Preserving the Past, Preparing for the Future
Client & Scope of Works
St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden – “The Actors’ Church”
Grade I Listed building and built in 1633
We were tasked with lifting, preserving and relaying 300m² of 400-year-old pine flooring to allow installation of a modern suspended underfloor heating system.
The Challenge
St Paul’s is one of the most iconic churches in London, a Grade I listed building with a floor walked by Charlie Chaplin, Noël Coward and Vivien Leigh. So when plans were approved to overhaul its inefficient oil-fuelled heating system, the pressure was on to preserve every inch of its historic fabric while enabling a futureproof, energy-efficient upgrade.
Sussex Floor Restoration was commissioned to carefully uplift and relay the entire timber floor, working alongside underfloor heating specialists Ultra-Fin UK, and under the scrutiny of Historic England, Church of England authorities, and the media.
Oh, and there was a 200-person wedding booked for just days after the deadline.
Planning & Execution
The Planning
The building’s listed status meant that every single decision had to be justified, documented and approved before a single board could be lifted.
SFR was brought in early during the planning phase to assess the feasibility of the project and advise on how to complete the work within regulations. The team provided critical insight into how the timber would behave with the new system, and helped shape a plan that would preserve the floor’s integrity and the building’s character.
The Process
The team developed a meticulous numbering and stacking system using letters and codes to ensure each board could be returned exactly to its original position, not just in layout, but also in orientation and grain direction.
The boards were dailed (de-nailed), stored, and protected throughout the process. With three-quarters of the floor lifted at any one time and no internal space to spare, SFR erected external marquees for board storage, dailling stations, and equipment, minimising risk and disruption inside the building.
The Result & The Future
On-Site Coordination
Close collaboration was key. SFR worked shoulder-to-shoulder with Ultra-Fin and electrical contractors, often adapting the schedule on the fly to keep things moving. The team ran early starts and late finishes, sometimes shifting plans daily to stay ahead of any issues.
Despite the complexity (and the tight turnaround), the work was completed on time and to the highest standards.
A Seamless Finish
Once the heating system was installed, SFR began the careful relay. Where boards were damaged, replacements were made using either reclaimed timber from within the church or matching materials from SFR’s own stockpile.
The result was a floor that looked untouched. Visitors to the church wouldn’t know it had ever been lifted.
The Bigger Picture
The works at St Paul’s are part of a broader move by the Church of England to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. By switching from oil heating to a system compatible with air source heat pumps, the church could reduce its carbon footprint by up to 87% and slash its energy bills by half.
Our role wasn’t just restoration, it was heritage adaptation, futureproofing the building while honouring its legacy.
What It Says About Sussex Floor Restoration
This was not a standard restoration project. It was a high-profile, high-risk job under time pressure, with logistical challenges and strict regulations all in one of the most recognised churches in the country.
The success of the project is already being held up as a UK first: a working example of how heritage buildings can be upgraded to meet modern energy needs with the right team on the job.
Thinking About Your Own Project?
If you’re worried about touching your period flooring, don’t be! Sussex Floor Restoration works with listed properties, conservation teams and heating specialists across the country. We know how to protect what’s there while helping you move forward.
Call us today on 01444 810505, or visit our Wood Floor Restoration Page to learn more!
And, you can watch Adam talk about our project below!
