;( function( $ ){

  // gets the outer width of an element even if it is hidden
  $.fn.extend({
    actualOuterWidth : function( ){
      
        var element = $(this).clone();
    
        element.css('display', 'block');
        
        $(document.body).append(element);
        
        var result = element.outerWidth();
        
        element.remove();
        
        return result;
    
    }       
  });
  
  // gets the width of an element even if it is hidden
  $.fn.extend({
    actualWidth : function( ){
      
        var element = $(this).clone();
    
        element.css('display', 'block');
        
        $(document.body).append(element);
        
        var result = element.width();
        
        element.remove();
        
        return result;
    
    }       
  });
  
  // gets the height of an element even if it is hidden
  $.fn.extend({
    actualHeight : function( ){
      
        var element = $(this).clone();
    
        element.css('display', 'block');
        
        $(document.body).append(element);
        
        var result = element.height();
        
        element.remove();
        
        return result;
    
    }       
  });
  
})( jQuery );