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No greater compliment of a material is possible than when stone is selected for a historic property renovation within a home rich in tradition and with a celebrated past. This new feature stair addition to a private residence in Toronto, Canada, has an equally compelling story to tell.
Originally envisioned as a wall-supported, cantilevered stone stair, the owner boldly accepted a unique solution for their showpiece element. The 19-tread stair would be designed with 550 lb. solid stone treads, and fully
liberated from traditional supports and the adjacent rubble wall. To say, “it would float” is not an exaggeration. The stair would be designed as a monolithic beam spanning 16.5 feet, 10 feet high and 41 inches wide. Aesthetically bold, with a reduced tone from
pure black, the basalt stone was the perfect contrast for the white modern interior of the home. The 3-1/2" tension cables played the most important role by resisting the large bending moment generated by the stone load and stair geometry. Fabrication required precise coordination and care to ensure perfect alignment of the interlocking key, and the corresponding cable holes.
The fabrication challenge was achieving the highest level of accuracy in notching, coring, and replicating each tread identically. Expert precision and skill were key to nesting each tread in sequence and simultaneously with the strands. Meticulous alignment and exacting tolerance assured the true performance and aesthetics were delivered. Hydraulic post-tensioning pulled each cable to 120 kiloNewtons or 27,000 lbs, infusing strength and structural integrity. Removing the temporary support and testing was the last critical step—it was the first time the stone stair would be self-supporting.
The “floating” stair is an ultimate achievement and example of innovation, material strength, fabrication quality, installation precision, and expert coordination. A perfect final chapter to a historical journey and modern ode to stone as structure.

A complete remodel of this entire home provided the flow and functionality our clients hoped for, within a space that befittingly showcased their favourite artwork and unique elements of personal self-expression. An artistic spirit is apparent throughout the home as complementary tones of blues, greys, and whites reflect and enhance the ethereal worlds depicted in their cherished art collection.
Art is just one of the passions of this family, who also required a kitchen suited to their love of cooking. Vast counter space with high-end finishes and substantial storage in the form of elegant cabinetry frame the centrepiece – a beautifully anachronistic oven imported from France. With its pastel cerulean colour, the range draws the eye and evokes the homeowners’ artistic sensibilities.
Similar pops of blue infuse the rest of the home with this cool worldliness, from the refinished bathroom with its walk-in closet, to the décor surrounding the stonework fireplace. This domestic composition is one which could surely fit in alongside our clients’ collection.

A complete remodel of this entire home provided the flow and functionality our clients hoped for, within a space that befittingly showcased their favourite artwork and unique elements of personal self-expression. An artistic spirit is apparent throughout the home as complementary tones of blues, greys, and whites reflect and enhance the ethereal worlds depicted in their cherished art collection.
Art is just one of the passions of this family, who also required a kitchen suited to their love of cooking. Vast counter space with high-end finishes and substantial storage in the form of elegant cabinetry frame the centrepiece – a beautifully anachronistic oven imported from France. With its pastel cerulean colour, the range draws the eye and evokes the homeowners’ artistic sensibilities.
Similar pops of blue infuse the rest of the home with this cool worldliness, from the refinished bathroom with its walk-in closet, to the décor surrounding the stonework fireplace. This domestic composition is one which could surely fit in alongside our clients’ collection.
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We partnered up with Furtado Contracting to update the kitchen in this stunning 100 year old house in Vancouver. The vision was to freshen up the dated cabinetry and countertops to a style that would lend well to the age of the home, while providing more storage and new appliances.
Layout: The gas range was previously hidden from the dining room by a pony wall. It was decided early on to remove the pony wall, opening the space visually while providing added counter space behind the range. The removal of the pony wall also allowed us to add additional storage on the dining room side of the kitchen.
The fridge was the next item to be relocated. Previously encroaching into the walkway, the fridge was previously placed where our new microwave lives. The fridge now sits in the perfect spot, next to a narrow open-self cabinet which was another wish list from the client, to display bottles and decorative items.
Storage in this kitchen increased by mounting the upper cabinets to the ceiling and improving the lower cabinets by adding more drawers and interior accessories like pullouts, spice storage and a super-susan in the base-corner cabinet.
Materials:
The materials used were extra important to this renovation to ensure we complimented the age of the home. To achieve the right look, shaker doors were used on all cabinets. The painted white cabinets were constructed of a Maple species and painted in Benjamin Moores ‘Silver Satin’. On the base cabinets, a Cherry species was used in a warm stain. To brighten up the room, Caesarstone countertops in ‘Frosty Carrina’ were paired with a white tile in a subway pattern from Olympia Tile.
The details on the crown moulding, door-style panels, cabinetry hardware, kitchen faucet and pendant light fixture are what made this space feel warm and welcoming for the 21st century.

Most people who have lived in Auckland for a long time remember The Heritage Grand Tearoom, a beautiful large room with an incredible high-stud art-deco ceiling. So we were beyond honoured to be a part of this, as projects of these types don’t come around very often.
Because The Heritage Grand Tea Room is a Heritage site, nothing could be fixed into the existing structure. Therefore, everything had to be self-supporting, which is why everything was made out of steel. And that’s where the first challenge began.
The first step was getting the steel into the space. And due to the lack of access through the hotel, it had to come up through a window that was 1500x1500 with a 200 tonne mobile crane. We had to custom fabricate a 9m long cage to accommodate the steel with rollers on the bottom of it that was engineered and certified. Once it was time to start building, we had to lay out the footprints of the foundations to set out the base layer of the mezzanine. This was an important part of the process as every aspect of the build relies on this stage being perfect. Due to the restrictions of the Heritage building and load ratings on the floor, there was a lot of steel required. A large part of the challenge was to have the structural fabrication up to an architectural quality painted to a Matte Black finish.
The last big challenge was bringing both the main and spiral staircase into the space, as well as the stanchions, as they are very large structures. We brought individual pieces up in the elevator and welded on site in order to bring the design to life.
Although this was a tricky project, it was an absolute pleasure working with the owners of this incredible Heritage site and we are very proud of the final product.

A complete remodel of this entire home provided the flow and functionality our clients hoped for, within a space that befittingly showcased their favourite artwork and unique elements of personal self-expression. An artistic spirit is apparent throughout the home as complementary tones of blues, greys, and whites reflect and enhance the ethereal worlds depicted in their cherished art collection.
Art is just one of the passions of this family, who also required a kitchen suited to their love of cooking. Vast counter space with high-end finishes and substantial storage in the form of elegant cabinetry frame the centrepiece – a beautifully anachronistic oven imported from France. With its pastel cerulean colour, the range draws the eye and evokes the homeowners’ artistic sensibilities.
Similar pops of blue infuse the rest of the home with this cool worldliness, from the refinished bathroom with its walk-in closet, to the décor surrounding the stonework fireplace. This domestic composition is one which could surely fit in alongside our clients’ collection.

Experience life in the heart of Paris Le Louvre with this bright 1-bedroom, 65 square meters apartment located on the 3rd floor of a secure residential building without an elevator. This property features a living room with a sofa bed and flat-screen TV. There is a separate dining room that can be used for eating in or as a space to work from home. We understand the importance of staying connected, which is why there is a high-speed Wi-Fi (1/Gbps) connection. The fully equipped kitchen has an electric tea kettle, sink, toaster, full refrigerator, stove, drip coffee machine, oven, microwave and more. The kitchen also comes with all the cookware, dishes and utensils needed to prepare meals at home. The apartment has a combination clothes washer and dryer. Cleaning supplies, a vacuum, broom and mop are also provided. The apartment is heated with gas heater . The bedroom is street facing and furnished with a double bed and superior quality mattress. All the necessary bedding and linens are provided and professionally laundered. This property can host up to 4 guests. The flat has one bathroom accessible via the hallway with a shower, toilet and sink. You will find soap, shampoo, toilet paper and paper towels to start off your stay.
Upon confirmation of your stay, you will be provided with all the necessary details regarding the self checkin and checkout procedures. We offer 24/7 support for submit maintenance requests, extra cleanings and linen changes (for a fee) and more. Professional housekeepers clean and sanitize after each checkout.
- Tuileries (line 1) or Pyramides (line 7)
- A refundable deposit will be required before arrival.
- All properties are strictly non-smoking. Excessive noise/parties will not be tolerated.
- Property Reference 1086. Saint Honoré 3
UpperKey also offers valuable resources and information for property owners. Our article, "All You Need to Know About Letting a Property," provides comprehensive guidance on the ins and outs of renting out your property. Be sure to check it out and take the first step towards successfully letting your property with UpperKey here: https://www.theupperkey.com/post/all-you-need-to-know-about-letting-a-property

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Fredericksburg, OH
High Point Cabinets
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Most people who have lived in Auckland for a long time remember The Heritage Grand Tearoom, a beautiful large room with an incredible high-stud art-deco ceiling. So we were beyond honoured to be a part of this, as projects of these types don’t come around very often.
Because The Heritage Grand Tea Room is a Heritage site, nothing could be fixed into the existing structure. Therefore, everything had to be self-supporting, which is why everything was made out of steel. And that’s where the first challenge began.
The first step was getting the steel into the space. And due to the lack of access through the hotel, it had to come up through a window that was 1500x1500 with a 200 tonne mobile crane. We had to custom fabricate a 9m long cage to accommodate the steel with rollers on the bottom of it that was engineered and certified. Once it was time to start building, we had to lay out the footprints of the foundations to set out the base layer of the mezzanine. This was an important part of the process as every aspect of the build relies on this stage being perfect. Due to the restrictions of the Heritage building and load ratings on the floor, there was a lot of steel required. A large part of the challenge was to have the structural fabrication up to an architectural quality painted to a Matte Black finish.
The last big challenge was bringing both the main and spiral staircase into the space, as well as the stanchions, as they are very large structures. We brought individual pieces up in the elevator and welded on site in order to bring the design to life.
Although this was a tricky project, it was an absolute pleasure working with the owners of this incredible Heritage site and we are very proud of the final product.

A complete remodel of this entire home provided the flow and functionality our clients hoped for, within a space that befittingly showcased their favourite artwork and unique elements of personal self-expression. An artistic spirit is apparent throughout the home as complementary tones of blues, greys, and whites reflect and enhance the ethereal worlds depicted in their cherished art collection.
Art is just one of the passions of this family, who also required a kitchen suited to their love of cooking. Vast counter space with high-end finishes and substantial storage in the form of elegant cabinetry frame the centrepiece – a beautifully anachronistic oven imported from France. With its pastel cerulean colour, the range draws the eye and evokes the homeowners’ artistic sensibilities.
Similar pops of blue infuse the rest of the home with this cool worldliness, from the refinished bathroom with its walk-in closet, to the décor surrounding the stonework fireplace. This domestic composition is one which could surely fit in alongside our clients’ collection.

No greater compliment of a material is possible than when stone is selected for a historic property renovation within a home rich in tradition and with a celebrated past. This new feature stair addition to a private residence in Toronto, Canada, has an equally compelling story to tell.
Originally envisioned as a wall-supported, cantilevered stone stair, the owner boldly accepted a unique solution for their showpiece element. The 19-tread stair would be designed with 550 lb. solid stone treads, and fully
liberated from traditional supports and the adjacent rubble wall. To say, “it would float” is not an exaggeration. The stair would be designed as a monolithic beam spanning 16.5 feet, 10 feet high and 41 inches wide. Aesthetically bold, with a reduced tone from
pure black, the basalt stone was the perfect contrast for the white modern interior of the home. The 3-1/2" tension cables played the most important role by resisting the large bending moment generated by the stone load and stair geometry. Fabrication required precise coordination and care to ensure perfect alignment of the interlocking key, and the corresponding cable holes.
The fabrication challenge was achieving the highest level of accuracy in notching, coring, and replicating each tread identically. Expert precision and skill were key to nesting each tread in sequence and simultaneously with the strands. Meticulous alignment and exacting tolerance assured the true performance and aesthetics were delivered. Hydraulic post-tensioning pulled each cable to 120 kiloNewtons or 27,000 lbs, infusing strength and structural integrity. Removing the temporary support and testing was the last critical step—it was the first time the stone stair would be self-supporting.
The “floating” stair is an ultimate achievement and example of innovation, material strength, fabrication quality, installation precision, and expert coordination. A perfect final chapter to a historical journey and modern ode to stone as structure.

We partnered up with Furtado Contracting to update the kitchen in this stunning 100 year old house in Vancouver. The vision was to freshen up the dated cabinetry and countertops to a style that would lend well to the age of the home, while providing more storage and new appliances.
Layout: The gas range was previously hidden from the dining room by a pony wall. It was decided early on to remove the pony wall, opening the space visually while providing added counter space behind the range. The removal of the pony wall also allowed us to add additional storage on the dining room side of the kitchen.
The fridge was the next item to be relocated. Previously encroaching into the walkway, the fridge was previously placed where our new microwave lives. The fridge now sits in the perfect spot, next to a narrow open-self cabinet which was another wish list from the client, to display bottles and decorative items.
Storage in this kitchen increased by mounting the upper cabinets to the ceiling and improving the lower cabinets by adding more drawers and interior accessories like pullouts, spice storage and a super-susan in the base-corner cabinet.
Materials:
The materials used were extra important to this renovation to ensure we complimented the age of the home. To achieve the right look, shaker doors were used on all cabinets. The painted white cabinets were constructed of a Maple species and painted in Benjamin Moores ‘Silver Satin’. On the base cabinets, a Cherry species was used in a warm stain. To brighten up the room, Caesarstone countertops in ‘Frosty Carrina’ were paired with a white tile in a subway pattern from Olympia Tile.
The details on the crown moulding, door-style panels, cabinetry hardware, kitchen faucet and pendant light fixture are what made this space feel warm and welcoming for the 21st century.

We partnered up with Furtado Contracting to update the kitchen in this stunning 100 year old house in Vancouver. The vision was to freshen up the dated cabinetry and countertops to a style that would lend well to the age of the home, while providing more storage and new appliances.
Layout: The gas range was previously hidden from the dining room by a pony wall. It was decided early on to remove the pony wall, opening the space visually while providing added counter space behind the range. The removal of the pony wall also allowed us to add additional storage on the dining room side of the kitchen.
The fridge was the next item to be relocated. Previously encroaching into the walkway, the fridge was previously placed where our new microwave lives. The fridge now sits in the perfect spot, next to a narrow open-self cabinet which was another wish list from the client, to display bottles and decorative items.
Storage in this kitchen increased by mounting the upper cabinets to the ceiling and improving the lower cabinets by adding more drawers and interior accessories like pullouts, spice storage and a super-susan in the base-corner cabinet.
Materials:
The materials used were extra important to this renovation to ensure we complimented the age of the home. To achieve the right look, shaker doors were used on all cabinets. The painted white cabinets were constructed of a Maple species and painted in Benjamin Moores ‘Silver Satin’. On the base cabinets, a Cherry species was used in a warm stain. To brighten up the room, Caesarstone countertops in ‘Frosty Carrina’ were paired with a white tile in a subway pattern from Olympia Tile.
The details on the crown moulding, door-style panels, cabinetry hardware, kitchen faucet and pendant light fixture are what made this space feel warm and welcoming for the 21st century.

A complete remodel of this entire home provided the flow and functionality our clients hoped for, within a space that befittingly showcased their favourite artwork and unique elements of personal self-expression. An artistic spirit is apparent throughout the home as complementary tones of blues, greys, and whites reflect and enhance the ethereal worlds depicted in their cherished art collection.
Art is just one of the passions of this family, who also required a kitchen suited to their love of cooking. Vast counter space with high-end finishes and substantial storage in the form of elegant cabinetry frame the centrepiece – a beautifully anachronistic oven imported from France. With its pastel cerulean colour, the range draws the eye and evokes the homeowners’ artistic sensibilities.
Similar pops of blue infuse the rest of the home with this cool worldliness, from the refinished bathroom with its walk-in closet, to the décor surrounding the stonework fireplace. This domestic composition is one which could surely fit in alongside our clients’ collection.

We partnered up with Furtado Contracting to update the kitchen in this stunning 100 year old house in Vancouver. The vision was to freshen up the dated cabinetry and countertops to a style that would lend well to the age of the home, while providing more storage and new appliances.
Layout: The gas range was previously hidden from the dining room by a pony wall. It was decided early on to remove the pony wall, opening the space visually while providing added counter space behind the range. The removal of the pony wall also allowed us to add additional storage on the dining room side of the kitchen.
The fridge was the next item to be relocated. Previously encroaching into the walkway, the fridge was previously placed where our new microwave lives. The fridge now sits in the perfect spot, next to a narrow open-self cabinet which was another wish list from the client, to display bottles and decorative items.
Storage in this kitchen increased by mounting the upper cabinets to the ceiling and improving the lower cabinets by adding more drawers and interior accessories like pullouts, spice storage and a super-susan in the base-corner cabinet.
Materials:
The materials used were extra important to this renovation to ensure we complimented the age of the home. To achieve the right look, shaker doors were used on all cabinets. The painted white cabinets were constructed of a Maple species and painted in Benjamin Moores ‘Silver Satin’. On the base cabinets, a Cherry species was used in a warm stain. To brighten up the room, Caesarstone countertops in ‘Frosty Carrina’ were paired with a white tile in a subway pattern from Olympia Tile.
The details on the crown moulding, door-style panels, cabinetry hardware, kitchen faucet and pendant light fixture are what made this space feel warm and welcoming for the 21st century.

Experience life in the heart of Paris Wagram with this cosy 1-bedroom, 34 square meters apartment located on the 1st floor of a secure residential building without an elevator. There is a space that can be used as a living, dining or home office area. It is furnished with a sofa bed, flat-screen TV and a breakfast bar with two stools. We understand the importance of staying connected, which is why there is a high-speed Wi-Fi (1/Gbps) connection. The fully equipped kitchen has an electric tea kettle, sink, toaster, full refrigerator, stove, drip coffee machine, oven, microwave and more. The kitchen also comes with all the cookware, dishes and utensils needed to prepare meals at home. The flat comes with a clothes washing and drying machine. Cleaning supplies, a vacuum, broom and mop are also provided. The apartment is heated with electric heating. The bedroom faces the interior courtyard and comes furnished with a king size bed and superior quality mattress. All the necessary bedding and linens are provided and professionally laundered. This property can host up to 4 guests. The flat has one bathroom accessible via the hallway or the bedroom with a shower, toilet and sink. You will find soap, shampoo, toilet paper and paper towels to start off your stay.
Upon confirmation of your stay, you will be provided with all the necessary details regarding the self checkin and checkout procedures. We offer 24/7 support for submit maintenance requests, extra cleanings and linen changes (for a fee) and more. Professional housekeepers clean and sanitize after each checkout.
- Charles de Gaulle-Etoile (Lines 1, 2 & 6)
- A refundable deposit will be required before arrival.
- All properties are strictly non-smoking. Excessive noise/parties will not be tolerated.
- Property Reference 1015. Brey
UpperKey also offers valuable resources and information for property owners. Our article, "All You Need to Know About Letting a Property," provides comprehensive guidance on the ins and outs of renting out your property. Be sure to check it out and take the first step towards successfully letting your property with UpperKey here: https://www.theupperkey.com/post/all-you-need-to-know-about-letting-a-property

We partnered up with Furtado Contracting to update the kitchen in this stunning 100 year old house in Vancouver. The vision was to freshen up the dated cabinetry and countertops to a style that would lend well to the age of the home, while providing more storage and new appliances.
Layout: The gas range was previously hidden from the dining room by a pony wall. It was decided early on to remove the pony wall, opening the space visually while providing added counter space behind the range. The removal of the pony wall also allowed us to add additional storage on the dining room side of the kitchen.
The fridge was the next item to be relocated. Previously encroaching into the walkway, the fridge was previously placed where our new microwave lives. The fridge now sits in the perfect spot, next to a narrow open-self cabinet which was another wish list from the client, to display bottles and decorative items.
Storage in this kitchen increased by mounting the upper cabinets to the ceiling and improving the lower cabinets by adding more drawers and interior accessories like pullouts, spice storage and a super-susan in the base-corner cabinet.
Materials:
The materials used were extra important to this renovation to ensure we complimented the age of the home. To achieve the right look, shaker doors were used on all cabinets. The painted white cabinets were constructed of a Maple species and painted in Benjamin Moores ‘Silver Satin’. On the base cabinets, a Cherry species was used in a warm stain. To brighten up the room, Caesarstone countertops in ‘Frosty Carrina’ were paired with a white tile in a subway pattern from Olympia Tile.
The details on the crown moulding, door-style panels, cabinetry hardware, kitchen faucet and pendant light fixture are what made this space feel warm and welcoming for the 21st century.

Most people who have lived in Auckland for a long time remember The Heritage Grand Tearoom, a beautiful large room with an incredible high-stud art-deco ceiling. So we were beyond honoured to be a part of this, as projects of these types don’t come around very often.
Because The Heritage Grand Tea Room is a Heritage site, nothing could be fixed into the existing structure. Therefore, everything had to be self-supporting, which is why everything was made out of steel. And that’s where the first challenge began.
The first step was getting the steel into the space. And due to the lack of access through the hotel, it had to come up through a window that was 1500x1500 with a 200 tonne mobile crane. We had to custom fabricate a 9m long cage to accommodate the steel with rollers on the bottom of it that was engineered and certified. Once it was time to start building, we had to lay out the footprints of the foundations to set out the base layer of the mezzanine. This was an important part of the process as every aspect of the build relies on this stage being perfect. Due to the restrictions of the Heritage building and load ratings on the floor, there was a lot of steel required. A large part of the challenge was to have the structural fabrication up to an architectural quality painted to a Matte Black finish.
The last big challenge was bringing both the main and spiral staircase into the space, as well as the stanchions, as they are very large structures. We brought individual pieces up in the elevator and welded on site in order to bring the design to life.
Although this was a tricky project, it was an absolute pleasure working with the owners of this incredible Heritage site and we are very proud of the final product.

Most people who have lived in Auckland for a long time remember The Heritage Grand Tearoom, a beautiful large room with an incredible high-stud art-deco ceiling. So we were beyond honoured to be a part of this, as projects of these types don’t come around very often.
Because The Heritage Grand Tea Room is a Heritage site, nothing could be fixed into the existing structure. Therefore, everything had to be self-supporting, which is why everything was made out of steel. And that’s where the first challenge began.
The first step was getting the steel into the space. And due to the lack of access through the hotel, it had to come up through a window that was 1500x1500 with a 200 tonne mobile crane. We had to custom fabricate a 9m long cage to accommodate the steel with rollers on the bottom of it that was engineered and certified. Once it was time to start building, we had to lay out the footprints of the foundations to set out the base layer of the mezzanine. This was an important part of the process as every aspect of the build relies on this stage being perfect. Due to the restrictions of the Heritage building and load ratings on the floor, there was a lot of steel required. A large part of the challenge was to have the structural fabrication up to an architectural quality painted to a Matte Black finish.
The last big challenge was bringing both the main and spiral staircase into the space, as well as the stanchions, as they are very large structures. We brought individual pieces up in the elevator and welded on site in order to bring the design to life.
Although this was a tricky project, it was an absolute pleasure working with the owners of this incredible Heritage site and we are very proud of the final product.

Katia Provencher is the photographer.
This home was built in 1937 nestled on the top of Mont Royal in Westmount. It was completely renovated.
If you are interested in a consultation to stage your property or help you redesign your home's interior, give us a call at 514-222-5553.
Unique Home Solutions Inc. has been staging properties for home owners, realtors, house flippers and investors since 2006.

Detailed below is the restoration of a Victorian tiled hallway floor that we started back in June in Preston. Although we started in June there was so much damage to the subfloor and the tiles it took some time to complete, additionally, the client did not like the colour samples of the replacement tiles we had brought along and so decided to source their own which took some time.
Three months later with replacement tiles now sourced we were given the go ahead to start the restoration. The first day’s focus was cleaning the original floor using very coarse 100-grit and 200-grit Diamond pads fitted to a rotary buffer machine and applied to the floor using a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Remove and Go to add extra cleaning power. Tile edges were given special attention using a flex machine fitted with small diamond grit pads.
The floor was rinsed with water to remove the soil generated and this was followed up with an acid rinse using a 1:3 dilution of Tile Doctor Grout Clean Up. This last step in the cleaning process is especially recommend for old floors like this which don’t have a damp proof membrane and can suffer from efflorescence issues.
The next stage focused on repairing the floor and started by carefully knocking out all the broken and chipped tiles. We had previously estimated over 30 tiles needed replacing and so the client had bought two boxes, meaning I had plenty of spares to work with.
Before tiling however, the subfloor had suffered over the years and needed attention first. To deal with this the damaged areas were raked out, cleaned up and then back filled with rapid setting self-levelling screed from Mapie adhesives. Once the sub-base was fixed then we put the new tiles back in, they were not an exact match, about 5mm too short and lighter in tone, but the colour was pretty close.
Tiling an old Victorian floor like this can be a bit like dominoes as you move one out of place 2 decent ones come loose and then they also need refixing. Some of the tiles had hair line cracks in them and once they were loose, they just cracked in half. As such the 20 spare tiles that I thought were spare came into good use and I actually ended up using all of them. I could have done with a few more so it was decided to reset the last four broken tiles and grout them in. Luckily for me the client was very understanding about the nature of tile restoration and had accepted that there would be some imperfections and they were not expecting a new floor.
The Tiles were fixed down using Ultralite Rapid Flex (another product from Mapie) and then grouted using the same adhesive (not a grout, as they did not have grout back in the day, just cement and screed).
The floor was left this to cure overnight, and we came back the next day to finish the clean using a 200-grit diamond pad fitted to a buffing machine and lubricated with water, then one last acid rinse to get the tiles as clean as possible and remove any lingering grout haze. This last clean helps to blend the new tiles in with the original.
Before applying a protective sealer, the floor was left to dry for a couple of days, the tiles need to be thoroughly dry before sealing or you can end up with a patchy appearance.
For this floor with no damp proof membrane, it was important to use a fully breathable sealer that will allow moisture to rise through the tile and evaporate at the surface, so Tile Doctor Colour Grow was chosen. This is a good choice for old floors like this as its fully breathable, head wearing, and it contains a colour enhancer that improves the overall appearance of the tile.
Three coats of Tile Doctor Colour Grow which is a fully breathable, colour enhancing sealer hat works by soaking into the pores of the tile protecting it from within. It has a matt finish, and it works really well with all clay tiles and is ideal for these types of floors.
You can probably spot the lighter coloured tiles in the after photos on this page, however it’s a very subtle difference and I think they have blended in quite well with the original. Certainly, my client was very pleased with the newly restored floor, its completely transformed from when we first visited the client, and the floor has now gained character and history. For aftercare we recommend Tile Doctor Neutral Cleaner, its an effective pH neutral product that is compatible with the new sealer.
Russell Taylor
Lancashire Tile Doctor
7