Bay window bottom shelf rot

Hi,

I have a bay window that the bottom seat has begun to rot on the outside.

The wood is rotted about 1/2- 3/4 way back. The vinyl wrap at the front has been loose causing water infiltration.

I'm pretty sure the windows uses cables for support. There is no bottom support. I it does not appear the bottom shelf provides any support.

Can the bottom shelf be removed and replaced (at least 1/2 way)

Is it better to remove from inside?

Thank you

 

There is definetely water getting to the wood somehow. Unfortunately this is a rather common problem with bay windows. I would really want to disassemble the window more and check the condition of the verticals. But, the bottom plywood could be replaced. You'd still have to figure out the water problem or this will just happen again.

 

Hi, I'm almost certain the water came from a loose exterior vinyl covering (peeled back) of the exterior bottom shelf. It's only rotted where the vinyl was loose for some time. The rest of the window is very solid.

Can the bottom shelf be removed by itself?

 

"Can the bottom shelf be removed by itself?"
We are strangers on the internet and you have the window in front of you. So, you tell us... can you remove and replace the bottom wood?

Start by removing the old wood. Then see if you can install new. Hopefully the upper part of the window is supported well so it doesn't sag or shift down when you remove the plywood under the verticals at the house.

 

Understood.

I am just looking some good assurance that the window will not sag or shift as I remove the wood.

Because there are no visable cables or supports underneath, I'm fairly confident that it is hung from the top. If I poked behind the top white pieces, would i see the cables (if there).

Thank you

 

The window is made as an assembly like a box. There are no cables or struts. Look carefully around the edges where the side windows meet the house and at the top for any sign that the assembly has dropped or sagged. You can give the window a push or shake and get some idea of how well it's attached.

The problem is the plywood forms the base of the window. Everything else is usually stacked on top so that bottom ply is probably extending underneath the vertical members. When you remove it the verticals will be hanging and have a gap underneath. The window should be OK short term during the repair.

The tough part is how do you get plywood back in place as you've got to get the new slid underneath the old verticals and into the channel along the outside perimeter. You will need to clean out the old wood making sure that no nails or screws protrude into where the new plywood will go. Then with careful measuring (or make a cardboard template) and cutting you can push or hammer the new plywood into place from the inside.

Another consideration is... you've got no insulation. If you are in a cold climate this would be a good time to frame underneath the window. This can add structural support and provide space to add insulation.