Commercial Aluminum Single-Hung and Double-Hung Windows
Boyd Aluminum manufactures commercial aluminum single-hung and double-hung windows for new construction, renovation, historic-replica, coastal, institutional, education, healthcare, multifamily, and government building projects. Hung windows include single-hung and double-hung operating styles; the right choice depends on the building type, required performance class, opening size, ventilation needs, maintenance access, appearance requirements, and project documentation.
Choosing between double-hung and single-hung commercial aluminum windows is not just a spec-table exercise. Boyd reviews the building use, architectural intent, window schedule, opening conditions, code and approval needs, and day-to-day operation before recommending a hung window series. A Direct Assistance™ representative can help project teams review the correct hung window solution for the application.
Boyd Single-Hung and Double-Hung Window Series
Boyd hung windows are organized by operation type, performance class, frame depth, application, and available project documentation. Use the table below as a starting point, then confirm the selected series against the current product page, drawings, glazing, opening condition, and specification requirements.
Boyd commercial aluminum hung window series
| Series | Hung Window Details |
|---|---|
| Series 3000 (SH) | Single-hung window; thermal barrier; 4" system depth; AW-PG75 AAMA rating; true, interior, and historical muntin options; internal blinds or dual glazing noted; side-loaded operating sash noted for maintenance and cleaning; selected impact and blast documentation should be confirmed for the exact configuration. |
| Series 810 (SH) | Single-hung window; thermal barrier; 4" system depth; H-HC50 AAMA rating; interior muntins; custodial-key-operated tilt mechanisms noted for access; commonly reviewed for historic-replication and institutional applications. |
| Series 800 (SH) | Single-hung window; thermal barrier; 4" system depth; CW-PG50 AAMA rating; interior muntins; custodial-key-operated tilt mechanisms noted for access; used for heavy-commercial and historic-replacement applications where the Series 800 is appropriate. |
| Series 300 (SH) | Single-hung window; thermal barrier; 2.375" system depth; CW-PG35 AAMA rating; interior muntins; side-loaded, removable operating sash noted; cost-competitive option for new construction, retrofit, hotels, motels, nursing homes, and apartment applications. |
| Series 3500 (DH) | Double-hung window; thermal barrier; 4" system depth; AW-PG85 AAMA rating; true, interior, and historical muntin options; internal blinds or dual glazing noted; side-loaded operating sash noted for maintenance and cleaning; selected impact and blast documentation should be confirmed for the exact configuration. |
| Series 860 (DH) | Double-hung window; thermal barrier; 4" system depth; H-HC50 AAMA rating; true and interior muntins; custodial-key-operated tilt mechanisms noted for access; used for heavy-commercial, coastal, institutional, and historic-replication applications where documentation supports the selected series. |
| Series 850 (DH) | Double-hung window; thermal barrier; 4" system depth; H-HC40 AAMA rating; true and interior muntins; custodial-key-operated tilt mechanisms noted for access; heavy-commercial design for schools, hospitals, monumental applications, and historic double-hung replacement projects. |
Single-Hung vs Double-Hung Commercial Aluminum Windows
A single-hung window has one operating sash and one fixed sash. A double-hung window has two operating sashes. On commercial projects, the choice affects ventilation, cleaning access, sash operation, historic appearance, hardware coordination, egress review, and available Boyd series.
Use single-hung windows when the project needs a simpler hung operation, lower-sash ventilation, or a selected Boyd single-hung series such as 3000, 810, 800, or 300.
Use double-hung windows when both sash need to operate, the project calls for traditional double-hung appearance, or a selected Boyd double-hung series such as 3500, 860, or 850 is the better fit.
Do not choose only by operation type. Match the series to AAMA rating, frame depth, glazing, muntin options, opening size, code requirements, and available impact, blast, or historic documentation where applicable.
Commercial Hung Window Selection Factors
How to narrow the Boyd hung window series
| Selection Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Single-hung or double-hung operation | Determines whether one sash or both sash operate, and affects ventilation, cleaning access, user operation, and traditional appearance. |
| Performance class and PG rating | Boyd hung series include AW, H-HC, and CW performance-class language. Match the selected series and rating to the project specification, opening size, glazing, and installation condition. |
| Thermal performance | Current Boyd hung product data lists thermal barriers for the series on this page. Confirm the required U-value, CRF, glazing, and energy-performance documentation for the selected series and configuration. |
| Opening size and egress review | Emergency escape and rescue opening requirements are based on net clear opening, sill height, adopted code, and AHJ review. Do not assume a hung unit meets egress from the nominal size alone. |
| Historic or traditional appearance | Hung windows are common in historic replacement and traditional punched-opening work. Muntin type, sightlines, finish, profiles, and reviewing-authority requirements should be coordinated early. |
| Impact, Florida approval, or blast documentation | Selected hung-window configurations have published impact or blast notes, but those requirements are configuration-specific. Confirm the exact series, glazing, design pressure, installation method, approval path, and project authority. |
| Maintenance and user access | Confirm whether the selected series uses tilt mechanisms, side-loaded sash, or removable operating sash for maintenance access. Cleaning approach, balances, locks, access control, and day-to-day user behavior can affect the right series and configuration. |
When Commercial Aluminum Hung Windows Make Sense
Commercial, institutional, education, healthcare, government, multifamily, hotel, motel, and mixed-use projects that need operable punched-opening windows.
Historic-replica or traditional facade projects where single-hung or double-hung operation matches the building's appearance.
Projects requiring thermally broken commercial aluminum hung windows with published performance-class information for the selected series.
Coastal, impact, or blast-related projects where selected configurations and project documentation can be reviewed against the actual requirements.
Sleeping-room projects where egress, ventilation, sill height, and net clear opening must be reviewed before final window selection.
Common Hung Window Coordination Issues
Single-hung vs double-hung operation: Confirm which sash need to operate, how the user will access the window, and whether the design intent requires traditional double-hung movement.
Opening size and frame depth: Several Boyd hung series use a 4" system depth, while Series 300 uses a 2.375" depth. Existing opening conditions, panning, receptors, surrounding substrates, and interior/exterior finish conditions should be reviewed.
Egress and clear opening: Egress is not determined by product family alone. Confirm net clear opening, sill height, operating sash geometry, adopted code, and AHJ requirements for each sleeping-room or code-driven opening.
Historic review: Historic or landmark projects may require muntin, profile, sightline, finish, and detail review by the project authority. Do not assume one historic application establishes approval for another project.
Impact and blast: Impact-rated and blast-resistant requirements are not interchangeable. Match each requirement to the exact Boyd series, configuration, glazing, installation method, and available documentation.
Cleaning and sash access: Some Boyd hung series note custodial-key-operated tilt mechanisms, while others note side-loaded or removable operating sash. Confirm the selected series and access requirements before relying on a cleaning or maintenance approach.
Glazing, blinds, and muntins: Muntin type, internal blinds, dual glazing, glass thickness, and reglazing or maintenance expectations can change the right series selection.
What to Send Boyd for Hung Window Review
Send as much project information as possible so Boyd can review the hung window series, operation type, and documentation needs without guessing.
Project name, location, building type, bid deadline, and desired review timeline.
Drawings, elevations, window schedule, specifications, and opening details.
Whether each opening needs single-hung or double-hung operation.
Desired Boyd series, if already specified, or the required AAMA class / PG rating.
Opening sizes, rough openings, existing conditions, sill heights, and egress or net clear opening requirements where applicable.
Glazing requirements, glass thickness, thermal targets, U-value needs, CRF needs, and any acoustic or security requirements.
Cleaning, maintenance, custodial access, tilt-mechanism, or removable-sash requirements.
Historic appearance requirements, muntin patterns, finish requirements, sample needs, and review-authority comments if available.
Impact, Florida Product Approval, blast, or other project-specific performance documentation requirements.
Installation conditions, substrates, panning, receptors, anchors, surrounding wall conditions, and field constraints.
Related Boyd Resources
Products Overview - compare Boyd commercial aluminum window and door product families.
Historic Replication - review historic-replica and steel-replica aluminum window options.
Impact / Florida Product Approval - review selected impact-rated configurations and Florida Product Approval documentation.
Blast Resistant Window Systems - review selected blast-resistant window systems and project-specific documentation needs.
Finish Options - review standard and custom commercial aluminum finish options.
Architectural Resources - access product data, specifications, and detail resources.
Commercial Aluminum Hung Window FAQ
What is the difference between single-hung and double-hung commercial windows?
A single-hung window has one operating sash and one fixed sash; a double-hung window has two operating sashes. On commercial projects, that choice affects ventilation, cleaning access, user operation, traditional appearance, egress review, and the available product series. Use the series table above to separate Boyd single-hung and double-hung options, then confirm the rating, frame depth, glazing, muntin options, and project documentation for the selected series.
Are commercial aluminum hung windows thermally broken?
Yes. Current published Boyd product data for the single-hung and double-hung series shown on this page lists a thermal barrier for each series. For broader thermal-system selection, review Boyd's XT thermal line and confirm the required U-value, CRF, glazing, and project energy documentation for the exact selected product and configuration.
Do commercial single-hung and double-hung windows tilt in for cleaning?
Some Boyd commercial hung window series include custodial-key-operated tilt mechanisms, while others use side-loaded or removable operating sash for maintenance access. Do not assume every single-hung or double-hung series uses the same cleaning access method. Confirm the selected Boyd series, hardware or access-control requirements, opening size, and maintenance expectations before specifying, especially on schools, healthcare, multifamily, hotel, and institutional projects.
Do commercial hung windows meet egress requirements?
Sometimes, but egress cannot be assumed from the product type or nominal window size. Emergency escape and rescue openings are reviewed by net clear opening, clear width, clear height, sill height, adopted code, and the authority having jurisdiction. For single-hung and double-hung windows, the operating sash geometry and actual clear opening must be reviewed for each opening, especially in hotels, motels, multifamily, dormitory, or other sleeping-room applications.
Can commercial hung windows be used for historic, impact, or blast projects?
Yes, selected Boyd hung window series are used in historic, impact, or blast-related project reviews, but those requirements are series- and configuration-specific. Series 3000 and Series 3500 are the hung series on this page with published impact and blast notes, while other hung series may support historic or heavy-commercial applications. Confirm the exact series, glazing, size, pressure, installation method, approval path, and reviewing authority before specifying or bidding.