How to Measure for New Windows

Many people across Washington are living in homes with ridiculously old windows; the sills are rotten, there’s paint on the glass, and most of them don’t even open.  Not to mention the draft!  If that’s you, it might be time to consider getting your windows replaced.  A proper window replacement not only improves the look and value of your home but also saves you money on utility bills with improved insulation.  If you’re thinking about making an investment, it’s much easier to get cost estimates if you know the sizes you’ll need.  Measuring for new windows can be fairly simple; let’s go over the proper way to measure windows.

Know The Parts of a Window You’ll Need to Measure for Window Replacement

Firstly, you’ll need to be familiar with the parts of a window.  At the bottom of the window, there is a structural piece that usually sticks out more than the rest of the window; this is called the sill.  The pieces around the outside of the glass are called the frame; the frame consists of the sill at the bottom, the jambs on either side, and the head at the top.  The glass part of the window is called the sash.  There is often a window trim as well, but this is purely decorative.

Measuring for Replacement Windows- Record Your Measurements!

Once you have familiarized yourself with the parts of the window, you’ll need to take some measurements. Learning how to measure for replacement windows is fairly simple. Window sizes are generally standardized by width and length, so these are the measurements you’ll need to take.  First, you’ll want to align one end of your tape measure with the inside of the jamb.  Do not include the frame or trim in this measurement; we’re only measuring the glass.  Measure the distance across the glass horizontally to the inside of the opposite jamb; use a level for this step to ensure you’re not tilting the measuring tape.  Take this measurement several times, on the top, middle, and bottom.  Write down the smallest measurement as your window’s width.

After you’ve figured out the width, repeat the steps using the window sill and window head as your endpoints to measure the height.  Position the tape measure vertically, and use your level again to be sure the measurement is not askew.  As before, take this measurement several times, on the left, middle, and right sides of the window.  Record your shortest measurement as your window height.

If you’re measuring for normal windows- that’s it!  If you’re measuring for storm windows, you’ll need to do the same steps, except instead of measuring only the glass, you’ll need to include the window frame in your calculations.

It is always best to measure every window in a room individually, even if they appear to be the same size.  Be sure to record your measurements somewhere as you go.

Getting Window Replacements

Once you’ve got the width and height measured for your windows, you can shop for replacements!  If you live in Western Washington and are considering window replacement, reach out to our team at True Blue.  We have a contact form where you can request a quote for window replacements from our esteemed contractors!  Whether you need just one replacement window or enough for the whole house, we’ll be happy to help.