Article:   Home Replacement Windows and Measuring for Pricing vs. Install

     There are two kinds of measurements a homeowner will need when buying new home replacement windows, whether for an existing home tear out opening or for new construction. One for pricing and one for the installation order.

     The first kind is the measurement of UI, or Unified Inches. This measurement will be used to determine the size of the window for pricing the window from the store salesperson or installer/contractor.

     This is not a "feet" measurement (4 foot by 6 foot)-- it's in US inches.

     UI is measured by width first and then the height of the home replacement window and the two measures are kept as the width and the height-- and then added together (the "unified" part). You will want all 3 measures to get the price.

     Basically, measure across the inside home window opening from the inside of the house, from the "wall to the wall" (jam to jam) of the window opening, and just rounding up the nearest inch. '

     Measure as if you were going to put in an old-fashioned roll-up window shade inside the window.

     Then measure that same opening from the top of the window "wall" to the top of the window sill, rounding up to the nearest inch. A common size is 47" x 47". Lots of home replacement window showrooms show 24" x 36" or 24" x 48" or so because they look pretty being really tall, but more often your real replacement window is wider than it is tall.

     The second measurement is done by a windows installation expert ONLY and is done to place the custom size order to the replacement window manufacturer. This is the size the factory will make the window just for the opening in your house and believe me, it's FAR more specific and "full of rules" than a window sales person at the home improvement store will know or be able to explain. You can't "un-order" a wrongly measured window once the order is placed!

     If measured correctly for the order, the window will be just slightly smaller-- slightly being the key word-- than the existing opening so there is room to fit it in properly.

     You should ask very strict questions when interviewing a potential home replacement windows contractor or installer-- or sales person. They should "fess- up" to not knowing and sending someone out who knows, or they should be able to prove to you they know what they're doing by answering the other qualifying questions you have for them. Be sure the installer knows precisely how to do the installation measurement--not just the pricing measurement--since once ordered, the windows are now considered custom.

     Many-- many! contractors and installers lie about their level of knowledge and will tell you they know how to measure for the order. Be sure you trust their entire skill level before you place your order with YOUR money.

     I have seen home replacement windows measured and ordered incorrectly and then after the install, the windows show light under them, leak water and air and might need creative caulking and/or trim to make them fit-- all for the arrogance of construction workers who don't know what they're doing! This includes contractors sent out from your insurance companies to do fix up after fire or water damage too!

     Measuring windows for an installation order is different than measuring windows to get pricing. Be sure whoever you are working with knows the difference-- and don't count on the home improvement centers reps to know! They will have only been trained to give you measurement pricing if that and could give you the wrong information just like any other untrained but "trying to look expert" "advisor"!

     Michael Dennis

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About the author

IPS Group, Inc. Board Member and Director of their Home Improvement Division, Michael Dennis is an avid real estate fix and flip investor, a former long-time replacement window salesman, and the author of several books and websites on home replacement windows including How to Save Thousands on Replacement Windows: The Homeowner's Insider Secrets Manual, and the tell-all report on the big-brand home improvement centers, The 7 Myths The Big-Brand Home Improvement Centers Want You to Believe About Replacement Windows.  Visit their website at www.vinylwindowmanufacturer.com to get your copy TODAY.

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