Rough opening size for a window

If you want to make window for your house, there is a lots of questions comes in mind what is correct rough opening for window and how to install window framing. There is few points you should know before framing.

Getting the rough opening size right the first time, will save you from tension, when installing your window. Framing rough opening sizes are really quite simple. Just add 2 inch to the width and add 2 to the height of the actual width and height of wooden window respectively.

Rough openings as the size of the opening before the finished lumber has been added to the jambs. Before you add your framing, the rough opening should be larger than the window size you’ve chosen. Rough opening should be 2″ wider than the window width measured between the left and right edges. So, in a 36 inches wide window, the rough opening will be 38 inches wide.

The distance between the floor and the rough header should be one and a half inches 2″ taller than your new window height. For example, in a standard 48 inches-tall window, the header should be 50 inches above the finished floor.

The standard window or opening width and height can vary by where you live, but is usually it is 36 inch wide by 48 inch tall (36″×48″), or 48×48, 48×36, 48×24, 24×24 & 24×30 window.

Typically when framing a window the rough opening for a wood window frame should be sized 2 inches wider and 2 inches higher than the window itself. For example, a 30 inch wide, by 36 inch high wood window, would required a rough opening width of 32 inches and a height of 38 inches.

This sized rough opening will allow for the window frame to be installed with about 1 inch of play on both sides, and 1 inch on both top and bottom. This spare space will allow for the window frame to be leveled and plumbed so that it operates correctly.

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Rough opening size for a window

Frame the rough opening to 2 inches wider and 2 inches taller than the width and height of window you have selected respectively.

If you have a window that is 30″ wide (which is considered a 2/6 or 2′-6″ door) just add 2″ to the width and frame it 32″ wide. The height is 36″ (which is considered 3/0 or 3′-0″) add 2″ to the actual window height and frame it 38″ high.

Rough opening size for a window:- for a wooden window framing, the rough opening size will be 2 inches wider and 2 inches taller than the actual size of window. For example if you are installing 30″×36″ wooden window, their rough opening size will be 32″×38″.

Rough opening for a 36×36 window:- a 36″‘×36″ window is represented as 36″ wide and 36″ tall, so, for a 36″×36″ or 36″ by 36″ or 3’×3’ wooden window, you will need rough opening to 2 inches wider & 2″ taller than the actual window size. Thus, you will need rough opening of 38″ wide and 38″ tall for a 36″×36″ size wooden window.

Rough opening for a 36×48 window:- a 36″‘×48″ window is represented as 36″ wide and 48″ tall, so, for a 36″×48″ or 36″ by 48″ or 3’×4’ wooden window, you will need rough opening to 2 inches wider & 2″ taller than the actual window size. Thus, you will need rough opening of 38″ wide and 50″ tall for a 36″×48″ size wooden window.

Rough opening for a 36×54 window:- a 36″‘×54″ window is represented as 36″ wide and 54″ tall, so, for a 36″×54″ or 36″ by 54″ or 3’×4.5’ wooden window, you will need rough opening to 2 inches wider & 2″ taller than the actual window size. Thus, you will need rough opening of 38″ wide and 56″ tall for a 36″×54″ size wooden window.

Rough opening for a 36×24 window:- a 36″‘×24″ window is represented as 36″ wide and 24″ tall, so, for a 36″×24″ or 36″ by 24″ or 3’×2’ wooden window, you will need rough opening to 2 inches wider & 2″ taller than the actual window size. Thus, you will need rough opening of 38″ wide and 26″ tall for a 36″×24″ size wooden window.

Rough opening for a 36×60 window:- a 36″‘×60″ window is represented as 36″ wide and 60″ tall, so, for a 36″×60″ or 36″ by 60″ or 3’×5’ wooden window, you will need rough opening to 2 inches wider & 2″ taller than the actual window size. Thus, you will need rough opening of 38″ wide and 62″ tall for a 36″×60″ size wooden window.

Rough opening for a 24×24 window:- a 24″‘×24″ window is represented as 24″ wide and 24″ tall, so, for a 24″×24″ or 24″ by 24″ or 2’×2’ wooden window, you will need rough opening to 2 inches wider & 2″ taller than the actual window size. Thus, you will need rough opening of 26″ wide and 26″ tall for a 24″×24″ size wooden window.

Rough opening for a 24×30 window:- a 24″‘×30″ window is represented as 24″ wide and 30″ tall, so, for a 24″×30″ or 24″ by 30″ or 2’×2.5’ wooden window, you will need rough opening to 2 inches wider & 2″ taller than the actual window size. Thus, you will need rough opening of 26″ wide and 32″ tall for a 24″×30″ size wooden window.

Rough opening for a 24×36 window:- a 24″‘×36″ window is represented as 24″ wide and 36″ tall, so, for a 24″×36″ or 24″ by 36″ or 2’×3’ wooden window, you will need rough opening to 2 inches wider & 2″ taller than the actual window size. Thus, you will need rough opening of 26″ wide and 38″ tall for a 24″×36″ size wooden window.

Rough opening for a 24×48 window:- a 24″‘×48″ window is represented as 24″ wide and 48″ tall, so, for a 24″×48″ or 24″ by 48″ or 2’×4’ wooden window, you will need rough opening to 2 inches wider & 2″ taller than the actual window size. Thus, you will need rough opening of 26″ wide and 50″ tall for a 24″×48″ size wooden window.

Rough opening for a 48×48 window:- a 48″‘×48″ window is represented as 48″ wide and 48″ tall, so, for a 48″×48″ or 48″ by 48″ or 4’×4’ wooden window, you will need rough opening to 2 inches wider & 2″ taller than the actual window size. Thus, you will need rough opening of 50″ wide and 50″ tall for a 48″×48″ size wooden window.

Rough opening for a 48×60 window:- a 48″‘×60″ window is represented as 48″ wide and 60″ tall, so, for a 48″×60″ or 48″ by 60″ or 4’×5’ wooden window, you will need rough opening to 2 inches wider & 2″ taller than the actual window size. Thus, you will need rough opening of 50″ wide and 62″ tall for a 48″×60″ size wooden window.

Rough opening for a 48×36 window:- a 48″‘×36″ window is represented as 48″ wide and 36″ tall, so, for a 48″×36″ or 48″ by 36″ or 4’×3’ wooden window, you will need rough opening to 2 inches wider & 2″ taller than the actual window size. Thus, you will need rough opening of 50″ wide and 38″ tall for a 48″×36″ size wooden window.

Rough opening for a 48×24 window:- a 48″‘×24″ window is represented as 48″ wide and 24″ tall, so, for a 48″×24″ or 48″ by 24″ or 4’×2’ wooden window, you will need rough opening to 2 inches wider & 2″ taller than the actual window size. Thus, you will need rough opening of 50″ wide and 26″ tall for a 48″×24″ size wooden window.

Conclusion:-
For a wooden window framing, the rough opening size will be 2 inches wider and 2 inches taller than the actual size of window. For example if you are installing 30″×36″ wooden window, their rough opening size will be 32″×38″.