Window architrave and general window butchery advice

[Rake722]

Hi all, carrying on with our work on the house which is Edwardian semi detached large headache.

The previous owners have installed UPVC windows into the timber frames in the upstairs first floor front bay. The decorative trim around the windows in some places seems to have become damaged by moisture. I can only assume they are still fairly solid but when pressed they press into the recess behind them on one side but not on the other and I’m sure that’s not right I’d appreciate any advice as to how to make these windows beautiful again if that’s at all possible..

Further to the window trims the main uprights and some of the bottom wooden beams have had filler very poorly applied to them where I can only assume older sections of the window frames have been removed.

How can I make these window frames nice again ?

Thank you

 

[Cubist]

Could you clarify;
When you press on the trim/moulding is the movement you're finding on the side nearest to internal wall or the window side?
When you say the 'other side' do you mean the moulding on the opposite side of the bay or the other edge of that same trim/moulding?
Is the third picture an example of the frame repairs you're concerned with?
How confident are you that the canopy/roof section above the bay window is no longer leaking?
Are there any gutters immediately above or to the sides of the bay that may also be leaking?

 

[Rake722]

Could you clarify;
When you press on the trim/moulding is the movement you're finding on the side nearest to internal wall or the window side?
When you say the 'other side' do you mean the moulding on the opposite side of the bay or the other edge of that same trim/moulding?
Is the third picture an example of the frame repairs you're concerned with?
How confident are you that the canopy/roof section above the bay window is no longer leaking?
Are there any gutters immediately above or to the sides of the bay that may also be leaking?

Thanks for the reply to clarify.

The exterior trim on the left-hand side of the bay is the one that has movement in it when you press the side of the trim closest to the plasterwork it pushes in and flexes out again. It does not do that on the equivalent trim on the opposite side of the bay.

Yes, the third picture is of the trim that has the movement and peeling paint on it.

I’m very confident that the leak has been repaired because I have had a roofer look at the lead flashing in the small bay directly above the section of ceiling where the water ingress was from. The plaster and cornice above the window frame was also damaged and has lots of efflorescence coming through and the ceiling has dropped breaking one of the mouldings.

The fourth picture shows where a previous beam or part of the frame has been taken away and poorly filled and fixed. As this is going to be our bedroom, I’d like to make it as nice as possible the way it is at the moment simply depresses me when I look at it.

Thank you

 

[fernicarry]

I would guess that the studs the architrave are attached to have rotted and are no longer providing support. The youtube fix for this is to squirt gun foam in behind it. The proper fix is to carefully dismantle and repair as needed but be prepared to find a horror show behind there...

The whole bay does look like its well overdue for some TLC. As PVC retrofits go its not the worst, you still have a lot of the original joinery left. You can sand that dreadful filler back to the correct profile, or it might be better to hack it out completely and sink in a replacement piece of the correct profile.

With the application of an appropriate amount of blood, sweat and tears it can be beautiful again.

 

[Rake722]

I would guess that the studs the architrave are attached to have rotted and are no longer providing support. The youtube fix for this is to squirt gun foam in behind it. The proper fix is to carefully dismantle and repair as needed but be prepared to find a horror show behind there...

The whole bay does look like its well overdue for some TLC. As PVC retrofits go its not the worst, you still have a lot of the original joinery left. You can sand that dreadful filler back to the correct profile, or it might be better to hack it out completely and sink in a replacement piece of the correct profile.

With the application of an appropriate amount of blood, sweat and tears it can be beautiful again.

Thank you I had a feeling this would be the case. I’m not particularly skilled myself so I may have to get somebody to have a look at this for me.

 

[fernicarry]

To be brutally honest I doubt you'll be able to find someone who is interested in spending the time and taking the care necessary to restore what you have. More likely they will reduce it to match wood and replace it with something "modern" whilst charging you like the Light Brigade for the privilege. Sorry to be so fatalistic. I've just been disappointed so many times by tradespeople that I've all but given up on engaging them. We all started out with no skills so I'd encourage you to have a go yourself. Realise it might look overwhelming but you can ask lots of questions in this forum to keep you going.

 

[Rake722]

To be brutally honest I doubt you'll be able to find someone who is interested in spending the time and taking the care necessary to restore what you have. More likely they will reduce it to match wood and replace it with something "modern" whilst charging you like the Light Brigade for the privilege. Sorry to be so fatalistic. I've just been disappointed so many times by tradespeople that I've all but given up on engaging them. We all started out with no skills so I'd encourage you to have a go yourself. Realise it might look overwhelming but you can ask lots of questions in this forum to keep you going.

Thank you.

I have found someone who is a master craftsman who has had a look at it and suggested that he can help. He isn’t your typical joiner and is semi retired. He suggested I go to the local timber merchants with a piece of the trim and see if they have an equivalent or can make one.

He also suggested sanding the filler back to the correct profile

I will do as he suggests and go and see if I can find the same profile in the same size and take it from there.

Otherwise I’ll be back with questions if I do it myself

Thank you

 

[fernicarry]

Sounds like you've found the right kind of person. Let us know how you get on.