Wood Window Frame Rot
Wood Window Frame Rot
(OP)
An architect is claiming that the original 50 year old wood window frames are rotting. He has made no tests and he wants to replace all the windows and frames as part of a general renovation of the building. The windows are punched windows - that is, narrow and tall winddows at regular intervals along the wall. I am doubtful of his claim, as he has made unsubstantiated claims in the past that he has backed off from. Is there a test for rot, other than the knife point penetration test? No tests at all have been done to date, not even the knife point penetration test.
Questions:
1. I seem to recall reading that there is a drill bit test where the drill dust is checked for rot by some chemical test or physical test. Is there any such test, and if so, what is its designation?
2. How long can wood window frames be expected to last if properly manintained by periodic re-painting and re-caulking?
3. How often should they be repainted in the Toronto climate? Every 10 years?
Perhaps it is a good idea to replace the windows and frames, but if so, we should do it for the right reasons. I don't know if a modern frame is as good or better as a wood frame. The existing windows are double glazed. I suppose I should post the relative merits of this on a mechanical enginering forum, but I am most interested in ways to detect rot, particularly if there is an ASTM or like standard method, and the expected life of wood window frames.
Questions:
1. I seem to recall reading that there is a drill bit test where the drill dust is checked for rot by some chemical test or physical test. Is there any such test, and if so, what is its designation?
2. How long can wood window frames be expected to last if properly manintained by periodic re-painting and re-caulking?
3. How often should they be repainted in the Toronto climate? Every 10 years?
Perhaps it is a good idea to replace the windows and frames, but if so, we should do it for the right reasons. I don't know if a modern frame is as good or better as a wood frame. The existing windows are double glazed. I suppose I should post the relative merits of this on a mechanical enginering forum, but I am most interested in ways to detect rot, particularly if there is an ASTM or like standard method, and the expected life of wood window frames.






RE: Wood Window Frame Rot
I don't understand how the architect is claiming there is rot damage when it sounds like there is no indication thereof?
You may want to start with a moisture meter probe of the window frames, which will at least give you some information about the current moisture level of the wood, and if that would support microbial growth. However, that doesn't mean there was not rot damage in the past and that source of moisture was somehow removed and now the wood is dry(er).
I found this site on older windows that is obviously biased towards preservation, but has some good info nonetheless:
http://www.preservationnation.org/information-cent...
Also, I have been reading several articles challenging the notion that replacing older windows (mostly talking about residential) is the great money saver that many people have been touting (perhaps the window industry the most). The actual economics in most cases may not work out for the average homeowner. Now, for a commercial building, especially one that is institutional, this may require some more detailed analyses of replacement cost vs energy savings. What many are saying is if you want to invest in energy efficiency of your building, there are better places to start that give you more bang for your buck, such as attic insulation, sealing around other windows and openings, etc.
http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/windows-door...#.
RE: Wood Window Frame Rot
RE: Wood Window Frame Rot
Dik
RE: Wood Window Frame Rot
RE: Wood Window Frame Rot
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RE: Wood Window Frame Rot
RE: Wood Window Frame Rot
RE: Wood Window Frame Rot
ztengguy (Structural)- Whatever is eventually done, it should be done based on accurate and true advice, not on misinformation and speculation with no basis in fact. If the frames are not rotting, we should know that. We may still decide to replace, but we should be sure that we are doing it for the right reasons, and that we are not replacing with an inferior product. This has already happened in another item in the renovations carried out to-date, and then the new item had to be ripped out and replaced.
RE: Wood Window Frame Rot
RE: Wood Window Frame Rot