When looking for the most suitable windows for your residential property, you have to take certain factors into account. Although windows bring light and fresh air into the home, not all of them would be able to address your unique needs and circumstances.
Two of the main types out there are fixed and sliding windows. As their name suggests, sliding windows can be shifted from one side to the other, either vertically or horizontally. Meanwhile, fixed windows can’t be opened or closed. Their main difference is that the sliding ones let you ventilate your home, but the fixed ones can’t.
Here are some questions you may want to answer in order to determine which one is best for your home:
-
What Is The House For?
The purpose of the property you’ll be constructing or renovating will determine the type of windows you should install. If you’re going to live or stay in it for most of the year, there’ll be a need for proper ventilation on a daily basis. Therefore, sliding windows would be highly advisable for it.
However, if the windows are for a vacation home you’ll only visit once in a while, you might be better off with fixed windows. You’d need to keep them locked for long periods anyway, so it’d be more sensible to have them. Also, fixed windows would give you a spectacular view if your vacation home were near the ocean or by the mountains.
-
What Is Your Budget?
Of course, the amount you can spend also plays a big role in the kind of windows you’ll get for your home. If the price of the option you’re after exceeds your budget, then it’s better to look for a different one. Although sliding windows are quite affordable, fixed windows are even cheaper. This is because the latter ones don’t serve any other purpose apart from providing light and aesthetic appeal.
On the other hand, sliding windows can be pushed to the side to let in fresh air from outside. That gives them a bit more edge over their fixed counterparts and makes them slightly pricier as well. However, they’re still cost-efficient and durable.
One thing that can determine the cost of your window is the material used to manufacture it. For example, aluminium windows are more expensive. However, they’re long-lasting and are practically maintenance-free and energy-efficient.
-
Do You Have Time To Clean?
Keeping the windows on your property clean is one of your responsibilities as a homeowner. But if you don’t have a lot of time on your hands to carry out that task, you can opt for fixed windows. You just have to clean the glass surfaces with tools such as microfiber cloth, a sponge, or a squeegee.
As for the sliding type, dust, dirt, and grime can accumulate in the tracks over time. So if you want spotless windows, you need to keep an eye on those parts and vacuum, scrub, or wipe them down in addition to cleaning the glass surfaces.
-
What Is Your Preference?
If your architectural taste favors the look of fixed windows, you may choose to install them in your home. After all, it’s your property, so you can make any sort of changes to it according to your preferences.
The only thing is that you need to find a way to keep the interior well ventilated and at a comfortable temperature. Ensure that you have a good heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, or you can install other windows in the house that aren’t the fixed type.
If you’re after both style and function, you can go for sliding windows. They’re highly versatile and quite common in homes these days.
Either type of window is easy to spruce up, so again, the final decision is entirely up to you. You can use window treatments like curtains, shades, or blinds, or perhaps you’d like to try applying window films to make some of your windows stand out.
-
Do You Have Kids?
Most kids are naturally energetic, and a lot of them love climbing onto furniture. So if you have active kids, you may want to install fixed windows to ensure their safety at all times. But if you don’t have kids or yours are grown up and can tell the difference between safe and dangerous, you can get sliding windows for your home.
Conclusion
Depending on the kind of home you’re building or currently have, you can use one type of window that suits you or go for a combination of both.
You can use fixed windows for architectural design purposes and enhance the beauty of your home. They can be installed in places where dust doesn’t easily accumulate and where ventilation isn’t that important, such as the upper part of the house.
For sliding windows, you can have them in areas where you and your family frequently stay. Whenever you need fresh air, you can simply push them sideward or upward to let the breeze in. Just keep an eye on your younger kids if your sliding windows are open.
