Heritage floors restored to former glory with skill and dedication

National Churches Trust members BAF Flooring Services were honoured to be entrusted with the refurbishment of two original floor finishes at St Faith’s Church in Brentford Parish, London. They were two of the most distinctive floors at the church: the pine block flooring and the striking combination of Calcutta Gold marble and slate.

A distinctive historySt Faith’s Church, with its rich heritage and fine craftsmanship, has stood as a place of worship and community for generations. The pine block flooring, probably installed in the early 20th century, was chosen for its durability, warmth and ability to withstand years of footfall while complementing the ecclesiastical interior.

The Calcutta Gold marble and slate flooring forms part of the church’s most elegant architectural details. Calcutta Gold marble, quarried in the Bengal region and historically traded through colonial shipping routes to Britain, was highly prized during the late 19th and early 20th centuries for its creamy white background interlaced with warm golden veining.

The marble was often selected for important ecclesiastical buildings to symbolise light, purity and divine splendour. In combination with the contrasting slate, which provides both visual depth and robust wear resistance, the materials were chosen not only for their beauty but also for their enduring nature – a fitting foundation for a sacred space.

The refurbishment processOver decades of service, both the pine block and stone floors had naturally suffered from wear, surface damage and accumulated soiling. The goal of the refurbishment was to restore their appearance while preserving the authenticity and integrity of the original materials.

For the pine block flooring the process began with careful sanding to remove worn finishes and reveal the timber’s natural colour and grain. Any damaged blocks were sympathetically repaired or replaced with matching reclaimed pine to ensure visual continuity. The floor was then sealed with a durable, breathable finish to protect the wood while enhancing its warm, honeyed tones.

The Calcutta Gold marble and slate required a more delicate approach. The restoration began with gentle but thorough cleaning using pH-neutral products, followed by fine honing to reduce surface wear marks. The marble’s lustrous sheen was restored through careful polishing, while the slate was treated to revive its depth of colour. Finally, the stonework was sealed to guard against moisture and staining, ensuring it will continue to serve the church for many more years.

Honouring heritage BAF Flooring Services’ church floor restoration specialist Ben Frost commented: “At BAF Flooring Services we take great pride in preserving historic floors so they may be enjoyed by future generations. The completion of this work at St Faith’s, Brentford Parish, has not only refreshed the beauty of the church’s interior but has also safeguarded two fine examples of traditional ecclesiastical flooring for years to come.”

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