WINDOW STYLES
Double Hung Windows
The classic American window. Both top and bottom sashes operate, both tilt in for cleaning, and the look fits more home styles than any other operating window.
Double hung windows are the design most people picture when they think of a window. Two sashes, one above the other, both moving up and down. The top can come down for ventilation while the bottom stays up. Both tilt inward for easy cleaning from inside. They suit traditional, craftsman, colonial, farmhouse, and transitional homes equally well, which is part of why they remain so popular.
Double hung versus single hung
On a single hung window, only the bottom sash moves; the top sash is fixed. On a double hung, both sashes operate independently. The difference matters for ventilation control, since you can open just the top, just the bottom, or both. Double hungs are more expensive than single hungs because there are more moving parts and more weatherstripping. For most homeowners the upgrade is worth it for the cleaning convenience alone.
Tilt-in cleaning
Both sashes tilt inward at the top, so you can clean the exterior glass from inside the house without going outside. This is a meaningful daily-life feature, especially for second-story windows or windows above plantings. We sometimes hear customers say they didn’t think tilt-in mattered until they had it, and now they wouldn’t go back.
Where double hungs fit best
Anywhere you want the classic American window aesthetic. Front-of-house elevations on traditional homes, formal living spaces, bedrooms in colonial or craftsman architecture, and historical replacements where matching the original window style is important. Double hungs also work well in tight spaces where a casement’s swing-out arc would interfere with deck furniture or plants.
Pros and tradeoffs
Pros: timeless aesthetic, both sashes operate independently, tilt-in cleaning, suits more home styles than any other operating window. Tradeoffs: not quite as energy-efficient as a casement, since the brush seal on a sliding sash isn’t as tight as a compression seal, and the operating mechanism is more complex than a single hung.
Series we install in this category
Two of our series specialize in double hung windows: Milgard Tuscany for premium vinyl traditional looks, and Ply Gem MIRA for the high-end aluminum-clad wood version.
MILGARD
Premium
Tuscany
The PNW favorite. Premium vinyl with a traditional look.
- Wider frame with shadow lines that mimic wood
- Both sashes tilt in for easy cleaning
- Full Lifetime Warranty plus glass breakage
Best for: Traditional and transitional homes where you want the classic double hung look in low-maintenance vinyl.
PLY GEM
Luxury
MIRA
Top of the line. Real wood interior, aluminum-clad exterior.
- Solid wood interior, stainable to match your home
- 46 exterior color options
- Up to 4x more efficient than single-glazed
Best for: High-end remodels and custom homes where the interior look matters as much as the exterior performance.
Which one is right for you?
If your home is traditional and you want a high-quality vinyl double hung, Tuscany is the right call. If you’re building or remodeling at the high end and want a real wood interior with the classic double hung aesthetic, MIRA is in a class by itself. We can show samples of both during your in-home consultation, including grid patterns and color options.
Common questions
If both options are available, double hung is usually worth the upgrade for the tilt-in cleaning feature alone. The ability to open the top sash for ventilation is a nice secondary benefit. Single hung is the right choice if you want to save money and don’t mind cleaning the exterior of upper sashes from outside.
They’re efficient, but not the most efficient style available. Casement windows seal more tightly because the sash compresses against weatherstripping. Double hungs use a sliding seal, which is good but not equal to compression sealing. For most homes, modern double hungs with Low-E glass are more than energy-efficient enough. If energy is your top priority, consider casements instead.
Yes. The tilt mechanism on the series we carry is engineered for thousands of cycles and is covered under the manufacturer warranty. Spring-loaded jamb liners maintain consistent operation over the life of the window.
Yes. Both series we carry offer multiple grid options including flat, sculptured, and simulated divided lite. Grids can be configured to match historical styles like 6-over-6 colonial or 2-over-2 craftsman. We’ll match your existing window pattern or help you select a new one.
Yes, especially older homes with traditional architecture. Double hungs were the dominant residential window style in American homes from the 1800s through the mid-1900s, so they tend to look right on older houses. The Tuscany Series is particularly suited to historical replacements because of its wider frame profile that mimics traditional wood window proportions.
Planning double hung windows for your home?
Free in-home consultation. No-pressure estimate. We’ll show you both vinyl and wood-clad options side by side.