Wall Sleeve Dimensions Explained: Will the Amana Sleeve Fit Your Space

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When I (Mark) first decided to install an Amana through-the-wall air conditioner, I figured the wall sleeve was just a simple box. How complicated could it be? Turns out, the dimensions of that box make all the difference.

If your wall cut-out is too small, the sleeve won’t fit. Too big, and you’ll end up with gaps, leaks, and wasted energy. Even a 1-inch difference between brands can create big headaches.

Amana Through-the-Wall Air Conditioner Wall Sleeve

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything I learned about wall sleeve dimensions, how to measure your space properly, and what to do if your cut-out doesn’t match Amana’s standard size.

📐 What Is a Wall Sleeve and Why Does Size Matter?

A wall sleeve is the structural housing for your through-the-wall AC. It slides into your wall cut-out, and the AC unit slides into the sleeve.

👉 Why sleeve size matters:

Ensures a snug, airtight fit for energy efficiency.
Prevents water intrusion by aligning with built-in drainage slopes.
Keeps the unit from rattling or vibrating.
Protects your warranty (Amana requires proper installation with their sleeve).

The U.S. Department of Energy notes that poor installation can reduce AC efficiency by 20–30% . Much of that comes down to sleeve fit and sealing.

📏 Standard Wall Sleeve Dimensions

Amana’s wall sleeve is designed with precise dimensions to match their through-the-wall AC units:

Width: 26 inches
Height: 15.625 inches
Depth: 16.75 inches

Now, here’s where it gets tricky:

Amana & Friedrich sleeves: 26”
GE & LG sleeves: 27”

That 1-inch difference may not sound like much, but if you try to slide an Amana unit into a 27” sleeve, you’ll get side gaps. If you force a 27” unit into a 26” sleeve, it won’t fit at all.

👉 Mark’s Story: My first mistake was trying to reuse an old GE 27” sleeve with my Amana AC. The result? Drafts, buzzing noise, and water leaks. I ended up ripping it out and replacing it with the correct Amana sleeve.

🪚 How to Measure Your Wall Cut-Out Properly

Before you buy, you need to measure your existing opening. Here’s how I did it:

Remove the old AC or sleeve (if present).
Measure width, height, and depth of the wall cut-out with a tape measure.
Check for square: measure diagonally both ways. If the diagonals don’t match, your cut-out isn’t square.
Check depth: make sure your wall is at least 17” deep (most standard walls are fine).

⚠️ Safety Note: Always check for studs, wiring, or plumbing before cutting or resizing an opening.

👉 Mark’s Tip: Measure both inside and outside the wall. Sometimes siding or trim can make dimensions look different.

⚖️ Why Proper Fit Equals Efficiency

A snug-fitting wall sleeve isn’t just about appearance—it’s about performance.

Air Sealing: Gaps let cool air escape, making your AC work harder.
Noise Control: A loose fit causes vibration and humming.
Moisture Protection: Correct dimensions ensure drainage slope works as designed.

The EPA’s Energy Star program warns that air leaks can waste 25–40% of heating and cooling energy in homes .

👉 Mark’s Experience: When I had a ½-inch gap with a universal sleeve, my utility bills went up noticeably because of air leaks.

🧱 What If Your Cut-Out Doesn’t Match the Amana Sleeve?

Not every wall opening is “by the book.” Here’s what you can do:

Opening Too Small

Carefully enlarge the opening with a saw.
Add framing for stability.
Mark’s note: I had to expand an old 25” cut-out and reinforce with 2x4s—took extra time, but worth it.

Opening Too Big

Shim with wood or insulation strips.
Seal with caulk or spray foam.
Long-term: consider reframing the opening to exact size.

Wall Too Thin or Thick

Standard Amana sleeve depth (16.75”) fits most walls.
For extra-thick walls, use finishing trim to cover the gap.

📊 Amana vs. Universal Sleeves (Dimension Focus)

Here’s how they compare:

Feature	Amana Sleeve	Universal Sleeve
Width	Exact 26”	26” or 27” (varies)
Height	Exact 15.625”	Varies
Depth	16.75”	May vary
Fit	Perfect for Amana units	Hit-or-miss
Warranty	Fully covered	May void warranty

👉 Mark’s Take: A universal sleeve is like wearing shoes a size too big—you can stuff socks in to make it work, but it’s never comfortable.

🧰 Installation Planning Tips

Always slope the sleeve ¼ inch downward to the outside for drainage .
Double-check the cut-out is level and square before inserting the sleeve.
Don’t assume “close enough” is good enough—small gaps turn into big problems.

👉 Mark’s Reminder: My first sleeve install wasn’t perfectly level, and the AC rattled every time it ran. Reinstalling fixed it.

🚨 Common Mistakes Homeowners Make

From my experience (and mistakes):

❌ Assuming all sleeves are the same size.
❌ Measuring only width and forgetting depth.
❌ Not checking for square—crooked openings cause major problems.
❌ Using a universal sleeve and expecting a perfect fit.
❌ Skipping sealing and insulation.

✅ Mark’s Final Take

If you’re installing an Amana through-the-wall AC, don’t underestimate the sleeve. That 26-inch dimension is the difference between a smooth, efficient install and a noisy, leaky nightmare.

My advice: