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Tape Measurement Instructions

Indow customers who opt for the Tape Measure Program do so because they want to achieve comfort and quiet in their space as soon as possible. Get started today using the instructions below. If we missed something contact us: 503.284.2260

Watch the full overview here or read the instructions below:

Prepare to Measure

Remove any furniture around the windows for easy access and a more accurate measurement. If you have blinds that have to be removed, now is a good time. Get a piece of paper to write your measurements on, or you can download our Measure form: here.

man measuring a window

Record:

  • Room and Location (as you want them to appear on the insert label)
  • Product Type (Standard Grade, Acoustic Grade, Film, etc.)
  • Frame Color

NOTE: Measuring a lot of windows? Start with 3 or 4, then enter measurements into the Measure by Indow portal to make sure they are accepted before continuing.

Assessing Each Window

Frame Step & Depth

Frame step is where your insert will be installed in your window frame. Frame depth* is how deep your frame step is. For all dimensions, place the metal corner of your measuring tape into the corner of your frame step and measure straight across. Recording the step & depth on your Measure Form will help you measure and install in the same place.

Identify Frame Step

Some windows have more than one frame step, while other windows have just a single, flat surface. This example shows two frame steps, (1) in blue and (2) in yellow. For each window, you will be taking a set of 6 measurements which must be taken on the same frame step.

A compatible frame step must have:

  • 5/8 inches of flat space (if measuring for Indow inserts)
  • 3/4 inches if measuring for IndowKIT inserts
  • At least 1/2 inch of space from window glass
  • No obstructions such as shutters, shades, handles, cranks, or locks

NOTE: For noise reduction, the best frame step is at least 1”- 4” away from the window glass.

Measure Widths and Heights

    A Width Top

  1. Locate the frame step the inserts will be installed on. Measure top left corner to the opposite (top right) side.

  2. Write the measurement on your Measure Form under the column ‘A Width Top’. Record the measurements in fraction. Measure Twice!

    3. B Width Bottom

  3. Use the same frame step as before. Measure from the bottom left corner of your window frame across to the right. Record your measurements under ‘B Width Bottom’ on the Measure Form.

    4. C Height Left

  4. Using the same frame step as before, measure from the bottom left of the window to the top of the frame’s left side. Measure Twice! Write these measurements on your Measure Form under ‘C Height Left’.

    5. D Height Right

  5. Now do the same height measurement from the bottom right to the top right of the window frame, inputting your measurements under ‘D Height Right’ on the Measure Form.

Measure Diagonals

    E Diagonal Left

  1. Place the measuring tape in the bottom left joint of the window and align the metal corner (if there is one) just outside of the frame step

  2. Measure Twice! Until you have at least two measurements within 1/16” of each other. Write the measurement under ‘E Diagonal Left’ on the Measure Form.

    3. NOTE: The joint is where the two sides of the window frame meet. When you measure from joint to opposite joint, still measure within the frame step where your insert will be installed. We recommend two people for larger windows.

F Diagonal Right

Repeat instructions for E Diagonal Left , but with the measure tape going from the bottom right joint of the window frame to the top left joint. Write the measurement under ‘F Diagonal Right’ on the Measure Form. Try to keep the tape measure taut when measuring diagonals.

Final Window Check

Any number of reasons can cause a frame to curve or bow over time. There are convex (outward) bows and concave (inward) bows. Checking for bows ensures your inserts will fit snugly within the frames.

Convex: Stretch a string, level, or other straight edge tool from corner to corner on one side. Pull it tight to see if there’s a point where the string (or other tool) isn’t touching the frame (see convex diagram). If you see a gap, the frame has an outward convex bow. Check all four sides of each window.

Concave: Stretch the string or other tool across the face of the frame to see if any points of the frame dip toward the window’s interior or pass over the string or other tool (see concave diagram).

Follow the directions below if you detect a gap thicker than a pencil tip If you detect no bows, continue to the next step.

To measure the thickness of an inward or outward bow in a frame, tape both ends of the string to the corners so the string is taut, and use a ruler to measure the thickness of the bow where the gap is largest. Alternatively, someone can help measure the bow thickness while you hold the string taut. If the frame is bowed more than ⅛” (the thickness of a pencil tip) record which side of the frame is bowed, the direction (inward or outward) and the bow thickness in the “Notes” section of the Measure Form.

Be sure to include where on the frame it’s thickest and the start and stop location of the bow in inches. If the bow is on the bottom or top, provide the distance from the left where the gap is largest.

Example: The frame has a 9/32″ thick inward gap on the left side, three inches from the bottom left hand corner of the sill.

Submit Measurements Online

Check your email for your Measure by Indow link to access the portal. Subject line includes “Measure by Indow”. Once you’re in, click ADD ITEM>Measure Now and fill out all three dropdowns: “Label Insert”, “Order Details”, “Measure & Save” one at a time.

Order Details

Notes: If you found bows, add description here. Include which side is bowed, the direction (inward/concave or outward/convex) as well as the thickness of the bow.

Measure & Save

Shape: Select “Rectangle” unless you are working with a special shape such as an arch or octagon. For custom-shaped windows, please refer to the Custom Order Form. Enter all measurements as they appear on your Measure Form, selecting the larger measurement of the two within 1/16” of each other. Type the whole number in the field provided, the top number of the fraction in the field provided, and select the bottom part of the fraction from the dropdown. Do not enter any additional symbols or spaces. See example:

Review Your Information

Watch out for typos! If you are having trouble resolving any errors, select the “schedule a support call” option. If all errors are resolved, click “Submit Values”. Once we receive your measurements, our team will recheck them. When the assessment is complete and any issues have been resolved, we’ll send you a final invoice. You’ll have a chance to review your order before making the final payment. If you feel any items in your order need attention, contact your Fit Specialist before you proceed. Once you confirm your order for the final time, you’re finished!

Appendix

How Are We Doing?

We created this document to help you measure your windows for comfort-bringing inserts. We want to know if we can make it better.

Get to Know Your Window

Joint: The point where two sides or inside edges of the window frame meet. You might think of these as the corners of the window, but they are not 3D because they do not include the glass pane as a side.

Muntin: A bar of wood or metal separating and supporting panes of glass in window.

Sash: Part of the window that holds the panes. It fits inside the window frame and moves inside of it (when the sash is operable). Sashes vary depending on the type of window. For example, sometimes instead of sliding up along the frame, they tilt in or out.

Mullion: A mullion divides a window (or window insert) into smaller units either vertically or horizontally. Window inserts require mullions for support when placed in extremely large window frames (using two window inserts to cover one opening). If you need a mullion for your window, your Fit Specialist should have covered this and sent mullion instructions to you. Need help measuring for mullions, go here.

Window Hardware

Some windows, especially those with a sash, will have hardware which may protrude into one of the frame steps.

Operable Window: An operable window is one that can be opened. Some, usually older, windows have been sealed shut.

Measurement Map

Measurement Terms

Frame Step: An edge that faces across the window opening. This is what the compression frame of your window insert will press against. Some windows have just one frame step, some have more. Some frame steps are interrupted by a lower sash or hardware. A compatible frame step has to be free of any obstructions fully exposed and continuous to have an Indow insert installed. It must also have a frame depth of at least 5/8″ for our window insert and 3/4″ for our kit.

Frame Depth: How deep your frame step is. You can measure it by laying a dime (which has a width of 5/8″) flat against the frame step as far back as it goes. If there are no obstructions, you have pick up or move the dime for, you have an approved frame depth for an Indow window insert! If you are measuring for Indow Kit, do the same with a penny.

Note: You need a frame depth of least 1 1/4″ at the top of your window frame if you have blinds installed on your window.