Comparison
| Single-hung | Double-hung | |
|---|---|---|
| Average installed cost (This Old House, 2026) | $474 | $551 |
| Opens from | Bottom only | Top and bottom |
| Cleaning outside glass | Hard on upper floors | Easy: sashes tilt in |
| Ventilation | Good | Better (open top and bottom to circulate air) |
| Air leakage | Slightly less (fewer moving parts) | Slightly more potential |
Which to choose
- Ground floor, tight budget: single-hung saves roughly $75 per window on average.
- Upper floors and kids’ rooms: double-hung: easy cleaning, and opening only the top sash keeps the bottom closed.
See prices: single-hung · double-hung.
Energy efficiency
Fewer moving parts means a single-hung window has one less sash to seal, so it can be marginally tighter. In practice, the glass package and installation matter far more than the operating style. Compare ENERGY STAR ratings and the U-factor on the label.
Safety and child-proofing
Double-hung windows let you open just the top sash, which keeps an opening out of a small child’s reach. Window opening control devices are a good idea on upper floors either way.
Mixing styles
Many homeowners use double-hung windows upstairs, where cleaning from outside is hard, and single-hung on the ground floor to save money. Because they look the same from the street, the house still looks consistent.