Winchester Cathedral

Renovation of the South Transept and the Kings and Scribes Exhibition.

With massively thick stone walls without damp-proofing and a generally cool environment, the challenge was at what moisture content should the English Oak flooring be and how can movement be allowed for across large areas of unsealed flooring.

We were introduced to Nick Cox Architects through the contractor Owlsworth IJP. Together, and with the help of the Cathedrals building team, we looked at 12 months of environment data, this led to coming up with the optimum moisture content for the 240mm and 290mm wide solid English Oak boards, but also that there could be a potential movement from season to season of between 1.2mm and 1.45mm that needed to be allowed for.

With this established, we then produced some test samples with the correct widths, moisture content and fixings. These were left within the Cathedral throughout the initial stages of the renovation. We monitored the samples on a regular basis checking for any changes in moisture content, board width, and any cupping.

The test samples performed very well, the Oak flooring was dried accordingly and laid. After many months we returned to check the floors and the wide boards were all very flat with no signs of movement.

ARCHITECT: Nick Cox Architects

MAIN CONTRACTOR: Owlsworth IJP

ENGLISH OAK SUPPLIER: Whippletree

PHOTOGRAPHY: Irving & Nichols