West Sussex · England
Sand mastic for sash & case windows in West Dean, West Sussex
Window and door surrounds in West Dean need attention? We remove the old material, prepare the joints and seal them properly.
- Cracked mastic round a front door frame
- Mastic that needs renewing before redecorating
- Draughty sash windows at the surround
Sand mastic in West Dean, done properly
On many period windows, sand mastic looks right and suits the building. On modern frames we’d normally use a flexible sealant, and we’ll talk through which suits your home. If you have modern sealant on a period surround and mastic round period door frames that has failed, we can put it right, on timber door frames, stone surrounds and sash and case windows alike.
Outdoor sealant needs dry, clean surfaces, so work on frames around West Dean is planned for dry weather. Let us know about access to all the frames, upstairs ones included.
Our work is backed for twelve months, in West Dean and everywhere else we cover.
- Where
- West Dean (PO18)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Guarantee
- One year on every job
- Quote
- Quoted before any work starts
- Phone
- 0345 464 0079
- Page updated
- 26 October 2026
What sand mastic looks like in West Dean
Compared with the north and west, the South East gets less rain, but outside sealant still needs a dry, clean surface, so outdoor work is planned around the forecast. With historic houses such as West Dean House (about 0.1 miles north-east) nearby, there’s older building stock in the area around West Dean as well as newer homes. In older buildings, older frames set in brick or stone need a sealant that suits them, and sometimes that’s traditional sand mastic.
In the older streets around The Parish Church of St Andrew, frames set in older brick or stone need a sealant that suits the wall as well as the frame. For landlords with property near Fishbourne station, older sash windows in a rental need their mastic kept sound to keep the weather out.
West Dean is about 4 miles north of Chichester, in West Sussex. We provide sand mastic to homes and businesses in West Dean and nearby, as part of our work across West Sussex. West Dean is one of 371 towns and villages in West Sussex where we work. Portsmouth is on our list too, around 15 miles away.
All of PO18 is within our area for sand mastic, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We also cover the places around West Dean: Singleton (1 mile east), Charlton (2 miles east), East Dean (3 miles east), Cocking (3 miles north) and Bepton (4 miles north). We also work in nearby towns such as Bognor Regis (9 miles south-east), Chichester (4 miles south), Selsey (12 miles south), Littlehampton (13 miles south-east), Emsworth (8 miles south-west) and Rustington (13 miles south-east).
What’s near West Dean
The closest station to West Dean is Fishbourne station, roughly 4.8 miles south of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Chichester Castle (4.5 miles south) and Museum of Gardening (within half a mile north-east). Not far away are Levin Down and Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve.
Signs you need sand mastic in West Dean
Decorating can disturb tired mastic. Many people find it crumbling when they prepare the windows, which is a good time to renew it.
People generally contact us when they notice something like this:
- Cracked mastic round a front door frame
- Silicone on a period window that looks wrong
- Gaps where the frame meets the masonry
- Old sand mastic that has cracked, crumbled or fallen out
Schools such as West Dean CofE Primary School are buildings too, and larger buildings have plenty of frames, and the mastic around each one ages.
What to look for in a quote
- Whether they’re fully insured
- How the colour is chosen
- How long the guarantee is
- When the joint can take water or movement
Should I try it myself first?
Not every job suits DIY: work at height, external movement joints, fire-rated sealant and large areas call for the right materials, safe access and experience.
If you are set on DIY, put the effort into preparation: remove every trace of old sealant, clean and dry the joint, and follow the product’s cure time. If it fails, we can still redo it.
When it is not the sealant
A few problems are outside what sealant work can do:
- Whether work needs listed building consent
- Cracked or broken glass
- Timber that has rotted
If in doubt, call 0345 464 0079 or send us an email and we will say what we think.
Surfaces we seal
- Brick reveals
- Timber door frames
- Stone surrounds
- Tenement windows
- Sash and case windows
- Period & listed homes
The process
We keep the work tidy and contained to the joints we’re treating. The job normally takes a few hours for a single window, longer for several. For a village or hamlet like West Dean, the journey is planned in advance: tell us about narrow lanes, gates, long drives and where we can park. Everything for the job comes with us, so a second trip is avoided where possible.
- We look at the surrounds with you and agree the joints to renew.
- We remove the old, loose mastic.
- Deep gaps are packed so the mastic sits at the right depth.
- The sand mastic is mixed and pressed into the joint by hand.
- We dress the finish so it sits neatly against the masonry.
Before we arrive
- Keep children and pets away from the work area
- Tell us if parking is tricky
- Tell us about any water getting in
How to get a quote
There’s no standard price list, as no two jobs are quite the same. Instead, we send you a clear quote for your job. To get started, phone 0345 464 0079 or drop us an email.
Read more
What else we do in West Dean
How we quote for sand mastic
Jobs vary more than people expect. The main factors:
- The old material and how stubborn it is
- Any working-time requirements on site
- Access and height
- Mould in or behind the old joints
Every job is a little different, so each one gets its own quote. Size, access and the product the joint needs all make a difference, and we’ll explain the quote if you ask.
Asking for a quote
You do not need to know the technical terms. It helps if you can tell us:
- If it’s domestic, commercial or a hotel
- Any previous sealing or DIY work
- The address or postcode of the job
- A few pictures by email, if you can
Every job is quoted individually, so the first step is telling us about yours. Simply phone 0345 464 0079 or email us and describe the job.
How to look after the new joints
Simple care keeps the joints in good condition. Our advice:
- Check with your local planning authority if your home is listed
- Ask a joiner to look at soft timber first
- Leave the new mastic unpainted
- Clear gutters so water doesn’t pour onto the windows
Leave the new mastic alone while it firms up. It skins over quickly but needs longer to fully harden.
Fine cracks show the mastic is starting to fail. It’s easier to renew it before it drops out.
Different surfaces, different methods
Brick reveals
We rake out the old mastic and pack deep voids before the new mastic goes in.
Sash and case windows
The mastic round a sash window is on show, so a neat, even finish matters.
West Dean questions
Is West Dean within the area you cover?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We work across London and the South East. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when you book.
Can you do sand mastic in West Dean?
Yes. We work across London and the South East, and West Dean is part of that. You can phone 0345 464 0079 or email us and tell us what needs doing, and we’ll give you a clear price.
Which products do you use?
Each joint gets the product that suits it. Movement, water and weather all affect the choice, and we’ll explain our choice.
How long will you be here?
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.
Can I paint the new mastic?
The usual advice is to leave sand mastic unpainted. If you’re redecorating the window, ask us first and we will advise.
Should I try DIY first?
It depends on the job. Work at height, movement joints, fire-rated gaps and large areas are best left to a professional.
Do you have insurance?
Yes. Full insurance covers our work.
Is consent needed for window work on a listed home?
Checking first is sensible. Ask your local planning authority whether consent is needed for listed or conservation-area properties.