How To Stop Dry Rot In Window Frame And Repair Damage

Window with wood rot Rot is caused by a type of fungus that eliminates wood, and if wood is left untreated or severely exposed to the weather, it can begin to take place. However, you can fix rotted wood on windows yourself, providing you've got the right tools and know-how.

You will need:

Chisel or a wide screwdriver
Drill with a ¼ inch bit
Wet rot wood hardener and wood filler (Ronseal do both)
A plastic or metal knife
Brush
Paintbrush, wood paint & painter's tape
Various grades of sandpaper

Method for wood rot repair on windows

1. Determine the amount of rot

Your first step is to identify the rot and the extent of it. If there is an excessive amount of rot (over 10% of the frame), it's best to forget about repairs and replace the windows. This is because excessive amounts of rot will cause instability in the window frame, which poses a security risk.

2. Remove the rotted areas

Using your chisel or screwdriver, begin dislodging the rotted wood from the framing until you find the healthy wood underneath. Once you've finished dislodging the rot, use the brush to wipe away any leftover debris.

3. Drill some holes

Drill some holes into the healthy wood using a ¼-inch bit, spacing the holes about an inch apart. Doing this ensures that the wood filler will have a firm hold of the wood. Next, clean away any newly created dust and debris.

4. Apply the wood hardener and filler

Apply your wood hardener to the affected area and ensure to fill the holes you drilled. Leave to dry before applying a second coat. This will reinforce the wood before applying the filler.

Next, apply a generous amount of filler and mould it to the shape of the frame. Firmly press the filler into place using a plastic or metal knife and leave to dry for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer's instructions. Make sure the filler is dry before progressing to the next step.

5. Sand the area down

If the filler is dry, take the various grades of sandpaper and begin sanding down the repaired area so it's level with the rest of the frame. Start with a coarse grade and progress to a smoother one for a better finish.

6. Paint the wood

Firstly, the wood paint that you use should be suitable for exterior use. For a consistent finish, make sure to use a colour that matches your current window frames too. Before you start painting, place strips of painter's tape along the frame to protect the glass, before proceeding to paint the frames.

Although this method allows you to replace rotted wood around a window, it's highly likely that rot will have weakened the frame, potentially compromising the security of the window. So whilst rot repair may provide a temporary solution, we recommend replacing the windows to be certain the security of your home will be unaffected.

Is this method suitable for repairing rotted window sills?

Yes, you could use this method to repair a rotted window sill. However, if the sill has large areas of rot, the structural integrity of the window might be compromised. You might be able to replace a rotted window sill yourself, although we would recommend a full window replacement to ensure it doesn't pose a security risk.

How to stop wood rot

Rot is sometimes caused by excessive moisture, such as that from a leak or drainage issue. After identifying the source of moisture and putting a stop to it, treating wood rot with a fungicide should prevent further spreading. Addressing the cause and spread of wood rot is useful because it will reduce the amount of repair work required.

Looking to replace rotted wood windows? We can help!

If you are thinking about new windows & wondering which wood type would last longer, it's worth considering Accoya Wood. This type of sustainable wood has an estimated lifespan of 80 years & can have any finish applied to it to suit any home. For more information on window care, or for a replacement set of timber windows or even a new set of uPVC windows, contact Reddish Joinery today.