Sheltercoats

Permeable lime-based materials for conserving or treating porous building materials including limestone, soft brick, and calcareous sandstone. Sheltercoats are individually designed to match the colour of the material to be treated and are sacrificial coatings with the primary function of protecting the masonry beneath. Properly applied to appropriate materials they prove durable in sheltered locations. They comprise lime putty and fine stone-dusts, and occasionally natural pigments. Lactic-acid casein, a natural glue derived from milk, is added to improve adhesion and durability. Internal and external use.

Sheltercoats are thicker than limewash as the colour is achieved by the addition of very fine stone dust instead of pigment. They are normally individually colour matched to the stone to be treated. They are used as a sacrificial protective treatment to decaying stonework and statuary but are also used to homogenise the appearance of masonry after localised indent or mortar repairs.  

Our Caen stone matched sheltercoats continue to be used for the conservation of early-mediaeval stonework at Canterbury Cathedral.

Sheltercoats are individually matched on a project by project basis but some examples are shown below.