Shetland Islands · Scotland
Sand Mastic in Hillswick
Problem with your window and door surrounds in Hillswick? We remove the old material, prepare the joints and seal them properly, and the work is guaranteed for a year.
- Old sand mastic that has cracked, crumbled or fallen out
- Cement or filler used on old window joints that has cracked
- Weathered mastic on the most exposed windows
Common problems we fix in Hillswick
Paint, silicone or cement used over old mastic causes problems. They don’t move with the timber and we normally remove them.
These are the problems we’re asked about most:
- Cement or filler used on old window joints that has cracked
- Weathered mastic on the most exposed windows
- Open joints round the window box
- Tired mastic found when preparing windows for paint
For an older house near a landmark such as Northmavine Parish Church and Churchyard, replacement windows fitted into old openings often leave uneven gaps that need backing and a flexible joint.
What to look for in a quote
- How long the guarantee is
- Is VAT in the price?
- How the joint is cleaned and prepared
- Is the old sealant removed completely?
Sand mastic for homes and businesses in Hillswick
A silicone bead around a sash window can look out of place and is not always the right material. Sand mastic gives a finish that matches the age of the house, and we can replace one with the other. We work on period & listed homes, brick reveals and tenement windows, and the jobs we see most are patchy fillers round a sash window and draughts and rain around sash boxes.
Many older Scottish homes still have timber windows set into stone walls. The sealant has to suit the stone, which rules out acetoxy silicones that can mark or attack it.
Our work is backed for twelve months, and the guarantee is the same wherever you are.
- Location
- Hillswick (ZE2)
- Wider area
- Shetland Islands
- Guarantee
- 12 months on all our work
- Price
- A clear price before work begins
- info@mrmastic.co.uk
- Last updated
- 26 October 2026
Also in Hillswick
Aftercare tips
After the cure time, these simple habits help:
- Keep sills and gutters clear so water drains away
- Take care around the mastic when scraping paint
- Check the mastic when you check the paintwork
- Get any rot dealt with first
When preparing windows for paint, take care around the mastic. Hard scraping can loosen it.
An open joint round the box lets weather through. The longer it’s left, the more the joint opens.
Common questions in Hillswick
Is Hillswick in your area for sand mastic?
Yes. We work across all of Scotland, and Hillswick is part of that. You can send an email to info@mrmastic.co.uk and let us know what needs doing, and we’ll send you a clear quote.
Is sand mastic in a coastal place like Hillswick any different?
Near the coast, wind-driven rain and, nearer the shore, salt air make outside sealant work harder. Choosing the right sealant for the frame and wall, laid at the right depth, helps it last.
Can I add another job to the visit?
Yes. Tell us about everything you’d like done.
Do you offer different sealant colours?
Generally, yes. Sealants come in white, clear, grey and other colours for many products, and we will agree it with you first.
How long does the job take?
Typically it takes a few hours for a single window, longer for several. Larger jobs naturally take longer, and we’ll say how long yours will take.
How do I get a quote for sand mastic in Hillswick?
We do not publish prices, because the cost depends on the job: its size, the old material, access and the product needed. You’ll get a clear quote before work begins.
Do I need permission for sand mastic on a listed building?
Speak to your local planning authority before work starts. Like-for-like sand mastic is often the preferred finish but the decision is theirs.
Can you work on commercial sites?
Yes. We work in offices, washrooms, hotels and other commercial premises. Working times can be discussed when we quote.
Quotes for sand mastic in Hillswick
Your quote is based on your job. We look at:
- The number and length of the joints
- The number of rooms or windows
- The type of sealant required
- Whether there’s mould to deal with
Instead of a standard rate, we price the job in front of us: the amount of work, the old material and the access. You’ll know the price before we begin.
What to tell us for a quote
You do not need to know the technical terms. It helps if you can tell us:
- What the problem is, such as mould, gaps, leaks or cracking
- Any access issues, like height or stairs
- A few pictures by email, if you can
- If it’s domestic, commercial or a hotel
Getting a quote is simple: let us know the job and the location. Photos by email help us understand the job, and we’ll take it from there.
Windows and doors in Hillswick
Hillswick is within about 1 mile of 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. Island weather, with its wind and salt spray, is tough on the mastic around older windows and doors.
In and around Hillswick, as anywhere, good sand mastic starts with a clean, dry, properly prepared joint.
Hillswick is in the Shetland Islands. Homes, rented property, offices and hotels in Hillswick is covered for sand mastic, old or new, large or small. The work is guaranteed for a year. Hillswick is one of 63 towns and villages in the Shetland Islands where we work.
We cover every part of ZE2 for sand mastic. Neighbouring places we cover for sand mastic include Urafirth (1 mile north-east), Braehoulland (3 miles north-west), Hogaland (4 miles east), Sullom (5 miles south-east) and Ollaberry (5 miles east). Remote and island addresses need a little more planning, so tell us where you are when you ask for a quote.
Landmarks near Hillswick
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Booth pub. A little further out are Tangwick Haa Museum (3.4 miles west). Not far away are Ness-houlls Water.
Work for landlords, hotels and businesses
We work for letting agents and landlords as well as homeowners. Sealant work between tenants is a simple way to keep a property in good order before the next move-in.
A neglected joint can let water reach the structure, which matters even more when someone else lives there. Keeping joints in good order is simple maintenance.
Different surfaces, different methods
Timber door frames
Period doors in stone or brick openings are often pointed with sand mastic. The method is the same as for windows.
Tenement and terrace windows
Upper-floor windows need access planning. Tell us the height and we’ll confirm what’s needed.
DIY versus a professional finish
Overfilling a joint is a classic DIY mistake. A heavy bead looks messy and copes badly with movement, and getting the depth right matters as much as the look.
If you’ve already had a go yourself, that’s fine. We remove it and do the joint properly, so just mention it when you contact us.
What happens on the day
When we arrive, we look over the joints with you first. Surfaces next to the work are protected before we start. The work generally takes a few hours for a single window, longer for several. Somewhere like Hillswick may be a longer drive, and the journey is planned ahead. Mention tracks, gates, ferries or anything else about the route.
- First we agree which joints need doing.
- Old mastic and any loose material are raked out.
- Deep gaps are packed so the mastic sits at the right depth.
- The sand mastic is mixed and pressed into the joint by hand.
- The surface is finished to suit the stone or brick.
Preparing for the visit
- Let us know if you’ve seen damp or leaks
- Tell us if parking is tricky
- Keep pets and children clear of the area while we work
How to get a quote
Quotes start with a quick conversation. Describe the problem, the location and the size of the job, and we’ll talk you through what we’d do. Whenever you are ready, email us at info@mrmastic.co.uk.