timber bay window repair

[Laura]

I'm new to the forum, so hello everyone

I'm looking for some advice about a timber bay window in a Victorian house. It is in very poor condition, with much of the paint work cracked and flaking and large areas where the wood is very soft. I've had a window renovation chap out to have a look and whilst he said he could try and repair, this probably wouldn't be very cost effective. He recommended that I get a quote for a replacement window, so I've had a well regarded local joinery company out to quote for a replacement timber bay with the stained glass panels at the top encapsulated in double glazed units. Their lead time is several months, so I'm wondering how best to go about looking after the window over the winter months. Is it worth giving the window a lick of paint to see it through the winter, or would I be wasting time, effort and money that would be better spent on something else?

Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[MatthewC]

I would suggest that you only bother to repair anything on the window if it is letting in either cold air or water (or both!).

Presumably your new window will be in the same style as the old one, and I guess you have sashes not casements? NB If you have glazing bars (as you probably do), be aware that the modern way is to have a large pane of glass and fit glazing bars over it on both sides to give the effect of it being two panes (and so on for multiple panes). This happened to me when I paid for a new Venetian sash in my lounge - I wasn't best pleased when I found out (but in their defence it did take me over a year to notice).

 

[Feltwell]

Posting up some pictures, including close ups of the worst areas, would get you some opinions Laura.

Be aware that a bay window can look terrible but be structurally sound! Mine looks really bad but the hidden, structural timbers are in good condition.

Don't write off your old window too hastily either - I'd get another opinion before rushing down the new route. Timber windows are almost infinitely repairable, the question being is yours economically worth doing. "Window renovation chap" can mean a skilled joiner who's given a great opinion, or it might mean someone who can replace beading to draughtproof and little else.

Whereabouts are you?

 

[plasticpigeon]

I've repaired my bay window. The bottom was quite rotten on one side, but splicing in new wood and putting on some new beading wasn't too hard, and certainly within the scope of a good joiners skills. They usually only rot at the bottom, so do get more than one opinion. The problem is that most tradespeople haven't a clue how to carry out such a repair, but that doesn't mean that replacement is the best option!.

 

[Tony.]

https://www.spab.org.uk/advice/technical-qas/technical-qa-13-timber-windows/


Quite easy to repair for someone who has the time and skill.

Lots of products on the market in the sheds such as wood hardener that can be applied to the bad areas, fillers etc and paint.

Good luck with whatever you decide, but take time to make the right decision.

 

[Laura]

Thanks for the replies, really appreciated!

The guy that came out to have a look does sash window renovation as his main business (although this is actually a casement bay, with stained glass top openers) and came recommended by a friend so I think he should be fairly decent. He was certainly happy to go ahead and do repair work but seemed to think it would be a large and costly job. He thought it would perhaps be a weeks work and might not be very cost effective.

I'm not at home at the moment, but will take some photos later and post them here. In an ideal world, it would be nice to restore and keep the window. I'm not overly fussed about getting double glazing and I love the look of the original wobbly glass that's in it.

I think the advice here to get another opinion is a good idea. I'm in Leeds, West Yorkshire so if anyone knows anyone locally that they would recommend that would be a great help!