Standard Window Sizes?

[EvianBaby]

I went to measure up my new house a couple of weeks ago but the agent who was there was rushing me so I got all flustered and have spectacularly screwed up the measurements to get curtains.

I really wanted to get some for the lounge and main bedroom before I move because I'm really funny about how dark the room needs to be (or how light it can't be) to sleep in.

Both windows are are the front of the house and looking at the picture they are probably the same size. But for one window I wrote a measurement of 27 across inches and the other 72 inches across. They are not huge windows though.

Are there standard sizes for windows that I could try and work it out from?

The wall the downstairs window fits in is 2m wide.

(I can't really go back and re-measure)

[The Builder]

Assuming they're off-the-shelf timber windows, Evie, then they will be standard sizes.
The nearest to 27" would be a 630mm wide. Finish measurement will depend on how the "reveals" are set. (They're the sides of the opening, left and right.)
Most likely, a final measurement of 610mm (24")

The nearest to 72" (between reveals) would be 1750mm (69")

[buildersmate]

I'm afraid that you can't use this method to work it out, Evian.

For timber joinery there are standard window widths, but there are so many that it doesn't help you. For example, widths based on BS644 have (at least) 2 ranges, one based on imperial frame widths of 483/625/910/1195mm depending on how many panes, whilst another range is based on metric modul size uses 290/590/890/1190mm. There are then at least another three ranges based on the length of a 210mm standard brick.
That's just the standard ranges - windows can also be custom-made sizes.

[EvianBaby]

Thanks The Builder!

I think they must be the latter then as the windows fill a considerable amount of the wall so the smaller measurement just seems to be way too small.

[buildersmate]

Reply constructed before I saw yours, TB. Perhaps it is easier than I thought. My experience is primarily using Jeld-Wen and I used their catalogue to check this info out.

[EvianBaby]

hhhmmm, thanks for your answer too BM.

I really wish I had just told her to be quiet and let me get on with it.

I could sneak around one evening and try and measure them from the outside but that would look very odd and probably end up in my arrest.

Looks like I'll just have to wait and see if I can find time to go and get some on moving day.

[EvianBaby]

Actually, that has helped hugely. The curtains I was looking at are 46" wide each panel so there's a chance they might be too big but they won't be too small, which is the important thing.

Thansk again!

[The Builder]

BM's got me thinking now. I'd completely forgotten about Imperial sizes. I rashly assumed this is a new build. Imp. sizes are usually used in replacing Imp windows in older houses.

Even if this is a new build, I'd also forgotten about modern Metric sizes as well. Before I go and look them up, Evie, is this a new build?

[EvianBaby]

It's 10 years old TB.

[The Builder]

Ok. I'm having a blond moment her Evie......... and I'm not even blond :o(
Scrub the bit about metric sizes......... the sizes I mentioned originally ARE metric.
Largely, that just leaves Imperial, which I doubt since the house is only 10 years old.
So, either they're as per my original post, or they're purpose made ....... in which case they could be any size.
Hope you get there in the end ;o)

[Old_Geezer]

You need a large tarpaulin and a few nails (and the heel of your shoe to clout the nails in).
After that you can takes weeks or even months to select the perfect curtains for you.
Sorted.

[EvianBaby]

Thanks for your help TB!

That would certainly be cheaper OG!

[marden40]

assuming one of the measurements is the correct one and the other has simply been written down the wrong way round.......look at the photo and if the windows are very similar in size to the front door then its 27, if the windows are over twice the width then its the 72

[gingejbee]

Another tip for your new-housey projects: stick to either imperial or metric units throughout (whichever you are more comfortable with). Mixing both will only fluster you more!

[EvianBaby]

Marden, that was the first thing I tried. Neither looked more likely than the other.

Ginge, I wish I had done that before. I blame the stupid woman for getting me all rushed. Got some measurements in CM, some in inches, some in metres. and then some I don't know because I didn't write down which type of measurement I was using. I'm tutting and shaking my head at myself :)

[marden40]

if the wall is 2m wide a 72 inch window would only leave less than 100mm ( 4 inch )each side......72 inches is 1828mm.

[EvianBaby]

I know. But the 27 inches looked too small. See, totally screwed it up.

[bushbaby_de]

Could you ring the agent and ask if the seller would be kind enough to measure the windows for you? Would save a lot of hassle if you can't get back there yourself!

[divlong]

As the windows are at the front of the house can they be seen in Google Earth? You might just be able to measure them directly off your screen, since you know the width of the wall.