Restoration of the Historic Floors of Windsor Castle

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 expanded and renovated over the centuries by several monarchs, including Henry II, Henry III, and Queen Victoria, who spent much of her life there.

In 1992, a devastating fire destroyed much of the interiors, including the precious floors of some of the most representative rooms, such as St. George’s Hall and the Grand Reception Room. The restoration, launched immediately after the disaster, aimed to recreate every detail of the castle in its original form, including the sumptuous wooden floors.

In February 1993, Berti Pavimenti received an unexpected call: the British Royal Household wished to entrust our company with the restoration of Windsor Castle’s floors. A prestigious assignment, in which craftsmanship and precision were essential to recreate the ancient splendour of the interiors lost to the fire.

The restoration project was coordinated by the architecture firm Donald Insall Associates, specializing in the conservation of historic buildings. Their historical research and photographic documentation provided the foundation for a meticulous reconstruction of the original details.

For the floor reconstruction, Berti Pavimenti adopted a solution that combined traditional artisan techniques with laser-cutting precision. The wood selected had to meet historical specifications while ensuring long-term strength and durability.

✔ Historical Fidelity: each floor was recreated exactly as it appeared before the fire, based on period drawings and photographs.
✔ Fine Materials: the parquet was made from high-quality wood species, carefully selected to replicate the originals.
✔ Technology and Craftsmanship: thanks to laser work and the skills of our artisans, every floor detail was reproduced with absolute precision.

Installation was carried out by workers selected directly by Donald Insall Associates, with particular attention to the perfect integration of the parquet with the other restored elements of the castle.

The restoration was completed in 1997, and to celebrate, the British Royal Family invited all professionals and companies involved in the project to the Palace. Giancarlo Berti, founder of the company, was among the guests—a less formal and more convivial event than one might expect. The satisfaction of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip was confirmed in a thank-you letter dated November 20, 1997—exactly five years after the fire.

Berti Pavimenti’s work at Windsor Castle marked an important milestone in the company’s history, solidifying its international reputation as a reference in luxury inlaid flooring and prestigious historical restorations.

Thanks to this project, our company has continued to receive high-profile commissions, bringing Italian artisanal excellence to some of the world’s most prestigious buildings.