Rough Opening Size
#1
08-30-11, 08:41 PM
Rough Opening Size
My rough opening is almost 36" x 36" square, but it's really 1/8" to 1/4" less than that both ways.
The price on a window designed for 36 x 36 opening is much lower than a custom sized 35.75" x 35.75" window.
Is it crazy to think I can use my belt sander to expand opening to 36 x 36?
The price on a window designed for 36 x 36 opening is much lower than a custom sized 35.75" x 35.75" window.
Is it crazy to think I can use my belt sander to expand opening to 36 x 36?
#4
08-31-11, 06:42 AM
Group Moderator
It will take some time but a belt sander will do the job. Might be faster to set a Circular Saw to 1/4" (or more, its better to be a little too big then too small as you know 
) and cut a series of cuts and then chip out the material. You will have to chisel out the corners.
) and cut a series of cuts and then chip out the material. You will have to chisel out the corners.
#5
08-31-11, 07:05 AM
Davidhmd, It's not the end of the world to remove the sheetrock and one of the 2x4's on the side of the window to get a good spacing for your window. That's why rock mud comes in 5 gallon containers 
It's too easy to remove the wood and replace it as opposed to trying to cut it down, sand it down, or alter it in place. You have the edges to deal with, which definitely won't cooperate.
It's too easy to remove the wood and replace it as opposed to trying to cut it down, sand it down, or alter it in place. You have the edges to deal with, which definitely won't cooperate.
#6
08-31-11, 10:42 AM
Group Moderator
Not sure what the exact size of your window is, but when you say, "a window designed for a 36x36 opening"... it would generally mean that the window is 3/4" to 1" smaller than that. Meaning your rough opening size is fine for a window that is "designed for a 36x36 opening".
But if the WINDOW itself is exactly 36x36 (which isn't what you said) it is actually designed for a 37x37 opening meaning that you would need to enlarge your rough opening. Best way to shave a minor amount off a rough opening is with a reciprocating saw and a sharp blade. You usually want the rough opening 3/4-1" larger so that you can level, shim, square and insulate around the window.
You should probably tell us the exact size of the window.
But if the WINDOW itself is exactly 36x36 (which isn't what you said) it is actually designed for a 37x37 opening meaning that you would need to enlarge your rough opening. Best way to shave a minor amount off a rough opening is with a reciprocating saw and a sharp blade. You usually want the rough opening 3/4-1" larger so that you can level, shim, square and insulate around the window.
You should probably tell us the exact size of the window.
#7
08-31-11, 11:00 AM
Group Moderator
Originally Posted by XSleeper
Not sure what the exact size of your window is, but when you say, "a window designed for a 36x36 opening"... it would generally mean that the window is 3/4" to 1" smaller than that. Meaning your rough opening size is fine for a window that is "designed for a 36x36 opening".
But if the WINDOW itself is exactly 36x36 (which isn't what you said) it is actually designed for a 37x37 opening meaning that you would need to enlarge your rough opening. Best way to shave a minor amount off a rough opening is with a reciprocating saw and a sharp blade. You usually want the rough opening 3/4-1" larger so that you can level, shim, square and insulate around the window.
You should probably tell us the exact size of the window.
But if the WINDOW itself is exactly 36x36 (which isn't what you said) it is actually designed for a 37x37 opening meaning that you would need to enlarge your rough opening. Best way to shave a minor amount off a rough opening is with a reciprocating saw and a sharp blade. You usually want the rough opening 3/4-1" larger so that you can level, shim, square and insulate around the window.
You should probably tell us the exact size of the window.
I recall ordering a window and framing it off the rough opening dimensions from the catalog. When the window did come in I had to shim using some plywood. Opening was plenty big!
