Sliding windows
Sliding Windows in Scarborough
A sliding window has one or two sashes that move sideways along a track. There is no crank to wear out and nothing swings outside the wall, which is why sliders are common in basements, above counters and in wide, short openings. Fortress Windows & Doors installs Canadian-made vinyl sliders across Scarborough, including tilt models that make cleaning easy.
Reviewed by Steve McCue and Steve Mercer, owners, Fortress Windows & Doors Inc.
Since 1989
Owner-run, family business
Canadian-made
Built for Ontario winters
Our own install crew
No subcontractors
Lifetime warranty
Covers product and labour
How they work
Where a slider makes sense
Sliders suit openings that are wider than they are tall. Basements are the classic case, where a short window sits high in the foundation wall. They also work beside a deck or walkway, where an outward-swinging casement would be in the way.
They are simple to use. You push the sash sideways and it opens. For someone who finds cranks hard to turn, that matters.
Where they fit
Tilt sliders and cleaning
The drawback of an old slider is that you cannot reach the outside of the glass without going outside. A tilt slider lets the sash tilt in or lift out, so both faces of the glass can be cleaned from inside the house. On a second storey that saves a ladder.
Good to know
What to know before you order
Sealing a slider
A sliding sash has to move, so it seals with brush-type weatherstrip rather than being clamped shut like a casement. That makes a slider a bit less airtight than a crank window, and it is why the quality of the weatherstrip and the frame matter. Old aluminum sliders are notoriously drafty. A new vinyl slider with Low-E 272 and argon glass is a big step up from those, even if a casement still seals tighter.
The track
Most slider complaints come down to the bottom track. Dirt collects there, and in older windows the drain holes clog so water sits in the track and freezes. A new window has a clean track with working weep holes. A quick vacuum of the track now and then keeps it sliding easily.
Sizes and configurations
The standard slider has two sashes, one fixed and one moving, or both moving on a double slider. Very wide openings use a three-lite end-vent slider, with a fixed centre and a sash on each end that slides in toward the middle. That keeps the view clear in the centre while letting air in from both sides.
In a basement, check whether the window has to serve as an emergency exit. A slider only opens half its width, so a larger opening may be needed to meet the Ontario Building Code for a bedroom.
Installation and warranty
Our crew removes the old window and frame, checks the opening, and sets the slider level. A slider that is not level will drift open or bind, so this matters more than it sounds. Then it is insulated and sealed. Installation is overseen by owner Steve McCue, and each window carries the True Fortress Exclusive Lifetime Warranty, which covers the product and the labour.
See window installation for the full process. We install sliders across Scarborough and in Mississauga and Aurora.
Our process
How the job runs
From first call to final walk-through.
Book
Call (416) 291-5795.
Measure
Every opening measured and checked.
Quote
One written price.
Install
Old window out, slider set level and sealed.
Check
We test the slide, lock and tilt with you.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Are sliding windows energy efficient?
Modern vinyl sliders with Low-E and argon glass are far more efficient than old aluminum sliders. Because the sash has to move, they seal slightly less tightly than casement or awning windows.
What is a tilt sliding window?
A tilt slider lets the sash tilt inward or lift out so you can clean the outside of the glass from inside the house.
Why is my sliding window hard to open?
A dirty or damaged bottom track, worn rollers or a frame that is out of level are the usual causes. Clogged weep holes can also let water freeze in the track.
Do you install sliding windows in Scarborough?
Yes. Fortress Windows & Doors installs Canadian-made vinyl sliding windows in Scarborough and across the GTA. Call (416) 291-5795 for a free quote.
Get a free quote on sliding windows
One written price, measured by an owner. Call (416) 291-5795 or book online.