How To Measure A Window

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Whether hanging new drapes or having storm windows installed, its important to understand which measurements to take. Read the post-obit instructions and accept a record measure or extendable slide rule handy to acquire how to measure a window for any purpose.

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Measure the width at three points and use the smallest measurement. Employ a record measure or extendable slide rule to measure out the width of the window opening at the base, middle, and top.^[1] Write downwards the smallest of these measurements every bit the width. Be certain to measure from the surface of the jambs or frame, non from the short extensions that agree the window in place.^[2]
- A slide rule with extension may result in more accurate interior measurements.^[3] If you are using a record measure, make sure you account for the width of the tape measure itself, which is usually printed on its label.
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Account for the lining around the window if nowadays. Your window may exist surrounded by a plastic or aluminum jamb liner that slots around its vertical sides. This will be removed earlier the replacement window is installed, and so mensurate its width and add information technology to the width of the window opening. If you cannot access the liner'due south width to mensurate, use 1/2" (i.25 cm) every bit an approximation.^[4]

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Measure out the height at three points. From the windowsill surface closest to the window itself, measure the height to the summit of the window opening.^[v] Practice this at the left, center, and right edges, and write down the smallest result as the acme.^{[half dozen]}
- If your windowsill is sloped, measure from the highest bespeak, which is usually right confronting your window.^[vii]
iv
Mensurate the depth of the window if you lot are installing replacement windows. Mensurate the depth between the two stops that extend in front of the window frame.^[viii] Try to measure at the shortest point, simply it is not vital that yous mensurate in 3 places every bit yous did the weight and elevation.
- If you cannot open your window, mensurate the depth on each side and add together them together. Alternatively, approximate past measuring the depth on the interior side and multiplying by two. To the result from either of these methods, add together the thickness of your drinking glass pane if y'all know it. A single pane of glass varies in thickness, but 1/viii" (3mm) is a reasonable judge.
- There is usually a minimum depth required for installing a specific replacement window or storm window, but as long as the depth is larger than that minimum, you lot do not need an exact measurement.
v

Bank check whether the window opening is rectangular. Mensurate the window opening from the pinnacle left corner to the bottom right corner and write it downwardly. Measure the distance from the contrary corners (top correct to lesser left) and compare with the outset measurement. If these lengths are not equal, your window opening is not foursquare or rectangular. In this scenario, you should let the manufacturer of the new windows or shutters know that the opening is "racked" and requite them these measurements.^[9]
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Be articulate nigh where you measured when ordering windows or shutters. Some manufacturers of replacement windows, storm windows, or exterior shutters may request that yous order items slightly narrower than the size of your opening to make certain they fit. You may follow that manufacturer'southward instructions to reduce the size by the appropriate corporeality, or give them the verbal dimensions of your window opening. The of import point to remember is to exist absolutely clear which method y'all are using, since if both you and the manufacturer narrow the window size, it may not fit at all.

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Decide whether your product volition be mounted on the inside or outside of the window opening. Well-nigh curtains or drapes are affixed on the top frame or the wall above the frame, while shades and blinds are usually attached inside the opening nearer to the glass.
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If mounting inside the frame, measure out the depth of your window opening. When measuring how deep your window is, information technology is vital that yous measure in front of any obstructions that may make it the way of your blinds. For example, if you have a double hung window, measure in front of the outermost window, non the recessed window pane. (This is normally the lesser half of the window.) If yous have any latches or handles, you lot may also want to measure in front of those.
- If you are hanging half-length curtains or other brusk material, you may ignore obstructions that are not in the portion of the window covered by the pall.
3

Apply 3 measurements to measure within width and choose the smallest. If you are hanging your object on the inside of the window, measure the inside width at the top, middle, and bottom points of the window opening. (Windows, new or one-time, are non e'er even.) Take the smallest of the three measurements to make sure your blinds or other objects fit.
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Measure inside height with three measurements and choice the largest. Measure inside height (acme-to-bottom) from within edge to within border of the opening. Measure out the meridian at the left, middle, and right points of the window. Accept the largest of the three measurements to ensure the hanging textile reaches the bottom of the window.
- Yous may skip this step if you are hanging a short length of material at the top of the window and do not need information technology to reach all the way down. If you are hanging the brusque cloth partway upwards the window, yous should mensurate to the meridian you intend to mount rather than the top of the window.
v
Measure out outside width and peak at the largest points. If y'all are hanging an object on the outside of your window, measure the height and width of the opening from the outside. You lot may have iii evenly spaced measurements and choose the largest of each, but if you intend to cover the entire window you may simply measure at what seems to exist the largest point. Add together 0.5–1" (1.25–2.5cm) to both width and superlative if y'all want to exist sure you fully embrace the window.
- If you are mounting the object to a higher place the window frame, measure the height between the intended mounting position and the window frame. Add this to the height of the opening.
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Question

Is there a digital readout worth using?

Fred Stellabotte

Community Reply

The Bosch GLM15 tin can be an invaluable tool. Information technology's very uncomplicated to apply and its very authentic. It does non have a lot of bells and whistles, only information technology replaces a tape mensurate.
Question

What is a proposal drawing?

A proposal drawing is a drawing of what a house/home looks like before you build it/set it upwardly.
Question

What is a slide rule?

A slide dominion is a manual calculator, used earlier the electronic calculators came out.
Question

Which measurement, width or height, is indicated first when measuring windows?

Barry Liburkin

Customs Answer

Width is measured first since it's standard practice. Yous tin measure out the width from sill to sill for the sizes and and then repeat the aforementioned for the height.

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Employ a tape measure marked in 8th inch increments or smaller (or millimeters) if you want the most accurate result.
Utilize a tape mensurate or an extendable slide rule, not a ruler or yardstick (meter stick).
If you cannot reach both sides of the window by yourself, take an assistant help you lot hold the record measure.

If you need to climb a ladder to measure your window make sure it is a sturdy ladder and always take someone there to monitor yous. Safety first!

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Article Summary X

Whether you're installing tempest windows or hanging drapes, you'll need to know how to mensurate your windows to get the correct material. For replacement windows, storm windows, or exterior shutters, you lot'll need to measure the width at the base, center, and meridian, and utilize the smallest measurement. Then, mensurate the height at the left, heart, and right edges, once more using the smallest number. For a replacement window, y'all'll also demand to record the depth by measuring between the 2 stops that extend in front of the frame. To learn how to measure your windows for curtains or blinds, proceed reading!

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