Sliding windows have gained considerable popularity in recent years. More and more homeowners are installing sliding windows in their new houses. Even those looking for window replacement often choose to replace them with sliding windows. If you’re wondering what the excitement over this window type is all about, you have come to the right place. In this article, we’ll tell you all you need to know about sliding windows so you can decide if they’re the right fit for your home.
What Are Sliding Windows?
Sliding windows basically consist of panels that close and open by sliding along a frame. The panels can slide on either side and are also easily removable for cleaning. Sliding windows are sometimes referred to as sliders or gliders. Sliding windows employ a minimalistic design with a few components, resulting in a clean, chic look.
Advantages of Sliding Windows
Every window type has its own distinct set of advantages, and sliding windows are no exception. There are several benefits associated with sliders, as they’re alternatively titled. They’re budget-friendly, easy to operate, energy-efficient, and take up minimal space. Let’s look into these benefits in more detail.
Sliding Windows Are Easy to Operate
Sliding windows are designed to glide smoothly along the frame. With just a bit of a push, the window slides open or closed on rollers. Thanks to this minimal effort necessary for operation, these windows also come in handy in areas that are hard to reach.
Sliding Windows Are Long-Lasting and Require Little Maintenance
Sliding windows have fewer moving parts compared to other types of windows. Once installed correctly, they can remain in good shape for years with minimal maintenance.
When cleaning, you can simply pop out the movable glass pane. Some varieties of these windows even allow the pane to be tilted at an angle when cleaning.
Sliding Windows Are Cost-Effective
There are three factors that you take into account when considering the cost of a window—the initial cost of the window, the installation fee, and finally the cost of maintenance over the years. Sliding windows are cost-effective on all these fronts.
Owing to the fewer components, the windows are relatively cheap to buy and install. The cost of maintenance, as earlier mentioned, is also limited. Overall, sliding windows give you a good bang for your buck.
Sliding Windows Help Conserve Energy
If a window does not close properly, air infiltration will make it harder to keep the house warm during winter or cool during summer. Your air conditioning system will have to work harder, and the energy bills will be higher. Sliding windows shut firmly, ensuring zero air leakage, making indoor temperatures easier to regulate.
The glass used on a modern sliding window utilizes a number of features to maximize energy efficiency. Such features include non-conducting spacers, low-E coatings, and insulating gas pumped in between panes. With such advanced technology, you’ll acquire significant savings on your energy bills.
Another advantage here is the blocking out of UV rays, which helps prevent fading of your house furnishings. This glass also helps keep out excess or unnecessary noise.
Sliding Windows Provide a Clear View of the Outdoors
Enjoy your outdoor scenery from the comfort of your house with sliding windows. With their extensive glass panes and minimal components, the windows offer unobstructed views of your surroundings. Whether you’re thinking of a country home surrounded by greenery, a beach-front property, or a top-floor office with the city below, you can count on sliding windows to frame scenic views.
Sliding windows also allow for plenty of natural light and fresh air, making your space feel even cozier. Remember, natural lighting makes even small rooms appear more spacious. It’s yet another advantage these windows offer.
Sliding Windows Allow For More Interior Space
If you have limited space, sliding windows are your best bet. Since they open parallel to the wall instead of opening sideways, they do not interfere with your space. They’ll come in handy in small rooms where you want to utilize every available inch.
When Is a Sliding Window Best Used?
Going by the above benefits of sliding windows, they are useful additions to any space. However, there are particular instances where sliding windows are distinctly beneficial. Let’s explore some of them.
Small Homes
If you have a small home, you want to capitalize on any feature that maximizes your space. Sliding windows achieve this perfectly. By letting in plenty of natural light, the rooms instantly appear bigger. It’s just an illusion, really, but it works. These windows also provide an unobstructed view of the outdoors. This helps create the feeling of an indoor/outdoor living space.
Low-Ceilinged Rooms
Sliding windows are typically wider and lower than other types of windows. Their size and positioning bring just the right balance in such homes. Low ceilings tend to make spaces appear smaller, darker, and feel stuffy. This window style provides an antidote for this effect. As explored in the previous segment, sliding windows make the room feel more spacious by bringing in light and air.
Low-Ventilation Areas
Low ventilation areas require a window that will bring in abundant air, and sliding windows are just the right fit with the ability to open fully, whether to the right or to the left, to let in air flow. A sliding window will make all the difference in the corner rooms of the house that tend to get stuffy and heat up fast during summer.
Remember, poor ventilation makes a home significantly more difficult to keep cool during summer. The air conditioner has to keep running just to keep the temperatures comfortable. Sliding windows will open up completely and allow in the breeze, reducing the need for air conditioning and ultimately bringing down power bills.
Large Spaces
Which is the most appropriate window for large spaces? Think of commercial buildings here - offices, hotels, malls, and so on. The point here is that when you have ample space, the windows must be equally large. With large windows comes the issues of cost, mode of operation, maintenance, and so on. You want windows that are budget-friendly in areas such as installation and maintenance. And you want them to be easy to operate as well.
Sliding windows tick all the right boxes here. For wide spaces, the windows contain multiple panels, all easily movable. While other styles of large windows tend to appear bulky, the minimalistic design of sliders adds an elegant appeal to these spaces.
How Do You Decide Which Window Type Is Right for You?
There are many types of windows out there, each with pros and cons. Whether you’re putting up a new building or renovating, selecting the right windows will go a long way in enhancing the quality and feel of the structure. There are a number of factors that come into play when determining the right windows. Below we discuss some of them. Remember, whenever you’re in doubt, you can get in touch with us. We’ll be more than happy to guide you along.
The Architectural Style of Your Home
The style of your home plays a major role in determining the type of windows that will fit best. Whether your house is Victorian, contemporary, colonial, Tudor, ranch style, etc., certain window types blend right into your design. At US Window & Door, we have professionals who will utilize their wealth of experience to make recommendations. You can view our project gallery on our website to see pictures and videos of our previous work, or you can visit our Milgard showrooms in San Diego or Carlsbad so you can get a better idea of how the final product will turn out.
If you’re renovating your house, you don’t have to go for the same window design that you had. You can pick a different type for a brand new look. Of all the things you can do to breathe new life into your home and give it a fresh look, replacing the windows is one of the most cost-effective options.
Dimensions of the Room
There should always be a balance between the size of your windows and the dimensions of the walls. This does not mean that they have to match. You can have a small room with big windows. Similarly, you can have a large room with small windows, depending on their function. What you should aim for here is an equilibrium. If you can’t quite figure it out, let our experts weigh in. By providing us with the dimensions of your rooms, we can advise you on the appropriate type and size of window.
Fortunately, sliding windows are available in almost any size you wish. Sliders are really just a combination of panels. You have a few panels for small windows and multiple panels for larger windows. No matter the size of your rooms, there will likely be a sliding window that fits right in.
What the Windows Are For
Windows serve multiple purposes. They provide ventilation, enhance curb appeal, ensure privacy, allow for outdoor views and even save energy. Which of these are you really seeking to capitalize on? Different types of windows have different scores on the above features. Your needs will dictate the type of materials and features that the window needs to have to serve you best.
Your Preferences
Do you prefer a traditional or a modern look? Do you want laid-back windows or more conspicuous ones? The windows you choose should reflect your taste and that of your home. Sometimes you have a basic idea that’s quite rough around the edges. Maybe you’ve seen windows you like somewhere and would like something similar for your home. Whatever the case may be, we’ll be glad to help you refine your idea. Get in touch with us, and our experts will brainstorm with you until we actualize what you have in mind.
Reap the Benefits of Installing a Sliding Window in Your Home
We hope this information was appealing to you. Sliding windows are a valuable addition to your home. However, to benefit from all the above, you have to ensure that you pick the right quality of sliding windows, and even more importantly, get them professionally installed. The sliding system needs to be fixed right to ensure that the windows roll smoothly with minimal effort for years to come. You should also be in a position to pop out the panes for cleaning without any problem.
At US Window & Door, we have installed countless sliding windows all over San Diego and Southern Orange County. No matter the style of your home, we’ll come up with window ideas that fit perfectly. By trusting us with your windows, you’ll be tapping into our wealth of experience and expertise. Get in touch with US Window & Door today and start the process of sprucing up your house with sliding windows!
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