Sliding windows are very common today — and have been for years. Sliding windows come in two configurations, vertical and horizontal. This means they either slide up and down or sideways.

The majority of homes constructed before 1960 would have had wood vertical sliding windows with a single pane of glass between you and the great outdoors. Many of the homes in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s have aluminum horizontal sliding windows made up of four opening units, giving two single panes of glass between you and the great outdoors. When they were introduced, they were immensely popular.

But sliding windows did have some drawbacks.

The main reason why both old wood and aluminum sliding widows should be replaced is they are very cold in the wintertime. Wood doesn’t seal completely, so it isn’t airtight. Aluminum conducts cold, so it effectively chills the air around it inside your home.

The other reason for changing out old aluminum sliding windows is that if you ever want to clean them properly have fun figuring out the order they go back in!

Today’s sliding windows still come in vertical and horizontal configurations. The majority are made of maintenance-free vinyl and all would have a double-glazed sealed unit for glass, much warmer than in the past. These new windows are also much easier to clean.

Sliding windows are an excellent choice for a bedroom window because by code you have to be able to escape from that bedroom window when fully opened in case of fire. This sliding window configuration leaves an unobstructed opening to safely exit the bedroom. More importantly, it allows lots of air to flow freely through it in summertime.