It all starts with a draft.
Nothing major, just subtle gusts of wind that seem to find their way into your living room every morning. So naturally, you decide to call up a few companies for a quote on replacement windows. One contractor took a quick look and scribbled down an estimate, and another just emailed a price without ever setting foot on your property.
But when your design consultant from Renewal by Andersen arrives at your home, they do something different – they look a little closer.
While inspecting the trim around one of your windows, they found it… dry rot.
And not just a little. The wood beneath the window frame had been silently decaying for years, hidden behind paint and putty, slowly compromising the structure of your home.
Welcome to the Pacific Northwest, where dry rot thrives!
The weather here is beautiful, but it’s also a breeding ground for moisture problems. Rain, humidity, and a lack of sunlight can turn small leaks or poorly sealed windows into major structural issues over time.
Dry rot isn’t just terrible to look at – it’s destructive and it spreads through wood like a fungus, breaking down fibers and weakening everything from window frames to the entire siding on your house.
And the scariest part? You normally don’t notice dry rot until it’s already caused major damage.
How to Spot Signs of Dry Rot…
Keep an eye out for these things and catch the warning signs before they become a problem:
- Musty odors near the affected area
- Peeling or bubbling paint that doesn’t look right
- Soft, crumbly, or discolored wood around windows and doors
- Windows that stick or seem harder to open and close than usual
But the truth is, the only way to really know is to open things up – and most companies won’t do that until they’re halfway through the job (if at all).
Why Proper Installation Matters
- Moisture Management: Improperly installed windows, doors, siding, and roofing can allow water to seep in and become trapped, creating the perfect environment for rot to develop. In the Pacific Northwest where rain is frequent and persistent, even small installation errors can lead to big problems.
- Sealing and Flashing: Correct flashing, caulking, and sealing techniques are vital to direct water away from vulnerable areas. If these aren’t installed properly, water intrusion becomes inevitable – especially around windows, door frames, rooflines, and decks.
- Ventilation + Drainage: Good installation ensures that your windows can breathe and drain properly. For example, weep holes in windows or metal flashing above the windows help to redirect or dry out moisture before it causes damage. Without these systems, moisture lingers and accelerates the rotting process.
- Long Term Integrity: Even high-quality materials won’t last if installed incorrectly. Proper installation protects your investment and keeps wood-destroying fungi from taking hold in the first place.
How Do We Do Things Differently?
Unfortunately, a lot of window and door installers skip the most important step: checking what’s behind the frame. At Renewal by Andersen, we do things the right way.
During every replacement project, our installers:
- Inspect for dry rot and structural damage before installation
- Clean out and completely remove the compromised wood
- Replace the affected areas with proper framing techniques
- Only then do we weatherize and install your new, energy-efficient windows and doors with the utmost care and attention to detail
That means no shortcuts, no covering up big structural issues, and no leaving behind hidden wood rot for future problems to occur.
Fortunately, Your Story Can Have a Happy Ending!
With early detection and a thorough installation process, your home can be free of dry rot, properly sealed, and more insulated than ever! When done correctly, it feels like a home makeover done right, combining practical elements with some impressive design changes.
If you live in Oregon or Southwest Washington, dry rot isn’t a matter of if – it’s when. That’s why partnering with the right window replacement team matters more than ever. And with dry rot becoming more obvious after periods of dry weather, the post-summer season is the perfect time to get ahead of the issue.
Schedule your free consultation with Renewal by Andersen and take the first step towards a healthier, more resilient home!
