What is the purpose of the sliding window?

When to Choose a Sliding Window

One of the best investments you can make for your house is new windows. Replacement windows can enhance your home’s curb appeal, improve its energy efficiency, and increase its overall value, but choosing the right windows can be challenging. If you’re ready for a home makeover, one great option is sliding windows.

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What Are Sliding Windows?

Sliding windows are windows with panels that slide from side to side in both directions and lift off easily for cleaning. Sometimes referred to as gliding windows, gliders, or sliders, they typically have a clean, contemporary look that suits most modern homes.

Advantages of Sliding Windows

Because of their streamlined design and oversized glass panels, sliding windows have several advantages over other types of replacement windows:

• They’re easy to use: Sliding windows typically glide on a roller, so they open and close easily, often with just the push of a finger.
• They’re simple to clean: Most sliding windows feature panels that lift out completely, making them easy to clean.
• They optimize natural light and outdoor views: Sliding windows typically have oversized glass panels that let in plenty of natural light and offer homeowners wide, unobstructed views.
• They provide plenty of ventilation: Because of their streamlined design, most sliders open fully to let in fresh air. On some styles, panels can be opened simultaneously to promote better ventilation.

When Should You Choose a Sliding Window?

Sliding windows can bring a clean, elegant look to any room in your home, but they can be especially beneficial for certain spaces:

• Small homes: Gliders can make smaller homes more spacious by creating an unobstructed view of the outdoors.
• Low-ceilinged rooms: Because sliding windows are often lower and wider than traditional window designs, they’re ideal for rooms with low ceilings.
• Low-ventilation areas: Because they open fully, sliding windows are a great choice for low-ventilation spaces, such as condos that only have front and rear windows.
• Large spaces: Many sliding windows, especially those that feature three or four panels, have a wide design that brings balance and elegance to large spaces.

How Do You Know Which Window Style Is Best for Your Home?

Replacing your home’s windows is a big investment, so you’ll want to choose windows that suit your needs and your house’s style. It may be helpful to consider the following factors when choosing new windows:

• Your home’s architectural style: Whether your home is traditional, contemporary, or one of a kind, the windows you choose should coordinate with your home’s exterior and interior architecture.
• The room’s dimensions: The windows you choose should always fit the scale of your rooms.
• The purpose of the windows: The windows you choose should reflect their intended purpose, whether that’s weatherization, ventilation, or curb appeal. If you’re trying to frame a beautiful view, for example, picture windows may be the perfect option, whereas if you’re seeking privacy, you may want to choose windows featuring obscure glass.
• Your personal style: Whether your style is quirky, traditional, or dramatic, the windows you choose should reflect your personal aesthetic as well as that of your home.

The Benefits of Professional Window Installation

Whether the advantages of sliding windows are too good to resist or you’d rather opt for a more traditional double-hung style, your windows should be installed professionally. At Thompson Creek Window Company, we handle all aspects of your window purchase, from manufacturing to installation. Contact Thompson Creek today for a free estimate.

The windows in your home will last for about 20 years with regular cleaning and maintenance. If you’ve lived in your home for longer than that, it might be time for an update. Not sure about the age of your windows? Some warning signs include warped frames and foggy glass. As you shop for replacement windows, you’ll run into a lot of options including casement, double-hung, and sliders. What is a slider window, you ask?

Read on to learn about slider windows as well as their pros and cons. Once you’re informed, you can make the best decision for your window replacement project.

Table of Contents

What Is a Slider Window?

A slider window is a type of window that you open horizontally. If you tilt your head to one side they almost look like double-hung windows.

They’re one of the simplest replacement window designs available. The number of window panes and movable panels can change, but the system remains the same. You can push at least one of the panels to the side to open the window fully.

Most slider windows have two glass panels with one moveable side. You can decide whether you want the moveable pane on the right or the left side.

You can also choose between single and double pane sliding glass windows. Double pane windows are worth the investment because they have two panes of glass. That’s great for insulation from outdoor temperatures as well as noise.

What Is a Slider Window Called?

Slider windows are most commonly referred to as slider or sliding windows, but can also be referred to as glider windows, or simply gliders.

Types of Slider Windows

There are three main types of slider windows: single slider, double slider, and three-pane slider. Single sliders have one fixed pane and one moveable pane. The moveable pane slides back and forth on the sash.

Double sliders feature two or three panes of glass, but they have two panes that move. You can open either side of the window for more ventilation.

Three-pane sliders usually feature a large picture window in the center and a sliding window on either side.

These three types of slider windows all have their pros and cons – in this guide to slider windows, this is explained further.

When Should You Use a Sliding Window?

A sliding window is a fantastic option for your home; it floods a room with light, provides easy ventilation, and has an aesthetically pleasing simple design. Slider windows also happen to be one of the more inexpensive window types available.

You should use a sliding window to fit a wide space – they are, by very nature, not suitable for windows that are longer vertically than horizontally. They fit well into larger rooms like a living room or dining room, or rooms that require more natural light, like the kitchen. Slider windows are generally less suitable for bathrooms but can be adjusted if necessary.

The sleek design of slider windows suits modern homes perfectly. Simplicity and minimalism are still in with home design, and this window fits the criteria superbly. For the same reasons slider windows may suit modern homes and bungalows, they may look out of place in an older building.

Now that we know more about this window type, let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of a slider window.

Advantages of Slider Windows

Slider windows are an excellent window type, and an ideal choice for many homes: read through our list of advantages to discover if they’re right for you.

Unobstructed Views

One of the best things about slider windows is that they provide a great view of the outdoors. They have minimal framing so there’s not much that will block your view. They’re also usually wider than they are tall, so sliders have the dimensions of a picture window.

Variety in Size and Versatility

Sliders also come in bigger sizes than double-hung windows since they move right to left instead of up and down. Just by turning the window on its side so to speak, you can install a larger slider than you could a double-hung.

Though slider windows are not suitable for window spaces that are tall and narrow, they have very few limits beyond that. Their size can be adjusted to fit into a very large or very small space, as the simple sliding mechanism suits either.

Sunshine & Ventilation

Slider windows are often on the larger side, as they’re usually used to cover a wide surface area. Since they’re wide windows, they also open wider. That means you can let in lots of natural light and fresh air.

The minimal design has little obstruction, allowing light to pour into the room. Slider windows maximize the potential natural lighting in your home, as they consist of only two large panes of glass – both the size and design of slider windows lend itself well to brightening a whole room.

Most window types only allow for a small section to be opened or a full window only partially. With slider windows, you can open an entire pane of glass by sliding it. Single sliders can only move a single pane, but double sliders can move either, allowing for two areas of ventilation.

A slider window is one of the best window types for ventilation.

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Affordability

Despite their large size, they’re often a very affordable choice for window replacement thanks to their simple construction. Just like sliding glass doors, slider windows simply glide along a track to open and close. Double-hung windows use a complex pulley system which is why they’re usually more expensive.

Ease of Use

Slider windows are also easy to open and close. If you’re getting older and you’re concerned about accessibility, slider windows are a great choice.

They’re also great for difficult-to-reach places like stairwells and tight hallways. As long as you can reach the bottom of the window, you can open it. Most of the time you won’t need to worry about getting a step ladder.

Low Maintenance

There are fewer parts involved in constructing a slider window – which means there is less that can go wrong.

Springs and pulleys that often form part of other window types can degrade over time and need replacing. The simple mechanism of a sliding window requires very little maintenance, and won’t have many components that can sustain damage.

Disadvantages of Slider Windows

Now you know the advantages of installing slider windows; for a balanced perspective, you need to know the disadvantages as well.

Difficult to Clean

While it’s easy to clean the inside of slider windows, it’s very difficult to clean the outside. Luckily, there are some types of sliders where you can tilt in or pop out the moveable pane. That said, cleaning will automatically be more difficult any time you have to take a pane out.

Dirt and debris can also get caught in the tracks which makes it harder to open the window. To keep your windows in good shape, you’ll also need to clean and lubricate the tracks of your slider windows.

A few times a year, use a vacuum attachment to clean up the tracks or wipe them with a damp cloth. Then, spray a little lubricant in the tracks and slide the window back and forth.

Roller Maintenance

If your sliders have rollers as part of the window mechanism, you might have to replace them after a few years. While this isn’t too difficult, it’s still an extra piece of maintenance you might have to worry about.

Potential Drainage Issues

Water can also pool in the window sill, which can lead to mildew growth or cause problems with the track. Make sure to pick windows with drainage holes to prevent this problem.

This is an issue particularly worrisome in the winter, as the water in the sliding track can freeze over, leaving you unable to open the window.

Weaker Seals

Slider windows don’t seal as tightly as casement or awning windows. That can make them less energy-efficient and pose a security issue. Luckily, windows that have interlocking meeting rails between the pains can prevent these problems.

As the seal on slider windows is not as energy-efficient, this could lead to extra expense in heating the home. This is only an issue to concern yourself with if you are purchasing a slider window with single glazing, as the extra insulation provided by quality window glazing more than makes up for any weakness in sealant.

Less Secure

Though still secure, slider windows do not have the security level of some other window types. Like the window itself, the locks tend to be simple on a sliding window. This does vary hugely by design and provider, however, as some slider windows are double locked and very secure when compared to cheaper models.

Best Locations for Slider Windows

The great thing about slider windows is that they look great in any style of home. Their clean lines look great in everything from a modern home to a craftsman bungalow.

This type of window would look great in any room of the house, from the living room to the powder room. Since they come in a wide range of sizes, you can choose sliders for the smallest room in the house and the largest. Basement windows are also popular for slider windows.

Where they really excel, however, is in rooms that are used throughout the day – the areas you would most want a great deal of natural light and a lovely view. The kitchen and living room are the obvious choices, as these are the rooms people tend to gather and socialize in.

If you’ve always wanted a wall of windows in your home, slider windows offer a budget-friendly way to do that. You can choose the slider that has a picture window in the center with sliders on either side. You’ll get a great view and fresh air, so it’s a win-win.

What Does a Sliding Window Look Like?

To reaffirm all this information on sliding windows, let’s return to basics. In practice, slider windows often look like this:

They are typically minimalistic and simple in design. It is, after all, only two – or three, if it is a three-pane slider – panels of glass for a window. There are no complicated latches or intricate frames with slider windows: they’re a simple, modern design that make a great fit for most homes.

With such wide, clear window panels, the focus is taken from the window itself to the view beyond it – and the sunlight that enters the room is just an extra bonus.

Hire a Professional for Your Sliding Glass Window Replacement

If you’ve been wondering, ‘what is a slider window?’ you can see now why they make such a great choice for a replacement window. They provide great views of a picture window with the ventilation of a double-hung.

Whether you need a window that’s easier to open or you want more airflow, you can’t go wrong with slider windows. With a little routine maintenance, they’ll last for years to come.

STL Windows and Doors

Replacing your windows is no small task. We appreciate that this is an investment in your home – one that, when choosing a trusted provider, should last decades.

At STL Windows and Doors, we provide high-quality services for window replacement; sliding windows are one of the many fantastic window types we offer.

We are a family-owned business that can be found on the outskirts of St. Louis, MO. We understand how important it is to trust your supplier, experience high-quality workmanship, and know that your windows have been built to last.

From choosing your perfect windows to the installation day and beyond, STL Windows and Doors will help you through every step of the journey. You can trust us to always find the best in quality, value, and workmanship with us. That’s why we are proud to offer a 10-Year Workmanship Warranty, to give you extra peace of mind.

Beyond the quality of our craft, we ensure that every customer is treated with respect and their needs met.

If you’re on the fence about purchasing slider windows (or any windows at all), you can contact STL Windows and Doors for help. Reach out to us today to get a free estimate on new windows, so you can decide what suits you best without needing to commit.

If you’re in need of replacement windows, STL Windows and Doors can help. Reach out to us today to get an estimate on new windows.

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