Hung windows are the most familiar window style in North American residential construction. Their vertical profile, divided-light aesthetics, and straightforward operation have made them a staple in everything from heritage character homes to contemporary new builds. If you're replacing windows on an older Edmonton or Calgary home and want to preserve its architectural identity, hung windows are typically the right match — they'll look like they belong there rather than standing out as a renovation.
The defining feature of double-hung windows is the ability to open from either the top or the bottom sash, or both simultaneously. This gives you real control over ventilation patterns. Opening the top sash allows warm air that has risen to ceiling level to escape, while a partially open bottom sash draws in fresh cooler air — a natural convection cycle that can significantly reduce the need for air conditioning during Alberta's warmer months. On days with temperature swings common in our climate, this kind of nuanced control is genuinely useful.
Single-hung windows have a fixed top sash with only the bottom sash operable. They're a cost-effective option when you want the classic hung window look without the added expense of dual operation. For many rooms — especially bedrooms and living areas on upper floors — the fixed top sash presents no practical disadvantage, and the savings can be meaningful across a full-home replacement.
The tilt-in cleaning feature is one of hung windows' most underappreciated qualities. Both sashes on a double-hung window have release tabs that allow the sash to tilt toward you at roughly a 90-degree angle. This gives you full access to the exterior glass surface from inside the room. For second and third-floor windows, this eliminates the need for ladders entirely — a genuine safety benefit that homeowners in two-storey houses appreciate immediately the first time they clean their windows without standing on a ladder.
From an energy performance standpoint, hung windows use compression weatherstripping along the sash-to-frame meeting rails and pile weatherstripping along the sides. Our vinyl hung windows carry ENERGY STAR certification under Canada's National Standard and are available with double or triple-pane argon-filled glass and low-E coating. Triple-pane configurations achieve U-factors as low as 0.24, which represents genuine improvement over the older aluminum or single-pane hung windows common in homes built before the 1990s.
Alberta's wide range of heritage and character neighbourhoods — from the mature neighbourhoods of south Edmonton to the older districts of central Calgary — often have homes where original wood windows are still in place. Replacing these with properly fitted vinyl hung windows maintains the visual character of the home while dramatically upgrading performance. Our installation team takes care of proper flashing, sealing, and trim work to ensure the finished product looks like an original feature of the home rather than an afterthought.
For homes with ground-floor hung windows, proper installation and locking hardware matters for security. Our double-hung windows include locks at the meeting rail and optional secondary sash locks for additional security. We can also install windows with built-in ventilation stops that allow the sash to be opened slightly for airflow while remaining secured against easy entry from outside.