If you’ve started researching new windows, you may have come across the terms single- and double-hung windows. You may be wondering exactly what these windows are and whether they’re right for your home.
Keep reading, and we’ll discuss everything you need to know about single- and double-hung windows, their pros and cons, what type is best for where you live, which types are best for your budget, and more.
Let’s jump in.
Single vs. double-hung windows: an overview
Before explaining single- and double-hung windows, we need to define a window sash. The sash is the part of the window that actually encases the glass and holds it within the greater frame. Some sashes can move, opening the window, while some are fixed to the frame and cannot move.
A single-hung window has one moving sash. Because they can only open in one way, single-hung windows are often used in rooms like bedrooms where maximizing ventilation is less of a consideration. They are also sometimes used on the first floor of a house, where they are easier to clean from the outside, and they can let in cooler air that sits closer to the ground.
A double-hung window has two sashes that can move independently of each other. Double-hung windows come in many different types, but one main benefit is that they allow you to open the window high and low, allowing warmer air closer to the ceiling to escape through the top, while cooler air can enter the home through the bottom. This can also make them a great choice for rooms that need more ventilation, like bathrooms and kitchens. Another benefit of double-hung windows is that they can be fully cleaned from the inside, which is another reason to have them on upper floors.
Single-hung vs. double-hung window cost
Type of Window | Cost Factor | Cost |
Single-hung window | National average cost per window | $500 |
Average cost range per window | $362–$659 | |
Low-end cost per window | $180 | |
High-end cost per window | $1,000 | |
Double-hung window | National average cost per window | $730 |
Average cost range per window | $528–$961 | |
Low-end cost per window | $247 | |
High-end cost per window | $1,400 |
After reading the last section, you might wonder why anyone would choose single-hung windows over double-hung. It really comes down to cost. With more moving parts and a more complex design, double-hung windows simply cost more.
That said, you should consider the potential for electricity savings if you live in a climate where you can effectively control the interior temperature by opening your windows or using an evaporative cooler. You may know evaporative coolers as swamp coolers, or a form of air conditioning that uses fans to force hot, dry air through a wet pad that cools the air down. Evaporative coolers do require some level of ventilation, though, so keeping at least some windows open is imperative.
You should also consider that single-hung windows are often more efficient with fewer moving parts, making them more energy and cost-efficient if you need to close your windows and cool your home with air conditioning.
Something to keep in mind is that replacing windows generally costs about $100 more per window than installing new windows, and resizing the existing frame for a different-sized window can add an additional $300 on average.
Here are some basic cost considerations, but keep in mind that these prices reflect averages across a wide variety of window sizes. Your cost will vary depending on the size of your windows.
Single-hung or double-hung: which is better for your home?
You know the fundamental differences and have an idea of the cost, but there’s more to know about single—and double-hung windows before you place an order.
Comparison | Single-hung windows | Double-hung windows |
Maintenance | Requires going outside to fully clean, cheaper to repair. | Great for upper stories and hard-to-reach areas for easier cleaning. More expensive to repair. |
Ventilation and air circulation | Only opens one way. | Can simultaneously release hot air and let in cold air. |
Energy efficiency | Generally more energy-efficient. | The more complex design allows for a higher possibility of air leaking. |
Window size | Available in many sizes. | Available in many sizes. |
Security | Equally secure. | Equally secure. |
Aesthetics | Available in multiple styles and materials. | Available in multiple styles and materials. |
Cost | More affordable. | More expensive. |
Maintenance
Single-hung windows can only be fully cleaned by cleaning the inside and then going outside to finish the job. If they are located on an upper story of the house or in a hard-to-reach area, cleaning them can be challenging. That being said, single-hung windows have fewer moving parts, making them less likely to break and more affordable to repair.
Double-hung windows can be fully cleaned inside your home, making them much easier to maintain, especially in hard-to-reach spaces. However, they are more likely to break with their more complex designs.
Ventilation and air circulation
Single-hung windows aren’t nearly as versatile or customizable for temperature control. If you’ve ever toured an old home, you may have noticed transoms (or vents) above doorways. These were used to help control temperature, releasing hot air near the ceiling to leave the room.
Double-hung windows work in a similar way, opening near the bottom to let in cooler air. This can be especially helpful for people who use evaporative coolers or during Spring and Autumn, when you may not need to actively cool your home. This dual opening ability can also help more hot, humid air escape from bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
Energy efficiency
Single-hung windows are often more energy-efficient because they have fewer gaps or moving parts that can potentially let outside air in.
Double-hung windows can be more energy-efficient if they are well-made and maintained, helping you better ventilate your home during spring and autumn.
Window sizes
Both types of windows come in a variety of sizes, such as:
2 feet wide by 3 feet high (2030)
2 feet wide by 4 feet 4 inches high (2044)
2 feet 8 inches wide by 4 feet high (2840)
2 feet 8 inches wide by 5 feet 2 inches high (2852)
Security
Single-hung windows are easier to secure because they only open and lock one way. For this reason, people sometimes opt for single-hung windows on the first floor.
Double-hung windows can be safer on upper floors because they can be opened from the top. This means that children are less likely to fall out of them!
Aesthetics
Both types of windows come in various styles and use a wide range of frame/sash materials, so there’s not a huge difference. You should be able to find whatever you’re looking for to fit your home!
Cost
Single-hung windows are a definite winner here, costing between $362 and $659. Double-hung windows can be significantly more expensive, ranging from $528 to $961.
When you might want single-hung windows
You may also want single-hung windows in an area where temperatures are more extreme, and energy efficiency is especially important. For example, a person living in the Southwest deserts of the United States may have to rely solely on air conditioning for much of the year, so the ability of double-hung windows to open at the top and bottom is less important in practice.
Single-hung windows are also great in rooms where you don’t need to worry about high humidity and prefer to keep the windows closed, such as a bedroom.
When you might want double-hung windows
Double-hung windows are great for more temperate climates, where the ability to customize your ventilation can help you effectively control the temperature. You’re also not as worried about high heating and cooling costs.
Double-hung windows are also fantastic for bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms where you need to open them extra wide and let out the humidity.
These windows shine brightest on the upper floors of a home where you can clean them without having to climb outside and risk life and limb to clean them. They also open at the top, meaning children are less likely to fall out of them and get hurt.
Single-hung vs. double-hung windows: the bottom line
So what’s the conclusion? What should you buy? Like most things in life, it really depends on what you need. But if you’ve gotten this far, you probably know whether single- or double-hung windows (or a mix of both) will work best for your home’s particular needs. Thanks for exploring the topic with us at Fixr; come back soon for more in-depth articles as you build the home of your dreams!
Frequently asked questions
That really depends! Each type of window has its pros and cons. Single-hung windows are more affordable, and more energy efficient. Double-hung windows win out in terms of ventilation, temperature control, and ease of cleaning, especially on the upper floors of the home.
Single-hung windows cost less upfront, are more energy-efficient long-term, cost less to repair, and are less likely to break in the first place.
Double-hung windows allow you to open a window both at the top and the bottom, meaning you can let hot air close to the ceiling escape while colder air lower down is drawn in. This also helps in bathrooms and kitchens that may need to release hot, humid air. Double-hung windows are also much easier to clean because you don’t have to go outside to clean both sides of the window. This is great on the home's upper floors, where it can be difficult or downright impossible to keep the outside surfaces of your windows clean.
The main drawback is probably the lower energy efficiency. For many people, energy efficiency is one of the main draws of installing new windows, and sacrificing that over a period of up to 30 years can definitely add up on heating and cooling bills. However, if you keep the windows locked, this pulls the sashes tightly together and reduces air leakage.