Sliding windows are a great addition to any home. They’re easy to open, have low maintenance needs, save space and provide plenty of natural sunlight as well as unobstructed views of the scenery outside. There are many other benefits, too.
Sliding windows have simple opening mechanisms that are easy to use. (A gentle push is all that’s needed to open them.) Thanks to their ease of operation, sliding windows are often installed in hard-to-reach places, such as the area above the kitchen sink.
Since sliding windows have removable sashes and fewer moving parts than other types of windows, they are easier to clean. Keep in mind that low-maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance. The tracks of sliding doors and windows should be routinely cleaned to ensure the runners don’t rust or get stuck.
Here are some window maintenance tips:
Important note: before cleaning your sliding windows, always check the window manufacturer’s manual. Some manufacturers have specific cleaning instructions for their products.
Since, as the name suggests, sliding windows slide instead of swinging open, they take up less space.
Thanks to their simple frame designs (which maximize the window glass area), sliding windows can let more sunlight enter your home and give unobstructed views of the scenery outside. To maximize the viewing area, Renewal by Andersen® uses narrow, contoured Fibrex® material frames.
Fibrex is an exclusive composite that combines the best qualities of wood and vinyl, namely the former’s durability and the latter’s low maintenance needs. Thanks to Fibrex’s exceptional durability, we can manufacture sleeker windows that can hold the same amount of glass as thicker window frames. This in turn maximizes the glass area of our sliding windows.
Improved indoor natural lighting has several benefits: they help brighten the mood inside your home and give the illusion of a more spacious interior. However, it can be too much of a good thing. Too much sunlight and heat transfer can result in an uncomfortably warm interior and higher utility bills. (According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heat gain and heat loss through windows account for 25% to 30% of residential heating and cooling costs.) Not to mention ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your furniture and flooring.
Installing energy-efficient windows can help lower your utility costs and prevent UV damage. In particular, we recommend choosing sliding windows with Low-E4® glass. Renewal by Andersen sliding windows with High-Performance™ Low-E4 SmartSun™ Glass can block 95% of UV rays without clouding your views. Compared to conventional dual-pane windows, windows with Low-E4 SmartSun glass are 70% and 49% more efficient in the summer and winter respectively.
To boost your sliding windows’ energy efficiency, you also might want to consider choosing windows with Fibrex window frames. Fibrex has excellent insulative capabilities that help keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter.
One more thing: don’t forget to choose a window that complements your exterior. Sliding windows are often found in modern or contemporary homes. However, with a bit of customization, they can complement a wide variety of architectural styles.
As part of our Signature Service, Renewal by Andersen of Nashville customizes each window according to your needs and preferences to ensure they’re the right fit for your home. We also offer free consultations in which our design experts will listen to your needs and preferences, and make recommendations on which windows and patio doors complement your interior.
To schedule a free in-home consultation, call us at (866) 609-5033, or fill out our form here. We serve homeowners in Clarksville as well as the surrounding communities.
