Shetland Islands · Scotland
Brae Sand Mastic
Traditional burnt sand mastic around sash and case windows and doors in stone and brick for homes and businesses in Brae and across the Shetland Islands. ARBOMaster approved applicators, fully insured, with a 12-month guarantee.
- Gaps round a timber door in stone or brick
- Old cement repairs round a window that have failed
- Silicone on a period window that looks wrong
Frames and glazing around Brae
Brae is close to the coast, and homes near the sea take more wind-driven rain, with salt in the air closer to the shore. That is hard on the mastic around older windows and doors, especially on the side facing the sea. Sash and case windows are common in older Scottish homes, often pointed into the wall with traditional sand mastic.
For jobs in and around Brae, choosing the right material for each joint is as important as a tidy finish.
Brae is in the Shetland Islands. From the centre of Brae to the outskirts, sand mastic is available for homes and businesses alike, from flats and houses to offices and hotels. We cover 63 towns and villages across the Shetland Islands, from the larger towns to small villages.
Every address in ZE2 is covered for sand mastic, from the main roads to the quietest streets. That includes homes and businesses on Runafirth, Ladieside and Hevdaland. We also cover the places around Brae: Sullom (3 miles north), Scatsta (3 miles north-east), Voe (4 miles south-east), Firth (6 miles north-east) and Hogaland (7 miles north). Brae is among the bigger towns we cover in the Shetland Islands. Remote and island addresses need a little more planning, so tell us where you are when you ask for a quote.
Landmarks near Brae
The countryside around Brae includes Houlls Water.
Sand mastic in Brae
Burnt sand mastic is a traditional material blends with stone and brick surrounds. It’s a good fit for period properties where a modern sealant bead would stand out. Typical jobs include cracked mastic round a front door frame and a silicone bead on a sash window that spoils the look, on stone surrounds, period & listed homes and tenement windows.
Mastic can only go onto a dry joint, so outside work in Brae depends on the weather. Tell us about access to all the windows and doors, upstairs included.
You are covered for a year from the day we finish. If anything is not right with it, send an email to info@mrmastic.co.uk.
- Where
- Brae (ZE2)
- Wider area
- Shetland Islands
- Cover
- One year on every job
- Quote
- Quoted before any work starts
- info@mrmastic.co.uk
- Updated
- 26 October 2026
Should I try it myself first?
Sealing over old silicone is the commonest DIY error. New silicone won’t bond to old, so it lifts and traps water and mould underneath. Everything old must be removed first.
Overfilling a joint is a classic DIY mistake. A thick, smeared bead looks untidy and doesn’t move well, and getting the depth right matters as much as the look.
Brae questions
Is Brae within the area you cover?
Yes. Brae is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. Our work covers the whole of Scotland, including the islands, where work is planned around ferry crossings. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when you book.
Does the coastal weather in Brae affect outside sealant?
Coastal homes put outside sealant through more weather than inland ones, so preparation and the right sealant matter all the more. Walls facing the sea are usually the first to need attention.
Where is Mr Mastic based?
Our base is in Crawley, and we cover South East England, London and all of Scotland.
Do you work for letting agents?
Yes, often. We can quote for several properties at once.
Can I add another job to the visit?
Yes, and it often makes sense. Doing several areas at once is generally more efficient, so mention them when you ask for a quote.
What exactly is sand mastic?
Sand plus a binder based on linseed oil. It’s applied by hand and shaped to suit the surround.
Do I have to be there?
If the work is inside, we need someone to let us in. Once we’ve agreed the job, you do not need to watch us work.
Can you replace silicone on a period window with sand mastic?
Yes. We remove the silicone and clean the joint, then point it with sand mastic.
Surface by surface
Brick reveals
We rake out the old mastic and pack deep voids before the new mastic goes in.
Stone surrounds
The stone is treated with care while raking out the old mastic.
Looking after it afterwards
How long the joints last depends on use and care. Here’s what we suggest:
- Have rotten timber repaired before new mastic goes in
- Go gently near the mastic when preparing windows
- Check with your local planning authority if your home is listed
- Renew mastic before redecorating the windows
Look at the mastic when you look over the windows. Small cracks are easier to deal with early.
Sound mastic protects the frame. Once it fails, water can sit against the timber and timber that stays wet can rot.
How the visit works
The work is kept neat and contained to the area we are working on, so you can carry on as normal. The job generally takes a few hours per window, depending on the condition of the joints, and we tell you how long to leave it before we go. Somewhere like Brae may be a longer drive, and the journey is planned ahead. Mention tracks, gates, ferries or anything else about the route.
- First, we look at the surrounds with you and agree what needs doing.
- The loose and crumbling mastic is raked out and the joint cleaned.
- Large voids are packed out first, so the mastic is not too thick.
- Sand mastic is mixed and applied by hand, then shaped to the joint.
- The finish is dressed so it sits neatly against the stone or brick.
How to prepare
- Let us know if you’ve seen damp or leaks
- Mention any parking rules near the property
- For business premises, tell us about site rules or sign-in
Ask for a quote
There’s no standard price list, as no two jobs are quite the same. Instead, we give you a clear quote for your job. To arrange one, email us at info@mrmastic.co.uk.
Related advice
What else we do in Brae
What we are called out for in Brae
Most of it is simply age. Even well-laid mastic needs renewing in time and how long it lasts depends on the weather it faces.
Keep an eye out for any of the following:
- Tired mastic found when preparing windows for paint
- Modern sealant on a period surround
- Cracked mastic round a front door frame
- Cement or filler used on old window joints that has cracked
In and around Brae, as anywhere, good sand mastic starts with a clean, dry, properly prepared joint.
What to look for in a quote
- The length of the guarantee
- Is the old sealant removed completely?
- How the colour is chosen
- Whether they’re fully insured
Honest limits
In fairness, there are a few things sealant will not fix:
- Timber that has rotted
- Putty and glazing repairs
- Sashes that need overhauling
If you’re not sure, just email us at info@mrmastic.co.uk and we’ll give you a straight answer before booking.
What we seal
- Stone surrounds
- Timber door frames
- Tenement windows
- Period & listed homes
- Brick reveals
- Sash and case windows
Quotes for sand mastic in Brae
There’s no set price list, because no two jobs are the same. The quote depends on:
- The old material and how stubborn it is
- How easy the joints are to reach
- Working hours on commercial sites
- How many rooms, windows or areas are involved
Leaving a failed joint usually makes the job bigger, not smaller, because water and mould keep working on it. If you are not sure whether it needs doing, email us at info@mrmastic.co.uk and we will give you an honest view and a quote.
What to tell us for a quote
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote. When you get in contact, it helps to mention:
- How we’d reach the joints
- The type of property
- Any previous sealing or DIY work
- How many joints, rooms or windows are involved
To get a quote, send an email to info@mrmastic.co.uk with the location and a short description of the problem. You will have a clear quote before work begins.