Wood is the most common material in older South Florida homes, and the most vulnerable to the region’s humidity, salt air, and year-round sun. Rotten window frames, deteriorated sills, swollen door casings, and failing fascia boards are everyday findings on homes throughout Palm Beach and Broward counties. Atlantic Window Repair operates an in-house woodworking workshop. We fabricate, restore, and replace wood components ourselves, with no subcontractors, which means faster turnaround, and direct accountability for the finished result.
Wood Rot Repair on Window Frames and Sills
Rot in window frames and sills usually starts where paint has cracked or caulk has failed. Moisture gets in and breaks down the wood fiber from the inside. Left alone, a soft spot spreads into the surrounding frame, the rough opening, and eventually the wall structure. Early repair costs far less than replacing a frame, and replacing a frame costs far less than repairing the wall behind it.
Signs of Wood Rot Around a Window
- Paint that bubbles, peels, or cracks along the sill or the bottom of the frame
- Wood that feels soft or spongy when pressed with a screwdriver tip
- Dark staining, a musty smell, or visible fungus on the frame or trim
- Gaps opening where the frame meets the wall or the sill
- A sash that sticks, drags, or no longer closes square because the frame has shifted
On a sill, the damage is usually worse underneath than it looks from the top, which is why we probe the wood before quoting.
Our rotten window repair process:
- Probe and assess the extent of rot before quoting, so there are no surprises on site
- Remove deteriorated wood fiber and dry the area thoroughly
- Apply penetrating epoxy consolidant to harden remaining sound wood
- Fill voids with two-part epoxy filler, shaped to match the original profile
- Sand, prime, and apply a finish coat matched to the surrounding surface
- Seal all joints with weather-resistant caulk to prevent re-entry of moisture
Rot that keeps coming back is usually a sealant problem rather than a wood problem, and window caulking service is what stops the water getting behind the frame in the first place.
Window Frame Replacement
Epoxy works when the rot is local. When the frame no longer holds the sash securely, the sill has rotted through, or water has already reached the wall behind it, filling over the damage only hides it. In those cases we replace the frame, in sections or as a whole, instead of patching wood that can no longer hold.
Partial Frame and Sill Replacement
Most frames do not rot evenly. The sill and the bottom of the side jambs take the water, while the head and the upper jambs stay sound. We cut out the damaged sections, splice in new wood milled to the original profile in our own workshop, and tie the new pieces into the sound frame so the joint does not become the next place water gets in. The sash, the glass, and the interior trim usually stay in place.
Full Frame Replacement
When the rot runs through most of the frame, or the frame has shifted out of square, we remove it and build a new one to the exact size of the opening. Because the frame is made in-house rather than ordered in a stock size, arched and other non-standard openings are handled the same way as standard ones. The existing sash and glass go back into the new frame when they are still in good condition.
Frame Replacement or a New Window
If the sash and glass are failing along with the frame, rebuilding the frame alone buys you little. In that case the work continues as new window installation, with the rough opening repaired first so the new unit sits on solid wood. We make that call on site and explain the reasoning before any work begins.
Wood Window Restoration
Restoration differs from repair: the goal is to return a deteriorated wood window to full function and original appearance without replacing it. This is particularly relevant for historic homes, Mediterranean Revival and mid-century properties throughout Boca Raton and Delray Beach, where original wood windows have architectural character that standard replacement units cannot replicate.
Wood window restoration includes stripping failed paint and glazing compound, re-puttying the glass, replacing broken sash cords and weights, repairing or replacing hardware, and refinishing the entire unit to a weathertight condition. When sash components have deteriorated beyond repair, our in-house workshop fabricates replacements to match the original profiles. Where the old pane is cracked, single pane glass replacement into the restored sash finishes the job.
A properly restored wood window, sealed and maintained, will outlast most vinyl replacement units in a coastal climate. We work with pine, mahogany, and cypress depending on the application and the client’s preference for longevity vs. cost.
Sometimes the wood is fine and only the glass has gone. Both get handled in one visit. We repair the sash and re-putty it, and the pane goes in as glass replacement.
Rotted Fascia Board Repair
Fascia boards are the horizontal boards that run along the roofline and close off the rafter ends. In South Florida, they are almost always painted wood, and among the first exterior components to show rot, particularly where gutters overflow or where roof flashing has failed. Compromised fascia is both a cosmetic problem and a structural one: water that passes behind the fascia board reaches the sub-fascia, rafter tails, and wall framing.
We remove rotted fascia sections, inspect and treat the sub-fascia and rafter ends, install replacement boards in matching width and profile, prime all cut ends before installation, and finish with an exterior-grade paint coat. Where the existing profile is non-standard, our workshop mills replacement stock to match.
Fascia repair is frequently combined with window casing and exterior trim work — if the fascia is failing, the window casings on the same elevation are often in similar condition. We assess the full elevation and quote the combined scope where it makes sense.
Custom Millwork and Exterior Trim
Our in-house workshop produces custom wood components that are no longer available off the shelf — a requirement on older homes, historic properties, and high-end custom builds where standard profiles do not match existing architectural details. Millwork capability also means that when a single damaged piece needs replacement, we fabricate the exact profile rather than substituting something close.
Custom millwork we regularly produce:
- Replacement sash components for historic and non-standard windows
- Window sills and stool profiles matched to existing dimensions
- Interior and exterior casings matched to original molding patterns
- Wood grilles and muntin bars for multi-lite windows
- Door thresholds, sweeps, and astragals
- Custom exterior trim, corbels, and decorative elements
- Sub-sill and pan flashing components in wood or composite
We work from measurements, drawings, or photos of the original. For historical restoration projects requiring documented profiles, we can work with preservation guidelines and HOA specifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can rotted window frames be repaired without replacing the whole window?
Often, yes. If the rot is localized and has not compromised the frame’s ability to hold the sash or glass securely, epoxy consolidation and fill is an effective long-term repair. We assess each situation on site before recommending repair or replacement, and the deciding factor is structural integrity, not how the damage looks.
Can a rotted window sill be replaced on its own?
Yes, it can. The sill is cut out, a new one is milled to the same profile and depth, and it is tied into the existing jambs, so the rest of the frame, the sash, and the glass stay in place.
How long does window frame replacement take?
Most partial frame and sill replacements are finished in one visit. A full frame built in our workshop needs a measuring visit first and an installation visit once it is made, and we give you the timeline with the quote.
How do I know if my fascia boards need repair or full replacement?
A fascia board that feels soft when probed, shows visible rot or crumbling wood fiber, or has pulled away from the sub-fascia needs replacement rather than surface treatment. Boards with surface paint failure and no structural softness can sometimes be sanded, primed, and repainted. We probe and assess before quoting so you know which category you’re dealing with.
What wood species do you use for repairs and replacements?
We work with pine, mahogany, and cypress. For coastal applications where the wood will be exposed to driven rain and salt air, we typically recommend cypress or a composite material for superior rot resistance. For interior millwork or painted exterior trim, pine is the standard choice. Mahogany is appropriate for high-end or historically accurate restorations.
Do you paint or finish after woodwork repairs?
We do, yes. All exterior woodwork repairs include priming and a finish coat matched to the surrounding surface color. For stained wood, we match the stain as closely as possible. We never leave bare wood or primer exposed, because the weatherproofing of the repair depends on a properly sealed finish.
Can you replicate custom or historic window profiles?
Yes, we can. Our in-house workshop can fabricate custom profiles to match existing historical or non-standard millwork. We work from measurements, existing pieces, or photographs. For complete sash reproduction, we need the original unit on-site or detailed dimensions of all profile elements.
How much does wood window or rot repair cost in Boca Raton?
Cost depends on how far the rot has spread, which we can only confirm by probing the actual wood on-site. Localized epoxy repair costs far less than replacing a frame section, and a frame section costs far less than structural repair once water reaches the wall. We give a written price at the free on-site assessment.
Do you repair wood doors and door casings, not just windows?
We repair and rebuild rotted wood door casings, jambs, and thresholds and mill custom replacement pieces in our own workshop when the profile is non-standard. The same epoxy and millwork methods we use on windows apply to wood doors.
Get a Free Assessment for Your Wood Repair Project
Our technicians serve Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, and surrounding communities throughout Palm Beach and Broward counties. Wood repairs are assessed on site. The scope and cost depend on the extent of the damage, which can only be determined by probing the actual material. Book your free estimate today.
