Can’t argue with the low maintenance on sliders—way easier for most folks. I do see more condensation on aluminum frames in colder climates, though. Anyone notice a difference in noise levels between sliders and casements with the newer thermal breaks?
Can’t argue with the low maintenance on sliders—way easier for most folks. I do see more condensation on aluminum frames in colder climates, though.
Yeah, you nailed it with the condensation on aluminum in colder spots. That’s something I see all the time, especially in older homes that haven’t had an upgrade. On noise, I’ve actually found casements with decent thermal breaks do a better job keeping out street sounds than sliders—mostly because they seal tighter when closed. Not a huge difference, but enough to notice if you’re living near traffic. Still, sliders are just so easy to live with for cleaning and not having to worry about cranks breaking... Trade-offs everywhere, right?
I’ve always wondered if the difference in sealing with casements is worth the hassle of crank repairs, especially if you’ve got kids or pets who are rough on things. I had a slider in my last place and it was a breeze to clean, but yeah, the noise from the street definitely crept in more than I’d like. Has anyone tried those newer sliders with better weatherstripping or “thermal break” frames? Curious if that actually helps with either condensation or sound.
Casements definitely seal tighter—compression gaskets beat the sliding seals hands down for air and sound. But yeah, the cranks are a weak point if kids are rough. I’ve seen some of those upgraded sliders with thermal breaks and double weatherstripping... they’re a step up, but still not quite as airtight as a casement. Condensation’s better, but street noise can still sneak through, especially if you’re right on a busy road. Swapping out glass for laminated panels helps more than just the frame, in my experience.
I hear you on the casements sealing up tight—those gaskets really do the trick. But honestly, I’ve swapped out more busted cranks than I can count, especially in homes with little ones or folks who like to crank them open all the way. Sliders with decent thermal breaks are better than they used to be, but even with double weatherstripping, you’ll still get a draft if the frame isn’t square. Laminated glass is a game changer for noise though... just wish it wasn’t so pricey for big windows.
I get the appeal of casements for the tight seal—mine are definitely better at keeping drafts out than the old sliders in my last place. But I’ve already had to replace a crank handle, and the hardware just feels a bit delicate, especially with kids around. Sliders seem sturdier, but I do worry about the frame warping over time and letting in cold air. Laminated glass was on my wishlist too, until I saw the price for the big living room window... had to compromise there. Sometimes it feels like every option has a tradeoff.
Yeah, casements look sharp and definitely keep the cold out better, but man, those cranks are a weak spot. My kids have already managed to bend one just messing around. Sliders do feel tougher, but I’ve noticed they get sticky in the tracks after a year or two—dust and all that. Anyone actually had a slider frame warp on them? I keep hearing about it but haven’t seen it myself.
Haven’t actually seen a slider frame warp in person, and I’ve worked on a bunch of houses from the ‘70s up to new builds. Usually, if there’s warping, it’s more about cheap vinyl than aluminum, unless someone really cheaped out on the alloy or the install was botched. Aluminum’s pretty stable unless you’re in some wild climate or the sun’s baking one side all day with no shade.
But yeah, those tracks are dust magnets. I tell folks to hit them with a vacuum and a little silicone spray every spring—makes a world of difference. Casements look slick but those cranks... let’s just say my nephew snapped one off pretending it was a spaceship throttle. If you’re worried about kid-proofing, sliders might still win out, sticky tracks and all.
Honestly, I’d take a well-installed aluminum slider over a budget casement any day, especially if you don’t want to be hunting for replacement cranks every other year.