Double-hung windows are the most classic of styles. The windows feature two sashes framing the panes of glass. The sashes are set into tracks, and some have a handle or an integrated lift to assist with opening. When you want to open the windows, you slide the sash along the tracks. With double-hung windows, both the top and bottom sash open.
When you install replacement windows or even choose windows for a new-build, you’re faced with a myriad of style choices. Below are some reasons to choose classic double-hung windows.
Double-Hung Windows Fit Any Home Style
Double-hung windows are one of the most common styles. Indeed, they’re often the default style builders use. What’s more, the fact that they operate smoothly means many homeowners choose them on their own. You can find double-hung windows in many homes because they are classic and functional.
Likewise, traditional double-hung windows are relatively simple in design, which means double-hung windows can fit into a contemporary home as easily as they complement an historical home.
Double-Hung Windows Allow for More Ventilation
Double-hung windows give you a big advantage in how you regulate your airflow. You can use them like single-hung windows and raise the lower sash. However, if you want ventilation without a discernable breeze, you can open the upper sash. The breeze will be higher up. You can also create air circulation by partially opening both sashes, which lets hot air circulate out and cool air in.
Double-Hung Windows Are Easy to Dress
Even the most attractive new windows are improved by window dressing. Window treatments not only complement your room’s décor, they also help you control light and privacy. Double-hung windows have a simple design, and many window treatment options are available to enhance them.
Below are some window treatments that are ideal for double-hung windows:
- Curtain panels
- Valances and swags
- Roman shades
- Blinds
- Interior shutters
In addition to the general form of those window treatments, you can customize them. For example, you can choose pleated or cascading curtains. You can also customize the hem of Roman shades or choose from different styles of blinds. With double-hung windows, you can layer the above treatments to achieve the look you want.
Double-Hung Windows Are Easy to Clean
Modern double-hung windows are also easy to clean. While you open them by sliding them along the tracks, they also feature a tilt-in movement, which is strictly a function for cleaning them. You move the sash part way up the track and then engage the tilt-in function. This movement allows you to clean the outside of the glass without having to be outside or maneuver your arm around from inside the house.
Double-Hung Windows Come With a Variety of Pane and Frame Options
Double-hung windows are versatile, and they come in the greatest variety of pane and frame options. Concerning the glass, you can select from a number of energy-efficiency choices. These choices sometimes include double-paned and triple-paned as well as the inclusion of an inert gas fill. You can also have a low-E film applied to the glass.
For the frames, you have the following material options:
- Aluminum
- Vinyl
- Wood
- Wood-clad
- Composite
- Fiberglass
Your choice in frame material affects the look, function, and performance of your windows. You can also choose window grids for your double-hung windows.
Double-Hung Windows Don’t Require Clearance to Open
Going back to the operation of double-hung windows, the fact that they slide up and down means you don’t need any clearance to open them. Casement windows, for example, open out, which means the area outside the window needs to be clear, otherwise you’ll have difficulty opening the window. Even double-hung windows with the tilt-in feature allow you to hang screens, which keep bugs and debris out.
When choosing new windows, consider opting for the classic double-hung style. Pella Windows and Doors of Wisconsin has a wide selection of any style window.
