Rotten Window Frame
Soft, crumbling, or discoloured wood around a window frame, sometimes with paint flaking away.
What Is Causing This?
- 1Water sitting in joints where paint has cracked
- 2Poor ventilation around the window
- 3Original timber not treated or primed before painting
How Urgent Is This?
This should be fixed in the coming weeks. Leaving it may allow the problem to worsen and cost more to repair.
What Needs to Be Done
A carpenter will cut out the rotten timber and splice in new treated wood, or replace the entire frame if the damage is extensive. The repair is primed and painted to seal it.
How Much Will It Cost?
National average estimate
Labour: £350 – £1,104 | Materials: £218 – £1,010
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Ask a QuestionPlanning Permission Guidance
Some fixes for this problem may require planning permission or building regulations approval. Check if your project needs permission:
How to Prevent This
Repaint window frames every 3 to 5 years. Seal any cracks in the paintwork immediately. Ensure window sills slope outward to drain water away.
Related Problems
The rubber seals around windows have hardened, cracked, or fallen away, letting in draughts and rain.
Paint flaking, bubbling, or peeling away from interior or exterior walls in sheets or patches.
Skirting boards that are cracked, dented, warped, or pulling away from the wall.
Other Carpenter Problems
A door that is difficult to open or close, dragging on the frame or the floor.
Floorboards that creak or squeak when walked on, especially noticeable at night.
A door frame that has twisted or bowed, leaving gaps on one side and rubbing on the other.
One or more spindles (balusters) on the staircase are cracked, loose, or missing entirely.