Double-Hung vs. Casement Windows The two most common operable window styles in DMV homes, compared honestly on sealing, airflow, cleaning, cost, and where each one belongs.
This is the question we get asked at almost every estimate. The honest answer is that neither one wins everywhere. They win in different rooms for different reasons. Here is the straight comparison so you can pick the right style for each opening in your home.
Double-hung windows have two sashes that slide up and down and suit traditional DMV homes, easy interior cleaning, and budgets. Casement windows hinge on the side and crank open, sealing the tightest of any operable window and catching a side breeze better, which suits kitchens, hard-to-reach openings, and homeowners who want maximum airflow and efficiency. Casements generally cost a little more and offer the best energy seal, while double-hung windows cost less and are the most familiar and versatile. Most homes use both, matched room by room.
The Two Styles, Side by Side
Double-Hung
Strengths
- Both sashes tilt in for easy cleaning from inside
- Open from the top, bottom, or both for balanced airflow
- Lower cost per window than casement
- Timeless look that fits colonials, ramblers, and townhomes
- No sash swinging out into walkways, decks, or patios
- Screens sit on the exterior, out of your living space
Trade-offs
- Slightly less airtight seal than a casement
- You reach across the sill to operate the lower sash
Casement
Strengths
- Tightest seal of any operable window when closed
- Sash swings fully open to catch side breezes
- Effortless crank operation, great over a sink or counter
- Unobstructed glass for a clean, modern view
- Excellent energy performance from the compression seal
- Easy to open even when reaching is awkward
Trade-offs
- Sash swings outward, so mind decks, patios, and walkways
- Generally costs a little more than double-hung
- Screens sit on the interior side
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Which to Choose, Where
The smartest homes do not pick one style for the whole house. They match the window to the room.
Choose Double-Hung For
Bedrooms, living rooms, and traditional facades. If your home is a DMV colonial, rambler, or townhome, double-hung windows keep the look right and let you clean both sashes from inside, which matters on a second floor. They are also the budget-friendly choice when you are replacing a whole house full of openings, and they never swing out into a deck or walkway.
Choose Casement For
Kitchens, bathrooms, and hard-to-reach openings. Over a kitchen sink or behind a counter, a crank-open casement beats reaching across to lift a sash. Casements also deliver the tightest seal and the best side-breeze ventilation, so they shine on a wall that catches the prevailing wind, and their clean, unobstructed glass suits a more modern home.
“Homeowners think there is a right answer, like one style is just better. There is not. I tell people to walk their house room by room. Over the kitchen sink, put a casement, because cranking it open beats leaning across the counter every time. In the bedrooms, double-hung, because you can tilt both sashes in and clean them without a ladder on the second floor. We have been speccing windows since 1999, and the best projects almost always mix the two. Match the window to how you live in the room.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more energy efficient, double-hung or casement?
Are casement windows more expensive than double-hung?
Which is easier to clean?
Can I mix double-hung and casement windows in the same house?
Do casement windows seal better for noise and drafts?
Which style is better for a traditional DMV colonial?
Not Sure Which Style Fits Which Room? We Will Help
We walk your home with you and match the right window to every opening, then put it all in a clear written estimate. ProVia Master Installer. 4.9 stars across 712+ reviews. Locally owned, with offices in Springfield VA and Hanover MD.