Building codes evolve throughout time, and what was once permissible may no longer be so when a modification is made.
The size of the windows varies per country hence building regulations are in place to govern construction to enhance standards. With that said, what are the bedroom window sizes?
Bedroom Windows Sizes By International Residential Code :
According to the International Residential Code, a conventional bedroom window can be 24 to 44 inches above the floor. The aperture must be at least 5.7 square feet, and it must be at least 24 inches high and 20 inches wide.
How Big Does a Bedroom Window Have to be? (Standard vs. Spec Countries)
How big a window should be, is determined by the size of the bedroom and the type of window to be installed.
The most common window size is 24×36. All common window sizes and measurements for fixed, standard, and double-hung windows might vary depending on the manufacturer.
Specific requirements apply to windows in certain areas of the house.
The ground-floor window in the main livable spaces should not be more than 44 inches from the floor for emergency escape; windows on the second and above floors should be at least 2 feet from the floor to prevent minors from climbing.
Single or Double Hung Window
The standard length for single or double-hung windows ranges from 36 to 72 inches.
Picture Window
Picture windows can range in height from 12 to 96 inches.
Sliding Window
Because sliding windows are wider, their heights are normally a foot lower than their widths. If you have a sliding window that is 84 inches wide, the extension of the window will normally be 60 inches. Sliding windows are commonly available in heights ranging from 24 to 60 inches.
Bay Windows
Bay windows are wider than they are higher. Regular sizes, which are not custom-made, typically range from 3 feet to 6 feet and 6 inches tall.
Casement Windows
Casement windows are the opposite, as they are typically taller than they are thicker. They typically range in height from 2 feet 5.5 inches to 6 feet 5.5 inches.
Awning Windows
Awning Windows are also taller than thicker, with typical heights ranging from 1 foot 8 inches to 7 feet 8 inches.
Bedroom Window Size Code by Countries:
| Country | Window Size | Code |
| United States | 24 x 20 (inches) | At least 5.7 square feet in size; floor opening of no more than 44 inches. To prevent youngsters from climbing onto it, the window cannot be installed higher than 44 inches from the floor and no lower than 24 inches. The windows must have a total combined glass area of at least 8% of the floor space and a combined opened window area of at least 4% of the floor area. This suggests that your windows should be at least partly open. |
| United Kingdom | 24 x 36 (inches) | The windows begin 3 feet above the floor. Window guards in a child’s bedroom may be necessary if they are less than 2 feet from the floor and the safety glass is less than 18 inches from the floor. Windows on the second or higher floors must be three feet high by four and a half feet wide, with a net clear opening of twenty-four inches. |
| Canada | no less than 15 inches (ca. 38 cm) | Must have a depth of 30 inches (0.76 m) and be 76 cm away from the wall. The NBCC requires that a permanent ladder or step be attached to the bedroom window to facilitate a rapid and easy escape in the case of an emergency. |
| Australia | a sill height of 865mm | The Australian Building Code now requires that a bedroom window offer protection if the floor below the window is 2 meters or higher above the height of the surface. Furthermore, laws only apply if the lowest section of the window opening is less than 1700mm above the floor. Similar to how pool fence standards work, it appears that if the distance between the bottom of your window and the floor is greater than 1700mm, it is regarded as too difficult for a youngster to approach. |
| France | 24 x 36 (inches) | The minimum distance is 1.90 meters if the window is on the first or second story and 2.60 meters on the ground floor. The minimal distance for a property in oblique view is 60 cm. |
| Italy | 24 x 36 (inches) | The windows begin 3 feet above the floor. Window guards in a child’s bedroom may be necessary if they are less than 2 feet from the floor and the safety glass is less than 18 inches from the floor. |
| Greece | 24 x 20 (inches) | Be the same as or larger than 5.7 square feet. If the window is below ground level, window wells are required. Residential requirements will differ from commercial building requirements in sites where escape windows must be built, but the proportions will be the same or extremely comparable. |
| China | 24 x 36 (inches) | At least 5.7 square feet in size; floor opening of no more than 44 inches. To prevent youngsters from climbing onto it, the window cannot be installed higher than 44 inches from the floor and no lower than 24 inches. |
| United Arab Emirates | 24 x 20 (inches) | Second-story bedroom windows must have the following dimensions: a minimum opening width of 20 inches, a minimum opening height of 24 inches, a net clear opening of 5.7 square feet, and a maximum sill height of 44 inches from the floor. All windows that are more than 6 feet above the grade outside the window must have a bottom opening that is at least 24 inches above the inner floor of the room. Exceptions may be allowed for windows that open no more than 4 inches or have window guards or opening control systems. |
How Wide Does a Bedroom Window Need to be?
Ideally, the standard width of a bedroom window is 36, 48, 60, 72, and 84 inches wide. However, the windows themselves are 36 1/2, 47 1/2, 59 1/2, 71 1/2, and 83 1/2 inches wide to allow for installation.
The width of a bedroom window is determined by the type of window you select for your bedroom. Remember that manufacturers always subtract a half-inch from the window width limits to guarantee proper installation and function.
The following are the standard width sizes for the most common window types:
How Small Can a Bedroom Window be?
The opening must be at least 5.7 square feet in size and no less than 24 inches high and 20 inches wide. The measurements may be modest, but they serve as a lighting focal point.
Picture Window Minimum Sizes
Andersen 100 Series: 5 1/4 x 5 1/4″
Brennan Traditions: 11 x 11″
MI 1620 Picture Windows: 11 1/2 x 33 1/2″
Sierra Pacific H3 Picture Windows:5 x 13.5″
Hung Window Minimum Sizes
Andersen 100 Single Hung: 14 x 8 1/16″
Brennan Traditions Single Hung: 15 1/8 x 22 5/8″
MI 1620 Single Hung Windows: 19 1/2 x 35 1/2″
Sierra Pacific H3 Double Hung:5 x 35.5″
Casement Window Minimum Sizes
Andersen 100 Series: 5 3/8″ x 17 13/16″
Brennan Traditions: 16 x 20″
MI 1675 Casement Windows: 16 x 24″
Sierra Pacific H3 Casement Windows: 5 x 23.5″
Sliding Window Minimum Sizes
Andersen 100 Series: 8 1/16″ x 8″
Brennan Traditions: 22 1/8 x 12 1/2″
MI 1630 Slider Windows: 23 x 11 ½”
Pros of and Cons of Small Windows
The window size you select may be based on space constraints or aesthetic considerations. Regardless of the cause, here are the benefits and drawbacks of the small window size option.
Pros
- Depending on the requirement, airflow can be controlled and limited.
- Small windows can provide solitude in small spaces like toilets, but some ambient illumination is welcome.
- Small windows can allow light into the interior without causing significant heat loss.
Cons
- With extra frames, cleaning small windows might be challenging.
- Large windows can provide you with a landscape view, but little ones can’t.
Does a Bedroom Window Have to be a Certain Size?
A bedroom window has to be a certain size depending on the building codes of your country, the type of window to be installed, and the size of the room.
All windows that are more than 6 feet above the grade outside the window must have a bottom opening that is at least 24 inches above the room’s internal floor, according to the 2018 IRC.
Exceptions can be made for windows that open no more than 4 inches or have window guards or opening control mechanisms that meet ASTM F2090-17 standards.
Final Thought
Whether large or tiny, Bedroom windows can act as a lighting focal point and provide a view of the outside world.
Building codes, on the other hand, specify the maximum size of bedroom windows that can be installed, which varies from country to country.
