Vertical Sliding Windows: The Perfect Blend of Style and Functionality

Posted: 4th June 2023

Why choose vertical sliding windows for your property?

Often, when we think about the options available to us in designing our homes, it can feel as though we are forced to choose between one aspect of a product’s design and another: style over function; energy efficiency over security or aesthetics. There are times when this compromise is acceptable, but when we choose the types of windows we put in, it’s important that we are as happy with the way they look as we are with the way they perform.

Vertical sliding windows offer exactly this combination of elegant, sophisticated aesthetics and modern materials and performance. If you were thinking of adding a touch of heritage design to your modern home – or even looking to bring your older one closer to contemporary standards without affecting its visual appeal – then they should at least be a part of the conversation.

Here, we’ll take a quick look at the history of the vertical sliding window and how – through that combination of functionality and style – they have come to be one of the most popular windows for renovations and new-builds alike.

The Story

The origin of the vertical sliding window’s progenitor – the sash window – is one shrouded in mystery. Nobody knows for sure who invented it, or when, or where. Some believe that they were first used in France or Belgium in the 17th century; while others see them as a Dutch invention.

Irrespective of this ambiguity, it wasn’t long before they made their way over to the UK, where they quickly became popular. According to some experts, the oldest surviving examples of sash windows anywhere are actually ones which were installed in England in the 1670s, such as Ham House in Richmond upon Thames.

So, suffice to say, they have been around for a while, but far from being simply a relic of the past, the adaptability of the design template has meant that the vertical sliding windows of today are every bit as contemporary in their functionality as they are timeless in their visual appeal – a real best of both worlds.

The Style

One of the key factors for the continued popularity of vertical sliding windows is their stylistic flexibility. While it is true that they are synonymous with the Georgian and Victorian periods – and certainly enjoy the sophisticated elegance associated with the grand buildings of those times – they are just as suitable in the sleek, clean profiles of more modern design aesthetics.
Vertical sliding windows come in a variety of materials, shapes, sizes and colours, making them a perennially sensible option to an ever-increasing number of people. So convincing is the replication of wood grain in some PVC-U windows, for example, that they can sometimes be accepted in renovation plans of buildings with preservation orders on them.

At Mercury, we embrace this flexibility – and decades of experience allow us to know how to turn this adaptable potential into fully realised plans. Whatever your plans are, as always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask one of our dedicated team of professionals.

The Function

Like most things, the prettiest and most stylish window in the world would be useless if it didn’t serve its function. Luckily, with vertical sliding windows, no such compromise exists, so that those who fit them into their homes can be sure to have a beautiful piece of architecture without having to lose their peace of mind.
Here’s a quick rundown of just a few of the functional benefits of the vertical sliders of today:

• Security – A recurring concern of older sash window designs is their relative lack of security. Every aspect of more modern equivalents has been improved – from the frames to the panes and their locking mechanisms – making them as safe as any window. Newer features, such as child safety restrictors, are also often available, for that extra layer of cotton wool.

• Maintenance – The longevity of modern components and materials means not only are vertical sliding windows relatively hassle-free to maintain, they will also look great and perform perfectly for a long time to come. Elegant, seamless finishes offer the twin bonus of looking smart and reducing the spots where dirt can build up. The occasional wipe-down with hot soapy water and a clean cloth is all that is needed to keep them looking brand new for years to come.

• Energy efficiency – While there is a slight variation between aluminium’s thermal efficiency compared to PVC-U’s, advances in technology and ever-evolving guidelines and targets have ensured that either material now provides an impressive thermal insulation performance, especially when compared to the qualities of traditional wooden equivalents. Our knowledgeable and experienced team are on hand to answer any questions you may have about these material-related performance differences.

• Acoustic insulation – Windows have come a long way. Improvements in the frames, seals, casements and panes have made it so that even in the noisiest of settings, your home can still be that place of peace and tranquillity. Equally, if your household is the type to enjoy the occasional bit of louder music or you have children, it’s nice to know that any noise you make won’t be upsetting the neighbours.

• Natural light – Vertical sliding windows are a great way of making the most of the available space for a window. This, in turn, ensures that your property is able to maximise the amount of natural light it is exposed to, which is great for promoting feelings of well-being and calm – and that’s before you get to the reduction in your electricity and heating bills.

Tradition and Innovation

There is a tendency to see tradition as the enemy of progress. The building industry has long been at the forefront of these seemingly contradictory impulses, providing sustainable and high-functioning answers to our modern concerns in keeping with our stylistic and aesthetic traditions. So, when it comes to choosing between style and function in the windows of your home: why not choose both?