Ponderings about window widths.

[NM_Shooter]

I've never tried to optimize a plan before.  If I wanted a windown 39" from a corner, I put it there.  I framed around it, and kept my 16" spacing and moved on.  Now that I am trying to build as light a wall section as I can, I am noticing some nuances.

Seems to me, that if you are using 16" OC studs, that a layout friendly window width would be 48" less three stud thicknesses, so that makes 43.5".

I looked just now at a vinyl window manufacturer (Jeld-Wen windows) and they flirt with both sides of this sweet spot.  For instance, they have one window that has a frame size of 43.5, rough opening of 44.  Then they have another window with a frame size of 41.5, and a rough opening of 42.

What gives with this?  Why don't they have a window that fits a RO of 43.5" ?

Do you just go with the smaller size, and put trimmers and cripples all along one side?

Sigh....(I wish this site had the exact plans I am looking for).

-f-

[MountainDon]

From what I've seen window manufacturers simply make a bunch of different sized windows according to some secret whim of theirs. Nothing I've seen fits nicely into any standard 16" or 24 "OC framing. I've sized mine by placing one side at a normal stud position and letting the other fall where it may. It is possible to custom order sizes from some manufacturers, but those are usually more pricey. But that is something you could check out. I know that Better Bilt from Lowe's are available in custom sizes but I've never checked the price difference for making something a 1/2" or so bigger or smaller, as I'm not near enough commencement of the actual building stage. Probably something I should do soon so I can firm up my wall stud layout diagrams.

[MikeT]

One thing I have discovered as I have scrounged for windows to include in my project is that there is an important difference in sizes of windows that are custom ordered vs. stock windows.  A 4020 (four feet zero inches wide by two feet zero inches high) window that is purchased as a stock item will actually be somewhat smaller and will more easily fit into a 4020 opening than a special order 4020 window.  That special order window will be exactly 4 feet wide and 2 feet high.  I just discovered this the hard way on a window opening that was way high on my project.  I ended up having to use a Sawzall to create a slightly larger opening for the window. 

mt

[MountainDon]

Yep. What MikeT said.

Sorta. In my experience it also depends on the quality of the salesman/clerk.order taker.

When I was pricing some windows at Lowe's the guy was careful to explain to me that the 6-0 x4-0 window I was asking about was actually a 1/2 smaller in length and width; that the R.O. measurement required would be exactly 72 inches X 48 inches (the window itself 71 1/2 X 47 1/2 inches.) He offered a custom order where the window would be exactly 72" wide X 48" high. He also said it would cost a lot more. I never pursued the price as a 1/2" difference would never be noticed in a casual glance at the finished wall.

I haven't bought a lot of windows but one thing I do like about Lowe's is that before you pay for the order they give you a print out that lists the exact rough opening size, the exact size of the window, the dimensions of the fixed and movable panels, fin - yes/no, fin setback, etc. etc. Another place I ordered a window from a few years ago never supplied that info until the window arrived.

[NM_Shooter]

I went to Lowe's today to pick their brains about windows.  They have a brand that appears to be better than Pella, and costs just a tiny bit more.  It is a vinyl window, slides amazingly well (is on rollers), and has more gaskets, and deeper seats.  The brand is "BetterBilt".

They have a window that is special order, but is a standard size from the company.  It is sized as a 42"W X 36H  (3630), which is the rough opening.  The frame size is 41.5" X 35.5"

I went to a specialty window and door shop that I have used for years.  I asked the owner why window companies don't have window sizes that fit into standard 16" spacing.  He said two main reasons:

1)  Window manufacturers are not deep thinkers.
2)  Framers and architects don't care.

So the RO sweet spot for a ~4' wide window would be 43.5".  My solution for the above 42 RO window, is to use two king studs set right on 16" spacing, then use three 1.5" shimmer studs instead of just two.  That makes my rough opening right at 42".  Done!

BTW... the above window is $139

See ya tomorrow Don.

-f-

[MountainDon]

We have some Better Bilts.     Pella is coasting on their name with their vinyls. They still make a really fine wood, aluminum clad casement window though.  $$$

[MountainDon]

I'm making some drawings to night. What's another one? 

Rather than use a full extra stud to space things out correctly, how about this...



Studs are all 16"OC. I'm always interested in saving on materials as well as improving insulation. Yes, I know I'm splitting hairs on this at times...    Use blocks to space the one trimmer stud out the extra 1.5". It might also simplify things a tad by cutting the header as illustrated.