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Double-Hung Window Replacement in Los Angeles Tilt-In Windows That Open From the Top and Bottom
Double-hung windows cost $325 to $1,275 per window installed, per Angi, based on glass and frame. Both sashes slide, and new ones tilt in so you can clean the outside glass from indoors. PaneRight LA connects you with independent local contractors who handle double-hung window replacement across Los Angeles, from Craftsman bungalows in Pasadena to Colonial homes in Hancock Park.
Call (424) 230-8336 for a free double-hung window quote.
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When Do Old Double-Hung Windows Need Replacing?
Replace when sashes won’t stay up, the meeting rail leaks air or the frame is rotted. When the frame is sound, repairing double hung windows with new balances or sash cords costs less.
01
Is a Falling Sash a Sign You Need New Windows?
Not always. A sash that slams down or won’t stay open has a broken balance, a snapped sash cord or a cracked pivot shoe. Those parts can be replaced if the sash and jamb liners are in good shape. If the sash is warped or the frame is out of square, new windows fix it for good.
02
Why Do Old Double-Hung Windows Leak Air at the Meeting Rail?
The meeting rail, or check rail, is where the two sashes overlap. When the sash lock no longer pulls them tight, or the weatherstripping has worn flat, air and dust slip through. Old wood sashes that have shrunk leave gaps at the sides too.
03
Are Your Upper-Floor Windows Impossible to Clean From Inside?
On older double-hungs, yes. The sashes don’t tilt, so the outside glass needs a ladder. New tilt-in sashes release with two tilt latches and swing into the room for cleaning.
What’s Included in Our Double-Hung Window Replacement Service?
Every double hung window installation covers measuring, windows built to size, removal, sealing, screens, the permit and haul-away. Most homes get an insert or pocket install that keeps your trim and casing; full-frame installs are used where the frame is rotted.
01
What Happens to the Old Sash Weight Pockets?
Pre-war double-hungs hang from cords, pulleys and iron sash weights in hollow pockets beside the frame. Contractors take out the weights and pulleys, then fill the empty pockets with insulation before the new window goes in. Leaving them open lets drafts pour around the new frame.
02
Can New Double-Hungs Keep Your Home’s Original Look?
Yes. Contractors match the grille pattern, such as 6-over-1, 4-over-1 or Prairie, with simulated divided lites (SDL). Wood and clad lines can add ogee lugs and wider rails for Craftsman and Victorian homes. See our wood window replacement page for wood options.
03
Do You Add Window Opening Control Devices for Kids’ Rooms?
Yes. The California Residential Code calls for fall protection on operable windows with a sill less than 24 inches above the floor and more than 72 inches above the ground outside. A window opening control device that meets ASTM F2090 limits the opening to 4 inches, and an adult can release it to open the window fully in an emergency.
How Much Does Double-Hung Window Replacement Cost in Los Angeles?
Angi puts double-hung installs at $325 to $1,275 per window. Vinyl sits at the low end, and wood and fiberglass at the top.
| Job | Cost (Angi) |
|---|---|
| Double-hung window, unit only | $150 to $650 |
| Single-hung window, unit only | $100 to $400 |
| Double-hung, installed | $325 to $1,275 |
| Double-hung repair in LA | $180 to $600 |
Why Do Double-Hung Windows Cost More Than Single-Hung?
A double-hung has two moving sashes, two sets of balances and tilt hardware on both. A single-hung has a fixed top sash and only one set. Angi puts single-hung units at $100 to $400 and double-hungs at $150 to $650.
What’s a Reasonable Price Per Double-Hung Window?
For a standard size double hung vinyl replacement installed in LA, expect the low to middle of Angi’s $325 to $1,275 range. Wood, fiberglass, custom sizes, SDL grilles and second-story work push it toward the top. Ask for brand, series, U-factor and SHGC on every quote.
Double-Hung or Single-Hung: Which Is Worth It for Your Home?
Pick double-hung for upper floors, where tilt-in cleaning saves a ladder, and for rooms where you want airflow from the top. Open both sashes a few inches and warm air leaves through the top while cooler air comes in at the bottom. Pick single-hung on the ground floor to save money, since you can reach the outside glass.
Which Double-Hung Options Should You Choose: Glass, Grilles and Tilt-In Sashes?
| Option | What to pick |
|---|---|
| Glass | Dual-pane low-E with argon, meeting Title 24’s 0.30 U-factor and 0.23 SHGC |
| Grilles | SDL for historic looks, grilles between the glass for easy cleaning |
| Balances | Spiral or block-and-tackle in vinyl, constant force in many wood lines |
| Screens | Half screen for the lower sash, full screen to vent from the top too |
| Frame | Vinyl for budget, wood or clad for historic homes |
How Are Double-Hung Windows Installed, Step by Step?
Installing double hung replacement windows takes six steps:
- Measure. Every opening, plus a rot check on sills and jambs.
- Quote. A written price for each window.
- Permit and order. Contractors file the permit and order windows built to size.
- Remove. Old sashes, stops, weights and pulleys come out.
- Install and seal. Weight pockets get insulated, then the window goes in plumb and sealed.
- Test. Contractors slide, tilt and lock every sash.
What Should LA Homeowners Know Before Buying Double-Hung Windows?
01
Can a Double-Hung Window Meet Bedroom Egress Rules?
Yes, if it’s big enough. Only the lower sash opens, so the clear opening is about half the window. Code calls for 5.7 square feet, at least 24 inches tall and 20 inches wide, with a sill no higher than 44 inches. At 24 inches of clear height, you’d need about 34 inches of clear width; see our egress window installation page.
02
Should Craftsman and Colonial Homes Keep Double-Hung Windows?
Yes. Double-hungs are the original window in most Craftsman, Colonial and Tudor homes, and HPOZ boards in districts like Highland Park-Garvanza review changes to them. Swapping them for sliders changes the look of the house. For originals worth saving, see our historic window restoration service.
03
Are Double-Hung Windows Drafty in Santa Ana Winds?
They leak more than casements. Sliding sashes seal with brush weatherstripping, while a casement presses against a compression seal. A tight lock at the meeting rail and new weatherstripping help; for the tightest seal on windy hills in Altadena or Porter Ranch, see our casement window replacement page.
Why Do LA Homeowners Choose PaneRight LA for Double-Hung Windows?
- Repair first. New balances when the window is still sound.
- Weight pockets sealed. Insulated on every pre-war window.
- Matched grilles. Patterns that fit your home’s style.
- Itemized quotes. Brand, series, U-factor and SHGC for every window.
- Warranty in writing. Ask for a written labor warranty on top of the manufacturer’s warranty.
Where Do Contractors Install Double-Hung Windows in Los Angeles?
Contractors work across Pasadena, Altadena, Glendale, Burbank, the San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Pacific Palisades, the South Bay and Long Beach. That covers Craftsman homes in Bungalow Heaven, Colonial and Tudor homes near Larchmont Village and two-story homes in Manhattan Beach where tilt-in cleaning saves a ladder.
Double-Hung Window FAQs
What Are the Cons of Double-Hung Windows?
Only half the window opens at a time, and the sliding seals leak more air than a casement. Balances wear out and need replacing.
Why Does Your Window Fall Out When You Tilt It?
The pivot bar has slipped out of the balance shoe, or the shoe isn’t locked. Tilt the sash back, seat the pivot bars in the shoes and turn the shoes to lock them.
Can You Replace Just the Balances Instead of the Window?
Yes. Match the balance type and length printed on the old one, since spiral, block-and-tackle and constant force balances aren’t swappable. See our window repair service.
How Long Do Double-Hung Windows Last?
InterNACHI puts vinyl windows at 20 to 40 years, wood at 30 years or more and aluminum at 15 to 20 years. Balances wear out sooner and can be replaced on their own.
Can a Double-Hung Window Be Wider Than It Is Tall?
Yes, some makers build them. Wide sashes are heavy, which wears balances faster, so a pair of double-hungs side by side is the better choice for wide openings. For double hung window glass replacement in a sound sash, see our window glass replacement page.
Ready for New Double-Hung Windows? Call (424) 230-8336
Call (424) 230-8336 or send photos of your windows through the form. Tell us which sashes stick or fall, and a local contractor will send a written price for each window.
PaneRight LA is an advertising and referral service, not a contractor. We connect you with independent local window contractors who may pay us for referrals. Calls may be recorded.