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When shopping around for replacement windows for your Indianapolis home, you’ll come across some companies that state they provide standard size windows, and others who manufacture custom-size windows. You’re left to wonder which you need. Are your home’s windows standard, or do you need to have custom ones made? The answer to this question is not as straightforward as you might think. Here’s a closer look at standard versus custom window sizes and how to approach this decision.
There’s no actual “standard size” for windows across the construction industry. What the term “standard size” actually means is that the window you’re ordering is in a size that’s specifically listed in your replacement company’s catalog. For instance, your company may list 36″, 48″, and 56″ windows in their catalog. These would be considered their standard sizes – and they can be ordered from the manufacturer with a common call number.
Custom windows are simply those that have a measurement other than those listed individually in the catalog. For instance, if the company lists 36″, 48″, and 56″ windows, but you need a window that measures 42″ in width, your window would be considered a custom order. It would have to be ordered from the manufacturer using the specific dimensions.
Many homeowners assume that if they order custom windows, they are made to-order, but if they order standard windows, they are mass produced. At least with the higher-end window replacement companies, this is not the case. All windows are made to order — whether they’re in a standard or custom size. The standard versus custom designation only applies to how the window is ordered – not how it is made.
What this means is that when you order from a reputable window replacement company, both standard and custom size windows are of the same quality. They all come with the same array of colors, styles, and glass options. From tinted glass to colorful hardware, your options are endless regardless of the actual size of your windows.
An important distinction comes when you consider pre-made, standard-sized windows from big box stores. Sometimes referred to “standard windows,” these are quite different from the windows you purchase from a reputable window replacement company. They tend to be of lower quality, and since they are often DIY installed by the homeowner, they may not fit properly into the window opening, leading to problems like leaks and deterioration.
Unless you are a skilled window expert or carpenter, you’re best off working with a reputable window replacement company rather than trying to replace windows yourself. For example, having someone other than Renewal by Andersen’s master certified installers install our windows can void the warranty. You should check on DIY installation’s impact on any window purchase. When you schedule an in-home consultation with Renewal by Andersen, our technicians measure your windows. Based on the measurements, they order your windows in the required size. If this happens to be a standard size, then so be it. If it happens to be a custom size, then custom windows will be ordered.
At Renewal by Andersen, every window order is treated as a custom order, whether or not your windows are a standard size. Our manufacturers can create anything from a striking half–moon shaped window to a picture window. If you want to change the size of your current window, we can handle that, too. To learn more about our replacement process or determine which size windows you need for your Indianapolis home, contact us to schedule your free consultation.