How To Measure For Replacement Vinyl Windows

The Ins and Outs of Vinyl Window Replacement

Past Matt Weber

Windows take a lot of conditions corruption, and their material makes a significant deviation in durability and functioning.

Woods windows more often than not require repainting and re-glazing every 2-iii years, which can be drag on a homeowner's fourth dimension and patience—or their wallet if they rent a painter.

Although painted aluminum windows can pit, they don't generally have the same maintenance problems as wood. Notwithstanding, aluminum windows are notorious for poor thermal performance. Much like radiators they conduct unwanted heat from the exterior into the room. In the wintertime, aluminum transfers cold in the same way. This heat transfer creates condensation and related problems. Many modern aluminum windows now utilize "thermal breaks" to accost the condensation issue and increase energy efficiency. These "breaks" are made of vinyl.

Vinyl replacement windows are a top choice for habitation remodeling because vinyl is itself a thermal intermission, minimizing heat transfer from the outside the home to the within. Vinyl windows look swell, are energy efficient and crave very little maintenance. There's also no need to repaint or restain vinyl windows, since they are the same color throughout.

Withal, earlier placing an order for a replacement window, the commencement critical stride is to determine the right measurement for the new window.

How to Measure for Replacements

The simplest method of replacement is to swap the existing window for a new unit of the same size. This is called a pocket replacement and allows the homeowner to keep the trim intact around the windows. Depending on the construction of your windows, it may aid to remove the one-time interior trim to ensure correct measurements of the rough opening. If the window manufacturer offers specific measuring instructions for their particular windows, defer to those guidelines.

Measure the width of wood windows from jamb to jamb (not the parting bead or stop molding of double-hung windows). Depending on the make of your window, it may help to remove the interior trim to see the rough opening.

When measuring the existing window for width, place the record against the jamb and mensurate to the other jamb (not the cease molding or the parting bead, which are wooden strips fastened over the jamb). On double-hung windows, the parting bead that separates the sashes will be removed from the jamb when the new windows are installed. Replacement windows are sold in a standard thickness to fit inside the 3-one/four-in. pocket that exists between the exterior and inside stops later on the parting bead is removed.

Measure out the window's width in three places—height, centre and bottom of the window. Use the smallest of the measurements to decide the width that surrounds the window.

Measure the height of windows from the sill to the top jamb. The sill is usually sloped to shed water away from the house, so it's important to take the measurement from the uppermost point of the sill. — Measure the tiptop of windows from the sill to the superlative jamb. The sill is usually sloped to shed h2o away from the business firm, and then it's important to take the measurement from the uppermost indicate of the sill.

Side by side, measure the meridian of the window, placing the tape on the very top of the sill. The sill is not to be confused with the window stool, which is a piece of interior molding at the bottom of the window to give it a finished appearance. On a double-hung window, the sill is the board the sash closes onto. The sill is normally sloped to divert water abroad from the house, and then it is important to strike the measurement from the uppermost indicate of the sloped sill. Measure from the sill to the height jamb (not a finish or parting bead).

Measure the window's height in 3 places—right, centre and left of the window. Use the smallest of the measurements to determine the height surrounding the window.

Once you lot have the measurements of the existing window, consider deducting slightly from your figures so the replacement window will be easier to install. Some professionals propose deducting 1/iv inch from the width and 1/ii inch from the height. This slightly smaller measurement ensures the installer won't try to force the new window into place, potentially damaging the unit or affecting its operation. The extra infinite makes it easier to suit the new window with shims and allows room to insulate around the unit.

Remember, the replacement window must fit into the opening plumb, level and foursquare, even though the opening may not be whatsoever of these.

Always consult the window manufacturer's installation instructions because product designs vary.

Most manufacturers will offer standard size windows, and the homeowner/contractor should order a size that most closely matches their measurements, unless they plan to modify the size. Keep in mind that if a window is slightly smaller than the window frame, then information technology can exist shimmed to properly fit in the opening. However, if the window is also big, so it won't fit into the rough opening without substantial reconstruction of the wall.

Some manufacturers such as Simonton Windows customize their windows to the exact measurements requested, and standard sizes practice non utilize.

Replacing Metal Windows in Brick Homes

Metal windows are more often than not fastened with a flange inside the wall backside the brick. To measure for replacement, follow the same three-footstep measuring guidelines but strike the tape from brick to brick to measure the window's width. To determine height, measure out from the brick at the bottom to the lintel at the tiptop of the opening.

For metal windows in brick walls, measure the width from brick to brick. Measure the height of metal windows from the brick at the bottom to the lintel at the top. Measure the height of metal windows from the brick at the bottom to the lintel at the top. — For metal windows in brick walls, measure the width from brick to brick. Measure out the peak of metal windows from the brick at the lesser to the lintel at the elevation. Mensurate the height of metal windows from the brick at the bottom to the lintel at the superlative.

Notation: The brick opening may exist larger than the window opening.

If this is the case always utilize the smaller of the 2 openings to determine the size of the replacement.

Equally shown in the diagram, have three measurements for the window's height and 3 measurements for the window's width. Use the smallest measurement for each dimension.Determine Your Way

If yous're considering a window replacement project for your home or building a new home, it'southward important to know what window styles yous adopt. When people refer to a "style" of window, they are generally referring to a description of how the window operates. Some of the most pop styles are Double Hung, Casement, Bay, Bow, Slider and Picture windows.

To gain a better understanding of what windows "do" and the benefits they offer, hither'south a quick look at window styles provided to EHT from the experts at Simonton Windows.

Double hung windows allow you to keep the bottom sash closed and open the top sash for ventilation in the home. (Photos courtesy Simonton Windows) — Double hung windows allow y'all to keep the lesser sash closed and open up the summit sash for ventilation in the home. (Photos courtesy Simonton Windows)

Double Hung – Both sash (top and bottom) operate independently on a Double Hung window. This allows yous to keep the lesser sash airtight and open the top sash for ventilation in the home. This is a nifty style option if y'all accept young children or pets at home considering it enhances the ability to get fresh air into a room from the top of a window while keeping the bottom sash airtight for prophylactic.

Single Hung – Merely the bottom sash opens upwards on this window and the top sash is inoperable.

Casement – The sash are hinged on the side, and the window cranks open a full 90 degrees for maximum ventilation. This is a good pick for older homeowners who don't wish to strain their backs with the "button and pull" action of a Double Hung window.

Slider – You lot can have multiple window panels that slide open on a track with a Slider window. There's as well the option of having a "stock-still stationary" panel that doesn't open up combined with a window panel that "slides and glides" open. Again, this is a slap-up option for older homeowners since the sliding activeness of the window is easy on the dorsum and shoulders.

Picture – A Picture window does not have the adequacy of opening at all. Information technology'south a fixed unit of measurement usually installed to maximize views.

Bay – Bay windows are created by mulling together three windows at either 35 or 45 degree angles. The windows tin can exist a combination of fixed and operable units, or they can all be operable or all be fixed. These focal betoken windows are oft plant in key areas of the abode including living rooms, kitchens and master bedrooms.

Bow – Bow windows are more "rounded" in appearance than a Bay window. They are generally created by placing windows at 10 degree angles. Whereas a Bay window has three units, a Bow window can accept three, five, seven or nine carve up windows mulled together equally desired.

Awning – With a crank-out Awning window, the sash are hinged on tiptop and the window opens out and upwardly.

Basement (or Hopper) – Like to an Canopy window, except that the sash are hinged at the bottom and the window opens from the top out for ventilation.

Geometrics – These fashionable windows are usually stock-still units. They come up in geometric shapes, such as an octagon, half-circular or rectangle, and are often "paired" on top of operable units to add more light and style to the home. They're also used in secluded areas of the home, such every bit bathrooms, hallways and foyers.

A Garden window extends the space outwards from the window with shelves that allow room for plants or other items. — A Garden window extends the space outwards from the window with shelves that permit room for plants or other items.

Garden – The unique Garden window extends the space outwards from the window. Ideal for over a kitchen sink area, this window features functional Casement sidelites and a stock-still unit in the heart. Shelves let room for placing plants or other items.

Install Yourself or Call a Contractor?

A homeowner with the right tools and carpentry experience can install a replacement window. However, Extreme How-To strongly advises that commencement-timers enlist the help of an experienced professional person to prove them the ropes. If the window is installed improperly and is not plumb, level and square, then a number of problems might occur. The Double Hung and Slider sash may exist hard or incommunicable to remove. A Casement sash may non operate properly due to excessive drag on the sill. The sash pivot bar on Double Hung windows could bind and cause the sash to go inoperative, or the weather-stripping may not seal properly—allowing air and h2o infiltration, fifty-fifty if the sash is locked.

Leaving a little space around the window allows room for shims and insulation. — Leaving a little space effectually the window allows room for shims and insulation.

All window installers, both professional and DIY'ers, should always consult the manufacturer's guidelines for installing their specific units, because products vary past design.

The window must be installed plumb, level and square even if the rough opening is none of these things. For this reason, most pros deduct slightly from the window measurement before ordering to ensure the window fits easily. — The window must be installed plumb, level and square fifty-fifty if the crude opening is none of these things. For this reason, most pros deduct slightly from the window measurement before ordering to ensure the window fits easily.

How to Find a Qualified Installer

If yous're thinking nigh calling a pro to install the windows in your home, make sure to invest as much fourth dimension in finding a qualified window installer every bit you practise in selecting the right windows for your house. Locating a qualified installer in your area may be easier than you lot call back. Along with the traditional ways of locating installers, such as the Yellow Pages and searching businesses online, here are some fast and easy recommendations to help observe qualified installers in your expanse:

New vinyl windows constructed with double-paned, Low-E glass can save energy and reduce the home's power bill. — New vinyl windows constructed with double-paned, Depression-E drinking glass can relieve energy and reduce the home'due south power bill.

Tip #1 – Get to a window manufacturer's website to see if they have a preferred installer programme. Many window manufacturers, similar Simonton Windows, require contractors to go through classes and training sessions to make sure they understand the specifics of proper window installation. Once they achieve a preferred installer status, these professionals are then promoted on the company's website in a geographic breakup, then information technology's easy for you to locate an installer that meets the company's criteria in your surface area.

Tip #2 – If y'all're purchasing your windows through a major home improvement eye, such as The Home Depot, they will have an installer program. You lot tin can hire your installers through the home center at the aforementioned time that you order your windows.

Tip #3 – Enquire your local lumberyards, distribution centers and building production dealerships for recommendations on quality window installers in your area.

Tip #4 – Visit a website like 1800contractor.com, Home Counselor or Angie'due south Listing. Let them match you upwardly with installers in your specific geographic area to receive installation quotes.

Tip #5 – Ask family, friends and colleagues for recommendations of installers they've used in the past. Choose those whose services take been stand-out acme quality with your friends.