"Curious though: how do you decide when an opening is 'close enough' for standard vs. biting the bullet for custom?"
Honestly, I eyeball it and cross my fingers half the time. 😂 If it's within a quarter-inch or so, I'll usually risk standard and just shim it up. But anything more than that, I've learned my lesson—custom all the way. Ever tried trimming down a window frame yourself? Trust me, that's a weekend you'll never get back...
I feel your pain on trimming window frames...been there, done that, never again. My rule of thumb now is:
- Under half an inch: standard size + shims (usually works fine).
- Over half an inch: custom order, save the headache.
Last summer I tried forcing a standard window into a wonky opening—ended up spending more on tools and materials than if I'd just gone custom from the start. Lesson learned the hard way.
Totally relate to this—learned a similar lesson a few years back. Thought I was saving money by squeezing in standard windows, but ended up with drafts and uneven seals. Had to redo it later anyway (ouch).
Couple things I've learned since then:
- Custom windows seem pricier upfront, but the tighter fit pays off big-time in energy efficiency.
- If budget's tight, prioritize rooms you use most—like living areas or bedrooms—and phase the rest over time.
- Check local rebates or tax credits for energy-efficient upgrades; sometimes that offsets the extra cost.
Sounds like you've got your system down now though, good call on the half-inch rule. Wish I'd known that before my DIY disaster...
"Thought I was saving money by squeezing in standard windows, but ended up with drafts and uneven seals."
Been there. Had a client insist on standard sizes to save cash—ended up costing more in labor fixing gaps and insulation issues. Custom sizing upfront usually saves headaches down the road...lesson learned.