Guidance note from the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and ChurchCare
The floor of a church or cathedral can be one of the most significant features of the building but is often the most underappreciated. This is why the SPAB and ChurchCare have published a guidance note that explains the appropriate care and repair of historic floors. The launch of the guidance note coincides with the SPAB’s year-long ‘History at Your Feet’ campaign that encourages people to value the character and beauty of an old floor.
The SPAB’s head of casework, Emma Lawrence says: “As an organisation concerned with the fabric of old buildings the SPAB has become increasingly troubled by the lack of recognition and importance given to historic floors. A great number of schemes are being developed without initial consideration of the beauty and interest of our historic floors resulting in an unnecessary loss of special and unique surfaces. We are pleased to have worked in conjunction with ChurchCare to provide this guidance to raise the profile of historic floors in church buildings as part of our Floors Campaign.”
Guidance note topics include:
Understanding historic floors
Assessing the significance of the floor
The maintenance of different types of floor: stone, medieval tile, brick and marble
Matters to consider when putting in a new floor
Download the guidance document: http://www.spab.org.uk/advice/