I've gotta say, sliders are definitely easier to clean than I first thought, but energy-wise, I'm still team tilt-and-turn. I've tried both double- and triple-pane sliders at my place, and while they do help close the gap a bit, I still notice drafts creeping in during those colder months. Could just be the brand I picked though—like you said, some seals are better than others.
Funny enough, my parents have tilt-and-turn windows installed years ago, and even though they're pricier upfront, they've barely had any issues. Plus, whenever I visit in winter, their house feels noticeably warmer than mine (and trust me, my dad's thermostat habits aren't exactly generous...). Yeah, repairs might be trickier if something goes wrong, but honestly, they've needed fewer fixes overall.
Guess it depends how much you care about squeezing every last bit of efficiency out of your windows. For me, I'd rather spend a little extra upfront and save on heating bills later. But hey, sliders definitely win on convenience points...
Interesting points about the drafts—I've noticed something similar with my sliders too, even after upgrading to triple-pane. Makes me wonder if it's more about installation quality rather than just the window type itself. Did your parents have theirs professionally installed, or was it more of a DIY job? Curious if that might be the real difference-maker in keeping things cozy...
"Makes me wonder if it's more about installation quality rather than just the window type itself."
Yeah, I'm starting to think the same thing. When we moved into our first place last year, the previous owners had installed sliders themselves, and let's just say... they weren't exactly pros, lol. We ended up getting them reinstalled properly, and it made a huge difference—no more chilly drafts sneaking in. So, from my limited experience, I'd say installation quality might matter even more than window style.
"installation quality might matter even more than window style."
Yeah, you're onto something there. I've seen plenty of high-end tilt windows installed poorly, and they ended up performing worse than basic sliders done right. It's all about sealing and insulation—if the installer skimps on weatherproofing or doesn't level things properly, you're gonna feel it every winter. Honestly, I'd rather have budget-friendly windows installed by someone who knows their stuff than fancy ones slapped in carelessly... just my two cents.
Totally agree about the install quality. Had a client once who insisted on these fancy tilt windows—beautiful things, triple-pane, the works. But the installer rushed the job and missed sealing one corner properly. First big rainstorm, guess who got a call about water dripping onto the hardwood floors? Yep, yours truly. Meanwhile, my own house has basic sliders installed years ago by a buddy who took his sweet time, and they're still rock solid. It's all in the details...
I've seen both types hold up great over the years, honestly. Tilt windows are awesome for cleaning, but sliders are just straightforward and reliable. Like you said, it's really about taking the time to install them right—no shortcuts. Learned that one the hard way myself...