Understanding the difference between double hung and single hung residential windows is important if you are considering replacement windows. Without closer inspection, it can be difficult to see the difference between double-hung and single-hung windows, but there is a considerable difference.

Making an Informed Decision About Residential Windows

Gathering the information you need about residential windows will help you to make informed choices about which style is best for your home. Both single-hung windows and double-hung windows come with unique advantages and, like most residential windows, they have an expected life span of about fifteen to twenty years.

Single-hung windows came first. In these traditionally styled windows, only the bottom sash is moveable. The top sash of the window on a single-hung window is stable. With double-hung windows, both the upper sash and the lower sash can move up and down.

Benefits of Single-Hung Windows

Since only the lower sash moves on a single-hung window, these windows are more weather resistant. There are fewer working parts, which means less potential of seal leakage. However, if damage occurs to the upper sash on a single-hung window, a glazier will be needed to replace the glass since the sash is fixed.

Benefits of Double-Hung Windows

Double-hung windows are usually the preferred residential windows. Both sashes can be opened, which can be a safer option in households with young children and pets. Lowering the top sash can allow air circulation into the home without putting children and pets at risk of falls.

Double-hung windows are often outfitted with a tilt-in feature that allows you to tilt the window in to clean the exterior glass of both the upper and lower sash. With single-hung windows, even if the lower sash is outfitted with a tilt-in feature, you will have to clean the upper sash from the outside because it is stationary. Cleaning single-hung windows, especially on the second level of a home, can be a challenge.

Which Window Is Right For Your Home?

With the right support, choosing the best residential windows for your home is easy. Connect with a provider that will take the time to review your options with you.

Over time, you may start noticing that your sliding glass doors are no longer working as they used to. This can be quite frustrating. Fortunately, this situation can be avoided if you stick to a good maintenance schedule. Here is what you need to know about the maintenance of sliding glass doors.

Check for Signs of Damage on the Hardware

This should be the first task before you attempt anything else. You must check your door to find out if there is any damage or operational difficulties. This includes checking the tracks, sliding mechanism, and door locks. This way, you can find out whether you need to consult a specialist or not. Take note of everything that’s broken and find an expert to come and fix things for you.

Track Maintenance

The majority of sliding glass door issues stem from the tracks. If you start having trouble pushing your sliding glass door, then it’s time to do some maintenance work on the tracks. Please note that the tracks are exposed to the outdoors. Apart from that, they are also walked over by many people frequently. Before you get into any serious maintenance work, the first thing you might want to do is to clear out dirt build-up that naturally accumulates over time. You can do this by simply cleaning the tracks with a wet cloth. If there is any stubborn dirt on the tracks, you may use a toothbrush. As you are cleaning, you may also encounter small stones and other debris on the tracks that can damage the door. For this, you will need to use a vacuum.

Lubrication of Tracks

This is another very important task. You must lubricate the tracks of your sliding glass doors regularly. However, before you do this, it’s important to check the rollers. You might notice that one or more rollers will be damaged because of the dirt on the tracks. Once you notice this, it’s best to consult an expert to come and replace the roller wheels for you. Fortunately, this is an easy task for someone who is experienced, and they shouldn’t take much of your time.

Sliding glass doors are not difficult to maintain. There are many benefits to ensuring that your door is properly maintained and that it shuts properly. Approximately 30% of your home’s heating energy is lost through its windows and some through doors, so you must ensure that everything on your door is working properly.

It can be nerve-wracking getting your windows replaced because that means your home is vulnerable to the outside world. However, professionals take all these fears into account, and they ensure that none of that happens during replacement window installation. Here’s what to expect when you swap your old windows for new ones.

Window Replacement is an Efficient and Quick Process

One of the best things about the installation of replacement windows is how efficient the process is. In most instances, windows will be replaced within a few hours. This means that your home will not be left without windows overnight, and you won’t be exposed in any way. Apart from that, professionals approach window replacement in a clever manner. Instead of removing all your windows, they do it progressively. For instance, they will only take out one or two windows at a time. When they are done replacing those windows, they will move on to others.

Clear the Way for Installers

The people who will install your replacement windows need space to work. If there is any furniture positioned too close to the windows, you will need to move it away. Technicians will also need ladders so they can reach outside windows. As such, you must provide access to the areas where they want to set up their ladders. If there are any ornaments or patio furniture covering such spaces, they should be removed. You mustn’t forget to remove any window treatments. For instance, if there are blinds on the windows, you must do away with them and clear the way for the technicians to do their work.

Take Safety Measures

Safety must be a priority whenever you have technicians working in your home. Remember that kids will likely want to play too close to the contractors. Therefore, make arrangements to ensure that they don’t get anywhere near where the work will be done. This also applies to pets. You don’t want dogs running around when people are handling glass.

Once your windows are replaced, you will notice a significant improvement in your home’s heating and cooling. A lot of heat is gained and lost through the windows, and this can be responsible for as much as 25%–30% of residential heating and cooling energy use. Therefore, when you install new windows, less energy will be used since less heat will be lost unnecessarily.