Standard Double Hung
Both upper and lower sashes slide vertically. This is the common residential configuration for bedrooms, living rooms, and replacement work.
Double hung windows have two vertically sliding sashes, allowing ventilation from the lower opening, upper opening, or both at the same time. They are one of the most familiar residential window types in North America and are common in replacement projects, historic renovations, bedrooms, and traditional elevations. Selection is driven by sash balance quality, meeting-rail performance, tilt-in cleaning hardware, air leakage rating, and how well the product preserves the proportions of the building.
Product Reference
Anatomy of a Window
Configurations
How It Comes
Applications
Where It's Used
Residential Replacement
Double hung units fit many existing openings and preserve the familiar look of older homes.
Upper Floors
Tilt-in cleaning and vertical operation make double hung windows practical where exterior access is difficult.
Traditional Elevations
The meeting rail and vertical proportions align well with colonial, craftsman, farmhouse, and many multifamily facades.
Controlled Ventilation
Opening both sashes can let warmer air exhaust high while cooler air enters low, depending on wind and room layout.
Selection Guide
How To Specify It
Use these checkpoints when comparing quotes, reviewing submittals, or deciding whether this product type fits the opening.
Frame Material
Vinyl Double Hung Window
Vinyl double hung windows dominate residential replacement because they are cost-effective, low maintenance, and widely offered with tilt-in sashes.
Advantages
- Strong value for whole-home replacement projects
- Low maintenance with welded frame and sash corners
- Tilt-in cleaning is common on mid-grade lines
Considerations
- Bulkier profiles can reduce glass area
- Balance and lock quality varies significantly
- Limited color flexibility compared with wood or aluminum
Frame Material
Wood Double Hung Window
Wood double hung windows provide traditional proportions, repairability, and interior finish quality, especially in historic or custom residential work.
Advantages
- Best match for traditional and historic interiors
- Can be painted, stained, repaired, and reglazed more readily
- Good insulation value
Considerations
- Requires maintenance at exterior surfaces
- More vulnerable to rot when sill details fail
- Higher cost than many vinyl replacements
Frame Material
Aluminum Double Hung Window
Aluminum double hung units are less common in residential replacement but appear in commercial, multifamily, and coastal systems where strength and finish durability are priorities.
Advantages
- Durable frame and finish for high-use buildings
- Slimmer profiles than many vinyl units
- Can support commercial performance requirements
Considerations
- Thermal break quality is essential
- Not as common in traditional residential supply channels
- May feel colder at interior frame surfaces in winter
Frame Material
Fiberglass Double Hung Window
Fiberglass double hung windows offer low movement, good strength, and low maintenance for premium replacement and new-construction projects.
Advantages
- Stable frame helps maintain sash alignment
- Low maintenance with stronger profiles than standard vinyl
- Good fit for higher-performance glass packages
Considerations
- Premium price point
- Fewer manufacturer choices
- Replacement parts may be less locally available
Frame Material
Composite Double Hung Window
Composite double hung windows use engineered polymer, fiber, or wood-resin materials to improve stiffness, durability, or appearance compared with basic vinyl.
Advantages
- Improved rigidity and finish options over commodity vinyl
- Low maintenance in many product lines
- Often designed for replacement-window workflows
Considerations
- Material formulations differ by manufacturer
- Cost can approach fiberglass or clad wood
- Long-term repair options depend on proprietary parts
0.20 to 0.35 Btu/hr-ft2-F
U-Factor
0.18 to 0.58
SHGC
Performance & Ratings
At a Glance
Project Coordination
Details To Confirm Early
01
Shim without bowing jambs
Over-shimming or under-fastening the side jambs can bind the sash and make balances appear defective.
02
Check diagonal squareness
Double hung units are sensitive to out-of-square openings. Verify reveal and sash lock alignment before insulating.
03
Keep tracks clean
Construction debris in jamb liners and sill tracks can damage balances, weatherstripping, and tilt latches.
Product Questions
Common Questions
What is the difference between single hung and double hung windows?
In a double hung window both sashes move. In a single hung window the lower sash moves and the upper sash is fixed.
Are double hung windows good for egress?
They can be, but the clear opening is limited to one sash opening. Always verify clear width, height, area, and sill height.
Why do some double hung windows leak more air?
The sliding sash tracks and meeting rail create more seal paths than compression-sealed windows, so product quality and installation matter.