Rotted Window Frame Above Bathtub: What To Reframe With?

Post Reply | Watch this Post

We have a rental property built probably in the 1920's. The bathroom walls surrounding tub are trashed from water damage, including a wood window frame and sill. We're gutting the tub area and starting new. We removed the old tub surround and plaster and are down to 2x4s (which are good and solid). We had replacement windows installed a couple years ago, including the window that sits above the tub. The window frame and sill is the original wood, and the bottom half of frame and entire sill are rotted due to water damage from the shower. We don't want to remove the window altogether, primarily because of the exterior aluminum siding, but also because it's a newer window. We plan to secure the window, then carefully remove the old rotted wood frame and sill, reframe it, put concrete board on the walls and then either ceramic tile or a new tub surround.

What is the best material/method for framing the window to prevent future water damage and also accomodate tub surround or ceramic tile? Thanks -Kathy