Edinburgh · Scotland
Newcraighall Sand Mastic
Traditional burnt sand mastic around sash and case windows and doors in stone and brick for householders, landlords and businesses in Newcraighall. Fully insured, ARBOMaster approved and guaranteed for a year.
- Gaps where the frame meets the masonry
- Old cement repairs round a window that have failed
- A silicone bead on a sash window that spoils the look
Sand mastic in Newcraighall, done properly
On many period windows, sand mastic looks right and suits the building. Newer frames normally get a flexible sealant instead and we will explain which is best for yours. We work on tenement windows, timber door frames and period & listed homes, and the jobs we see most are old sand mastic that has cracked, crumbled or fallen out and old cement repairs round a window that have failed.
Older stone-built tenements in Scotland’s cities were built with sash and case windows, though many have since been replaced. In Newcraighall, as anywhere, the mastic between frame and wall is what stops draughts and rain getting in.
Big or small, it’s backed by our 12-month guarantee.
- Where
- Newcraighall (EH21, EH15, EH22)
- Region
- Edinburgh
- Cover
- One year on every job
- Quote
- Quoted before any work starts
- info@mrmastic.co.uk
- Page updated
- 26 October 2026
Keeping the joints in good condition
How long the joints last depends on use and care. We suggest:
- Do not paint over the new mastic
- Keep sills and gutters clear so water drains away
- Ask the planning authority about consent for listed or conservation-area homes
- Inspect the joints round the windows every year or so
Avoid sealing over the mastic with silicone. If anything cracks, get it looked at before trying a quick fix.
Once mastic starts to crumble, rain gets in. It can soak into the frame and the surrounding masonry, so renewing it early is worth it.
When something else is needed
We won’t take on work that won’t last, so here’s what sealant cannot put right:
- Sashes that rattle, stick or won’t open
- Decayed frames that need repair
- Broken panes
If you’re not sure, just drop us a line at info@mrmastic.co.uk and we will give you a straight answer.
Where we work in Newcraighall
- Tenement windows
- Sash and case windows
- Brick reveals
- Period & listed homes
- Stone surrounds
- Timber door frames
Different surfaces, different methods
Stone surrounds
We take care not to mark the stone while raking out the old mastic.
Brick reveals
Loose mastic comes out and deep gaps are packed before pointing.
Windows and doors in Newcraighall
Newcraighall is within about 1 mile of 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. The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with sash windows throughout the Georgian New Town. If a home is listed or in a conservation area, it’s worth checking with the council before changing the look of windows or walls.
Historic houses such as Melville Castle, about 3.1 miles south, show how far back building around Newcraighall goes, and older homes nearby need a sealant that suits their walls. For landlords with property near Newcraighall station, older sash windows in a rental need their mastic kept sound to keep the weather out.
Newcraighall is about 1 mile west of Musselburgh, in Edinburgh. Newcraighall gets the same service as everywhere we cover: the old material taken out, joints prepared properly and a 12-month guarantee. Our Edinburgh coverage runs to 175 places, Newcraighall among them.
Our applicators cover all of EH21, EH15 and EH22 for sand mastic. Sand mastic is available to properties on Benhar Road, Glennie Road and Denholm Road. Close by, we work in Shawfair (1 mile south), Eastfield (1 mile north), Joppa (1 mile north), Old Craighall (1 mile south-east) and Musselburgh (1 mile east). Within a short drive, we also cover Edinburgh (5 miles west), Leith (4 miles north-west), Bonnington (4 miles north-west), Greenside (4 miles north-west), Broughton (4 miles north-west) and Bellevue (4 miles north-west).
Near you in Newcraighall
Typical jobs here are in homes near Portobello Library and Abercorn Park, among other places. Newcraighall has its own railway station: Newcraighall station. Nearby you will also find Craigmillar Castle (2.1 miles west) and Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (2 miles south-west). Open spaces near Newcraighall include Duddingston Loch and Whinny Hill.
Towns and villages near Newcraighall
Other services in Newcraighall
Common questions in Newcraighall
How do repairs to the shared parts of a tenement in Newcraighall get organised?
Shared parts of a tenement, such as the roof and outside walls, are normally repaired with the agreement of the owners, often through a property factor. The Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 sets out how that works where the title deeds don’t. Your title deeds will say who owns the windows.
Is sand mastic in a coastal place like Newcraighall any different?
Near the sea, outside joints face more wind, rain and salt than they would inland, so the choice of sealant and the preparation matter even more. It’s worth checking the walls that face the sea first.
Which is right for my windows, sand mastic or modern sealant?
We’ll help you decide. Period homes often look best with sand mastic and newer frames suit modern sealant.
I’m a tenant. Can you help?
Yes, though it’s best to check with your landlord first. Landlords are often happy for the work to be arranged.
What should I tell you?
Only a few details: the address or postcode, what’s wrong and any access issues. Then email us at info@mrmastic.co.uk.
Should I try DIY first?
You can, for simple jobs. The key is preparation: remove all the old material and work on a clean, dry joint. If it doesn’t work out, we can redo it.
Which products do you use?
Quality sealants from brands including Arbo and Everbuild, chosen to suit the joint. We will tell you what we are using and why.
Do you remove the old sealant?
Yes. We cut out all the old sealant and clean the joint before resealing.
DIY sealant or a professional job?
Overfilling a joint is a classic DIY mistake. A thick, smeared bead looks untidy and doesn’t move well, and the joint depth matters as much as the finish.
Not every job suits DIY: high-level joints, fire-rated gaps, external movement joints and big jobs call for the right materials, safe access and experience.
Signs you need sand mastic in Newcraighall
Timber frames move with the seasons. The movement cracks the mastic little by little.
It’s worth asking for a quote if you see:
- Window mastic to renew ahead of painting
- Mastic round period door frames that has failed
- Failed mastic on an exposed elevation
- Modern sealant on a period surround
Schools such as Portobello High School are buildings too, and its window and door frames need their mastic kept sound, just like a home’s.
Questions to ask before you book
- What the cure time is
- How the surfaces are prepared before sealing
- Whether all the old sealant comes out first
- Whether you can choose the colour
Quotes for sand mastic in Newcraighall
Some jobs are bigger than they look, and some smaller. The main factors:
- The product the joint needs
- The size of the job
- Whether old sealant or filler has to be cut out
- Any working-time requirements on site
The cost depends on how much there is to do, how hard the old material is to remove and access to the work. You’ll have a clear quote before any work starts.
What to tell us for a quote
To make quoting easier, let us know:
- What the problem is, such as mould, gaps, leaks or cracking
- Whether it has been sealed before
- Photos by email, if that is easy
- Where the job is, and your postcode
Need a quote? Please drop us a line at info@mrmastic.co.uk with a few details. We will explain what we’d do and give you a clear price before any work starts.
How it works
Most of a good job is in the preparation, so that’s where we spend the time. Joints are cleaned back and dried before anything new goes in. In total, it usually takes anything from a few hours to a full day, depending on how many windows. Many homes in Scotland’s cities are tenement flats, reached through a shared close and up a common stair. In Newcraighall, it helps to know the floor, the door entry arrangements and the nearest parking.
- 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.
- We apply the mastic by hand and shape it.
- The surface is finished to suit the stone or brick.
Getting ready for the visit
- Mention any parking rules near the property
- Mention if the joints have been sealed before
- Move anything stored near the joints
How to get a quote
There’s no standard price list. Instead, we give you a clear quote for your job. To arrange one, drop us a line at info@mrmastic.co.uk.