Everything you wanted to know about double hung windows

Regardless of whether you are living in the countryside or an urban setup, double-hung windows are always in vogue and offer the much-needed appeal enhancing benefit. In this article, let us find out more about these types of windows under the following sub-topics, namely,

1. Facts about double-hung windows.
2. Advantages and disadvantages of installing these windows.
3. When must you replace windows?
4. How energy efficient are double-hung windows.

So, let us take one sub-topic at a time in the paragraphs that follow.

1. Facts about double-hung windows

Double-hung windows are classic and most sought-after “replacement windows styles” that you will come across. These windows that impart a Victorian and Georgian look to your house are also known as “hung sash window,” which is of frequent occurrence in the United Kingdom and the United States alike.

Facts about hung sash window

Check out these facts in the points below-

• Two sashes slide over one another vertically, and the window frame supports them.
• You can clean the sashes due to its sliding nature
• The most common material with which these windows are made up of include aluminum, wood, and vinyl.
• It can be safely said that these windows serve as soundproof barriers since they are made up of glass with double strength, have “laminated glass, and also triple-pane glass.”
• They are ideal for home window replacement or newer constructions.
• These windows also offer safety provision for homes that are in hurricane-prone zones. You can achieve this by installing impact windows.

1. Advantages and disadvantages of installing these windows

Installing and investing in double hung windows have their pros and cons. Let us first go through the advantages that you will enjoy if you decide to install these windows in your home.

Advantages

• These types of windows are well-fitted and gel well with most of the styles and décor of homes. Since they are available in a variety of styles and designs, your options are endless as far as picking the right one for your home is concerned.

• If you have casement windows, you must have known the hardship or hassle you face for air conditioners and while installing screens. However, in the case of these double hung windows, you do not have to worry about the same. You can install air conditioners since these windows slide up and down and are compatible with screens too.

• You will like the smooth and hassle-free maintenance of these double hung windows since they have sashes that slide above one another.

• These double hung windows add beauty and enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home.

• You also have the provision to customize these windows as per your taste and style. They are available in a wide array of styles and designs.

• Optimum ventilation is another positive trait that you can expect from these window styles.

Disadvantages

The benefits far outnumber the drawbacks. And just 2 of the disadvantages that you might come across in these windows include-

Under normal conditions, they are not airtight. However, there is a solution to this too. If you opt for quadruple weather stripping, you can easily overcome this drawback.

1. When must you replace windows?

If you have wooden windows that have lost its appeal and have become weak due to the infiltration of water over the years, it can be a good reason for replacing your home windows. 

Another reason why you require window replacement is that it is no longer serving the purpose.

Also, homeowners often find it difficult to keep the window glasses clean as they are not easily reachable. During every cleaning session, they have to climb up ladders to do the cleaning painstakingly. So, if you are facing any of these problems, you can think about replacing or upgrading your home windows.

Generally speaking, you can opt for either of the three approaches as far as window replacement is concerned, namely,

• Insert windows
• Window replacement
• Full-window replacements

1. How energy efficient are double hung windows

Energy Star windows help by saving energy, which is approximately twice as efficient in curbing your electric bills as compared to the windows that you installed in your house at least ten years or more ago.

There are few things that you can do to make your double hung windows or for that matter, any window that you are planning to replace or upgrade to save energy. These tips will help you in not just saving on energy but also lowering your bills.

• Window glazing is one of the ways by which you can make the house energy efficient. Aside from installing glasses in the window that are in 3 layers, the area in between these layers can be filled with gases like argon and krypton to prevent loss of heat. So, you can use either one of the gases or a combination of the two.

• Low-emittance coatings are also another good option for preventing heat loss. You can use tints and reflective films to improve window performance. If you are installing reflective tints and films, you can enjoy cooler interiors. Ideally, you can use gray and bronze-tinted glasses for optimum window performance.

• As far as low-e-coatings are concerned, they are even more effective as compared to the above options. You can make use of metallic oxide particles that have the property of suppressing heat from flowing out. The other option is microscopic metal instead of metallic oxide.

Aside from the above, you can also take extra care when constructing the windows regardless of whether it is double hung ones or one that is of a different kind. While installing the windows, make sure you use vinyl frames that are insulation filled and are made up of fiberglass.

Remember, fiberglass serves better as compared to wood when it comes to saving energy or making the windows energy efficient.