Are Double Hung Windows Worth It? Typically, half-screens are used on double-hung windows, which cover the bottom sash area and can be raised and lowered. Occasionally, a customer will want full screens, which cover the entire window and allow the top sash to be lowered in addition to the bottom sash.
One of the primary reasons for the popularity of this window is the ability to open both sashes, which allows for better airflow and ventilation. The double-hung window is the most widely used type of window available for purchase. The reason for this is straightforward: double-hung windows are less difficult to clean. Let’s find out if you really should by double hung windows or go for traditional ones.
Are Double Hung Windows Worth It?
Given the benefits and longibility and compared to traditional windows, double hung windows are definitely worth it! Double-hung windows feature two sashes that can be opened for added ventilation. The bottom sash elevates to allow cool air from the outside to enter.
The top sash descends to allow hot air from the ceiling to escape through the window. These features make double hung windows ideal for any home.
Double-hung windows with a tilt-in (also known as tilt-out) style are easy to clean from the inside of the house, saving time and effort. Window replacement is not a low-cost home renovation, as it can cost hundreds of dollars. While many homeowners recognise the advantages of replacing old windows with new ones, you may be wondering, “are double-hung windows worth it?”
Continue reading to learn more about double-hung windows cost vs benefits and how to determine which option is best for you.
There are numerous advantages to replacing old windows, but what is “worth it” to you may be different from what is “worth it” to someone else. But, if you are confused about your condition, you can observe the pros and cons of double hung regarding your budget for the windows of your sweet home.
Double-hung windows are approximately seventy-five per cent more expensive than single-hung windows. Single-hung windows typically cost between $100 and $300 per window; however, identical double-hung windows can cost $400 and $600. On average double-hung window features in the higher price tiers could cost between $800 and $1,000 per window.
Advantages of Double Hung Windows
The following are the advantages that homeowners have experienced while replacing old windows with double-hung windows:
1. Cleaning is simple:
Does the thought of washing old windows make you cringe to the point that you hire someone to perform the unpleasant job for you? Because newer double-hung windows slant inward, they are extremely easy to clean. When you clean your windows yourself rather than paying a professional, you will save money without jeopardizing the appearance of your windows.
2. Reduce the number of air leaks:
Newer windows prevent air from escaping from your home, allowing your home to keep a more stable temperature throughout the year. You will enjoy a draft-free house while using less heat and air conditioning to keep comfortable – resulting in lower monthly energy bills for oil, gas, or electricity.
3. Conserve energy and money by following these guidelines:
When attempting to reduce your energy consumption, it is critical to first seal your home’s envelope to minimize your overall energy consumption before making an investment in clean or renewable energy. You would be wasting energy if you did not.
By replacing drafty windows with energy-efficient windows, you can tighten the envelope of your home, reduce your overall energy consumption, and prepare the path for future clean-energy home improvements to be implemented.
4. Increase the market value of your home:
Replacement windows provide the greatest return on investment for the majority of homeowners at the time of selling. When you look at things from a long-term perspective, you will appreciate being comfortable in your house all year long while improving the value of your property and the asking price when you decide to sell.
When homeowners sell their homes, they typically return approximately 80% of the cost of replacing windows.
5. Offer more ventilation:
Double-hung windows provide more ventilation than single-hung windows do.
Are they tired of your room being stuffy and suffocating? It’s possible that double-hung windows are the best choice for you. A significant amount more ventilation is provided by double-hung windows than by single-hung windows since they may be opened from both the top and bottom of the frame.
With a double-hung window, you not only have the choice of opening the top of the window rather than the bottom, but you can also open both panels halfway at the same time to create a recirculating effect.
In theory, opening your window in this manner will allow warm air from your home to escape to the outside while also enabling fresh air from the outside to enter your residence.
Choose double-hung windows that are in keeping with the style of your property, especially if it is a historic building, to increase the market value of your home. Wood windows with separated light panes, for example, maintain the historic style of old windows and increase the home’s value, whereas standard vinyl replacement windows without divided light panels merge centuries and depreciate the value of the home with time.
After weighing the costs of replacement double-hung windows against the benefits they provide, the majority of homeowners conclude that the benefits surpass the costs in the end.
Disadvantages of Double Hung Windows
Every type of window has its own set of disadvantages. The fact is that, while double-hung windows are a good choice in general, there may be situations in which they are simply not appropriate for your home or a specific room. Here are a few drawbacks to take into consideration:
- Cost: Because of the characteristics that allow both sashes to be fully operable, double-hung windows tend to be more expensive than single-hung windows, while they are still less expensive than other, more complex designs of replacement windows.
- Maintenance: Double-hung windows must be cleaned and dusted regularly in order to maintain good condition. The locks and pulley mechanisms may also require lubrication in order to avoid becoming too stiff or rusting. Modern double-hung windows, especially those with vinyl or fiberglass frames, may require less upkeep, but they still require more maintenance than other types of windows, such as single-hung windows or picture windows.
- Air Leakage: Generally speaking, double-hung windows are less tightly sealed than casement windows, and weatherstripping may be required during the cooler months to ensure that cold air and vermin do not enter the residence. The proper installation will go a long toward achieving this, but you’ll still need to make certain that your window remains properly sealed in place.
Read More: Can I Mix Casement And Double-Hung Windows: Is It Worth It?
What Is the Average Cost of Double Hung Windows?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how much do double-hung windows cost because it is dependent on the number of windows in your home, the size of the windows, and the amenities you select for your double-hung window purchase.
Choose windows with a low-E coating, which prevents ultraviolet rays from passing through them, and you will spend more than if you choose not to have this feature installed. Your furniture, on the other hand, may fade in an uneven manner, resulting in you having to pay more money over time to replace that sofa and rug!
Are Our Double-Hung Windows Inherently More Secure?
The majority of homeowners feel that upgrading from single-hung to double-pane windows can be expensive.
The resale value is significant and worthwhile. However, for individuals who live in high-risk locations and have the financial means to do so, it is advised that double-hung windows be reinforced for increased security. Double-hung windows without additional security measures are safer; yet, they are less safe than impact-resistant windows.
Two major considerations exist when it comes to window safety:
- The ability to see out of the window and the ability to see in from outside: Window frames are often the most vulnerable points of access in most homes, and they are also the most expensive. Some individuals believe that the sound of breaking glass will warn a resident or neighbor of the presence of an intruder; however, this is not always the case. Some burglars don’t even need to shatter windows to enter a house because windows are frequently left unlocked or ineffectively locked.
- The ability to protect a home from severe weather: Windows can put a home in danger of destruction and disaster due to severe weather. Homeowners who are not prepared for or have chosen unsuitable window structures and materials might suffer catastrophic damage to their windows and their home itself due to violent weather events such as excessive temperatures, severe storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and other incidents.
Are Double-Hung Windows The Best Option for You?
No matter if you’re building a new home from the ground up or renovating an existing one, there are a few considerations when deciding on the type of window to utilize. Single-hung versus double-hung windows is comparable in terms of cost, maintenance, and energy efficiency.
Read More: Are Double-Hung Windows Energy Efficient?
Choosing windows can be a difficult task due to the enormous quantity of design choices available to you. However, before you begin to consider window trims and forms, you must first decide whether you want single-hung or double-hung windows. As opposed to double-hung windows, single-hung windows have the top sash fixed in place, allowing only the bottom sash to be moved up.
The double-hung windows can be moved independently of one another, allowing you to have two sashes open at the same time. While single-hung and double-hung windows may appear to be similar from the outside, there are several significant differences to consider when comparing the two types of windows.
Learn about the seven major distinctions between the two styles in order to choose the best one for your home.
Single-hung windows are more frequent than double-hung windows:
Single-hung windows are more frequent than double-hung windows because they are less expensive. Because they have been around for a longer period of time, single-hung windows (also known as sash windows) are more frequent than double-hung windows. While the actual origin of the single-hung window has not been discovered, Historic England, a non-profit organization, says that architects began utilizing sash windows in home design as early as the 17th century, according to their research.
As a result, single-hung windows are more commonly found in older, historic properties that are being restored. Aside from their long history, single-hung windows are considerably less expensive to purchase and install than double-hung windows.
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Double-Hung Windows Are More Expensive to Purchase:
Single-hung windows are typically cheaper than double-hung windows. According to Fixr, an online marketplace for hiring contractors and builders for home projects, double-hung windows can cost up to 75 per cent more than single-hung windows, even when they are identical in style and size.
Single-hung windows are typically priced between $100 to $300 per window. Double-hung windows can cost anywhere from $400 to $600, which doesn’t include installing them. The cost of installing a single-hung window is likewise less expensive, ranging between $75 and $100, whereas the cost of installing a double-hung window is between $150 and $250.
Double-hung window expenses can rise even more as a result of the increased number of alternatives available in terms of size, energy efficiency, window frame material, and UV protection.
Because of these significant prices, single-hung windows are a preferable choice for people who are working with a limited financial budget.
Single-hung windows are notoriously difficult to keep clean and maintain:
Single-hung windows require more effort to maintain cleanliness than double-hung windows, despite the fact that they are a more affordable solution. You must be inside the house to clean the interior of the window and outside the house to clean the exterior of the window.
Moreover, because double-hung windows may be opened from the inside, you can clean both the interior and outside surfaces of the window while remaining inside the house. Some single-hung windows do tilt inward, but only on the bottom panel; to clean the upper panel, you’d have to reach through the window from the outside (or go outside).
According to where you live and the current season, you should clean your windows at least once every two months or more frequently. While cleaning single-hung windows on the first floor may be a bit of a hassle, cleaning those on the second and subsequent floors will be significantly more difficult.
Double-hung windows provide better ventilation than single-hung windows:
Do you get weary of your room being stuffy all of the time? It’s possible that double-hung windows are the best option for you. Double-hung windows provide far greater ventilation than single-hung windows, which only open from the bottom of the frame. This is because double-hung windows open from both the top and bottom of the frame.
It is possible to generate a recirculating effect by opening both panels halfway simultaneously while using a double-hung window instead of a single-hung window. In theory, opening your window in this manner will allow warm air from your home to go to the outside while also enabling fresh air from the outside to enter.
Single-hung windows are more energy-efficient than double-hung windows:
Generally speaking, single-hung windows are considered to be more energy-efficient than double-hung windows since they have fewer moving components and so use less energy to operate. According to the US Department of Energy, however, single-hung and double-hung windows both have higher air leakage rates than projecting or hinged windows, despite the fact that they are more common.
Specific to double-hung windows, the top edge of the frame of these windows does not usually seal effectively, resulting in greater monthly energy bills on your electric bill. Highly durable, well-sealed double-hung windows may be found on the market, but you’ll have to pay a little more to obtain that adaptability while still saving money on energy costs.
Double-hung windows are available in a wide variety of designs and styles:
One of the reasons double-hung windows are becoming increasingly popular is the greater variety of options available today—the greater the number of options available, the more likely it is that you will discover a finish and design that complements your own style.
Single-hung windows, on the other hand, continue to have a wide range of alternatives, despite the fact that they are typically seen in older homes. Both window designs are available in various frame materials, including vinyl, fiberglass, wood, and aluminum.
However, if you are concerned about windows maintenance, cleaning, designs, and ventilation system of your home rather than cost, you can easily choose double-hung. Otherwise, if your budget is low, single-hung windows are better for you.
Conclusion
Replacement windows provide the greatest return on investment for the majority of homeowners at the time of selling. When you look at things from a long-term perspective, you will appreciate being comfortable in your house all year long while improving the value of your property and the asking price when you decide to sell. When homeowners sell their homes, they typically return approximately 80% of the cost of replacing windows.
Choose double-hung windows that are in keeping with the style of your property, especially if it is a historic building, to increase the market value of your home. Wood windows with separated light panes, for example, maintain the historic style of old windows and increase the value of the home, whereas standard vinyl replacement windows without divided light panels merge centuries and depreciate the value of the home with time.
Are Double Hung Windows Worth It?
After weighing the costs of replacement double-hung windows against the benefits they provide, the majority of homeowners conclude that the benefits surpass the costs in the end.
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