Wednesday, September 14, 2011

How do you measure to replace a window?

Hi

this summer I broke a sliding window in my house. I would like to replace it and the frame and everything fro a newer style window. How do I measure correctly to ensure I get the correct size of replacement frame. I want to remove the aluminum one and replace it with a vinyl frame. However I do not want to buy something pull out the old one and then be left with the headache of holy cow it's just to short to narrow to long etc.



ThanksHow do you measure to replace a window?Remove the inside trim molding. You will then see where the old window frame is and the 2x4 or 2x6 studs are.

Most window measurements are done by measuring the space between the studs and the window manufacturer will deduct enough for you to fit the new one in.

Make sure you have the with and height measurements correctly indicated as well.How do you measure to replace a window?Measure from one edge of the framing to the next from top to bottom and side to side. Then take a picture and your measurements to the store and tell them exactly how you measured the door so they can add or subtract whatever they need to assure the proper fit. I did this and my sliding door came in perfectly with no problems at all. A tip to you though is to call out a couple of installers and have them give you an estimate. It may be cheaper and far less hassell to have them measure and replace it rather than you as they get their doors wholesale and you get that savings.How do you measure to replace a window?measurements are to be given: width X heigth. Some make a mistake by having a window measurement writen wrong. Its just simple thing to watch out for. If your window is 36 inches wide and 52 inches tall then then correct way to tell the window company is that you need a 36 by 52 inch replacement window. I know it sounds like common sense, but beleave me people have done that wrong and get a 52 by 36 inch window or whatever. Just a heads up. Also i measure in the inside of the house. Measure from inside edge of trim. Inside to inside. Write that down then use a flat tool to slide between trim and window. Push in till it seems to hit something solid. Dont be hulk hogan when you do it, just a firm push, it will be about a half inch or so. Add that to the measurement you wrote down. So if you measure 30%26quot; from inside trim to inside trim and a half inch of your tool went into the trim on both sides then you have a 31%26quot; opening. Now, IMPORTANT, after you do that both width and heigth, go outside and measure the outside trim moldings. Rarely but can happen, the ouside trim modling can be smaller than the inside openings. That would give you a headache installing. It is particularly the width we are worried about in that step though. Just make sure the outside molding measurement inside to inside is not smaller than the measurement you got inside the house. If it is then you most use the outside measurement. Hope this helps.How do you measure to replace a window?Since you are removing the window you should take of the window trim and look inside to see where the window frame ends. Measure across the top of the window from left ro right. Then take another measurement in the middle and the last at the botton. If the old window is out of square you might have 3 different measurements. Use the smallest. Do this for the top to bottom. The sills have about a 12 degree pitch so make your vertical measurements to the top of the inside sill. The window people will know the difference when they add the pitch. Best to have it a little smaller than a little larger. This is why God invented shims and caulking.How do you measure to replace a window?measure the rough opening this is the opening in the house frame