If your older home still has its original single-pane windows, September is a great time to start thinking seriously about replacing them before the heating season arrives. Double hung replacement windows are one of the most popular choices for older homes, and for good reason. They fit naturally into traditional architecture, they’re easy to operate, and they give you ventilation options that a lot of other window styles simply don’t. But choosing the right ones for a home that’s been around for a few decades takes a little more thought than picking whatever’s on sale. Here’s how to approach it the right way.
Understand What Makes Older Homes Different
Homes built before modern construction standards were common tend to have settled over the years. Window openings that were once perfectly square may have shifted slightly. That matters a lot when you’re ordering replacement windows, because a window that doesn’t fit the opening correctly can leak air, let in moisture, and cause problems down the road that are far more expensive than the windows themselves.
Before anything else, take careful measurements of each opening, and don’t assume all the windows in the house are the same size just because they look similar. In our experience working with homeowners across Raleigh, Cary, and Apex, we consistently find that older homes have more size variation than people expect. Having a professional measure the openings is genuinely worth it.
Think About Frame Material
Older homes were often built with wood windows, which are beautiful but require maintenance. When you’re replacing them, you have a few solid options. Vinyl is the most common choice today because it doesn’t rot, doesn’t need painting, and holds up well in North Carolina’s humidity. Composite frames offer similar low-maintenance benefits with added strength, which can be a good fit if the window openings are on the larger side or if you want something that closely mimics the look of painted wood.
For homeowners in Creedmoor and Oxford who have older craftsman or colonial-style homes, we often recommend looking at options like our Supreme or Ultimate series windows, or Andersen Windows products, which give you that classic look without the upkeep burden. The right frame material really does depend on the style of your home and how much maintenance you’re willing to take on.
Pay Attention to Glass Performance
A double hung window with a beautiful frame and poor glass is still a disappointing investment. For older homes especially, where walls and attics may not be as well insulated as newer construction, the windows do a lot of the heavy lifting in keeping conditioned air inside.
Look for double-pane or triple-pane glass with a low-emissivity coating (commonly called low-E glass). This coating reflects heat back where it belongs, keeping your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter. In a climate like ours here in the Triangle, where summers get genuinely hot and winters can bring real cold snaps, this isn’t a luxury feature. It’s the kind of thing that shows up meaningfully on your energy bills.
Consider the Style Details
One thing that often gets overlooked is how the new windows will look from the street. In an older home, the windows are part of the character of the house. Double hung windows with the wrong grille pattern, wrong color, or wrong profile can feel out of place, even if they perform perfectly well.
Think about the grid layout on the glass panes, the exterior color of the frame, and how the window proportions relate to the rest of your home’s facade. Many of our customers in Apex and Cary are surprised at how much customization is available. Getting those details right makes a real difference in the finished result.
Don’t Overlook the Installation
Even the best window performs poorly if it isn’t installed correctly. Improper installation is one of the leading causes of air leaks, water infiltration, and premature window failure. We use in-house installation crews for every job, which means the same people who stand behind the product are the ones putting it in. That consistency matters, especially in older homes where the unexpected tends to come up during a project.
Our HomeCraft Lifetime Warranty covers both the product and the installation, so our customers across Raleigh, Creedmoor, Oxford, and surrounding areas know they’re protected long after the job is done. Over more than 25 years in business, we’ve found that peace of mind is just as important to homeowners as the windows themselves.
If you’re ready to explore double hung replacement windows for your older home, or if you just have questions about where to start, please give us a call or drop us an email. We’re happy to talk through your options with no pressure whatsoever.