Cleveland homes are full of character, from brick colonials, wood-sided bungalows, apartments that have seen a hundred winters, and with them come old windows that rattle every time a lake wind cuts through. If you’ve lived here long enough, you’ve probably wondered: should I replace them with double-hung windows? Are they really the best choice for this area?
Let’s dig in without the sales pitch.
What Exactly Is a Double-Hung Window?
Basically, a double-hung window has two sashes that move up and down. That’s it. Both can slide, both can tilt in. Open the top, the bottom, or both.
Sounds simple, but in practice, it’s handy. In neighborhoods like Lakewood or Old Brooklyn, summer evenings get muggy. Crack the top to vent heat out, leave the bottom closed to avoid a floor draft. Cleaning’s easier too. No ladder out in the snow. The sashes tilt in, so you wash from inside.
Why They Actually Work Here
Cleveland weather isn’t kind. One day it’s lake-effect snow, next day rain, then August hits like a wet blanket. A few reasons double-hung windows fit right in:
- Cleaning. No ladders, just tilt the sash and wipe. Even second stories in Shaker Heights get done from inside.
- Airflow. Top open, bottom closed, you vent hot air without freezing your ankles.
- They look right. Most houses here were built with them. Slap in a slider on a colonial and it just feels off.
Not every window style does all three.
But Don’t They Leak?
Old ones, yes. Wooden double-hungs from the 50s? They leak like crazy. But modern vinyl double-hung windows seal tight. Double or triple-pane glass, insulated frames, snug weatherstripping.
We replaced windows in a house off West 117th. Drafts used to whistle so loud the owner stuffed towels in the sills. After installing vinyl double-hungs, the place went quiet. Heat bills dropped.
So, efficiency isn’t the problem anymore. The technology caught up.
When They Might Not Be the Right Fit
Not every house calls for them. Some folks want a giant picture window to frame the lake. Others prefer casements because they crank tight against the frame. And if you’ve got a super-modern build with big walls of glass, double-hungs won’t make sense there.
But if you’ve got a Cleveland colonial, bungalow, or brick two-story? Odds are double-hung windows are the safest bet.
A Real Cleveland Example
Couple in Parma Heights had wood double-hungs from the 1950s. Paint peeling, frames rattling, drafts you could feel across the room. Winter bills were brutal. We swapped them for vinyl double-hung replacements. Custom fit, insulated, clean trim.
First winter after, they called us laughing. Said for the first time they could sit by the living room window without wearing coats. Gas bill was down nearly a third. That’s how you know it’s worth it.
Wrapping It Up
So let’s decide, are double-hung windows the best choice for your Cleveland home? In most cases, yes, they fit the style, handle the weather, and make everyday life easier.
Sure, there are other window styles. Casements, bays, sliders. Each has a place. But for most of the houses we see around Cleveland, double-hungs just work.
If your windows rattle, leak, or look worn down, give Window Expo of Cleveland a call. We’ll take a look, give you a straight answer, and get you the right fit.
FAQs
Yes. Modern ones do. The old wood frames leak, but vinyl with double-pane glass seals up tight.
Yep. Both sashes tilt in. Makes cleaning second floors way less of a headache.
Not the rock-bottom cheapest, but not the priciest either. Usually mid-range. You get the value back on energy savings.
Easily 20 years, sometimes 30 if they’re installed right and you don’t ignore them.
No. They were designed for older homes. Colonials, bungalows, brick two-stories, they blend in.
