Wood rot repair in Den Bosch & Noord-Brabant

Wood rot is caused by fungi that break down the cellulose in timber once its moisture content stays above roughly 20 % for a prolonged period. In Dutch homes it almost always starts where water collects: the bottom rail of a window frame, the foot of a door frame, dormer cheeks and fascia boards.

Warning signs: paint that cracks, bubbles or flakes; dark brown or black discolouration; timber that feels soft or spongy when you press a screwdriver into it; cracked or missing putty and sealant; a musty smell. If you see any of these, have the frame inspected before the next winter.

Step 1 — Free inspection: we assess how far the rot has spread and whether repair is viable (usually when less than about a third of the section is affected). Step 2 — Removal: all affected timber is cut back to sound, dry wood. Step 3 — Consolidation: the remaining timber is treated with a penetrating wood hardener that stops fungal growth and improves adhesion. Step 4 — Rebuilding: the cavity is filled with a two-component epoxy filler from Remmers or Sikkens, shaped to the original profile. Step 5 — Finishing: after curing (12–24 hours) the repair is sanded, primed and painted with a premium exterior coating.

The repaired section is harder than the original timber, does not rot, does not shrink or warp, and moves with the surrounding wood. Properly executed and maintained, an epoxy repair lasts 10 to 25 years.

Replacing a window frame means new timber or uPVC, glazing, sealing, plastering and painting — and often a longer lead time. Epoxy repair is completed in a day per frame, keeps the original character of the house (important for listed buildings) and is in most cases far more economical. We recommend replacement only when the frame is structurally compromised, more than half of it is affected, or you want to upgrade to a completely different frame type.

After any repair we can immediately repaint the whole frame set so that everything is protected and looks uniform. Read more about our painting services for Den Bosch, Eindhoven, Tilburg and Breda. Dutch version of this page: Houtrot herstel.

Repaint exterior timber every 5 to 7 years, check and renew sealant around frames and glazing annually, and keep gutters clean so water drains away from the woodwork. A sound paint film is the single best protection: once it breaks, moisture gets in and rot follows.