Double Hung Sash Window

Double Hung Sash Window

What Are Double-Hung Windows?
By Ryan W. Stinson - Ezinearticles

What is a Double-Hung Window?

You already know what double-hung windows are. Almost certainly, you or some of your friends have them. But you may not immediately recognize the term. ""Double-hung"" describes a window that's separated horizontally into two halves. And each half slides up and down in a groove, either in front of, or behind, the other. Double-hung windows (also known as ""sash windows"") have been around for centuries, and can look just as good in a modern or old building. However, vinyl double-hung windows are a fairly new innovation. And they can often deliver very real benefits compared with their traditional, wooden predecessors.

Why Choose Vinyl?

There are three principal reasons why you might choose a vinyl double-hung window over a traditionally-constructed one:

1. Vinyl double-hung windows are usually cheaper to buy than wooden-framed ones
2. They're generally easier--and much cheaper--to maintain because they usually require only occasional cleaning, rather than regular painting or wood treatments
3. Their frames often provide better insulation than some other alternatives

More Choices to Make

If you decide to buy vinyl double-hung windows, your supplier is likely to offer you some tempting options. Each of them may cost you more than the standard price, so choose the ones you want carefully:

• Night vent latches - these allow you to have fresh air in your bedroom at night by stopping the window opening more than a few inches. However, make sure your supplier guarantees acceptable levels of intruder protection.
• Muntins - these are either the dividers that separate small panes of glass within each half of a sash window, or the plastic overlays that create the same effect over a single pane. Either way, they break up the window into many different segments. They can add authenticity to a ""period"" (say, Cape Cod or Colonial) home
• Insulating glass - the glass itself, its coating, or the gasses injected between panes--can save you serious money on your central air and/or heating bills over a period. But don't expect an immediate return on your investment.
• Triple-pane glazing can similarly reduce your utility bills.
• Easy-clean mountings - double hung windows can be made to swivel inwards, which makes cleaning their exteriors very easy.

Double Hung Sash Window