Last updated: March 2026
Window hoisting is common for NYC brownstones and walkups. A sofa (32–36" deep) needs a 36"+ window opening. See if your window works.
Whether it fits depends on measurements most people get wrong.
Sofa depth (36") and height (34") vs. window opening with sash removed. Standard window: 32"×52" clear opening.
Item: Standard sofa: 84"L × 36"D × 34"H. Depth and height are the window-critical dims.
Space: Double-hung window: 32"×52" clear opening. With sash out: 36"×56".
Actual clear openings are usually 1–2″ smaller than the labeled size.
Your exact dimensions probably aren't "standard." Small measurement errors cause big problems — 1 inch can be the difference between fitting and getting stuck.
Verdicts are calculated by comparing all 6 item orientations against the space dimensions using verified building code standards. See our methodology
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1 inch can be the difference between fitting and getting stuck.
“Checked 6 items against our new apartment in 10 minutes. Knew exactly what to order.” — New apartment
Measurements verified by the ItemFits engineering team · Our methodology
Standard sizes say it works — but your measurements are what matter.
A standard sofa (36" deep × 34" tall) needs a window opening of at least 36"×38" with sash removed. Standard double-hung windows (32"×52" opening) work. Narrow single windows (24") usually don't.
Professional furniture hoisting runs $300–800 per piece depending on floor height and item weight. NYC and dense urban areas have specialized hoisting companies. The cost is often less than returning a sofa that won't fit up the stairs.