Double Hung vs. Single Hung Windows: Is There Really a Difference?

If you need to install new windows, you will need to decide which type is best for the home. Two common options that can often get confused are double hung and single hung windows, though each have their purpose and differences.

Learn more about the differences between double hung versus single hung windows and how to choose the right one.

Double Hung vs. Single Hung Windows: What's the Difference?

With a double hung window, you can open the bottom sash by lifting it up, open the top sash by pulling it down, or open both for increased ventilation. A single hung window has a fixed top sash that cannot be opened, but the bottom sash can still be lifted up to allow air to flow into the home.

While this may be the main difference between double hung and single hung windows, they differ in other ways as well, including popularity, installation location, maintenance, cleaning, costs, and more.

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Popularity

Single hung windows are more common than double hung windows simply because they have been around for longer. This makes single hung windows the go-to option for any older homes that may need new windows. Single hung windows are easier to install and more affordable.

Double hung windows offer more versatility for home ventilation, window maintenance, and cleaning. They also have a modern style that tends to work better in newer homes, so despite the higher price double hung windows are growing more popular in new home construction projects.

Installation Location

Double hung windows may have a near-identical appearance to single hung windows when they are closed, but the ability to open the top sash makes them an invaluable option for bathrooms, single level homes, and the top floor for multi-level homes. The upper window provides ample ventilation to allow heat to escape from the upper floors of the home, while it can also help circulate air in the bathrooms to prevent mold and mildew growth.

Single hung windows are best for the main floor of the home, the basement, garage, or in areas where a lack of accessibility would make it pointless to have a double hung window, like behind the kitchen sink. The bottom sash can still be opened to allow cool air to flow into the home, but the main floor doesn't often get hot enough to require a double hung window for ventilation.

Cost

Installing double hung windows will cost between $150 to $650 per window. The higher price for double hung windows is due to the heavier weight of these windows and the more complex design which allows the top sash to move up and down for improved ventilation.

On average, single hung windows are the most cost-effective option between the two types. Typically, a single hung window will cost about $100 to $400 per window. This lower price is a result of the simple design of single hung windows. Since they have fewer moving parts, they tend to weigh less and are easier to install. In fact, some experienced DIYers may even be able to install single hung windows without professional help, eliminating the labor costs of the project.

Maintenance and Cleaning

Double hung windows are significantly easier to clean than single hung windows because the top sash can open, allowing you to complete the entire cleaning process from inside the home. Some double hung windows are designed with a tilt feature that makes it possible to tilt the windows for better ventilation and improved accessibility when cleaning.

Single hung windows have a fixed top sash that can make them more difficult to keep clean. You'll need to first clean the window from the inside of the home, then wipe down the exterior of the window from the outside.

Ventilation

Double hung windows are designed for increased ventilation, allowing cold air to enter from the bottom sash and hot air to escape through the top sash. This makes them useful on any floor of the home, but this effect is most noticeable on the top floor, where hot air tends to get trapped.

Single hung windows don't offer the same ventilation capabilities as double hung windows since the top sash is fixed in place. However, single hung windows can be a great choice for the basement or main floor of the home. Ventilate these areas by simply opening the bottom sash to pull cool air in from outside.

Efficiency

Due to the moving top window sash, double hung windows are excellent for cleaning and ventilation, but for the same reason, they are typically less efficient than single hung windows. Since the top sash needs to be able to move, there is a higher chance that there will be small gaps in the window frame where heat and air can flow through.

Single hung windows may still experience issues with efficiency around the bottom sash of the window, but since the top sash is fixed and sealed, the overall energy efficiency of a single hung window is typically better than the average double hung window.

Security

Double hung windows can be a good choice for homes with small children or pets since the bottom sash can be locked in place, while the top sash can be lowered to ventilate the home. However, having two moving sashes increases the likelihood that you will forget to lock one or the other, leaving the home vulnerable. Additionally, the top sash can be pried down from the outside if it isn't properly secured, especially if the windows are installed on the main floors of the home.

Single hung windows can be pried open from the bottom if the window isn't locked. However, since single hung windows have a fixed top sash that cannot be opened, they are generally considered more secure than double hung windows.

Styles

Both double hung and single hung windows have a similar appearance and are available in a range of styles, including cottage, oriel, sliding, and tilt-in windows.

• Cottage-style windows feature a large lower sash that gives the homeowner an uninterrupted view to the outside of the home, with the horizontal crossbar that separates the top and bottom sash sitting well above the middle of the window.
• Oriel-style windows are essentially the opposite of cottage-style windows. Instead of a large lower sash, they have a small lower sash and large top sash, making them great for the main floor of the home.
• Sliding windows are relatively common in houses, condos, and apartments. Instead of opening from the bottom or the top, these windows slide along a horizontal track. Double hung sliding windows have more than one moveable sash, while single hung sliding windows have a fixed sash and a moving sash.
• Tilt-in windows are able to tilt inward, allowing for improved ventilation and easier cleaning. Double hung tilt-in windows typically have a top sash that tilts inward, though some double hung windows may have two tilt-in sashes at the top and bottom. Single hung tilt-in windows are an option that allow the bottom sash to tilt inward while the top sash remains fixed and immoveable.