The Church of St. Mary and All Saints is a Grade I listed building dating back to the 13th century – although a church stood on this site long before. The external entrance doors required sensitive restoration of its historic timber.
Weathering and decades of accumulated finishes had degraded the appearance and integrity of the original oak doors. The intention was to carefully re-stain the doors to preserve their historic character while enhancing protection against future deterioration.
Initially, the surface was cleaned with a soft-bristle brush and low-suction vacuum to remove dirt and biological growth.
Old coatings were removed using a citrus-based stripper to avoid damage to the original wood.
The Conservation Architects specified the oil to be apply a historically appropriate stain with breathable, UV-resistant properties.
Two coats were applied following the manufacturer instruction with natural bristle brushes, with each coat allowed to fully cure.
Metal fittings were cleaned and painted to reprotect, ensuring no paint contacted the timber.
Doors were greased and adjusted accordingly to ease opening.
The restored doors now reflect the original craftsmanship and colour. The re-staining of St. Mary’s doors not only preserved an architectural feature but also ensured its continued use and appreciation for generations to come.
