How To Measure For Replacement Windows
Sometimes windows need to be replaced. There are several possible reasons window need to be replaced, sometimes they break, and sometimes they just deteriorate with age. For whatever reason, it’s important that you get the right measurements so you can get the right windows. If you go through a company you will have to pay for all the supplies, time, and any other fees the company wants to charge. If you measure the windows yourself, buy the windows, and install them.
All you have to pay for is the cost of the windows and any supplies to put them in. It is important to know how to measure for the replacement windows, to avoid buying the wrong sized windows. If you buy windows that are too big you will end having to buy new windows, but if you buy windows that are too small you will either have to resize the sill or add padding. There is a good chance you have the old double hung wood windows. It’s important to be accurate to 1/16 of an inch. Getting the measurements is very simple, and should be recorded as width X height.
To find the width you measure from the top right to the top left corners. Make sure you are measuring from inside the recession created by the wooden stopper. Then measure around the middle, just above where the locking mechanism is, from left to right. Then open the window and measure the bottom from left to right, staying inside the wooden stopper. All three measurements should be the same, but if they are not, take the smallest one. It’s important to subtract 1/4 of an inch from the measurement, after all it’s easier to add padding then to make the window smaller.
Once you have measured the width you need the height. Some window sills have an outside downward slope to help with drainage. If this is the case, it is important to measure from the highest point on the sill. This time you measure from the top left corner to the bottom left corner, then the top middle to the bottom middle, and then the right top corner to the right bottom corner. It is important to include the 5/8 inch sill, and to deduct 3/16 of an inch from the whole measurement.
The last measurement you will need to make is for the thickness of the window. Most windows are either 3 1/4 inch or 3 1/2 inch thick. You can buy a new stopper for the inside the frame and install that, but it is easier to make sure you get the right thickness
Make sure to double check your measurements. There are several common mistakes, such as measuring from the outside of the 1/2 inch pocket that the window sets in. If you need to, open the window to take the measurements. Getting the wrong measurements will cost you more money. Another common mistake is not taking enough measurements. It is important to measure the height and width in three different places each. Most of the time all three measurements for each dimension will be the same.
