tiles required, measure the floor area (length × width) in square metres. Example: A bathroom floor that is 3 metres long and 2.5 metres wide: 3 m × 2.5 m = 7.5 m². If the floor has an irregular shape, divide the area into smaller rectangles and add the individual areas together. Each product page specifies how many packs are required per square metre. To calculate the amount of tile trim needed, measure the perimeter of the room. Tile trims are sold by the linear metre and include the complete decorative pattern.

If you provide us with the dimensions of the area to be tiled, we will be happy to help calculate the required quantity of materials.

When installing floor tiles, you should allow for approximately +10% waste for standard straight laying, or approximately +15% for diagonal layouts, patterned installations or projects requiring extensive cutting, particularly around corners, pipe penetrations and decorative patterns. We recommend discussing this with your installer.

It may be wise to keep one box from the original production batch in case you carry out minor renovations in the future or if one or more tiles become damaged.

When installing, we recommend opening several boxes and mixing the tiles to achieve a more uniform appearance, as different production batches may have slight colour variations. Uneven walls are best adjusted at the tile trim rather than on the larger tiles.