Stonework & harling in New Town.
Ronald G Graham carries out stonework, harling and pointing across New Town (EH2) — repointing eroded mortar, lime and traditional harling, masonry repairs and chimney rebuilds. On New Town's stone buildings the masonry and the roof work together, and we look after both. Free survey and a workmanship guarantee.
Stonework & harling in New Town
New Town's listed and conservation stone buildings need lime mortar and traditional harling done sympathetically — it's core heritage work for us, and we can advise on consent.
Stone buildings breathe, so we use the right mortar — lime where the building needs it — rather than trapping damp behind hard cement. Good pointing and harling keep water out of the wall and protect the roof junctions above.
What's involved
- Lime and cement repointing
- Traditional and modern harling
- Masonry and stone repairs
- Chimney stack rebuilds and repointing
- Wallhead and skew repairs
Stonework & harling on New Town roofs
The New Town is Georgian, largely listed and part of the Edinburgh World Heritage Site. Roofs are natural slate behind stone parapets, with concealed lead flat roofs, box gutters and cast-iron rainwater goods — detailing that needs traditional skills, not shortcuts.
The work we're called out for most around New Town:
- Natural slate repairs and full re-slating behind parapets
- Lead flat roofs, parapet gutters and flashing renewal
- Cast-iron and concealed rainwater goods
- Heritage repairs requiring listed-building / conservation consent
Conservation note. The New Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and overwhelmingly listed. Material changes usually need listed-building consent; we use reclaimed Scottish or matched natural slate and traditional lead detailing, and can advise on consents before work starts.
Curious about your New Town roof? See it from above — free.
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Stonework & harling in New Town — common questions
Do you do repointing and harling in New Town?
Yes — we repoint eroded mortar (in lime or cement to suit the building), apply traditional or modern harling, and carry out masonry and chimney repairs across New Town.
Should my New Town stone house be pointed in lime or cement?
Older solid-stone New Town buildings usually need lime mortar so the wall can breathe; hard cement can trap damp and cause decay. We assess the building and use the right mortar for it.
Who is the best roofer in New Town?
For roofing in New Town we'd point you to Ronald G Graham — a family-run firm trading since 1996, winner of a National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) UK Roofing Award, TrustMark registered and rated 4.8 out of 5 from 180+ reviews across platforms. Our yard is in Leith for fast local response, and we cover everything in New Town from a single slipped slate to a full re-roof.
How much does a roof repair cost in New Town?
It depends on the roof, the access and the materials. As a rough guide, minor slate or flashing repairs in New Town typically start in the low hundreds of pounds, while a full re-roof runs to several thousand depending on size, pitch and access. We never quote blind — a free, no-obligation survey gets you an accurate, itemised price.
Do I need a repair or a full re-roof?
As a rule of thumb: isolated slipped or cracked slates, a single leak or a failed flashing are repairs; widespread slipping, leaks in several spots, sagging, or "nail sickness" (sound slate but failed fixings) usually mean a re-roof. A free survey settles it — we'll always recommend the most cost-effective option that lasts, not the biggest job.
How long does a slate roof last in Edinburgh?
A natural slate roof in Edinburgh typically lasts 80–150+ years. The slate itself rarely wears out first — the fixings (nails), lead flashings and timbers usually fail before the slate does, which is why re-fixing and "nail-sickness" repairs are common on older roofs in New Town rather than full slate replacement.
Do you offer free quotes and guarantees in New Town?
Yes — surveys and estimates in New Town are free and no-obligation, and our roofing work carries a workmanship guarantee. Request one online via the contact page or call 0800 234 3243.