Double-Hung Windows Improve Energy Efficiency in Charlottesville Home

This Charlottesville home sits on a wooded lot where the scenery outside the windows is part of the home’s everyday charm. The homeowners loved the sense of privacy and the natural light, but their original windows had become difficult to open, cloudy in appearance and inconsistent in keeping temperatures comfortable. Looking for a solution that would improve both function and aesthetics, they worked with the Pella Virginia team to choose white double-hung windows with traditional grilles—a style that pairs naturally with the home’s classic exterior and its peaceful, leafy surroundings. 

The updated windows immediately created a more inviting interior, offering clearer views, smoother operation and a brighter look that ties the whole home together.

From the front yard, the new white windows bring a sense of clarity and balance to the home’s exterior. The grille pattern echoes the original design, preserving the traditional look the homeowners liked while giving the façade a more polished feel. Because the windows face a mix of sun and shade throughout the day, the crisp white finish helps reflect light and keep the home’s appearance bright even under the thick canopy of trees. 

The refreshed frames align cleanly with the porch trim and brickwork, helping the exterior look unified and well cared for without altering the home’s character.

Inside the home, the double-hung style proved to be the right choice for both comfort and usability. With two operable sashes, the homeowners now have better control over ventilation, whether they’re bringing in fresh air on mild days or letting warmer air escape from the upper portion of the sash during Virginia’s humid summers. 

In the office, the new window now frames the treetops with crisp, uninterrupted clarity—a noticeable improvement visible in the photos. Rooms that once felt dimmer or uneven in light now benefit from clearer glass and slimmer sightlines, particularly the hallway bookcase area and the upstairs bedroom window where natural light now reaches deeper into the space. 

Because the sashes tilt in, it’s easier for the homeowners to clean the windows from inside, an important convenience in a two-story home surrounded by pollen from mature trees.

Better insulation was one of the homeowner’s top priorities, and the difference is felt throughout the house. The updated glass helps maintain steadier temperatures in rooms with heavy afternoon sun as well as in shaded areas that once felt cooler. The reduction in drafts and temperature swings has made the home more comfortable without adjusting the thermostat as often. 

The double-hung design also adds flexibility for airflow. Opening the upper sash allows heat to escape upstairs, while the lower sash provides gentle breezes in common living areas. These small improvements make the windows an active part of how the homeowners manage airflow and comfort from season to season.

Replacing every window at once allowed the homeowners to give the entire home a unified look—inside and out. The consistent white interior finish brightens each room, while the matching grille patterns tie the design together visually. The home now feels more open, more comfortable and better connected to the surrounding landscape. This Charlottesville project shows how double-hung windows can blend classic design with meaningful improvements in performance and everyday living. The transformation is simple, seamless and exactly what the homeowners hoped for: a home that feels brighter, quieter and more comfortable year-round.