How to Repair a Rotted Window Frame | Fix Rotted Window Sill From Outside

So you need to repair a rotted window frame? We fix a rotted window from the outside caused by water damage. The wood rot badly affected the bottom outside portion of this stationary window frame and window sill. Removing the window would involve removing all three as they formed a set and this would be a very involved process. So we opted to try to remove the rot while keeping the window in its frame. We did this by working from the outside where the wood rot was most visible.

You can find some essential tools we used for this repair on Amazon:

Titebond 2 Glue:
Titebond 5004 II Premium Wood Glue, 16-Ounces - 2 Pack

Dynaflex Paintable Caulk:
Dap 18275 18 Pack 10.1-Ounce Dynaflex 230 Premium Indoor/Outdoor Sealant, White

Window & Door Foam
Great Stuff 99108862 Smart Dispenser Window & Door, Yellow 12 Oz.

Table Saw:
DEWALT Table Saw for Jobsite, Compact, 8-1/4-Inch (DWE7485)

Oscillating Multitool
DEWALT 20V MAX* XR Oscillating Tool Kit, 3-Speed (DCS356C1)

Wood Filler:
Minwax 21600000 High-Performance Wood Filler, 12-Ounce Can

The abbreviated process is to trim away of the rotten wood and then, in layers, add wood to mimic the size and placement of wood that has been removed due to rot.
The process can be done most easily with the tools we listed above. The process can also be done with hand tools - just takes a bit more time.

Hope this helps!
Thanks for watching!
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Here is a list of some of our favorite tools we often use in our videos:
IRWIN Level, I-Beam, 72-Inch (1801096) , Blue

DEWALT 20V MAX* XR Oscillating Tool Kit, 3-Speed (DCS356C1)

DEWALT Oscillating Tool Blade, Titanium, Flush Cut (DWA4213)

Amazon Basics Soft Grip Retractable Utility Knife with 3 Blades

DEWALT Miter Saw, Single Bevel, Compound, 10-Inch, 15-Amp (DWS713)

The Original Duck Tape Brand 394475 Duct Tape, 1-Pack 1.88 Inch x 60 Yard Silver

IRWIN Hammer, Fiberglass, General Purpose, Claw, 16 oz. (1954889)

DEWALT Line Laser, Self-Leveling, Cross Line, Red Beam (DW088K)
#rottenwindow
#woodrot

[Housebarons]

If you have a smaller repair, you can more quickly repair it by digging / cutting out the rotted section out and patch it with Wood Filler by
Minwax High-Performance Wood Filler, 12-Ounce Can
If your repair is more extensive, then you can see all the supplies we used listen at length in the video description. Just FYI. these links are affiliate links. They are free to use AND Amazon will pay us a small commission if you use them - Many thanks if you do. It helps us keep making videos!

[cannedham]

anything to not have to drop 100k on windows.. i love it. thank you

[MattDelovino]

My home was built in 1989, the structure itself is in great condition but the appearance needs some loving. I just got quotes to replace my 16 windows for 30k… i think i will be pursuing window repairs myself. Its just the trim around the windows that have gone bad.

[fmtvworld]

I have several windows that look almost identical to the windows you worked on in this video. So your step by step tutorial is very helpful. Great work. And thanks for sharing the knowledge.

[Romantico]

Nothing better, and be able to fix your house by yourself and be proud of what you did. I do it myself since i am a handy guy.

[Justin-ifjk]

Looks like a great complete basics video, will continue to research before attempting the fix

[winnaify]

Very helpful, especially that you showed the materials that you used. I never knew about door and window frame foam being different that regular expanding form, and I was not familiar with MinWax wood filler.

[mackpeteno]

Looks good.I have 6 windows to do.Last touched in 1953.I guess it is about time.

[justinhudson]

Nice job! I’m going to be using this as a guide when I do mine. 😁

[darylpennington-zxvw]

I knew the quality of the repair when you first started replacing the exterior wood with knotty pine. Doesnt matter what you did after that. Positive it will rot away again.

[emmajnmerosie]

So what do you do if all the wood is rotted at the bottom of the glass? I suppose wood sections could be cut and applied to both sides?

[alcodelcololex]

Im about to do some wood sill repair, thank you.

[martinfamilyband]

Great job. I have the same exact problem but the rot is on the inside, not the outside. It is along the bottom edge.

[Alicia-wnyr]

What was the name of the hardener that you used to mix in with the wood puddy please

[victornoagbodji]

This is so cool! Thanks for sharing 😊🙏

[johnleeke]

TiteBond II? It's not weatherproof. You should be using TiteBond III, which is rated to be weatherproof. I would put this repair on a 2 to 3 year maintenance cycle because the wood used was not treated with a preservative to keep it from rotting.

[ArthurManning]

Unless you actually took out the window to do the repairs, it looks like you just glued your window in, making it impossible to service properly. I would have repaired the window pane as a separate project. Funny how it was out of focus at the end. It appears that you actually did remove the window at some point since there seems to be a gap there, which is the right way to do it.

[jk]

What type of wood should I use to refabricate the sill / other parts I'm removing?

[bonnieharcey]

thanks so much - I have a 12'x12' window that needs this...yikes!

[parkrantz]

Why not repair it properly instead of patching it wit foam and paint?