Restoring a historic Norwegian lighthouse with RD-Elastoflex

Location: Lille Presteskjær, Rekefjord, Norway
Product: RD-Elastoflex
Manufacturer: RD Coatings

Project overview

Standing on a rocky island at the entrance to Norway's Rekefjord, Lille Presteskjær Lighthouse has guided vessels through the narrow fjord since 1895.

After more than a century of exposure to harsh coastal weather, the lighthouse required extensive exterior refurbishment to restore its appearance and protect its ageing surfaces.

The renovation involved stone masonry, rendered walls, concrete elements and the lighthouse tower, with RD-Elastoflex selected for the mineral surfaces.

 

The challenge

Coastal buildings face particularly demanding conditions. Salt-laden air, driving rain, temperature fluctuations and constant moisture exposure can all contribute to the deterioration of exterior coatings.

At Lille Presteskjær, years of weathering had left the masonry discoloured and the rendered surfaces looking tired.

The refurbishment required a coating that could protect the building while accommodating natural movement within the substrate.

Because the lighthouse was constructed in 1895, maintaining the breathability of the original masonry was another important consideration.

The coating solution: RD-Elastoflex

RD-Elastoflex is a flexible, water-based coating developed for the protection of masonry, concrete and rendered surfaces.

Its key characteristics include:

• Crack-bridging flexibility to accommodate minor substrate movement.

• Waterproofing properties to help protect against rainwater penetration.

• Breathability to allow moisture vapour to escape.

• Resistance to UV exposure and weathering.

• A single-component, water-based formulation.

These properties made RD-Elastoflex a suitable choice for the lighthouse's exposed mineral surfaces.

Application process

The refurbishment involved scraping and washing the masonry surfaces before repainting.

Granite details and rendered sections were cleaned and restored, while the cast-iron lighthouse tower was separately cleaned and repainted.

RD-Elastoflex was used to protect the prepared masonry and rendered surfaces, helping provide a renewed protective finish without unnecessarily restricting moisture vapour movement through the older building materials.

The result

The project restored the lighthouse's distinctive white appearance while providing renewed weather protection.

The finished building remains an important navigational landmark and an example of how modern protective coatings can contribute to preserving historic structures.

The refurbishment demonstrates the value of choosing a coating that considers both the appearance and physical characteristics of the substrate.

 

Looking for a waterproof coating for exterior walls?

Industrial Coatings Ltd supplies specialist coatings for exterior masonry, rendered walls, concrete and building refurbishment.

Whether you're maintaining a commercial property or restoring an older building, explore our range of flexible waterproofing coatings to find a suitable solution.