Measure Your Own Windows and Doors

I grew up taking engines apart just to figure out how the components fit together. You can use that exact same hands-on logic to measure your own windows. I am not going to pretend a homeowner cannot read a steel tape measure. You can do this yourself, get a real number from us quickly, and skip the high-pressure sales appointment.

Are you measuring the old frame or the structural opening?

This is the most expensive mistake you can make. A retrofit window sits inside the existing frame. A full-frame replacement requires tearing the old frame out entirely down to the structural studs. If your existing frame is rotted or leaking, a retrofit just hides the rot. Measure the width and height in three places (top, middle, bottom) and give us the smallest number. Do not round up.

When should you stop and let a professional take over?

Here is my refusal to sell. If you do not understand sill flashing and structural headers, do not attempt to install a window yourself. If your opening is on the second story, if the frame is severely rotted, or if you live in a coastal windstorm zone where the installation must meet Texas Department of Insurance codes, stop immediately. Call a professional. A badly flashed window will rot the wall of your house, and no manufacturer warranty covers a terrible installation.

How do you check for a shifting foundation?

When measuring a patio door, use a long straightedge and a torpedo level on the floor. Houston slabs frequently drop in the middle. If the sill is out of level by half an inch, the door will bind. Note which panels slide and take four photos of the opening, including one with the tape measure clearly visible.

Send the numbers through the quote form. We will verify the measurements against your photos before we cut a single piece of aluminum.