Wood rot in window and door frames
Wood rot in frames almost always starts in the same spots: the sill, the corner joints and the sealant joints. That's where moisture sits longest. If you catch it in time, a repair is often enough — you don't need to replace the whole frame.

Cause
Moisture gets into the wood through an open sealant joint, a crack in the paint, or damage to the surface. Because the wood can no longer dry properly, fungus attacks it from the inside out.
How to recognise it
- Soft or spongy wood that gives way when you press on it
- Peeling paint on the sill or corners
- Dark discolouration or small cracks in the wood
- Sealant joints that are coming loose or gapping open
What's the risk?
- Untreated wood rot spreads into healthy wood
- Eventually the entire frame has to be replaced instead of just repairing a section
- Moisture can work its way further into the structure
The solution
For limited damage, we rout out the rotten wood and restore it with a wood repair system. We then repaint the whole area.
We also address the underlying cause — such as an open sealant joint — so moisture can't get back in.
When painting is enough
If the paint layer is still intact and the wood is healthy, periodic touch-ups of the paint are enough to prevent wood rot.
When repair is needed
As soon as the wood is soft or the paint is peeling on the sill, repair is needed. For deep or structural damage, replacing the affected section is the wiser choice.
How Painting Company solves it
- Inspection of the affected areas and the cause
- Routing out rotten wood and restoring it with a wood repair system
- Renewing damaged sealant joints
- Priming and repainting for a protected finish
Preventing wood rot in window and door frames: practical maintenance
The best way to prevent wood rot in window and door frames is to regularly check the spots where the problem most often starts, and fix small defects straight away instead of waiting. Moisture gets into the wood through an open sealant joint, a crack in the paint, or damage to the surface. Because the wood can no longer dry properly, fungus attacks it from the inside out.
A fixed maintenance cycle — for example periodically touching up vulnerable spots such as sealant joints, corners and sills — is often cheaper than waiting until a problem shows up in full. Not sure whether your situation needs attention? A free, no-obligation inspection gives you clarity.
Why choose Painting Company
Painting Company has now completed over 1374 projects and serves more than 261 VvE's, with a team of 14+ permanent painters and an average Google rating of 4.9. With wood rot in window and door frames, it's not just about the visible paint layer but also the structural repair underneath — we have daily experience with exactly that.
As part of CrumBouw and GoedkoopSteigerHuren.nl, we can combine this with wood rot repair and, if the situation calls for it, scaffolding — all through a single point of contact. Request a free, no-obligation quote, and we'll think it through with you.
Frequently asked questions about wood rot in window and door frames
Can I just paint over wood rot?
No. Painting over rotten wood is pointless — the decay continues underneath. The rotten section needs to be repaired or replaced first before painting.
When is a frame beyond repair?
If the wood rot is deep or affects a load-bearing part, repairing it isn't a lasting solution. In that case, replacing the affected section or the entire frame is the wiser choice.
Can I fix wood rot in window and door frames myself, or is this a job for a professional?
Small, surface-level cases can sometimes be touched up yourself, but if you're unsure we'd advise against it. For limited damage, we rout out the rotten wood and restore it with a wood repair system. We then repaint the whole area. Repairs done incorrectly often end up costing more in the long run than calling a professional painter straight away.
How long does it take to fix wood rot in window and door frames?
That depends a lot on the extent and accessibility of the spot. For a limited, localised case the work is often done within a day or a few days; larger areas take longer. During the free assessment we give a concrete estimate for your situation.
What does it cost to fix wood rot in window and door frames?
That varies by situation — the extent, the accessibility and whether painting is also needed all play a role. We give a clear quote after a free, no-obligation assessment, so you know exactly where you stand beforehand.
What happens if I ignore wood rot in window and door frames?
Untreated wood rot spreads into healthy wood The longer you wait, the bigger the eventual repair — and the cost that comes with it — tends to be.
What's the best time of year to have this addressed?
We prefer to carry out exterior work in dry weather at a moderate temperature, usually from spring to autumn. Repairing acute damage — such as cutting out rotten wood — can however often be done year-round, so the problem doesn't get worse while you wait for better weather.
How do I stop wood rot in window and door frames coming back after it's fixed?
We address not just the visible symptom but also the underlying cause — moisture gets into the wood through an open sealant joint, a crack in the paint, or damage to the surface. Because the wood can no longer dry properly, fungus attacks it from the inside out. Periodic maintenance also helps: touching up small damage in time prevents a small problem growing back into a bigger repair.
What materials and techniques do you use for this?
We work with professional materials and paint systems matched to the surface and the load it faces — not standard DIY-store paint. Where needed we combine that with specialised wood repair systems or primers matched to the specific cause.
Do you offer a guarantee on the repair work?
We always discuss guarantee terms upfront and set them out clearly in the quote, so you know exactly what to expect before we start.
Can you combine this with wood rot repair?
Yes, we combine this regularly. If we're already on site for wood rot repair, it's often more efficient to include this in the same schedule rather than planning it separately.
Is wood rot in window and door frames worse on older or listed buildings?
This comes up more often on older properties, simply because the woodwork and facades have been exposed to the weather for longer and often already carry several layers of paint. On listed-building details we work with extra care to preserve the original profiling and appearance.
How do I spot early signs, before it's visibly bad?
Soft or spongy wood that gives way when you press on it
Is a visual inspection enough, or is more investigation needed?
In most cases a thorough visual inspection by a professional painter is enough to determine the extent. If there's doubt about the underlying structure, we look a little deeper, for example by gently testing whether the wood can still bear weight.
Do you also work on commercial buildings and real estate, not just homes?
Yes. We fix wood rot in window and door frames for private homes, VvE's and real estate such as commercial buildings and apartment blocks. The approach is similar, though larger properties are often planned in phases.
Can wood rot in window and door frames affect the value of my home?
Visible damage to window frames, facades or woodwork can create a negative impression during a sale or valuation and raise questions about deferred maintenance. Addressing it in time avoids that discussion and keeps the property looking well cared for.
Do I need to prepare anything before you come round?
No, that's not necessary. Just make sure the spot is reasonably accessible; we handle everything else, from inspection to execution.
Do you use scaffolding if the spot is high up or hard to reach?
If the situation calls for it, we arrange that through GoedkoopSteigerHuren.nl, part of the same organisation as Painting Company. We combine that into a single request, which saves coordination steps.
How quickly can you come round for an assessment?
We respond to requests quickly and schedule the assessment as soon as possible in consultation with you. Request a free, no-obligation quote and we'll get in touch.
What's the difference between touching up and a full repair?
If the paint layer is still intact and the wood is healthy, periodic touch-ups of the paint are enough to prevent wood rot. As soon as the wood is soft or the paint is peeling on the sill, repair is needed. For deep or structural damage, replacing the affected section is the wiser choice.
Ready for your next project?
Request a free, no-obligation quote today. We get in touch, think along with you and deliver the best paintwork for your home, VvE or property.