Hung Windows - Pros & Cons

Operation

• Good hung windows are easy to open (just unlock and push up or pull down), with no mechanism to crank or wear down.

Security

• Single or dual manual locks are typically applied and provide great security
• Self-locking mechanisms are available.

Hardware

• There is no external hardware, except for the locking mechanism

Cleaning

• Double-hung windows are easy to clean from inside your home.
• Most double-hung windows tilt in, so you can clean the exterior glass quickly without stepping outside your home.
• Removal of a window from its frame is easy.

Cost

• Double-hung windows are generally the least expensive operational window you can buy.

Ventilation

• The window can be opened from the top, bottom, or both to help provide excellent ventilation (double-hung only).
• They easily accommodate window air conditioners.

Space

• This style of window is ideal for placement beside decks or heavy traffic areas outside your home, as they do not protrude into external areas.

Styling

• Double-hung windows provide a perfect solution when trying to mimic the style (with divided light panes) of a more traditional historic home.

Natural light

• Hung windows typically offer a large glass area, allowing ample natural light to enter the room, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere.

Versatility

• They are versatile in terms of design and can be customized to fit various architectural styles, providing flexibility in aesthetic choices.

Screens

• To function properly, the screen has been placed on the outside of the window frame. This means the screen is always exposed to the outside environment and accumulates dirt, pollen and dandelion seeds.
• In Ottawa like climate zones, it is recommended that the screens be removed during winter to prevent possible snow buildup between the window and the screen. This means that the screen must be stored in a safe place where it won’t get damaged.

Styling & Aesthetics

• Modern double-hung windows require a track and a variety of springs, mechanisms, and weights to keep a window in place when it is open. As a result, depending on the brand of a window - an open window will expose an open track which some people may consider unsightly.
  
• Traditional double-hung windows use weights that are concealed within the window jam and a fixed track that must be removed to take a window out - so the exterior of the window must be cleaned from the outside.
• Although hung windows are typical of a more traditional colonial look, they may not lend themselves well to a more conventional or modern look.

Energy Efficiency

• Although many double-hung windows manufactured today are energy-efficient, they are not as efficient as casement or awning windows, as they do not allow for dense weatherstripping and a way to tighten a window seal.

Maintenance

• This type of window requires more maintenance than casement or awning windows. By the nature of the hung window style, dirt builds up on both the inside and outside, and jams is more common and harder to clean. Some brands require seasonal track lubrication to help the sash slide up and down with ease.

Security

• With double-hung windows, both the upper and lower sash must be completely closed in order to lock.

Size

• Because these windows are vertical in nature, there are minimum height restrictions.

Noise insulation

• While some hung windows can provide good insulation, they may not be as effective in reducing noise compared to other window styles like casement windows.

Limited opening width

• Hung windows might have a limitation on the width of the opening, restricting the size of objects that can be passed through them, which could be a consideration for emergency situations.