Nominal Size and Real Size, What is the Difference?
The Nominal size of a window is really the size needed for the rough opening. The real size of a window is its exact size (from one side of the frame to the other, horizontally then vertically). The difference in size between the real size of the window and its nominal side differs from vendor to vendor. This difference in size accounts for room for the sealants and fillers that would go between the inside of the rough opening and the outside of the window. Usually the gap between the inside of the rough opening and outside of the window is between 5/8” – ½” each side. Some vendors have very small gaps between ¼ and 3/8” each side.
Standard Window Sizes for Different Regions
In North America, it has been geographic trend to have larger windows in the south and shoreline or close to shoreline areas. This can clearly be seen in large homes in Texas, California, Florida, and Washington. Usually larger homes tend to have bigger windows too. A standard window height for large homes is between 40-120″ and standard lengths vary from 50-120″, on average. In smaller homes the trend tends to be opposite, smaller windows, such as ones with height of between 24-48″, and lengths between 18-72″.
Larger homes and building are also usually designed by creative modern architects and thus sometimes use non-standard sized windows or a combination of standard sized and non-standard sized windows. Homes designed by creative and modern architects also tend to have larger windows as they bring many advantages.
Standard House Window Size
Over the years, it has been and will continue to be a trend to have larger windows in even conventional homes. Before this was a trend and in the early days of it, small windows were used mainly to save money. This is still very much possible to do in the modern age. But it is now understood that saving money on this is not a very clever decision. Windows are a very expensive part of the home, however acquiring windows should not seen as a purchase but rather as a long-tern investment. Saving money by not buying overpriced windows and doors is smart but opting for small or low-quality windows just to save money is not. Small and or low-quality windows come with many problems and can significantly decrease you comfort and drastically lower the value of your house. Saving money on it can provide you with a little more spending capital in the short term but is not worth it in the long term. On the other hand, properly chosen large windows may be more expensive but as an investment, they are worth it in the long term. Large high-quality windows greatly increase your comfort levels and can vastly increase the value of your house. It also Adds unique advantages such as a stylish look, longer service life, high performance, and visually increase the size of your home from the inside.
What is a standard window size ?
A standard window size is a certain fixed size that is found to be common and standard across many manufactures and vendors. Different vendors sell different sized windows but generally their standard sizing is similar. E.g. | standard sizes for picture windows:
Standard widths
2-feet
3-feet
4-feet
5-feet
6-feet
8-feet
Standard heights
2-feet
3-feet
4-feet
5-feet
6-feet
7-feet
8-feet
18-inches
52-inches
62-inches
72-inches
96-inches
The Two Main Window and Door Measuring Systems for Standard Sized Windows
System A:
In this system, the first digit indicates the horizontal measurement. In this first number, the first character represents the measurement in feet and the second character inches.
E.g |Given measurement: 36×72”, (36) would mean 3-feet 6” horizontally and (72) would indicate 7-feet 2” vertically.
If the measurement in inches (second Chariton in each number) is higher than 9, the number becomes 3 digit.
E.g | Given measurement: 311×410”, (311) indicates 3-feet 10” horizontally and (410) would indicate 4-feet 10” vertically.
System B:
In this system both numbers are in inches.
E.g | Given measurement: 22×88”,(22) would indicate 22 inches horizontally and (88) would indicate 88 inches vertically.
Standard bedroom window size
The standard size for bedroom windows is rising. Modern styles and approaches favour larger windows as a whole but for bedrooms, this is especially true. Large bedroom windows provide the owners with massive advantages such as more natural lighting, increase in house value, and make the room look bigger and more visually appealing.
The size of your bedroom windows should depend on the size of the room, furniture arrangements inside and the window placements. If you are going to have one large window, the standard size for it would probably around __-__. If you are going to want two, one on each side/ one per wall, the standard window size would be around __-__. However, it is important to choose the size not based on the standard but rather on your preferences and situation demands.
It is also important that at least of your windows can open or that you have a door leading outside. This is so that in case of emergency, you can exit out of the building. This is mandatory by all building codes, but further details should be checked to meet the requirements of your local building code.
Standard basement window size
In the past, basement windows were usually small and mainly egress. Their primary function was to act as a fire escape and not so much as a regular window. However, in 2020, large basement windows are becoming more common. Not all basements are able to have large windows as some may be deeper underground than others, but large windows in the basement is becoming important and desirable. They allow for a much more comfortable living experience as well as drastically increase the value of your home and visually increase the size of the rooms. A standard size for basement windows is usually between 18″ x 30″ and 30×60 if they are egress.
