Desparate for help on repair of rotted window stile and bottom rail

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Oh goodness, I've tried and tried. Different fillers, plaster. It either crumbles or simply drops out
as a lump. What to do please about my lovely stained glass window.

Keep well everyone.
 

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You need to stabilise the wood first. A penetrating epoxy sealer should work.
 
Does that mean use that and then fill with say a polyfiller?
Thank you Swwils.
 
You most likely will need to attach some additional wood before filling. Everbuild Stixall is a ideal for this job, it's cheap, flexible and technically a vinyl composite adhesive.

Once you get it close enough a high performance wood filler should be ok. Possibly with a few applications without rushing.
 
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I thought I'd finished asking but I'm a bit concerned how to about this. What about, 1: cutting back, 2. put some filler wood in with Stixall. 3. Fill. Could I beg some comments please on procedure, I 'm a bit hesitant how,where to start.
Best to all.
 
To be honest the best answer you have is to have a new light (the opening window frame) made. No repair will maintain the necessary strength on a hinged side.
your best answer is find a semi-retired old school carpenter and they should be able to make you one that will take your existing glass.
 
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You need to cut away the soft rotten timber- then let it dry. Then apply an epoxy wood hardener- they are two part products that you mix in a tub, using a throw away brush to apply them.

In theory, you could back fill the lot with a suitable epoxy resin filler but that would be incredibly expensive.

The more common method is to "splice" in a bit of timber and "glue" it with epoxy resin filler. There is no point gluing new timber to rotten timber, the join will fail.

If done properly, it should last a "lifetime".

Ultimately, if you want to do it properly, you need to undo the screws in the hinges so that you can place the window on a work surface so that you can splice it and then fill it.

The two brands most widely available are Timbabuild and RepairCare.

Personally, I would recommend the one hour curing filler from Timbabuild

https://www.chemfix.co.uk/products/...imbabuild-epoxy-wood-repair/timbabuild-erc10/

Unfortunately, a tube will cost +£30and then you will need to spend about £30 for the gun to go with it. On top of that you will need to pay £15 for the epoxy wood hardener. (plus the cost of the small bit of timber).

If you don't want to pay that kind of money, then go down the Stixall path but please do not use the powdered Polyfiller type fillers. They will fail after a year or two. At a minimum, use the 2K fillers. They are two part fillers that you mix. You add a catalyst to the filler which causes it to harden chemically. The thicker the area to filled, the faster they cure. A 4cm lump in the middle of summer can be sanded after about 30 minutes. Unlike the powder fillers, they don't degrade if wet.
 
Thanks so much everyone. I put out for quotes, no one interested except one for £320. It seemed like a quote from someone who wanted to be courteous enough to reply, but not want the job. By the way it is a landing window, (first floor)so I can't get to the other side and if I take it out, I will never get it back.
I am still thinking.

I am grateful for forums such as these. People giving advice through generosity. Kepp well.
 
I'm inclined to agree with #7.

A repair using resin will work for a bit, but in the long run all youll do is to develop expertise in temporary resin-based repairs...
 
Hello CN and trouty brown. I have finished my shed, great fun and probably the last bit job I do.

Trouty brown, I am in Edgware Middx. at the end of the London, Northern Line tube.
 
Have you considered cutting out the affected wood and fitting a hardwood replacement?
It could be reconnected to the window using a dowel at each end with No Nails glue to help fix it firmly in place.
If the rot goes right through to the glass then it's probably best to leave it to a professional.
It might be expensive but since it's an original fixture to the house i'd say it's worth it.
Such a beautiful window like that just isn't made the same way anymore: despite all the changes i've made to our home, i've always taken great care around our front door glass as it's almost 100 years old and irreplaceable. Modern equivalents simply don't have the same style.
Best of luck with it.
 

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