COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
It may not seem like it but windows play an important role in our lives. Sliding windows allow us to see the outside world while shielding us from the elements. The humble window comes in many forms, but one form has become incredibly popular over the years.
The sliding window is a favorite among Colorado Springs homeowners for the number of benefits it offers. Such windows have gained favor with homeowners for several reasons.
In this guide we will discuss why sliding windows are one of the best window types and also delve into how to choose the perfect sliding window type for your Colorado Springs home.
What are Sliding Windows?
Sliding windows are exactly what they sound like: windows that slide rather than swing. Such windows move along a fixed track and come in many forms.
There are horizontal sliding windows that slide horizontally, and vertical sliding windows that slide vertically. These windows have different forms, but they all serve the same purpose: To help you take in some fresh air and experience the outdoors with ease.
Why Choose Sliding Windows?
People often choose sliding windows over casement windows for different reasons. This includes:
Being Budget Friendly
Sliding windows have a simple and compact design which makes them more budget friendly than casement windows with swinging designs. Casement windows require a large thick frame border, which drives up their cost.
On the other hand, sliding windows typically have thin frames as the glass plane simply needs to slide across a fixed track. This means less material is needed to construct such windows. As a result, they can be sold for cheaper than casement windows.
Low Maintenance
Sliding windows are a great low-maintenance option for Colorado Springs homeowners. This is thanks to their simple sliding design.
If you ever need to clean a sliding window, you simply need to wipe down its pane, frame, and rail. This is in contrast to casement windows that have additional parts such as cranks and hinges that can be tough to clean regularly.
Works With Little Exterior Space
One of the most noticeable benefits of sliding windows can be seen in their designs. These windows slide either horizontally or vertically. However, horizontal sliding windows are usually more common.
The main benefit of this design is that it can function with limited exterior space. The sliding window is essentially confined to its rail. Therefore, “opening” this window never displaces it outside your property.
By contrast, casement windows are designed to swing outwards. This means they move beyond their closed position space and take up exterior space. Therefore, they might not be suitable for apartment buildings that are very close to adjacent buildings.
Improved Energy Efficiency
Modern sliding windows are designed to open and close along a fixed rail. This means they can create a solid seal once they are in their closed position.
Many people favor this design over casement window designs because it reduces the amount of air that enters and exits the window. As a result, sliding windows are incredibly good at trapping heat. Therefore, residents in homes with sliding windows won’t need to turn their heating up as often thanks to the improved energy efficiency sliding windows offer.
If you already have sliding windows in your home, you can improve their energy efficiency even further by replacing their glass panes with special low-e glass or triple pane designs.
Great for Modern Homes
Casement windows typically have frame material running through the window’s middle, which divides the pane into smaller sections. As a result, such windows offer an obscured view of the outdoors.
Sliding windows don’t experience such issues because they consist of a single glass panel surrounded by a frame. As a result, they can have larger glass panes that offer an uninterrupted view of the outdoors. This makes them a sleek and elegant option for modern homes with large spaces.
Choosing the Perfect Sliding Windows for your Colorado Springs Home
If you’re interested in purchasing sliding windows for your Colorado Springs home, you might be confused about how to start your search. Let’s go over some essential steps to choose the right sliding windows for your property.
1. Determine Your Window Size
Before deciding which sliding window to get, it is vital to understand your window size. If your home is still being designed, you can look over the plan to see what the intended window cavity size will be.
Alternatively, if you already have a casement window arrangement in your home, you will need to measure its dimensions to determine the size of your sliding window setup.
Once you understand how much window space you have, you can move onto the next step.
1. Choose Your Sliding Window Types
Sliding windows come in a variety of different styles. This is thanks to the different sliding window manufacturers out there. You can look up the Pella sliding window size chart or the Andersen sliding windows sizes. However, it is important to understand the sliding window style you prefer before researching horizontal sliding windows sizes.
Knowing the various sliding window options out there is essential to choosing the perfect sliding window for your home. The most common styles include:
Fixed-Slide Windows
This style consists of one stationary window pane and one sliding window pane. Such windows are great for small window spaces that can’t accommodate more than two window panes.
Slide-Slide Windows
Slide-Slide windows consist of two window panes that slide. This means you can open the window by moving the right-hand panel to the left or the left-hand panel to the right. Such windows are useful for people that need to open either window side for a specific purpose.
For example, someone seated at a desk next to the window may prefer to open the pane closest to them while they are smoking.
Slide-Fix-Slide Windows
Slide-fix-slide windows are special sliding windows that feature one fixed window pane and two sliding ones. The “fixed” pane in this case is usually in the middle while the sliding panes are on either side. Therefore, once opened, both the sliding windows will meet at the center pane.
Slide-fix-slide windows are great for large window spaces where you would like a wide view and the ability to let in a large amount of air from outside.
Fixed-Slide-Slide-Fixed
Fixed-Slide-Slide-Fixed windows aren’t very common. However, they might be useful in certain cases. Such windows have two fixed window panes and two sliding ones.
Unlike slide-fix-slide windows, the fixed panes in this design are on the extreme ends, with the sliding windows being in the center. These sliding panes usually open up to the nearest fixed pane. So the one in the center-left will slide open towards the fixed pane on the left side, while the one in the center-right will slide open towards the fixed pane on the right side.
Such window arrangements are uncommon because they exceed standard sliding window sizes due to their four-panel arrangement, which isn’t standard in most home designs. These window arrangements may be useful in special niche applications such as basement windows where there is only one window area.
2. Choose a Window Locking Style
After determining the sliding window sizes and styles that fit your Colorado Springs home, you must select a window lock that is suitable for sliding windows. This is mainly due to safety reasons. However, locking your sliding window can also help ensure it maintains its tight seal.
Casement windows typically have straightforward latch locks that are similar to doors. However, sliding windows require special lock designs due to their opening style. This includes:
Child Safety Latches
Child safety latches aren’t locks in the traditional sense. Such latches limit the amount you can open your window rather than your ability to open the window itself.
For example, a child safety latch might allow you to slide your window only three or five inches to the side. This distance is enough to let in some fresh air, but not enough for a child to crawl out the window.
Such latches are useful for sliding windows in high rise apartments with young children. These latches help keep residents safe and give parents peace of mind when their children are unsupervised.
Child safety latches are available for both horizontal and vertical sliding window locks and in many sliding window sizes.
Keyed Locks
If security is your top priority, then keyed locks are the perfect window open for you. Such window locks have locking mechanisms that can be opened only using a key. Such locks are typically found on casement windows, but some manufacturers offer sliding window designs with keyed locks.
Such locks may provide excellent security, but they may present issues if you lose the key used to unlock them. For this reason, people rarely get these window locks for residential purposes.
Pin Locks
Sliding windows stand out from casement windows in many different ways. However, their locking mechanisms might be their most standout feature. Sliding windows with “pin” locks have special screw pins designed to “screw” into their sliding track. When screwed in place, these pins prevent the window from sliding any further.
Such locks are useful if you want to open your sliding window a certain distance and ensure it stays in place. This customizability makes pin locks a great choice over the other lock types on our list.
1. Choose a Frame Material
People often focus on the glass pane in a window’s design because it is the component that allows you to actually see outside. However, every window glass pane will still need to be encased within a frame.
This frame will determine the window’s overall look, so it is vital to choose one that fits your home’s interior and exterior aesthetic. The primary window frame materials available for sliding windows include:
Vinyl or uPVC
Vinyl or uPVC have become popular materials over the years for their durability and diverse color range. These artificial materials can withstand a wide range of weather conditions and do not expand or shrink in hot or cold temperatures.
Despite their artificial nature, vinyl or uPVC can be designed to mimic the appearance of other materials such as wood. This makes them a great choice for homeowners who would like to keep that rustic wooden look but maintain the benefits of more modern material.
Aluminum
Aluminum is one of the most popular frame materials for sliding windows. This material has a sleek and professional appearance. It is also relatively sturdy and durable thanks to its metal properties.
Such material might not be suitable for homes in coastal areas because it can decay from prolonged exposure to high humidity. For this reason, you should go for an aluminum frame only if your residence is located in a non-coastal region.
Wood
Wooden sliding windows can be a great choice for their rustic appearance. However, these windows aren’t very popular due to wood’s troublesome properties. This material can swell up or crack under different weather conditions. Such problems are difficult to remedy, so you may need to discard the entire window if a problem with the frame comes up.
Why Choose Judd’s Glass & Mirror of Colorado Springs?
As you can see, sliding windows are an excellent choice for many types of homes. The above guide should help you choose a sliding window style that works for your property. If you’re interested in purchasing high-quality sliding windows from a reliable retailer, you can’t go wrong by choosing Judd’s Glass & Mirror of Colorado Springs.
We have been offering windows to Colorado Springs & Surrounding Area for over four decades and understand that every Colorado Springs homeowner has unique needs and preferences. Please contact us or call us at 719-687-3895 if you need help with choosing a suitable sliding window design for your Colorado Springs home.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
Judd's Glass & Mirror is a locally owned provider of replacement & repair of windows, Mirrors, shower glass, commercial glass services to Teller, El Paso, Park, Chafee, Buena Vista Counties in Colorado operated since 1978 through top-notch service at rock-bottom prices.
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