Are there any standard size windows?
When we talk about ‘standard size’ windows we usually mean the most common size. However, it is worth emphasising that there is no single, typical size of windows – even companies using this term, by typical windows mean windows in about fifty different sizes. Currently, there is also a tendency to completely abandon the rigid division into ‘typical’ and ‘atypical’ window dimensions. This is related, firstly, to the increasing variety of house designs, also in terms of window joinery. Secondly, with the increasing demands of customers who expect a more individual approach to their orders. Thirdly, with the fact that the dimensions of the window should be ideally matched to the building so that it can be installed correctly. So, the window opening should always be measured accurately before the window is installed and even if the window dimensions are close to one of the window dimensions considered typical, if there is even a slight discrepancy, the window should be ordered in the exact size required by the opening.

Some of the most common window sizes in multi-family construction, considered by some manufacturers to be typical windows, are those within the range:

• for single-hung sash windows: window sizes with a height of 535 mm or 835 mm, and widths taking one of the following values: 565 mm, 865 mm, 1165 mm, 1465 mm;
• for single-leaf tilt-and-turn: window dimensions with a height of 1135 mm or 1435 mm or 1635 mm and widths that can take one of the following values: 565 mm, 865 mm, 1165 mm;
• for double-hung windows: window dimensions with a height of 1135 mm or 1435 mm or 1635 mm and widths which can take one of the following values: 1165 mm, 1465 mm, 1765 mm, 2065 mm.

AIMWIN windows are always made to individual order, the details of which we determine together with the customer. While we accept a conventional division into typical (rectangular/square) and atypical (round, round top, triangular, corner, etc.) window sizes, we do not classify products as being of standard or non-standard dimensions. Some manufacturers keep ready-made windows in stock in the most common dimensions. This makes it possible to make a quick purchase, but it also does not give the chance to adjust the order one hundred per cent to the needs and requirements of the buyer, and also creates the risk of product quality deterioration due to improper storage. At AIMWIN, thanks to a more individual approach, we guarantee:

• the possibility to choose a window with the dimensions and design best suited to the customer’s needs;
• a perfect fit of the window size to the window opening;
• professional help and advice – which can help you choose the best solutions and avoid mistakes – for example, a specialist taking measurements at the construction site may notice that the window in the kitchen is too low and it will be impossible to place a countertop of a typical height underneath it;
• that windows are custom-made for each individual customer. There is therefore no possibility of finished products lying in storage for long periods of time, thus eliminating the risk of offering the customer an old window or one that has been stored in inappropriate conditions.

Choosing the right window size
Above all, the window size should be correctly matched to the window opening. Installing a window that is too small or too large can cause it to leak, begin to warp, moisture to drip onto the walls and sill, and problems with opening or closing. The correct size of the window in relation to the size of the window opening is therefore of great importance in terms of usability. Window sizing is therefore best left to qualified professionals. The size of the windows determines the illumination of the room and should be adapted to the purpose of the room. It is advisable to opt for large glazing in rooms where you want lots of daylight – for example in the living room. Large windows, on the other hand, may prove to be a problem in the bedroom, where you will need to choose your window shades carefully to ensure good shade in the room, or in the bathroom, which should provide us with privacy.

The size of the windows also affects their price. Large glazing or windows with more elaborate shapes will be more expensive and lead times may be longer. It is also important to bear in mind that PVC is not suitable for really large windows: aluminium or timber must be used for such constructions, and the price of these materials is higher than PVC. It is also important to bear in mind that windows with unusual shapes may have certain limitations – for example, some of them cannot be opened. The size of the windows, on the other hand, does not determine their performance. It is often the case that small windows are chosen for fear that larger windows will not guarantee good levels of acoustic and thermal insulation – but this fear is wrong. There are many factors that determine the window’s performance – including the glazing packet used in the window and the method of installation – and size is not the most important issue.

Modern production techniques, the availability of high-quality materials and developments in architecture have meant that it is now no longer possible to speak of standard or best window sizes. Windows of almost any size can fulfil their role perfectly – as long as they are selected correctly and then installed correctly.