Deciding on which style of replacement windows to install in your San Diego can be confusing, which is why many homeowners simply opt to install the same styles that they currently have in their home. They replace a picture window with another picture window, or a single slider with another single slider. But it doesn’t have to be this way! When you decide to replace your windows, you can also decide to rethink each and every window in your home. Are the current styles serving you well, or could you benefit from a different style?
Maybe you currently have a large picture window in your living room, but you always wished there was a way to allow some fresh air into that room. You could replace your large picture window with a three-lite slider that you can open up on both sides to create some air flow in the room on nice days. Or perhaps you have a slider window that’s difficult to open due to its location above a counter. You could install a casement window instead that has an easy-to-use crank mechanism to open the window.
If you have a second story in your home, you might want to consider replacing any single hung windows with double hung windows.
What’s the Difference Between Single Hung and Double Hung Windows
Single hung and double hung windows look very similar, but they differ quite a bit in their functionality. In a single hung window, only the bottom sash of the window is operable. To open it, you would slide the bottom sash up over the fixed upper sash. In a double hung window, however, both sashes are operable. The bottom sash slides up, and the bottom sash slides down. You can even up both at the same time, allowing in fresh air from both the top and bottom portions of the window.
Another great feature of most double hung windows is the tilt-in sash. As the name implies, the sashes can be tilted inward, making it easy to clean the exterior glass from the inside of the house. If you live in a two-story house, you know how difficult it can be to clean those second-story windows! Windows with tilt-in sashes can be a game changer!
The Only Downside to Double Hung Windows
The only negative aspect of double hung windows is that they are a bit more expensive than single hung windows. This is due to their increased functionality. Most homeowners find the extra cost worth it—especially after cleaning their windows for the first time and experiencing how easy it is!
Double hung windows are also not available from every replacement window manufacturer, so insisting on double hung windows could limit your options a bit. A company that specializes in replacement vinyl windows in San Diego, such as BM Windows, can help you select a brand and line of windows that offers double hung windows.
