Northline Windows & Doors
Publisher
Double hung windows have one of those designs that feels familiar before you even know what they’re called. Two sashes, one above the other, with the option to open either one depending on what the day calls for.
Open the bottom sash when you want that familiar breeze through the room. Open the upper sash when you’d rather bring fresh air in from higher up. Or adjust both and find the combination that feels right. It’s a small difference in how the window operates, but it gives you more control over everyday ventilation.
That flexibility is what separates double hung windows from single hung windows, where only the lower sash operates. Visually, the two can look very similar, so homeowners who like the classic vertical window style don’t have to give up that appearance to get the added functionality.
And classic doesn’t have to mean dated.
A white frame with traditional grilles can feel right at home on an older brick house, while black or charcoal frames with uninterrupted glass can give the same basic window style a much cleaner, more contemporary look. Hardware and finish choices add another layer, allowing the details inside the room to feel considered rather than simply functional.
For Ottawa homeowners, there’s also the practical side of the decision. Glass configuration, weatherstripping, frame construction and proper installation all play a role in how comfortable the window feels when temperatures start dropping.
Northline’s double hung windows are custom-made for each opening and manufactured in Ontario, with glass, colour, grille and finish options that can be considered around the home rather than chosen in isolation.
On this page, we’ll look at what makes double hung windows different, the styles and colours you can consider, how they perform through Ottawa’s seasons, and what to know before choosing them for your home.
Double Hung Basics
At first glance, a double hung window looks pretty traditional: two vertically stacked sashes inside one frame. The difference becomes more noticeable once you start using it.
Both sashes can operate, giving you more flexibility over ventilation without changing the familiar proportions that make hung windows work with so many different homes. From there, glass, colour, grilles and hardware can make the finished window feel as traditional or contemporary as you want.
Two Sashes Give You More Control Over Fresh Air
With a double hung window, the lower sash can slide upward and the upper sash can slide downward.
That gives you choices. Maybe you only want the bottom open on a mild afternoon. Maybe you'd rather open the upper sash and bring some air in without having the bottom of the window wide open. You can also use both depending on how you want to ventilate the room.
It's not complicated technology. It's simply a little more flexibility built into a familiar window.
The Style Can Go Traditional or Contemporary
Double hung windows naturally suit traditional architecture, but the details surrounding the glass have a big influence on how they actually look.
Add colonial-style grilles and the window can complement an older brick home or a more traditional exterior. Keep the glass clean and uninterrupted and the same vertical proportions can feel much simpler and more contemporary.
That versatility is useful when replacing windows on an existing home because you can preserve some of its original character without making the new windows feel stuck in the past.
White, Black, Charcoal or Warmer Tones?
Frame colour can completely change the personality of a double hung window.
White keeps things bright and traditional and tends to blend naturally with lighter trim. Black or charcoal creates stronger definition around the glass and can look especially sharp against white siding, light stone or contrasting brick. Warmer brown and bronze tones can work nicely with red brick, beige siding and earthier exterior palettes.
The interior matters too. White can disappear quietly into matching trim, while a darker frame can make the window itself part of the room's design.
Available colours vary by window system, but this is one decision that's worth seeing rather than choosing from a name on a page.
Grilles, Locks and Hardware Finish the Look
A grille pattern can give double hung windows considerably more character, especially on homes where the windows are an important part of the exterior architecture. On a more contemporary project, leaving the glass clear can create a cleaner appearance.
Then there are the smaller details.
Depending on the available product options, white or black locks and hardware can blend into the frame, while brushed nickel or satin metallic-style finishes can coordinate with nearby door hardware, lighting and fixtures.
They're small pieces of the overall window, but when you're standing beside it every day, you notice them.
Glass Choices Matter Just as Much as Appearance
Once you've settled on how the window should look, it's worth thinking about how you want it to feel through the seasons.
Double hung windows can be configured with different glazing packages depending on the home and performance goals. For homeowners looking for additional thermal performance, triple pane windows may be worth considering alongside other glass options.
The right combination comes down to more than choosing the biggest specification available. Window size, room location, comfort concerns and the rest of the home's replacement plan should all factor into it.
A good double hung window should make sense from both sides of the glass—how it looks from the street and how it feels to live beside it.
Do They Fit?
Double hung windows offer more flexibility than their traditional appearance might suggest, but that doesn’t mean they belong in every opening. How you use the room, how often you open your windows and what you expect from them through Ottawa’s seasons should all factor into the decision.
How Do Double Hung Windows Perform in Ottawa Winters?
Double hung windows can provide strong year-round performance when the frame, glass, weatherstripping and installation are properly matched.
Because both sashes operate, good seals around those moving sections are particularly important. The glass package also plays a major role in how comfortable the area around the window feels during colder weather.
Are Double Hung Windows Easy to Maintain?
For everyday maintenance, they're relatively straightforward. Glass, frames and tracks should be kept clean, while locks, weatherstripping and moving components are worth checking as the windows age.
Video courtesy of Anders Fisher via YouTube.
Depending on the window design, access to the glass can also be easier than you might expect—a useful feature when the window is somewhere you don't particularly want to be standing outside with a ladder and a bottle of glass cleaner.
Can Older Double Hung Windows Be Repaired?
Sometimes the problem is smaller than the window.
Worn weatherstripping, locks or certain operating components may be repairable depending on the age and condition of the existing unit. When you're dealing with recurring drafts, failed glass seals, frame deterioration or several problems at once, window replacement may become the more practical conversation.
What Affects the Cost of Double Hung Windows?
Size is only the beginning. Glass configuration, custom dimensions, grille patterns, frame colours, hardware finishes and installation requirements can all influence the final cost.
A standard white double hung window with simple hardware is a different product from a custom-sized window with black frames, decorative grilles and upgraded glazing. The most useful comparison is between windows configured for the actual openings in your home—not a generic price attached to the words “double hung.”
