How Do You Measure For Replacement Windows
7 Tips for Measuring for Replacement Windows
Save big on replacement windows by measuring correctly and installing them yourself.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Replacing sometime windows with new free energy-efficient ones is a smashing manner to weatherproof your dwelling and boost its resale value. While many replacement window manufacturers offer professional person installation services, if you're a skilled DIYer, you tin can relieve anywhere from $150 to $600 per window by tackling the projection yourself. Measuring for replacement windows isn't difficult, simply it does crave precision. The tips here will help you get the accurate measurements you need to install nifty-fitting windows.
RELATED: The 6 Best Reasons to Install New Windows
Are your window frames in shape?
Before measuring for replacement windows, you must ensure that you can install them in your home. Replacement windows are more than DIY-friendly than new-construction windows, just they're non suitable in all situations. The condition of the woods frame around the existing window must be in good shape because the replacement window attaches to the frame. If the wood frame has water damage or rot, information technology won't be structurally sound enough to support a replacement window, and a new-construction window will take to be installed instead. Only if the existing frame is solid and "in square" (discussed in detail below), you should be adept to become.
one. Record your measurements.
Accuracy is vital when measuring for replacement windows—yous'll relieve time and money by ordering the right windows the first time. Whether you're replacing a single window or every window in your home, carefully tape the measurements equally you accept them. Yous can 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 prepare of measurements with their exact location, such as "North Kitchen Window" or "Southwest Chief Bedchamber Window."
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2. Check for square.
Your first measurement will determine whether the existing window frame is in square—which means all iv corners are ninety° angles. Installing a replacement window in a frame that'due south out of square (i.east., lopsided) tin result in a window that won't open.
Holding the tape measure taut, mensurate diagonally from the within of the upper left corner of the window (where the horizontal and vertical trim boards meet) to the within of the lower right corner (where the horizontal and vertical trim boards come across) and record the measurement. Then, measure in the other diagonal direction and record that measurement besides. If the two numbers are inside ¼-inch of each other, the window frame is suitable for a replacement window. If the difference is greater than ¼-inch, opt for a new-structure window.
3. Measure window width.
Mensurate the width of the existing window in three places—at the bottom, at the middle, and at the top. When measuring for width, position the tape mensurate against the window jamb on both sides. The jamb is the vertical board along which the outer frame of the window (sash) slides when you open and close the window.
- For the bottom measurement, slide the window upwardly and measure from jamb to jamb at the lowest signal.
- For the eye measurement, slide the window all the style open and mensurate from jamb to jamb as shut to the heart as possible.
- To have the top measurement, close the window and measure from jamb to jamb at the highest point.
Record each measurement, and and so circle or otherwise highlight the shortest measurement.
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4. Measure out window height.
Measuring to make up one's mind the right height for the replacement window is similar to measuring the width. Again, you'll demand to take three measurements, each extending from the tiptop horizontal lath above the window (caput jamb) to the bottom sill. Take one measurement on the far left, one on the far right, and i in the middle of the window.
To measure correctly, empathize that the sill is the horizontal board that the bottom of the window sash rests on when the window is airtight. The sill is not the horizontal trim lath that extends into the room. While many call that lath the "windowsill," it's really the "stool" of the window. You'll have to open the window in club to access the bodily sill.
Again, record all three measurements and circle or otherwise highlight the shortest ane.
five. Measure window depth.
When you order a replacement window, the depth measurement will non be included, and in well-nigh traditional houses, window depth isn't an issue. The only time it will exist a problem is if the depth is as well narrow to accept a replacement window, such as some windows in mobile homes and modular homes. To determine depth, open the window and mensurate the sill space from the trim in the front to the trim in the back. This space should exist a minimum of 3¼ inches in order for a replacement window to fit.
6. Round down the numbers.
Now that you've measured each window, accept the circled or highlighted measurements (the shortest ones in each set) and round them downwardly to the nearest ⅛ of an inch. For example, if one of your measurements is 32-15/16 inches, round information technology downwards to 32⅞ inches. If your original measurement is already in an 8th-inch increment, don't change it. These final numbers are the ones yous'll use to lodge your new replacement windows.
Photo: istockphoto.com
7. Buy custom replacement windows.
Yous tin can buy replacement windows online or from your local home improvement store. While domicile improvement centers sometimes stock a small assortment of replacement windows on their shelves, it's usually improve to take a customer service technician identify a custom order based on the verbal measurements. A window on the shelf might be shut in dimension, but information technology's rarely going to be aperfect size.
Custom orders are best because window manufacturers subtract ¼ inch from both the pinnacle and width measurements, and and then construct the new replacement window to within ⅛ inch of those measurements to give yous the best possible fit. Ordering online is also a good option, since the manufacturer uses your measurements in the same manner to construct your windows.
Because window replacement?
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Source: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/measuring-for-replacement-windows/
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