Huis van Delft: A Bespoke Jointing Solution for an Iconic Tile Installation

Delft, Netherlands

Sealing Technology Boenders & SABA

Leo Boender, owner of Sealing Technology Boender, is an experienced sealant applicator with more than 33 years of industry expertise. His specialty lies in renovation projects and high-quality exterior applications, where durability and reliable execution are key. For his projects, Leo prefers working with SABA products because of their longer service life and reliability compared to alternative products he has used in the past. For the Huis van Delft project, located directly next to Delft railway station, he worked together with Lolkama Kitwerken to complete all sealing work around the handcrafted Delft-Blue tiled walls.

An iconic tile project next to Delft station

Huis van Delft was designed as a tribute to the city’s history and innovative spirit. The building contains public spaces, galleries, and artistic walls constructed from thousands of handcrafted Delft-Blue tiles, featuring visual stories that refer to the crafts and pioneers of Delft. In one of the adjacent spaces, a sealant applicator is even depicted among the craftsmen—a fitting tribute to the trade that quite literally holds the tiles together.

The challenge: 20 mm joints in a moving building

The joint construction between the tiles was a critical point of attention. Due to expected building movements caused by temperature fluctuations and expansion, the client questioned whether traditional grouting would provide sufficient long-term durability. In addition, the joints were unusually wide: 20 mm.

Through consultation between the client, applicators, and SABA, the right approach was found. A sanded joint was tested first, but it failed to provide the desired combination of movement capability and appearance.

Why Sababuild® 650 was chosen Ultimately, Sababuild® 650 was selected: a permanently elastic MS Polymer sealant, applied using Leo Boender’s own technique in which a profile is created within the joint. The result is the distinctive joint appearance now visible throughout the building.
Two properties were decisive. Sababuild® 650 remains permanently elastic and absorbs movements within the structure without placing stress on the handcrafted tiles. In addition, the sealant does not cause edge-zone contamination, which is essential for porous tiles because discoloration around the joints would be irreversible. More information about the product can be found on the Sababuild® 650 product page.

Collaboration as the foundation for a custom solution

Huis van Delft demonstrates the value of direct collaboration between the client, applicators, and supplier. Boender Sealing Technology and Lolkama Kitwerken worked closely together on-site, with SABA acting as a technical partner in selecting the appropriate product.

Where a standard joint solution proved insufficient, the combination of craftsmanship, technical expertise, and the right product resulted in a solution that complements both the functional and aesthetic character of the building.

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