Sandstone doorstep, installation and waterproofing, North London
Pictured: The completed sandstone doorstep by Stone Steps and Paving, restoring the Georgian entrance with a watertight structure
The homeowners contacted us to fix a worsening leak into the under-stair area. With the property’s original entrance having been poorly concreted and tiled over by a previous owner, they were keen to restore both functionality and the property’s appearance.
The property is on Cloudesley Road, within the Cloudesley Estate area of Islington, North London – a neighbourhood rich in Georgian architecture and early 19th-century housing.
Before and after photo: Restored Georgian entrance on Cloudesley Road
Pictured: Before and after transformation of the entrance on Cloudesley Road, showing the removal of concrete and tiled finish and installation of new sandstone steps
Challenge: Water damage and loss of original design
This Georgian home had a long-standing issue: water leaking into the space beneath its front steps. Over time, the problem had worsened and the homeowners became concerned it could damage the fuse board located in that area. It is common in properties of this age to find the fuse board – and sometimes meters – housed in the under-stair void. In this case, a previous owner had attempted to solve the problem by concreting over the original stone steps and adding tiles on top. This failed to stop the water ingress, and obscured the original design of the entrance.
The current owners decided it was time to fix the issue properly and restore the staircase to its original character. They wanted a long-term waterproofing solution, and a return to a traditional look in keeping with the heritage of the building and the surrounding Cloudesley Estate area.
Solution: Installation of new sandstone doorstep and waterproof substructure
We began by carefully taking the dimensions needed to order the new 50mm thick Yorkstone. The first stage on site was to safely remove the existing railings and the plinths they were fixed into. Next, we took up the tiled concrete surface and removed the damaged original steps that lay beneath.
As is typical with these types of Georgian properties, the stone steps also functioned as the roof of the under-stair area below. To protect this space during the works – and ensure we could continue regardless of weather – we erected a roofed scaffolding structure to keep rain out and maintain steady progress.
We then installed a new waterproof substructure to ensure that the problem would not return. Onto this, we laid the new bullnosed single-piece Yorkstone treads and risers, carefully setting them into place. Once the steps were completed, we formed new plinths for the railings, which were then refitted after being refurbished. The plinths were fine filled and decorated, and the railings were given a final protective coat to complete the project.
Result: A watertight structure and restored Georgian appearance
The result is a watertight and restored traditional Georgian entrance. The new sandstone steps return the building’s exterior to its original style while offering modern waterproofing performance. The fuse board beneath the steps is now fully protected from water ingress.
The client was delighted with both the functionality and finish of the project.
In their Google review, they wrote:
“Excellent experience with London Stonemasonry, I definitely recommend them. They repaired and rejuvenated our much neglected & leaking entrance steps. Che and the team were all a pleasure to deal with and have restored our steps to what can only imagine is the same if not better than they once were.”
The new steps and entrance attracted attention from passers-by and neighbours, and we’ve been approached about further projects in the area. This case study demonstrates our expertise in combining traditional restoration with modern performance and protection.
Need sandstone doorstep installation and waterproofing in North London?
If you’re dealing with a leaking entrance or want to return your steps to their original period style, our team at Stone Steps and Paving can help. We work across Islington, North London and the wider London area, providing beautiful, long-lasting sandstone steps and watertight solutions. Contact us today to discuss your project.
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Project summary
Stone Steps and Paving restored a Georgian entrance on Cloudesley Road, Islington, N1 by installing new sandstone steps, waterproofing the substructure, and refurbishing railings. The result is a watertight, historically accurate doorstep with improved function and kerb appeal.
