Windsor Castle Royalty
A Symbol of British History and Monarchy.
Windsor Castle, located in the county of Berkshire, is the official residence of the British monarchy and one of the oldest and most prestigious royal palaces in Europe. Built in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, it has been enlarged and renovated over the centuries by various monarchs, including Henry II, Henry III and Queen Victoria, who spent much of her life here.
In 1992, a devastating fire destroyed much of the interior, including the precious floors of some of the most iconic rooms, including St. George’s Hall and the Grand Reception Room. The restoration, which began immediately after the disaster, aimed to recreate every detail of the castle in its original form, including the sumptuous wooden floors.
The Restoration of Historic Floors
In February 1993, Berti Flooring received an unexpected call: the British Royal Household wished to entrust our company with the restoration of the floors of Windsor Castle. It was a prestigious assignment in which excellent craftsmanship and precision were essential to recreating the former splendor of the interiors destroyed by fire.
The restoration project was coordinated by the architectural firm Donald Insall Associates, which specializes in the preservation of historic buildings. Their historical research and photographic documentation provided the basis for the meticulous reconstruction of the original details.
The Making – A Work of Precision and Mastery
For the reconstruction of the floors, Berti Flooring adopted a solution that combined traditional craft techniques with the precision of laser cutting. The wood chosen for restoration had to meet historical specifications while ensuring strength and durability.
✔ Historical Fidelity: each floor has been reproduced exactly as it appeared before the fire, following period drawings and photographs.
✔ Precious Materials: the parquet floors have been made from high-quality wood species, selected to faithfully replicate the original ones.
✔ Technology and Craftsmanship: thanks to laser machining and the skill of our craftsmen, every detail of the floor has been reproduced with absolute precision.
The installation was carried out by workers selected directly from the Donald Insall studio, with special attention paid to the perfect integration of the parquet with the other restored elements of the castle.
The Recognition of the Royal Family
The restoration of Windsor Castle was completed in 1997, and to celebrate the completion of the work, the British Royal Family invited to the Palace all the professionals and companies that had contributed to the project.
Giancarlo Berti, the company’s founder, was among the guests at the evening, which was remembered as a less formal and more convivial event than one might have imagined. The satisfaction of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip was evidenced by a letter of thanks dated November 20, 1997, exactly five years after the fire.
A Prestige Project for Berti Flooring
Berti Flooring ‘s work at Windsor Castle was an important milestone in the company’s history, cementing its international reputation as a benchmark in luxury inlaid floors and fine historic restorations.
Thanks to this project, our company has continued to receive high-profile commissions, bringing Italian craftsmanship excellence to some of the world’s most prestigious buildings.
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