How To Measure For Replacement Windows 

Hey man, you're probably aware since it appears you have nearly a million subscribers, but your videos are awesome. I am far from an inexperienced DIYer, I've been in construction for 40 years. But when I have a task that I'm inexperienced with, or want a refresher, you're my go-to guy. You taught me how to install garage doors, which I don't do professionally, but I installed my own 18x9' door completely alone in one afternoon thanks to you, and then went on to help all of my friends and family do the same another 5 times since. Thank you Shannon.

Straight Up- and accurate assessment of the work my installers do everyday. Brick mould issue discussed, but more importantly, frame in- or no nailing flange, is addressed. ... thanks..

Very helpful, and liked the way the contractor explained the very technical points which helped a layman, as myself, understand.

this guy seems nice and honest. thanks for the video!

I appreciate how you take the time to explain in detail. I tend to choose your videos over the others because you give complete instructions. Not just grabbing a tape and running to the store. Thank you Shannon!

Thanks Shannon! We just purchased an older home to move our office to. It is in desperate need of new windows. Thanks to you, I will not have to hire out the entire project! Whew! I will be watching all of your tutorials!

Amazing videos. Every project I watch 10 videos and end up doing it your way. Now you are just my go to. Your techniques just make sense. Replacing the windows in my garage and was wanting to double check my measurements. Look here a video specifically for that!

Excellent instruction I never have replace a window I bought the window and now what? I saw your video and it all made seance now I have two new windows Thank you Shannon great job with the videos and excellent camera angles

Love your videos Shannon. You are my go to guy for refreshers on different renovations. I am a carpenter contractor and I appreciate all that you do Keep up the good work :-)

Ive seen a lot of your videos on just about everything. Your a Great instructor and people should be proud if you have worked on their homes !!

ThANKYoU for this! the husband & i are researching to see if we can tackle at least one window replacement 😜

Its videos like these that help remind me I have NO IDEA what I'm doing when it comes to carpentry, window replacement, remodeling, etc! I'll stick to auto mechanics and hire someone to do this shit.

Thanks man. Bought a house in March and my pops helped me retrofit the windows on the kids’ rooms, but I was taking care of my young daughter the whole time so I wasn’t paying much attention. Now I’m going to retrofit some more windows but I want to do it on my own. This was really helpful.

Shannon, thanks for your thorough work in presenting well explained, well videoed and detailed step by step videos on all sorts of home Reno projects! Canadian (Ontario) building practices represent! Kudos to the camera crew! Keep it up! Thanks!

He explains it all very well. Thank-you Shannon

Thanks for the video. I'm a contractor that doesn't normally do a lot of window replacements, but on this job they have the exact same window. If you didn't tell me about the nailing in the front I would have been screaming for hours! Thanks again.

Anyone getting bored here has to be some one who is here either learning to do it for someone else other than for themselves or are outright reckless. Thank you for your coolness in explaining how to's in detail.

Again, thank you for a great video on "how to measure windows". You are good at what you do.

I can see how the majority of people found this video "boring" as there is an actual craftsman explaining how to do the work. Stick with sales pitch videos by major companies featuring some pretty model or clueless spokes person for the sheer entertainment value of the video if you don't care about the quality of the content. Thanks Shannon.

I once worked on a large house (built about 1905) in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, that had 16 3/4 inch wall thickness. It turned out to be same over the whole house too. I told the homeowners about it, but they weren't informed enough about construction to appreciate the information.

Thanks Shannon another informative DIY video . Keep up the great work, some of us need this information.

I love to watch this guy. Thanks Shannon.

Good explaining:) i just recently purchased my own house and was looking to replace few windows the house was built back in 1961

Rhett, you are right on when we removed our windows the inside was at least a 1/4 " shorter all the way around .The new windows nearly fell in the opening and now having to fill them in. On 10 of the windows I did myself. We had a window company guy come out and do the other nine will see if he did better We have a 1977 built Jim Walter home and decided to upgrade and do the windows On this type of home you do not need to deduct anything

Thank you for the detailed information, much appreciated. Keep up the great work.

Thank you very much for explaining this.

Thank you Shannon. Great video!

Thank you for your time and help sir.

Thanks Shannon. Another great video.

Very helpful video and clear instructions!

thank you for sharing this, it really help me..

Thanks for making these videos. They are very helpful.

You're cell phone may come in handy when you forget the pencil and paper. Which I tend to do. lol Thank god for modern technology. I snap a pic and write the measurements on the pic. Great video, lots of info. Couldn't agree more with Mike Ky.

I love your videos man!! I can watch it all day long but I can’t but I love them

Most block window openings will have a wood rough buck to fasten the window to. Pull off the interior trim and measure the rough opening and have a look to see if there is a wood rough buck.

Very helpful. Now I realize that firing the guy replacing my windows was a fraud. I will be able to fix them myself because of your help.

Divorced mom learning all my work from you tube videos. This was best video yet of replacement windows for home improvement dummies like me.. My measurements were perfect for Home depot. Good job Shannon. Thanks!

Thank you Shannon very informative video 👍

good vid as usual looking forward to the instal vid .

Keep up the great lessons ,very helpfull

Really excellent instruction !

Thanks so much for this video. Now I can help my mom with her windows.

Thank you Shanon.

Thanks brother for teaching me the game 💪💪💪

You look like Wyatt Earp from Tomb Stone, I love it! Your videos are great. Helped me skate by on some odd jobs ive had in the past, Thank you!

Best videos on RU-vid

Thanks, very clear. Well done.

Thank you . Love your videos

Excellent video! For a guy like me, I need it broken down to exactly what you do step by step. This guy is the best

Bless. Canadians must be so patient. When the clip started I think I wanted to measure my windows, I'm not sure. I'm just halfway through, and am now making plans for retirement.

Excellent video.

Thanks for sharing

Clear as mud 👍🏼

Good video man very clear and explicit in your instructions, I'm just browsing youtube looking at window installation cause I have an interview Monday for a job at a window seller and installer. I have quite a bit of experience working in houses but windows was something I never really touched, I'm a tile installer mostly but usually end up doing lots of other stuff like laminate, sometimes vinyl, framing and insulation, drywall, minor plumbing which usually is just putting the sink and fixtures back in the kitchens and bathrooms I tile. I've done some electrical too nothing major, dont touch panels or junctions but I'll usually end up running the wires and put in electrical outlets and switches cause the clients tend to want us to do that instead of the electricians cause we're cheaper lol But yeah windows are foreign to me, so heres hoping I can get enough from these videos to make an impression, I love doing this kind of stuff since I was knee high to a grass hopper on the jobsite with my father. Thanks for the video, I only have one question for you, are you Canadian?? I'm from southern Ontario on the lake near Toronto.

Great video. I learned a lot.

We need to follow Ms. Cooper’s advice.

wow this is an awesome video. couldn't have been explained any better

What do you recommend for a home with vinyl siding? A block frame replacement window or what?

always great..

Buenas tardes como puedo quitar las manchas de residuos del agua del cristal de mis ventanas me encantan sus vídeos.Gracias Puerto Rico

Pretty good window - but for all the DIY'ers out ther, there are a couple more things you really need to take into consideration. There are numerous types of window styles. Standard aluminum, vinyl, wood sash, "step frame". You really should measure both inside and outside to be safe. Outside you would measure the window like him. Inside you would measure inside to inside of the wood trim, or "liner". Typically, liners are 3/4" - sometimes 1/2" if sheetrock or plywood.

Great video can you do a video on how to install a patio door and frame going. From a standard door to patio. About to attempt this . Bhaha. 🇨🇦✌🏼

on a two story home can it e measured from inside or id it best to break out the ladder?

I have a double hung vinyl with vinyl siding on a house built in 99. The molded pin that connects the window to the spring broke off. Is there a way to fix that or is a total replacement needed? Thank you.

Thank you.

I would like to see if I could replace just one.With what I have learned from watching you I would like to try.

Do you have a video on how to replace window brick mold and window sill? Thank you.

If the window is 64 on the outside - the inside should be somewhere around a 1 1/2 smaller in width - and you wold know you have room in the framing to make it the 63 7/8's. "step frame" windows are a bit tricky - the outside of the window is wider than the inside, usually by 1 1/2. So a same window that measures 64 on the outside, but on the inside is dramatically shorter like 62 1/2 - a 63 7/8's will NOT work. Take 1 1/2" off the outside measuremeant - and will need to do exterior trim always.

great video. thanks for the thorough explanations. I'll def check out your website.

I'd love to see a video on a replacement octagonal window!

I will have to say we did cut the siding back and removed the complete window

Thanks sir

my home was built in 1890 and the walls are horse hair plaster and in great shape but the windows are original, most of the videos the houses don't go back beyond 1960, the house is vinyl sided and I think I'm going to have to do one window a day to make sure I fit them correctly.

What about windows with brick mould, do you subtract that thickness

good .thanks

Nice job, Shannon...a little too lengthy at the beginning for most to tolerate but still very informative.. Thanx

Is this rough opening or actual frame measurements?

Cool clip.

Thank you nice video

Sweet. Thx.

I have window I think over 100 years , and is to tall ( floor to almost ceiling ) , do I have following the way that you explain or there is another trick?

I have a 150 years old house that may not have a standard 4 9/16 wall thickness. a few of the windows turned problems for me. I found that the dry wall on one side of the window had a gap between the the actual house structure for around a quarter to half inch deep. The wall thickness on the left and right side turned out different too. Shall I go with the smaller side and redo the drywall(which I am going to redo regardless) Thanks!

Why do you not cut the siding back to expose the old nail fin?

Thank you for this video. I have a house built in the 40s (possibly earlier). It is wood construction with metal windows (I think steel). The windows are singe-hung and have some sort of rusty round rod that the bottom pane slides up (if it doesn't jam). Windows drop like guillotines because they won't stay open on their own anymore. There is no insulation in the exterior walls. Currently there are just studs with 1/8" thick paneling (with plenty of gaps). The window I need to replace the most has no trim and I'm not sure how it is held in place. I measured the outside and it appears to be 24"W x 36"H (2' x 3'). We had the siding redone back in the early 2000s so we have vinyl siding and trim on the exterior. The window sits pretty much flush against the exterior of the house. Do you think it would be possible to remove it from the inside (and replace the wood framing with PVC) and install a replacement window from the inside without disturbing the siding? I forgot to mention that I live in a remote area where people are not willing to come out.

Shannon you should be a vocational teacher.You explain stuff so well.

Great stuff. If one is not a contractor, where do you buy/order replacement windows from? Most stores will only sell new construction.

Is this the same for impact window?

Starts shooting a video “today we’re gonna shoot a video” *check*

Shannon, thank you for these incredibly informative vids. you truly are one of a kind. I am new handyman 2 1/2 years now in NJ while working part time job to secure bills get paid on time. I have a fear of doing replacement windows or hanging doors or remodel projects so I stick to small repairs or assembling furniture, paint, drywall repair etc out of fear that I might mess up a window or door install, my question to you is if you were fairly new like me ( with fair amount of skill cutting and measuring, leveling ) would you just plunge in and just learn on the fly? would that work? and what precautions would you take to avoid errors in this type of scenario? can you please give suggestions, your input would be greatly appreciated!

Would these measurements be considered the rough opening dimensions or the actual window dimensions?

Hey Shannon, do you happen to be from the Midwest?? Great video

how about a house constructed of concrete block?

Shannon, so if I measure the existing outside replacement windows that I have, for new ones, all I have to do is measure the outside h"x w" and that will give me the windows that I need to purchase? Thanks for all your videos. They are great!

I am not sure why some of the commenters are verbally abusive. I myself as a layman am having trouble following the speaker, not because I am stupid but because I have no background knowledge and he uses terms that I am not familiar with. Very few professionals on youtube explain enough of the background, in my opinion.

Right the fuck on!!! Good video bud. Thanks

how to replace window jamb

What if they just wrapped your house with foam board and then added vinyl?

what if your walls are plaster and built in the 20's?

but why are they replacing the windows? They seem clean and tight and in good working order....

Depth not width right???