Double-Hung Windows in Phoenix & Mesa, AZ
As the name suggests, with double hung windows, both sashes slide. From the outside looking in, the active sash slides behind the inactive. These windows consist of two sashes operating in a rectangular or square frame. You have the option of sliding the bottom sash up or the top sash down, but you can’t open both sides all the way at the same time. When you open one, the other one is unlocked as well. The entire window is covered with a screen because both sashes open.
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Double hung windows are typically used for openings that are closer to square in shape or are taller than they are wide. They are not the best choice for windows that are wider than they are tall because they will look very short and squatty and tend to rock when sliding up and down, no matter who manufactures them. The glides are too close for the width of the sash. It is not a matter of the quality of the product, it is just the mechanics of the operation.
We do provide double hung windows and the installation using energy efficient reinforced vinyl, composite or aluminum clad wood windows. Be aware, we do not normally recommend the use of double hung windows unless our client has a good reason for needing them and have been well informed of the operating characteristics of a modern double hung window. When needing a window that rises, a single hung(LINK TO PAGES) is almost always a better choice.
If you had exposure to the old wood double hung windows ones when growing up, you need to be aware they are different now, no matter the manufacturer. Remember, we pride ourselves on always being honest with our clients so our experts can help you find the right window solutions.
We assist Arizona families that live in Phoenix, Chandler, Peoria, Mesa, Glendale, Gilbert, Sun City, Queen Creek, Avondale, Sun City West, Scottsdale, Apache Junction, Paradise Valley, Surprise, Cave Creek, Goodyear, Carefree, El Mirage, Avondale, or anywhere else valley wide.
Benefits of Double Hung Windows
There are a number of benefits for certain situations that come with double hung windows in Arizona. Those benefits include:
They can be good second story windows – Both sashes can be tilted from the inside to clean and then tilted back up and snapped back into the frame. This can make cleaning the exterior glass on your second story windows easier in some ways. The only time this doesn’t work is when there are window treatments on the inside that prevent them from tilting in. As far as window treatments, sometimes the bottom sash can clear the treatments but the top one can’t. It just depends on what kind of treatments you have.
A single hung can be cleaned on a second story by tilting in the bottom sash or removing it from the frame. Then, pull the screen into the house. A spray bottle and a squeegee while standing inside the home will work from here.
Double hung windows can reduce light reflecting out onto artificial grass – double hung windows have a screen over the entire window. This does darken the inside of a room a little more than other replacement window configurations, but it also reduces the amount of UV light reflected back out to the yard. Plants and grass are not affected by this UV but some artificial grasses can be affected. It is a shame the artificial grass companies sell products that are may or may not be adequately guaranteed to with stand the normal environment caused by building code requirements for residential housing in the Phoenix area. The windows are required to reflect the UV back out.
Double hung windows can be lowered from the top. Windows low to the floor with pets in the room can still be opened without the pet being able to tear up the screen to get out. We have also had someone needing double hung windows to keep coyotes from getting in the bottom of the window screens to get at her cats.
They are perfect for this scenario but they should never be considered secure from humans getting in when the top is slightly lowered. The only way to lower the top sash is to unlock the window. Both sashes lock together when closed. When you unlock the top to lower it, you have also unlocked the bottom sash for people to open. Windows can only be truly locked when they are closed..
Keep in mind – for all other hung window replacement applications, we do suggest using a single hung window instead, since they are more secure, stable, better sealed, and require less maintenance.
Drawbacks of using Double Hung Replacement Windows
They do not slide up and down as easily as you might think they should. No matter who manufactures them, they are not made the same way they were decades ago. They both move and lock into each other. Modern energy and air infiltration codes require them to have an interlock between them and be double weather-stripped against each other. This makes them feel like they are slightly dragging across each other rather than gliding past each other. They often require one hand to push on each sash to seat the inner lock before latching the window. One hand on the top sash and the other on the bottom sash.
The old wood windows from decades ago, barely contacted each other at all allowing air to flow between them. This also allowed them to slide more freely.
They are not quite as tight and stable as a single hung replacement window. There is no stabilizing stationary bar in the middle of a double hung window for them to lock into. The two sashes lock into themselves. Because there is no stabilizing bar in the middle, a double hung frame is like a bedframe without horizontal slats connecting the sides to help keep the frame stable and square. Even with all the weather-stripping, they can’t seal as tight or be as stable as a single hung window because both sashes move.
The oversize screen frame is weaker. The screen covers the entire window instead of just one side. This makes the screen twice as big. The bigger the screen, the weaker the frame. It is easier to damage the screen frame if you need to take it out to clean the screen.
Krasiva Double Hung Window Replacements
Double hung windows are available in our Krasiva Desert Mountain 2.0 window with our high efficiency SM89 glass. Double-hung windows should be installed by professionals to insure they are installed correctly. All of our installers are very capable and dedicated to quality.
None of the drawbacks listed above have anything to do with the manufacturer quality. These are a result of the way double hung windows are required to operate combined with the building code requirements for energy and air infiltration.
We are happy to provide them for you anywhere in the Phoenix valley area, we just want people to fully understand them. They have their place. We just want to make sure you know what that is. If you need or want a double hung window for some reason, you will at least understand the downsides you will deal with so you will not be caught off guard and dissatisfied.