Double Hung, Casement or Sliding in an Austin Home

By the time the old sash is out of the opening and sitting on the lawn, the style of the new window has to be settled, and the choice shapes how the house breathes, as the notes at austin window replacement fretboard summit describe. For a window replacement in Austin, TX the operating style matters through a long, humid summer.

Double hung in the ordinary house

A double hung window has two sashes that slide past each other, and most Austin houses built from the 1950s on were fitted with them. Both sashes tilt in for cleaning on a good unit, which matters on second floors. Air only moves through half the opening at a time, and the meeting rail is a weak point for infiltration. A single hung window fixes the top sash and costs less, but it gives up the chance to vent warm air out the top.

Casement for airflow and seal

A casement is hinged at the side and cranks outward. It catches a breeze that runs along the wall and scoops it indoors, and when closed the sash compresses against the frame, so the seal is tighter than a sliding one. That helps with the u factor and with dust in the dry months. The cranks and hinges have moving parts, and a casement swings into a walkway, so placement over a patio or porch needs thought.

Sliding windows and wide openings

A slider rides on rollers in a track and suits wide, short openings where a double hung would be awkward. Tracks collect grit and spider webs near Shoal Creek and Barton Springs where trees are thick, so they need a brush and a vacuum a few times a year. Rollers wear out sooner than hinges, and a good slider uses stainless or nylon wheels with an adjustable height.

Fixed units and the rest

A picture window does not open at all and has the best seal and the most glass in the frame. Pairing a picture window in the middle with casements on each side gives a big view and real ventilation. An awning window hinges at the top and can stay open in a light rain, which fits Austin rain spread through the year. Bay window and bow window units add depth but bring their own roof and head flashing to maintain.

Choosing by room

Bedrooms facing a busy street benefit from tight casements for noise, kitchens over a sink suit a short awning or a casement that is easy to reach, and a long living room wall takes a picture window with side vents. Near Lady Bird Lake or anywhere else in town, insulated glass with a low e coating, an argon fill, and a warm edge spacer should be the same across the house so the rooms heat the same way.