Edinburgh’s World Heritage sites, Georgian New Town townhouses, Victorian tenements, and coastal Lothian properties are dominated by iconic Craigleith and Hailes sandstone. These historic buildings require strict adherence to heritage conservation standards to manage centuries of atmospheric carbon, sea-salt spray, and biological growth.
Ashlar provides specialist stone cleaning and masonry care throughout Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, and West Lothian, delivering sympathetic restoration that respects strict local planning controls.
Protecting Edinburgh’s Heritage Fabric
Edinburgh’s severe winter frost cycles and coastal weather exposure demand gentle, breathable surface maintenance:
- Preventing Salt & Frost Fracturing: High-pressure washing drives salts deep into stone pores. As water evaporates, salt crystals expand, fracturing fragile Georgian stonework.
- Protecting Historic Lime Pointing: Traditional Edinburgh masonry relies on flexible, breathable lime pointing. Our low-pressure techniques ensure mortar joints remain completely undamaged.
- Conservation Area Compliance: Listed Buildings (Category A, B, and C) and properties in New Town or Old Town conservation areas require non-destructive restoration to satisfy City of Edinburgh Council standards.
Our Specialist Services for Edinburgh & Lothians
- DOFF Superheated Steam Restoration: Low-pressure 150°C steam care for Georgian facades, carved stone crests, and historic boundary walls.
- Rope Access High-Level Maintenance: Safe, cost-effective tenement chimney, gutter, and top-floor masonry cleaning without the high cost of street-closure scaffolding permits.
- Paint & Soot Removal: Safe extraction of historic oil paints, limewash, and heavy coal-soot buildup from tenement stonework.
Areas We Cover in Edinburgh & The Lothians
- Edinburgh City: New Town, Old Town, West End, Morningside, Bruntsfield, Stockbridge
- Coastal & North: Leith, Trinity, Portobello, Cramond
- East Lothian: Haddington, North Berwick, Dunbar, Musselburgh
- Mid & West Lothian: Dalkeith, Penicuik, Livingston, Linlithgow