How To Measure For Replacement Window

7 Tips for Measuring for Replacement Windows

Save big on replacement windows by measuring correctly and installing them yourself.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Replacing former windows with new energy-efficient ones is a great way to weatherproof your home and heave its resale value. While many replacement window manufacturers offer professional installation services, if you lot're a skilled DIYer, yous tin can save anywhere from $150 to $600 per window past tackling the projection yourself. Measuring for replacement windows isn't difficult, simply it does crave precision. The tips hither will help you get the accurate measurements you lot demand to install not bad-plumbing fixtures windows.

RELATED: The vi Best Reasons to Install New Windows

Are your window frames in shape?

Before measuring for replacement windows, you must ensure that you tin install them in your home. Replacement windows are more than DIY-friendly than new-construction windows, but they're not suitable in all situations. The condition of the wood frame around the existing window must be in skillful shape because the replacement window attaches to the frame. If the wood frame has water damage or rot, it won't be structurally sound enough to support a replacement window, and a new-construction window will have to exist installed instead. Simply if the existing frame is solid and "in square" (discussed in detail below), you should be adept to become.

i. Record your measurements.

Accuracy is vital when measuring for replacement windows—yous'll salve time and coin past ordering the correct windows the start fourth dimension. Whether y'all're replacing a single window or every window in your home, carefully record the measurements as you have them. You tin download a measurement worksheet, such as this one from Windowstore.com, or you can simply write the measurements on notebook paper or a reckoner file. If ordering multiple windows, label each fix of measurements with their verbal location, such equally "North Kitchen Window" or "Southwest Principal Bedroom Window."

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2. Bank check for square.

Your commencement measurement will determine whether the existing window frame is in square—which ways all four corners are xc° angles. Installing a replacement window in a frame that's out of square (i.e., lopsided) tin issue in a window that won't open.

Belongings the record measure taut, measure diagonally from the inside of the upper left corner of the window (where the horizontal and vertical trim boards encounter) to the inside of the lower right corner (where the horizontal and vertical trim boards meet) and record the measurement. Then, mensurate in the other diagonal direction and tape that measurement also. If the 2 numbers are inside ¼-inch of each other, the window frame is suitable for a replacement window. If the departure is greater than ¼-inch, opt for a new-construction window.

3. Measure window width.

Mensurate the width of the existing window in three places—at the bottom, at the middle, and at the acme. When measuring for width, position the tape measure against the window jamb on both sides. The jamb is the vertical board along which the outer frame of the window (sash) slides when yous open and shut the window.

• For the bottom measurement, slide the window upwardly and measure from jamb to jamb at the lowest indicate.
• For the middle measurement, slide the window all the way open and measure from jamb to jamb every bit close to the middle as possible.
• To take the acme measurement, shut the window and measure from jamb to jamb at the highest point.

Record each measurement, and then circle or otherwise highlight the shortest measurement.

Because window replacement?

Find licensed window installers in your expanse and receive gratis, no-commitment estimates for your project.

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Photograph: istockphoto.com

4. Measure window height.

Measuring to determine the correct acme for the replacement window is similar to measuring the width. Again, you'll need to take three measurements, each extending from the top horizontal lath above the window (head jamb) to the lesser sill. Take 1 measurement on the far left, 1 on the far correct, and one in the center of the window.

To mensurate correctly, understand that the sill is the horizontal board that the bottom of the window sash rests on when the window is closed. The sill is not the horizontal trim board that extends into the room. While many call that board the "windowsill," it'southward actually the "stool" of the window. Y'all'll have to open the window in gild to admission the actual sill.

Again, record all three measurements and circle or otherwise highlight the shortest 1.

five. Measure window depth.

When you order a replacement window, the depth measurement will non be included, and in most traditional houses, window depth isn't an effect. The only time it will exist a problem is if the depth is too narrow to accept a replacement window, such every bit some windows in mobile homes and modular homes. To determine depth, open the window and measure the sill infinite from the trim in the front end to the trim in the dorsum. This space should be a minimum of 3¼ inches in guild for a replacement window to fit.

6. Round down the numbers.

At present that yous've measured each window, accept the circled or highlighted measurements (the shortest ones in each set) and circular them down to the nearest ⅛ of an inch. For example, if ane of your measurements is 32-xv/16 inches, round it down to 32⅞ inches. If your original measurement is already in an eighth-inch increment, don't change information technology. These final numbers are the ones you lot'll use to order your new replacement windows.

Photo: istockphoto.com

7. Purchase custom replacement windows.

You can buy replacement windows online or from your local habitation improvement store. While dwelling improvement centers sometimes stock a small assortment of replacement windows on their shelves, it's usually better to have a customer service technician place a custom society based on the exact measurements. A window on the shelf might be close in dimension, just it's rarely going to be aperfect size.

Custom orders are best because window manufacturers subtract ¼ inch from both the superlative and width measurements, and so construct the new replacement window to within ⅛ inch of those measurements to give you the best possible fit. Ordering online is likewise a good choice, since the manufacturer uses your measurements in the same manner to construct your windows.

Considering window replacement?

Detect licensed window installers in your area and receive gratuitous, no-commitment estimates for your project.

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Source: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/measuring-for-replacement-windows/

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