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Measuring for House Window Replacement

Brecklin

Brecklin

Red Skull Member
Joined
May 20, 2020
Member Number
634
Messages
403
Loc
Appleton WI
I'm replacing siding and windows this summer and want to make sure I'm measuring the window correctly. I'll be buying windows with a nailing flange, if that makes a difference.

The photo shows a 42" height (excuse my shitty tape) and it's 60" wide. Menards has 60" width windows in either a 36" or 48" height.

Does that mean I'll need a 60x42 custom window? Not looking to change openings to fit a 48" height window. I want to at least make sure I'm measuring correctly. I peeled back the siding and directly above where I measured you can see the nailing flange.

Thanks guys!
 

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The store will usually have a deal showing you where to measure or how to convert your measurements to place an order. I just did a bunch and provided them with the "rough opening" size and they all come about a 1/2" shorter or under the opening size.

And yeah probably will be a special order.
 
Aren't they generally sized by the rough opening? From the prices I've seen lately, I'd want to make damn sure I got it right, even if that meant tearing trim off to see the actual opening.
 
My memory is a bit short, can't you just measure the inside of the window opening then add either 1"(1/2" drywall) or 1.25"(5/8" drywall)? Adjust a little bit from window sill thickness vs drywall.:homer:
 
Lil'John said:
My memory is a bit short, can't you just measure the inside of the window opening then add either 1"(1/2" drywall) or 1.25"(5/8" drywall)? Adjust a little bit from window sill thickness vs drywall.:homer:
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yes you can, it's not hard. Menards and all the box stores have a flyer or phamlet that shows you exactly how to measure them.
 
Lil'John said:
My memory is a bit short, can't you just measure the inside of the window opening then add either 1"(1/2" drywall) or 1.25"(5/8" drywall)? Adjust a little bit from window sill thickness vs drywall.:homer:
Click to expand...
If you have drywall returns that works. If you have nice wood returns and casings it doesn't.
 
1/2 smaller than the framed opening, might have to pull interior trim. You should be able to get a better price than any big box store by ordering from a supplier, usually 75-150 per window.
 
Lil'John said:
But same concept? Unless wood returns are so buried in trim it is impossible to tell thickness.
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Wood returns usually have a 1/8"-1/4" reveal, so you don't know if it's 1/2" or 3/4" material, and are more likely to be shimmed off of the rough opening framing than a drywall return.

Best practice would be to pull the trim and measure the actual RO.

OP is going to remove his siding anyway to install proper nail on flange windows like new construction, interior trim needs to be redone anyway, might as well peel it off now and get hard measurements.
 
This sounds really fucking stupid, but it's Tuesday..

Rough opening, will that be framed with wood or would it be drywall?

I pulled trim from the inside and butchered siding to look, I keep coming up with 60x42.
 
Brecklin said:
I'm replacing siding and windows this summer and want to make sure I'm measuring the window correctly. I'll be buying windows with a nailing flange, if that makes a difference.

The photo shows a 42" height (excuse my shitty tape) and it's 60" wide. Menards has 60" width windows in either a 36" or 48" height.

Does that mean I'll need a 60x42 custom window? Not looking to change openings to fit a 48" height window. I want to at least make sure I'm measuring correctly. I peeled back the siding and directly above where I measured you can see the nailing flange.

Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Wanna come install impact windows on my house only requires 3” screws every 6 inches all the way around in concrete. I’ve got 13 windows approximately 36x49. I’ll give you some pizza and Pabst as payment Ava you can sleep in the neighbors Rv when not working.
 
I forgot about this thread.

Took 3 weeks in September but I got the siding and windows done. I'll attach a pic here.

My measurements were spot on, the windows went in great. Fuck Menards and fuck Jeld Win though. Ordered 9 windows total, 2 kept showing up to Menards broken. Finally everything was in and good to go, so I started on the house. The remaining 2 windows were delivered the day I pulled the old ones out, and they didn't have grilles installed like all the other ones, 1 didn't have j trim on the frame like I ordered, and 2 were missing screens. I had no choice but to install them, as it'd be atleast another month before they'd have the replacements in. The screens fit like shit, there's atleast an 1/8" gap between window and screen frames. One of the sliding windows was probably a 1/4" out of square. Just a whole list of shit that pissed me off but I had no choice but to use them.

It's cool that my house and shop are similar colors now.

Oh well. :flipoff2:
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I just measured the hole in the house, and found a window that fit the hole:confused:

That is how I did it, it is basic +'s and -'s
 
Fandorin said:
I get how important it is to find a solid place for tools and building materials. I’ve been to a few spots that promise the world but end up being more hassle than help. From my experience, a place with a good mix of quality tools and materials is critical.
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Is that so. Sounds like what a spammer would say.
 
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