Edinburgh · Scotland
Sand mastic for sash & case windows in Canongate, Edinburgh
Our applicators work in Canongate on traditional burnt sand mastic around sash and case windows and doors in stone and brick. Old material cut out, joints cleaned and sealed neatly.
- Old cement repairs round a window that have failed
- Window mastic to renew ahead of painting
- Crumbling sand mastic round a window
Sand mastic in Canongate
We work across Canongate renewing sand mastic on sash windows and doors. Every joint is cleaned out and filled by hand for a neat, traditional finish. Common call-outs are for patchy fillers round a sash window and weathered mastic on the most exposed windows, on timber door frames, sash and case windows and tenement windows.
Older stone-built tenements in Scotland’s cities were built with sash and case windows, though many have since been replaced. In Canongate, as anywhere, the mastic between frame and wall is what stops draughts and rain getting in.
All our work is covered by our one-year guarantee.
- Location
- Canongate (EH1, EH8, EH7)
- Region
- Edinburgh
- Cover
- A year, on every job
- Quotes
- A clear quote up front
- info@mrmastic.co.uk
- Page updated
- 26 October 2026
DIY sealant or a professional job?
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.
If you’ve already had a go yourself, that is fine. We cut it out and start again, so tell us about it when you ask for a quote.
What sand mastic looks like in Canongate
Canongate is close to the coast, where wind-driven rain is a fact of life and, nearer the shore, so is salt air. Both are hard on the mastic around older windows and doors, which can dry out and crack sooner where a building faces the weather. Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Georgian New Town is known for its sash windows. For listed homes and conservation areas, check with the council before changing how windows or walls look.
For an older house near a landmark such as Kirk of the Canongate, the windows may be timber, sash or later replacements, and each needs the right sealant against the wall. Schools such as Old Royal High School are buildings too, and larger buildings have plenty of frames, and the mastic around each one ages.
Canongate is about 1 mile north-east of Edinburgh, in Edinburgh. We carry out sand mastic for homes and businesses in Canongate and the surrounding area, as part of our work across Edinburgh. Canongate is one of 175 places in Edinburgh we cover for sand mastic.
Jobs for sand mastic in EH1, EH8 and EH7 works the same way as everywhere else we cover. Streets in the area include High Street, Calton Road and Hutton Road, and we cover them all. We also cover the places around Canongate: Holyrood (1 mile south-west), Dumbiedykes (1 mile south), Greenside (1 mile north-west), Buccleuch (1 mile south) and Abbeyhill (1 mile north-east). We also work in nearby towns such as Queensferry (9 miles west), Southhouse (4 miles south), Gilmerton (4 miles south-east), Muirhouse (3 miles north-west), Slateford (3 miles south-west) and Gracemount (3 miles south).
Landmarks near Canongate
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Scottish Poetry Library, The World's End pub and St Cuthbert's Church. Also close by are London Street Primary School (0.6 miles north-west) and Holyrood Park (less than half a mile east). Canongate has its own railway station: Edinburgh Waverley station. A little further out are Edinburgh Castle (0.9 miles west) and St. James Centre (under half a mile north-west). Open spaces near Canongate include Salisbury Crags and The New Leaf Co-op.
Surface by surface
Tenement and terrace windows
Tenements and terraces often have many sash windows with ageing mastic. We can do one window or several.
Timber door frames
Sand mastic is used round timber door frames too. We renew it the same way as on windows.
What we can’t put right
Some problems need a builder, plumber or other trade rather than us:
- Crumbling stone or brickwork round the window
- Decisions on consent for listed homes
- Timber that has rotted
If you’re not sure, just email us at info@mrmastic.co.uk and we will give you a straight answer before booking.
Joints and surfaces we work on
- Brick reveals
- Period & listed homes
- Timber door frames
- Tenement windows
- Sash and case windows
- Stone surrounds
More services for Canongate
Common problems we fix in Canongate
Shallow joints are a common cause. Mastic that’s too thin cracks and drops out so we make sure the new mastic is the right thickness.
The problems people usually mention when they call are:
- Wind and rain getting in round a sash window
- Mastic round period door frames that has failed
- Silicone on a period window that looks wrong
- Tired mastic found when preparing windows for paint
Letting a property close to Edinburgh Waverley station? Then cracked sand mastic around sash windows lets in the draughts tenants complain about.
Comparing quotes
- Which colour the sealant will be
- Whether they seal over old material or remove it
- How long to leave it before use
- The length of the guarantee
Canongate questions
How is work on the outside of a tenement in Canongate usually arranged?
It usually goes through the owners together, or through the factor if the building has one. The Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 sets the rules for common parts if the deeds don’t.
I let a flat near Edinburgh Waverley station. Can you help?
Yes, rental work is part of what we do. Just drop us a line at info@mrmastic.co.uk and tell us about the property, and we will give you a clear quote.
Is it possible to take out silicone and use sand mastic instead?
Usually, yes. With the silicone removed and the joint cleaned, sand mastic is applied by hand.
How do I get a quote for sand mastic in Canongate?
There’s no set price, as it depends on the job: its size, the old material, access and the product needed. We agree the price before any work begins.
How long will you be here?
As a guide, most jobs take anything from a few hours to a full day, depending on how many windows. Bigger jobs take longer, and we will say how long yours will take.
Can I choose the sealant colour?
We will suggest a colour to suit the surroundings. The product needed can limit the range.
Are you fully insured?
Yes. Mr Mastic is fully insured, and we have been doing sealant work for more than 20 years.
Where do you work from?
Our base is in Crawley, West Sussex, and we cover South East England, London and all of Scotland.
Keeping the joints in good condition
To keep the joints looking good and working properly:
- Leave the new mastic unpainted
- Keep modern sealant off the mastic
- Keep sills and gutters clear so water drains away
- Find out about consent before window work on a listed home
Make sure water drains away from the window surround. Water sitting against the mastic shortens its life.
It’s best to renew mastic before painting the windows. Paint over cracked mastic only covers it up.
How it works
Once we’re on site, we compare the joints with what we discussed. If we find something unexpected, we talk it through with you first. After that, the work takes anything from a few hours to a full day, depending on how many windows. Parking in city streets around Canongate can be tight or controlled, so it helps to know about permits or nearby bays. For flats, mention the door entry system and any shared-stair arrangements.
- Each surround is checked first.
- The joint is raked out and cleaned.
- Large voids are packed out.
- We point the joint with sand mastic by hand.
- The finish is dressed neatly.
Getting ready for the visit
- Mention any tricky access
- Mention any parking rules near the property
- Mention any sign-in or site rules at work premises
How to get a quote
Want a quote for sand mastic? Please email us at info@mrmastic.co.uk with a few details. You will know what we plan to do, and what it will cost, before any work begins.
Related advice
What affects the quote in Canongate
The quote reflects the job in front of us. We take into account:
- Any mould that needs treating
- How easy the joints are to reach
- The product the joint needs
- The number and length of the joints
We don’t show prices on the website, because each job is priced on what it involves. For a quick quote, please email us at info@mrmastic.co.uk and we’ll talk you through it.
Helping us quote
To help us quote quickly, let us know:
- How many joints, rooms or windows are involved
- Any access issues, like height or stairs
- Photos by email, if that’s easy
- Where the property is
We don’t publish a price list, because every job is different. Instead, we give you a clear price for your job. To get started, email us at info@mrmastic.co.uk.