Double Hung Windows

Double Hung Windows in Sarasota, FL | Winslow Windows & Doors

Double hung windows give Sarasota homeowners the classic vertical look they want with the hurricane protection Florida building codes demand. Both sashes glide up and down, and both tilt inward for easy cleaning, a detail you’ll appreciate when salt spray and pollen season roll through. Winslow Windows & Doors installs these impact-rated units across PGT, CGI, CWS, ES Windows, ECO, and Mr-Glass lines, so you get a real range of frame and glass choices without sacrificing code compliance. We’ve been installing in Sarasota long enough to know which configurations hold up on waterfront properties and which ones make sense for inland neighborhoods like Gillespie Park or Palmer Ranch. Call (941) 267-0779 to talk through your project.

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Product Overview - Double Hung Windows

Double hung windows are the most traditional profile in American residential architecture, and they remain one of the most practical choices for Sarasota homes. The design features two operable sashes, an upper and a lower, that slide vertically within the frame. The key difference between a true double hung and a single hung is simple: both sashes move. That means you can open the top for ventilation while keeping the bottom closed, which matters in a climate where afternoon thunderstorms can roll in fast and you want airflow without exposing your interior to blowing rain.

In hurricane-rated construction, the double hung profile earns its keep through engineering rather than nostalgia. The laminated impact glass carries the protection load, holding the pane in place under impact while the reinforced frame transfers wind pressure to the surrounding structure. We see these windows specified on everything from 1920s bungalows in the Rosemary District to new coastal modern builds on Siesta Key. They fit the architectural language of Florida because they’re proportioned for the deep overhangs, raised foundations, and horizontal siding lines common here.

Winslow Windows & Doors frames these units in either aluminum or vinyl depending on the application. Aluminum carries a slimmer sightline and performs well on larger openings. Vinyl offers thermal efficiency and corrosion resistance that suits properties close to the Gulf. Both materials, when paired with the right glass package, deliver a window that’s rated for Sarasota’s wind zone and built to look right on a Florida house. The tilt-in sashes on both top and bottom make routine cleaning something you’ll actually do, not something you’ll put off until the glass is opaque.

Technical Specifications

Frame Materials

• Aluminum: Narrower sightlines, excellent structural strength, ideal for larger openings and contemporary designs
• Vinyl: High thermal resistance, naturally corrosion-resistant, a strong value for salt-adjacent properties

Glass Options

• Laminated Impact Glass: PVB interlayer holds glass in the frame under impact; the core hurricane-rated option
• Low-E Insulated Glass: Adds a thermal break and low-emissivity coating for cooling-load reduction
• Tinted Glass: Cuts glare and solar gain on west-facing elevations common in Sarasota afternoons
• Clear Glass: Maximum visible light transmission for interiors that want full daylight

Finish Options

• White, Almond, Bronze, Black, Tan

Screen Options

• Half Screen and Full Screen configurations available, matched to your sash layout

Design pressures are matched to your specific wind zone, up to +/-100, never higher. We don’t overspec pressure ratings just to put a bigger number on a spec sheet. Your quote will reflect the DP that your elevation, exposure category, and local code actually require.

Hurricane & Compliance Performance

Laminated Impact Glass
The heart of this window’s protection is laminated glass built with a PVB (polyvinyl butyral) interlayer. When debris strikes, the glass may crack but the interlayer holds the pane in the frame, keeping the building envelope sealed against wind-driven rain and pressure changes. This is the same principle used in automotive windshields, scaled for residential hurricane exposure.

Miami-Dade NOA / Florida Product Approval
Every configuration carries Miami-Dade NOA (Notice of Acceptance) and Florida Product Approval numbers. These are issued per configuration, not per product line, so the specific frame, glass, and size combination you choose determines which approval documents apply. We verify the exact NOA and FL approval numbers on your written quote so your permit submittal is clean.

FBC / HVHZ Compliance
These windows are engineered to Florida Building Code (FBC) High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) requirements. HVHZ is the strictest wind-borne debris region in the state, covering Sarasota and the rest of the coastal counties. A window built for HVHZ is built for the exposure you actually live with.

TAS 201 / 202 / 203 Testing Context
HVHZ-rated products are tested under a specific protocol family. TAS 201 covers large-missile impact, the test that fires a lumber projectile at the glass. TAS 202 covers cyclic wind-pressure loading, simulating hurricane gusts. TAS 203 covers forced-entry resistance. Products that pass this battery are proven beyond theoretical engineering.

Design Pressure for Your Wind Zone
Design pressure is a PSF rating, not a wind speed number. Our double hung units are matched to your wind zone, with a ceiling of +/-100. We’ll determine the correct DP based on your home’s exposure category, building height, and location within Sarasota. Overspecifying DP adds cost without adding meaningful protection; underspecifying is never acceptable.

Energy Performance
Low-E and insulated glass options are available on most configurations. In Sarasota’s climate, the cooling season runs long, and a Low-E coating on the appropriate surface reduces solar heat gain through the glass. Insulated units add an air space that slows conductive heat transfer. These are options, not defaults, so your quote will show exactly what you’re getting.

Color & Glass Options

The five finish colors we offer, White, Almond, Bronze, Black, and Tan, cover the range of Sarasota’s architectural palette. White and Almond suit the coastal cottage and Key West styles you see throughout the older neighborhoods near downtown. Bronze and Black read more contemporary, and they anchor windows visually on modern builds in Lakewood Ranch or on Casey Key. Tan splits the difference, working well on Mediterranean Revival homes with stucco exteriors in warm earth tones.

On the glass side, the choice usually comes down to how your rooms face the sun. West-facing elevations in Sarasota get hammered by late-afternoon heat, and a tinted or Low-E package makes a measurable difference in comfort. If you’re on the water and want unimpeded Gulf views, clear laminated glass gives you the protection without altering the view. Homes with bedrooms facing the street often pair clear impact glass on the front with Low-E insulated glass on the sides and rear. There’s no single right answer, which is exactly why we quote each opening individually rather than pushing a one-size package.

Installation by Winslow Windows & Doors in Sarasota

Installation is where hurricane-rated windows either perform as engineered or fail when they’re needed. The NOA and Florida Product Approval documents assume the window is installed exactly as tested. If the frame is racked, the opening is out of square, or the perimeter seal is compromised, the rating means nothing. That’s why we handle every step of the install with the same discipline the testing lab applies to the product.

Our process starts with a pre-installation inspection of each opening. We check the rough opening dimensions, the condition of the buck or existing frame, and the substrate we’re fastening to. In Sarasota, older homes often have openings that have shifted over decades, and forcing a square window into a racked hole guarantees air and water leaks. We set every unit level, plumb, and square before we anchor it.

The perimeter seal follows AAMA 2400/2410 practice and uses AAMA 812 low-expansion foam. This is the standard for the installation of fenestration products, and it matters in a climate where a single storm can drive water against a window for six hours. After the foam cures, we install the exterior sealant, run a final water test where practical, and clean the site. If you’re in an HVHZ jurisdiction, which covers all of Sarasota County, your permit will require the proper NOA or FL Product Approval submittal. We know what the plans examiners here ask for, and we make sure your paperwork is ready before the inspector arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions - Double Hung Windows

Get a Quote - Double Hung Windows in Sarasota

If you’re planning a window replacement or new construction project in Sarasota, let’s get you a written quote with the exact configurations, NOA approvals, and design pressures for your openings. Call Winslow Windows & Doors at (941) 267-0779 to schedule a free on-site measurement, or just to ask questions about what will work on your home.

Written by the team at Winslow Windows & Doors, serving Sarasota and the surrounding Gulf Coast communities.