Heritage Wood Floor Restoration in Dumfries

Uncovering the Hidden Beauty of Solid Oak: Border Floor's Role in the Crichton Central Refurbishment Project

A refreshed life as a serviced office space and cafe facility is planned for Crichton Central, part of the former psychiatric hospital in Dumfries, southern Scotland. This project is part of a larger initiative to preserve and repurpose the historic buildings within the Crichton estate, which includes over 20 listed buildings. Border Floor, a renowned floor restoration company, played a pivotal role in this transformation by restoring the solid oak wood floors, an integral part of the Crichton Estate's heritage. Crichton Central, built in 1839, has a storied past. Originally envisioned by Elizabeth Crichton as a university, it instead became an institution for mental health. Over the years, the various buildings served a range of purposes, including as an administrative centre for the NHS. Now, this part is getting a thorough facelift to upgrade its environment and make it much more pleasant as a hot desking / serviced office complex, while preserving its historical essence.

During the renovation, a historically significant wooden floor was discovered beneath layers of lino and carpet. This floor, comprised of solid oak planks imported from America in the 1830s, had lain hidden and forgotten for decades. Border Floor was called in to restore this valuable piece of history. In this video Jason Edmunds from Border Floor shows the bare wooden floor upon its discovery. He's explaining the initial state of the floor and the challenges faced, including the mess created by the overall renovation project. The first step in the restoration involved removing around 10,000 nails from the first 100 square metres of flooring, before sanding could start.

As seen in the video, the floor had suffered badly from nearly 200 years of use and abuse.

First a survey of the building's floor was carried out to estimate the time and materials that would be required. It was clear that a thorough de-nailing would have to be carried out and that there were significant repairs to be carried out. It was also very clear from the survey that the wood floor restoration cost was going to yield a superb floor for the office and cafe refurbishment. Once the wood floor scratch repair process was finished and nail holes filled in, several floor board replacements had to be carried out to cover the gaps left by demolished walls. Matching solid oak floorboards was a challenge that Border Floor were able to meet, with our access to some of the finest solid wood floor materials available. Border Floor utilised their top-of-the-range, dust-free Lagler floor sanding machinery to sand the solid oak hardwood flooring: revealing a stunning pale surface. There's something beautiful about solid wood floors that even the best engineered wood and laminate can't beat. The entire floor sanding process was carried out with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring the preservation of the floor’s historical significance. Border Floor's wood floor repair service is based on 25 years of experience on house and commercial floors. After this expert floor sanding phase, the floor was finished with several coats of a hard-wearing lacquer, enhancing its natural beauty and ensuring durability. This restoration not only revived the floor's aesthetic appeal but also reinforced its longevity, making it suitable for the high traffic expected in a busy cafe and office setting. Border Floor's experience in heritage floor sanding has seen them called into some incredible properties from the Scottish Borders to Liverpool and London! Sanding old hardwood floors is second nature to the team. Floor sanding and refinishing without dust problems is what we do best. The transformation of the floor in Crichton Central is evidence that you can trust this team.

Restoring the solid oak wood floors in the Crichton highlights the importance of preserving heritage features in commercial properties. For property owners in southern Scotland, this project showcases the significant value that professional restoration services can add. Restoring the original features, such as solid hardwood floors, can transform a property, making it more appealing to potential clients and increasing its market value.

Restoring solid oak wood floors in heritage buildings like the Crichton is not just about aesthetics—it's about conserving history, enhancing value, and ensuring durability for future generations. Border Floor, with their technical expertise and eco-friendly, dust removal practices, ensures that old wooden floor restoration is carried out with utmost care and precision. By entrusting your wood floor restoration projects to seasoned professionals like Border Floor, you are investing in the longevity and beauty of your property, safeguarding a piece of history for years to come.

Restoring old wood floors involves sanding away the worn top layer, filling gaps or cracks, and applying a protective coat of lacquer. Border Floor uses state-of-the-art equipment and skilled craftsmanship to restore the natural lustre and charm of wooden floors.

Yes, restoring hardwood floors adds significant value to your property. Solid oak wood floors are timeless and can last for generations with proper care and maintenance. Border Floor specialises in rejuvenating wood floors, ensuring your investment pays off by enhancing the aesthetic appeal and longevity of your flooring.

Absolutely! Even wood floors that seem beyond repair can be restored to their former glory with the right expertise and equipment. Border Floor has restored numerous wood floors, transforming them into stunning focal points that enhance the overall look and feel of any space.

If your property is anywhere in the north of England or southern Scotland then Border Floor are the company to call. Originally based in Carlisle, we have additional showrooms in Dumfries and Newcastle. We will soon be opening another base in Liverpool too. We have actually been called out to important projects from Glasgow down to London.