How To Measure For Windows

How to Measure Home Windows

Screen Shot 2018-05-08 at 4.30.46 PM Step one. Take three horizontal measurements of the window frame for the rough opening width.

Measure the altitude horizontally across your frame at the tiptop, at the eye and at the lesser from each side jamb.
Circle the smallest measurement of the three figures.
The smallest measurement is your rough opening width, the main measurement to reference when purchasing a replacement window.

* Tip: Ever list window measurements with width before top.

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Footstep ii. Take 3 vertical measurements of the window frame for the crude opening height.

Mensurate the distance vertically across your frame from top to bottom on the left, middle, and right side of the window from head jamb to the window sill.
Circle the smallest measurement of the three figures, this is your rough opening height.

* Tip: If your window sill is sloped, measure from the highest indicate of the window sill, which is usually right against your window.

Step 3. Measure the depth of the window's opening.

Finding the right depth is important because some windows volition be too deep to fit into a replacement window opening.
Run a tape measure from the exterior of the frame to the within and take the measurement from edge to border of the window frame.
Do this in several locations around the window frame and rely on the smallest measurement once again every bit your final dimension.

* Tip: If you tin can not open your window, measure the depth on each side of the glass and add together them together. Then add together the thickness of your window drinking glass pane. A single window glass pane is usually 1/eight″ or 3mm in thickness.

Learn almost the standard window sizes yous tin can await to find here.

Measuring Rough Openings

It is vital that you get your window measurements exactly correct. Otherwise, your dwelling will exist subject to drafts, which will increase your free energy bills, expose y'all to the elements, and reduce your condolement at home.

Commencement, take a horizontal measurement of the replacement window frame. To practice this, mensurate the distance across your frame at the peak, at the middle, and at the bottom. Write down the smallest measurement of the three figures. The smallest measurement is the one to reference when purchasing a window. Do the aforementioned matter when measuring the peak. Accept a measurement at the center of the window and at either side to meet which section is the smallest. Keep the two smallest numbers, i for the width and one for height and rely on those to brand your purchasing decisions.
You also have to measure out the depth of the window opening. The depth is important because some windows will be likewise deep to fit into an opening. Run a tape measure out from the exterior of the frame to the inside and take the measurement from border to border. Exercise this in several dissimilar locations around the window and rely on the smallest figure.

At present that you take the measurements, you can use them to purchase windows that will fit into the infinite available. The windows should exist approximately two inches narrower and two inches shorter than the measured infinite. This leaves an inch of space around each side of the window for positioning and adjusting the window to fit exactly where you desire it. Use the depth measurement to ensure that your windows volition not be sticking out of the frame opening—the windows don't have to be much smaller than the depth. It may be best to notice a local window replacement contractor.

What to Know Before Purchasing

Bring your rough opening window measurements with y'all and use them when purchasing your replacement windows and make sure yous are paying a fair cost and know the average replacement window installation costs.

Nearly likely, you will be given the measurements of any windows that you lot program on purchasing. Withal, you should measure them yourself to ensure that they are the right size for your window openings.

Use a record measure to measure the height of the window from top to lesser in iii different places. Make note of the largest of the three measurements but in example the window is not uniform in tiptop.
Then measure across the window from outside jamb to outside jamb to see how wide the window is. Take 3 measurements and use the largest.
Finally, measure out the depth of the window unit of measurement in several locations to see if it is going to fit in your opening.
Compare the window measurements to the space bachelor in your rough opening to run across if the windows are compatible.

Most of the fourth dimension, you will not take to do this when ordering windows because the measurements will be readily bachelor. Information technology is still good practice to accept window measurements whenever you have windows physically available to you, even if information technology is but to double check someone else's work. In that location is cipher worse than getting windows dwelling that don't fit.

Easy Window Installation

Windows that are sized properly are much easier to install than windows that aren't the correct size. It's a elementary matter to put wedges around the window and level and plumb it before nailing, screwing, or stapling it into place no affair which window type yous have installed. Simply when the infinite around the windows is not right, the installation will be more complicated. Either at that place will non be enough infinite to level and plumb the window and cloth will have to exist cut away or the window will sit down crooked. If there is also much space, it will be hard to shim the windows and lock them into identify properly.

Draft-Free Windows

Drafts are common when windows are non properly installed. They occur for a few unlike reasons. The get-go reason is that at that place are gaps left open up around the outside of the windows. This unremarkably happens when there is besides much infinite around a window and the gaps are non filled properly. It is much more than difficult to fill in the space when it is larger than an inch.

Drafts are as well caused when windows warp and the seals between panes break.This occurs when windows are crammed into also tight of a space and they expand and contract against the surrounding material.

The good news is that once yous have learned how to measure out windows, drafts will exist a thing of the past.

Stable Windows

The windows will need some infinite between the glass and the frame to prevent issues due to expansion and contraction. The trick is that they demand to be shut plenty to be effectively anchored to the frame. Nearly an inch of space around the windows is the perfect compromise. It is enough space to keep the windows from pressing against the frame and causing bug, and shut plenty to facilitate secure anchoring.

Consider Exterior Infinite

If you lot opt for a swinging window—such as a casement or awning window—consider how much exterior space is available. These windows swing out from your home, so if you try to install one of them at the superlative of your roof where overhangs get in the way, it will not piece of work out well. If there is a possible obstruction around the outside of your window opening, make sure you lot business relationship for information technology. Whether your dwelling house is congenital right next to the garage, or yous have other parts of the home or g to work around, keep in heed how much swing space you will need to allow.

Cutting a Crude Opening for a Replacement Window

What if you are more interested in making an opening around a window that you already purchased?

To practise this, just take the measurements of the window using the steps above and decide what depth, width, and height you need for the window. The depth tin can be the aforementioned as the window measurements, but the pinnacle and width of the opening both need to be two inches larger than the window to account for 1 inch of space on all sides. This leaves y'all with space to brand adjustments, which will help keep the window level and plumb during installation.

With the opening cut to the proper specifications, you volition accept to build a frame for the window to sit in. Kickoff yous volition put in a header, and then you volition put in cripple studs both above and underneath the crude opening for your window. This will assistance transfer the weight of your home down through the studs rather than through the window.

Information technology is crucial to go the header and cripple studs in place earlier trying to install a window in the rough opening. Without these, you lot could put pressure on the window and cause information technology to warp and perhaps break.

Hiring a Local Window Installer

You can attempt to install replacement windows on your ain, but there are a lot of things that can potentially go wrong. If you lot are unsure about any of the steps, or if you lot don't take structure experience, it is all-time to go out the work upwardly to a professional. Certain, y'all will spend a chip more money, simply you lot volition save time in the procedure and do good from a window warranty when a licensed professional person handles the installation. Best of all, you will have peace of listen that your windows volition go along your home rubber, protected, and comfy for years to come.