26 C O N T E X T 1 3 4 : M A Y 2 0 1 4 to apply pressure to without bruising the board. This became an invaluable tool and is now employed in every floor we lift. Because the floor was laid out in four segmented sections, with all boards diminishing in length to the centre, a robust numbering system had to be employed and photographic records kept. A rack was built in which each row of boards was stacked flat, crucially enabling us to keep them in the room to avoid any changes in local environment. Unfortunately, we discovered that the joists beneath had been badly damaged by rot. The floor void was filled with rubble and rot had set in wherever a joist was in direct contact with the ground.We set about an extensive survey to mark up sections which needed to be replaced and identify any affected wall plates. National Trust archaeologist Malachy Conway was called in to survey the rubble for historic artefacts and evidence of old structures.When he had finished, the debris was cleared and rotten sections of joist replaced. We knew that the boards had shrunk over the years and that there would be a gap around the perimeter when the floor was relaid. I managed to source some native Irish oak from a local estate. The trees were planted in 1762 and cut down in 1996. Having dried to the required moisture content, the timber was perfect for our needs.The floor has just been relaid and it looks stunning: the new layers of wax make it shine and the medullary rays of the oak glisten. All the external timbers are longleaf pine, which is no longer commercially available.We therefore had no choice other than to use reclaimed wood. It is beautiful stuff but it breaks my heart to use timber which is full of nails. The sourcing of good timber of the right species for the doors, architraves and skirtings was also a challenge. The species used by the original builders was a soft, clear, very stable pine. It took me some time, and many timber merchants, to track down the right sort of timber but I got what I needed: eastern white pine or Quebec yellow pine.The timber is the most stable I have ever worked with. It is easy to work with glues and takes paint very well, having little or no resin content. We still have another 122 windows to go and several more floors to lift and restore.This house will throw up many problems and no doubt give me more headaches, but I would not want to be anywhere else. David McClimond is the National Trust’s senior project joiner for Mount Stewart. Lifting the boards with the specially made metal bracket Far right: Repairs to the oak flooring A damaged inlay Long leaf pine floor with oak and holly bandings designed by George Dance
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