Orkney Islands · Scotland
Sand mastic for sash & case windows in Hoy, Orkney Islands
Our applicators work in Hoy on traditional burnt sand mastic around sash and case windows and doors in stone and brick. Old sealant removed completely, joints prepared properly and every job guaranteed for a year.
- Old cement repairs round a window that have failed
- Mastic that needs renewing before redecorating
- Modern sealant on a period surround
How to look after the new joints
Good habits help new joints last longer. A few tips:
- Avoid patching sand mastic with silicone
- Look over the window mastic once a year
- Go gently near the mastic when preparing windows
- Keep sills and gutters clear so water drains away
Leave the new mastic unpainted, as traditional guidance advises. If you are redecorating, ask us first.
Small cracks are a sign the mastic is ageing. Renewing it then is simpler than waiting until it falls out.
How we handle sand mastic in Hoy
Traditional burnt sand mastic that sits naturally against stone and brick. It suits period and listed homes where a modern sealant bead would stand out. We work on timber door frames, period & listed homes and brick reveals, and people most often call us about old cement repairs round a window that have failed and gaps round a timber door in stone or brick.
Across smaller places in Scotland, homes range from stone and harled cottages to newer houses, many standing in the open. Wind-driven rain finds any gap around a frame or sill, so the mastic there works hard.
Every job comes with our 12-month guarantee, wherever you are in the Orkney Islands.
- Location
- Hoy (KW16)
- Region
- Orkney Islands
- Cover
- One year on every job
- Quote
- A clear quote up front
- info@mrmastic.co.uk
- Updated
- 26 October 2026
How the visit works
Our applicators work methodically: protection first, then preparation, sealing and a tidy-up. Typically it takes anything from a few hours to a full day, depending on how many windows, and the area is left clean. Around Hoy, distance and access matter more than parking. Let us know how to find you and how to reach the joints.
- We check the window surrounds and agree which joints need renewing.
- The loose and crumbling mastic is raked out and the joint cleaned.
- We pack any deep gaps so the mastic sits at the right depth.
- Sand mastic is mixed and applied by hand, then shaped to the joint.
- We dress the surface so it sits neatly against the masonry.
Before we arrive
- Let us know about earlier repairs to the joints
- On commercial sites, let us know about site rules
- Clear items away from the joints we are working on
Ask for a quote
Want a quote for sand mastic? Please drop us a line at info@mrmastic.co.uk and tell us about the job. You will know what we plan to do, and what it will cost, before any work begins.
Related advice
Different surfaces, different methods
Tenement and terrace windows
In shared buildings, the windows may be part of a wider repair, so check who is responsible first.
Period and listed homes
Many older homes were built with sand mastic round the windows. If your home is listed, ask your local planning authority about consent.
Landlord and commercial work in Hoy
If you manage several properties in or around Hoy, several properties can be quoted together. Send us the addresses and the work at each.
Letting agents often deal with us directly. Tell us the address, the job and how access works and we’ll quote.
Hoy questions
Is Hoy in your area for sand mastic?
Yes. Our work covers the whole of Scotland, and Hoy is part of that. Just send an email to info@mrmastic.co.uk with a few details of the job.
Does the coastal weather in Hoy affect outside sealant?
Coastal weather is harder on outside sealant: there’s more wind-driven rain and, closer to the shore, salt in the air. The right product, a clean joint and the right depth all help it cope.
Should I use sand mastic or silicone?
That depends on your windows. Period windows in stone or brick generally suit sand mastic and newer frames normally get a flexible sealant.
Do the sealants smell?
That depends on the sealant. Some products have a noticeable smell, others very little.
What is sand mastic?
It’s a mix of sand and a linseed-oil-based binder. It’s applied by hand and shaped to suit the surround.
Do you have insurance?
Yes. We’re fully insured, and we can confirm the details when we quote.
What sealant do you use?
The product depends on the job: anti-fungal sanitary silicone in wet areas, and other sealants where joints move or face the weather. We use products from Arbo and Everbuild.
Do you guarantee sand mastic work?
There’s a 12-month guarantee on every job.
Can I do it myself?
The biggest DIY mistake is sealing over old sealant. Silicone doesn’t stick to old silicone, so it peels away and traps moisture behind it. Everything old must be removed first.
What a professional job adds is preparation and the right product. We take joints back to clean, dry surfaces, and the sealant is chosen for how the joint moves and where it is.
Common problems we fix in Hoy
Rain on the window surround works into any crack and loosens it further. Exposed elevations usually fail first.
People usually contact us when they notice one of these:
- Old sand mastic that has cracked, crumbled or fallen out
- Gaps between timber frames and stone or brick
- Silicone on a period window that looks wrong
- Failed mastic on an exposed elevation
In and around Hoy, as anywhere, good sand mastic starts with a clean, dry, properly prepared joint.
What your quote should include
- What insurance they hold
- What the quote includes, VAT included or not
- Is the old sealant removed completely?
- Whether the sealant suits the joint
Windows and doors in Hoy
Hoy is close to the coast, and homes near the sea take more wind-driven rain, with salt in the air closer to the shore. Both are hard on the mastic around older windows and doors, which can dry out and crack sooner where a building faces the weather. On the islands, wind and salt spray are hard on outside sealant.
Whether the job is in Hoy itself or nearby, the right material for each joint matters as much as a neat finish.
Hoy is about 14 miles west of Kirkwall, in the Orkney Islands. Jobs in Hoy get the same care as everywhere else we work: the old material taken out, joints prepared properly and a 12-month guarantee. Our the Orkney Islands coverage runs to 51 places, and Hoy is one of them.
Here we cover the KW16 postcode area for sand mastic. With the B9049 close by, Hoy is easy for our applicators to reach for sand mastic. Nearby, we also carry out sand mastic in Stromness (4 miles north), Cairston (5 miles north), Clestrain (5 miles north-east), Midland (5 miles east) and Clouston (6 miles north-east). Island and remote addresses take a little more planning, so please mention your location when you send an email to info@mrmastic.co.uk.
What’s near Hoy
A little further out are Stromness Museum (3.3 miles north). Not far away are Round Hill and South Dam.
When it is not the sealant
Before you book, it’s worth knowing the limits too:
- Sashes that need overhauling
- Cracked or broken glass
- Decayed frames that need repair
If in doubt, email us at info@mrmastic.co.uk and we will say what we think before you book.
What we seal
- Stone surrounds
- Period & listed homes
- Sash and case windows
- Timber door frames
- Brick reveals
- Tenement windows