Keep it simple
What you need
Use a steel tape measure and something to write on. Record every screen separately, even when windows look identical.
Original measurement illustration. Record width first, then height, then frame thickness.
Use the finished screen
If you have the old screen
Lay it flat. Measure the width across the frame, outside edge to outside edge. Measure the height the same way. Write both to the nearest 1/16 inch. Measure the thickness of the frame edge, usually 5/16 inch. Note the hardware and which edge it is on.
Borrow a matching example
If another window of the same size has a screen
Measure the screen from the matching window. Confirm that the opening, track and hardware look the same before using those dimensions.
Ask before guessing
If there is no screen anywhere
Take a clear photo of the window from outside and one of the screen track, and text them to (832) 713-3545. We will help you work out the finished size before you order.
Avoid preventable errors
Common measuring mistakes
- Measuring the glass instead of the finished screen.
- Rounding to the nearest half inch.
- Swapping width and height.
- Assuming every window is the same size.
- Ignoring frame thickness and hardware placement.
Exact numbers become exact parts
Why the measurement matters
Screens are built to the measurements entered and custom orders are final sale unless TruShine makes a manufacturing error. Measure twice and ask for help before ordering if any dimension or hardware choice is uncertain.
When you are ready, review the custom window screen options before opening the builder.
Built to your measurements
Ready to see your price?
Build your screen online, review every choice, and see the price before checkout.
Use a consistent notation
How to write sixteenths without confusion
Custom screen dimensions are recorded to the nearest 1/16 inch. Write the whole number first, then the fraction: for example, 35 7/16 inches. Keep width and height on separate labeled lines and never rely on memory while moving from window to window.
If the tape falls between two marks, repeat the measurement from the opposite edge and check that the frame is lying flat. Do not automatically round up. A difference of 1/8 inch can determine whether a screen rattles, bows or refuses to seat.
For a multi-screen order, give every opening a simple name such as “front bedroom left” or “kitchen sink.” Put that name beside the measurement in your notes. The online builder will keep the dimensions and options with each line, but the room label helps you install the finished screens in the correct windows.
Record the complete screen
Measurements are only part of the specification
Before putting the old screen away, photograph both faces and every edge. Record the frame color and thickness, the mesh type if known, and any crossbar. Then note the retaining hardware: tension springs, plunger pins, pull tabs, loops, swivel clips, ram horns or fasteners.
Hardware location matters. Write “springs on top” or “pull tabs on bottom,” not simply “has springs.” Pull tabs normally sit opposite the springs so the frame can compress on one side and be removed from the other. A photo with the whole screen visible makes that relationship easier to confirm later.
If two windows look identical but the hardware differs, create separate builder lines. Never assume the manufacturer used the same mounting method throughout the house, especially after replacement windows or remodeling.
The hardware photo guide explains how each part looks and what it does.
Check the opening
A quick fit review before you order
Clean loose dirt from the screen track so you can see its true shape. Look for bent metal, paint buildup, broken stops or caulk that narrows the opening. A perfectly measured screen cannot correct a damaged window track.
Hold the reference screen in place without forcing it. Confirm that it sits flat, engages the retaining edge and can be removed using the existing hardware. If the old frame is visibly bowed, measure a straight matching screen from another identical opening or ask TruShine for help.
For windows above the first floor or behind landscaping, do not take risks to obtain a measurement. Send photos and ask about onsite measuring or installation options instead.
Final review
The five-point checkout check
- Width is written first and measured outside edge to outside edge.
- Height is written second and measured the same way.
- Both dimensions are to the nearest 1/16 inch.
- Frame thickness, color and hardware match the reference screen.
- Every line is assigned to the correct window before payment.
Custom screens are manufactured to the submitted specifications. A careful two-minute review is the best protection against an avoidable fit problem.
Helpful details
Window screen measuring FAQ
Should I measure the window opening or the old screen?
Measure a well-fitting finished screen whenever one is available. Measure outside edge to outside edge, not the glass.
Which dimension comes first?
Width comes first, followed by height.
How precise do the measurements need to be?
Record both dimensions to the nearest 1/16 inch.
What if the old screen is bent?
Use a straight screen from an identical window or text photos to TruShine before ordering.
Do all windows in one room use the same size?
Not always. Measure every opening or verify each one against the same reference screen.
Read the tape carefully
A reliable way to confirm a fraction
Place the tape’s zero mark firmly against one outside edge and keep the tape straight across the frame. Read the mark that aligns with the opposite outside edge. On a tape divided into sixteenths, the smallest marks are 1/16 inch; every second small mark is 1/8, every fourth is 1/4 and the center mark is 1/2.
Say the dimension aloud and write it immediately. Then reverse direction and measure again. If the two readings disagree, check whether the tape was angled, the frame moved or one corner is bent. Use a straight reference screen rather than averaging conflicting numbers.
Built to your measurements
Ready to see your price?
Build your screen online, review every choice, and see the price before checkout.