subject: Purchasing Replacement Windows? Begin By Taking The Right Measurements. [print this page] When measuring windows for replacement projects, it is important to obtain the correct measurements for the existing window openings in your home's walls so that your new windows will fit into them. If your new windows don't fit into the existing openings, then you may have just turned a simple home improvement project into a possible major remodel. New replacement windows can be built to most any dimensions, which means you should be able to purchase perfectly fitting windows without having to alter the existing window openings in your home.
Here's a simple way to accurately measure window openings for replacement windows:
From the inside of your home, remove the interior window trim from around the window which you want to replace. Using a small pry bar or a wide flat chisel, carefully pull the trim away from the wall without damaging the trim or the interior wall.
Expose the wood framing around the window by cutting back any sheet rock or loose insulation which is in your way. The wood framing should wrap around all four sides of the window and will form a box which the window sits within.
Take the "rough opening" measurements of the framed box which is located around the perimeter of the window. Use a tape measure which has 1/16 of an inch increments, and measure the height and width of the window opening to the closest 1/16 of an inch.
Now that you have the height and width of the rough opening, you can order replacement windows from any manufacturer or window company you choose. Remember, measuring windows for replacement may not be necessary, as your new windows will probably be a different brand than your old windows, and the window manufacturer will only need the measurements for the openings which your windows will be installed in.
