2026-09-09You can send window sizes for an initial quotation, provided each opening has a label, width, height, units and a description of its operation. State what was measured and whether the dimensions are preliminary. Final manufacturing sizes should be verified by the responsible supplier or installer before production.
A neat size list helps a supplier respond more accurately than a collection of unexplained numbers. The aim at this stage is to describe the job well enough for pricing, while making it clear which details still need professional confirmation.
Give every opening its own reference
Use references such as W01 for a living-room window and D01 for a patio door. Put the same label on the size list and photographs. If two openings look similar, keep separate references until someone confirms they can use the same manufactured dimensions.
Write width and height as separate labelled fields. Include the unit on every sheet or message. A number such as 1200 is ambiguous without a unit and measurement description. Do not assume the supplier will infer either from your location.
A sample format for your enquiry
| Field | Illustrative entry | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Opening ID | W01, living room | Connects the size to a location |
| Width | 1200 mm, preliminary | States the horizontal dimension and confidence |
| Height | 1500 mm, preliminary | States the vertical dimension and confidence |
| Measured object | Visible existing frame, outside edge to outside edge | Explains what the number represents |
| Requested operation | One opening sash beside fixed glass | Describes the intended arrangement |
| Photographs | W01-inside and W01-outside | Shows surrounding construction |
The numbers above are examples of formatting, not recommended window sizes. Use your own observations and explicitly identify any measurement you cannot obtain safely. The installer may need to measure a different part of the opening before an order is released.
Explain what you measured
Visible glass size, existing frame size and structural opening size are different. If you measured the daylight visible through a frame, say so. If a drawing provides the size, identify the drawing revision rather than presenting the value as a site measurement.
Do not add or subtract a generic fitting allowance. The relationship between the wall opening and the ordered frame depends on the selected system and installation detail. Ask the supplier to show that relationship on its final drawing.
Photograph the surrounding wall, sill and any nearby fittings from a safe position. Avoid removing glazing, leaning out or dismantling finishes simply to improve an early estimate. If access is difficult, note the limitation and arrange an appropriate survey.
Add the choices that dimensions do not describe
State whether you want fixed, sliding or hinged operation; the preferred colour; any screen requirement; and whether the quote should include installation. Include the project location and whether the opening is new or existing. Those details help explain why identical dimensions can lead to different quotations.
Glass choice also needs attention. The U.S. Department of Energy’s window technology guide describes several glazing and operating options. A width-and-height list does not identify which option has been priced.
For renovation projects, the Australian government’s renovation guidance recommends defining the project’s goals and constraints. Add a brief note explaining what the replacement should improve, such as operation, daylight or comfort.
Review the supplier’s response before approving anything
Ask the supplier to return an opening-by-opening offer that repeats your references and states any assumptions. If a size has been converted or a panel arrangement changed, resolve that explicitly. Keep the approved quotation and drawing together.
For an area-based quotation, check the calculation basis with our price-per-square-metre guide. Area can help organise an estimate, but it does not capture every frame, hardware or installation difference.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send approximate sizes first?
Yes, for a preliminary estimate if the supplier accepts them. Label the dimensions approximate and ask which assumptions affect the price. Do not approve manufacture until final dimensions and responsibilities are confirmed.
Should I measure the glass or the frame?
Ask the supplier which measurement it needs for the current stage. If you have already measured, clearly describe the edges used. Glass dimensions should not be presented as the overall frame size.
Do I need a separate entry for identical windows?
List each opening reference and quantity clearly. Even similar-looking openings may differ on site, so confirm which dimensions can genuinely be grouped before placing a manufacturing order.
Send a usable first enquiry
Contact Forge Windows with the labelled list, photographs and preferred specification. Ask for an initial quote and a clear statement of what must be verified before the sizes become production instructions.
