Measuring For A Replacement Window
The quantity of sunlight that enters a house is one of the most important things that define the quality of it. A big window that allows plenty of sunlight makes a room look prettier and gives a feeling of openness and welcoming. On the other hand, rooms that receive little to no sunlight feel like cells, and aren’t really comfortable to be in.
While windows started by being mere holes in walls, they have become rather complex objects which consist of several pieces. This has made changing a window task difficult enough that the average person can’t do on his or her own. It is much better to have a professional contractor familiar with the process do the job rather than risk damaging the wall.
Before calling the professional, measuring for a replacement window must be done first by yourself. Most contractors aren’t too eager to come to your house just for measuring for a replacement window, as this will require another trip when they come back to install it. On the other hand, the ones that will be happy to do it will charge you for the extra time, which is quite expensive for just a drive car and two minutes of measuring for a replacement window.
Luckily for you, measuring for a replacement window is very easy. It just takes a measuring tape and a few minutes.
If you’re not familiar with the parts of a window, it is better that you look at a diagram before measuring for a replacement window. Measuring for a replacement window can be frustrating if you can’t tell a lip from a jamb, or a sill from a sash. You can easily find a diagram or blueprints online. Get a simple one, with just the main pieces. There’s no need to get the ones that have 25 references.
Once you think you know enough, you can start measuring for a replacement window. Starting from a corner of the window, measure the width from the inside of one of the jambs to the inside of the other. Do not measure from the trim pieces that will hold the window, because these will be taken off and then fasten the window in place. Now, from the number that you get, discount 1 inch. This extra space is meant for the insulating foam or other insulating material.
Now, again starting from a corner, measure from the inside of the top frame to the top of the window sill. Discount 1 inch again from the measurement. Now repeat both measurements from the opposite corner from which you started.
That’s it, call your contractor and tell him the measurements you’ve got so that he can get a replacement window that will fit. As you can see, there’s nothing to measuring for a replacement window.