Colonial-era herringbone parquet restored to original specification. Timber species no longer commercially available — preservation was essential.
A European embassy in Cantonments required comprehensive flooring works across its ambassadorial residence — a 1950s-era colonial property with original herringbone parquet across the principal rooms. The parquet had suffered decades of wear, climate damage, and patchy repair. Replacement was discussed but the original timber species (now-scarce Ghanaian mahogany and iroko) and craftsmanship could not be authentically replicated. Preservation was specified as the preferred outcome by the embassy's cultural heritage office.
We deployed our heritage restoration team — specialists trained in traditional parquet refurbishment rather than modern flooring installation. Individual parquet blocks were assessed, those beyond restoration were replaced with matched species sourced specifically for this project, gaps were filled with species-matched dust-and-shellac putty, and the entire surface was hand-sanded through progressive grits to recover the original timber character. Finally, traditional oil-and-wax finish was applied in three coats — the authentic finish specified at original installation.
Heritage assessment. Block-by-block condition survey. Replacement block sourcing from specialist Ghanaian timber supplier.
Removal of non-original patching. Individual block lift-and-replace for failed sections. Species matching verification.
Progressive hand-sanding through 40, 80, 120, 150, 180 grits. Gap-filling with matched dust-shellac putty.
Traditional oil-and-wax finish application. Three coats with 48-hour cure intervals. Final buffing.
Handover. Maintenance specification to embassy household team. Annual inspection schedule established.
The restored parquet retains original 1950s character while performing to modern specifications. The embassy cultural heritage office approved the work on independent inspection. The installation has now been in service for three years with no defects and is scheduled for its first annual conservation check next quarter.
We met contractors who wanted to remove the original parquet and install something new. Floors GH was the only team that understood immediately that the existing timber — the specific Ghanaian mahogany no longer commercially sourced — was the heritage asset. Their restoration preserved what made this residence distinctive. For an embassy, where cultural preservation matters, that understanding was priceless.
Head of Mission, European Embassy
Every project begins with a free on-site survey. A specialist will respond the same business day.