Dry Rot Repair for Oregon Coast Homes

Dry rot is the single most common structural problem we see in coastal homes from Astoria to Brookings. Despite the name, dry rot is caused by fungal growth that thrives in damp wood — and on the Oregon coast, wood around windows, doors, and exterior trim stays damp for months at a time. Add salt air to the mix and you get accelerated deterioration that can turn a solid window frame into soft, crumbling wood in just a few years.

Why the Coast Is Especially Vulnerable

Inland homes deal with rain, but coastal properties face a combination of factors that make dry rot far more aggressive:

  • Salt air — Airborne salt crystals are hygroscopic, meaning they attract and hold moisture against wood surfaces. This keeps frames, sills, and trim damp even during dry spells.
  • Persistent fog and humidity — Oregon coast towns routinely see 80-100% humidity for weeks at a time, especially in spring and fall. Wood never fully dries out.
  • Wind-driven rain — Coastal storms push water into joints, gaps, and caulk failures that would stay dry in sheltered inland locations. Water penetrates behind trim and siding where it cannot evaporate.
  • Failed window seals — When insulated glass unit seals break down, condensation forms between panes and wicks into the surrounding wood frame, feeding rot from the inside out.

Frame Repair and Glass Replacement in One Trip

Most glass companies will replace your window but leave the rotted frame for a carpenter to deal with. Most carpenters will fix the frame but cannot replace the glass. That means two contractors, two schedules, and two bills. Martin Glass handles both. Our crews repair the structural framing — cutting out rotted wood, treating remaining lumber, and installing new rot-resistant material — then set the new glass or window unit into a solid, properly prepared opening. Everything gets done in a single visit so there is no gap where an exposed opening lets more moisture in.

What to Look For

Dry rot often starts in places you cannot easily see. Here are warning signs that it is time to call us:

  • Paint bubbling, cracking, or peeling around window frames or door trim
  • Wood that feels soft or spongy when you press on it
  • Visible discoloration or dark staining on frames and sills
  • Windows that stick, bind, or will not lock properly
  • Foggy or condensation-filled double-pane glass (indicates seal failure, often accompanied by frame rot)

Coast-Wide Service

Martin Glass is based at 1900 Baseline St, Cornelius, and we make regular service trips to coastal communities throughout Tillamook, Lincoln, and Clatsop counties. Whether your beach house in Cannon Beach needs one window frame rebuilt or your Yachats rental property needs a full window overhaul, we will come to you with everything needed to complete the job.

Get a Free Estimate

Ready to get started? Call Martin Glass at 503-640-2044 or contact us online for a free estimate. We proudly travel to your coastal community and surrounding communities from our shop in Cornelius.