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Xeta
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# Posted: 7 Oct 2017 01:56pm
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Hello,
So, we are having a small wood cabin built, and I was planning on having sliding windows installed (we live in a windy climate so casement windows don't stay open without a wedge, also I like how sliding windows don't intrude on the living space when opened), but a few people suggested not to do so because apparently sliders don't seal as well as casement and therefore leak air and water and so on.
So I was wondering, is there a way to have sliding windows and somehow prevent such leakage?
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 7 Oct 2017 03:40pm
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I cant imagine a new vinyl window leaking. They wont leak water, if set in level, they will drain outward. Vinyl doesnt have to be white, you can order them in different colors to look "cabiney" 
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Steve_S
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# Posted: 7 Oct 2017 04:03pm
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By Sliding windows are you talking about Double/Single Hung or Side to Side sliders?
 Single only opens the bottom half.
An advantage of double hung, is with the top open, hot air has a place to escape while the lower allows for cooler air to enter, if sized right you can use those window insert fans top & bottom and really move air in & out if need be... or for cross venting your building with one fan in bottom in another room pulling air in, while another is pushing air out (at the top) in another room.
Todays Vinyl Windows with a good thermal break rarely if ever leak air and have a higher Thermal Rating than most forms. Most people simply won't do Annual Maintenance with their spring cleaning where you open them up, thoroughly clean (not just the glass) but the tracks, seals & gaskets as well which once dirtied up they can start to leak. Proper installation will prevent any water leakage as Toyota Pointed out, these are all designed to shed water out/away with drainage holes in the bottom front to accommodate it. These also require periodic cleaning to prevent water &/OR ice buildup in winter.
I should point out that Marketing & Floggers add in Argon Gas to displace air between the glass to gain a smidge higher R rating (it's glass so not a real gain in reality) which does eventually breakdown and becomes redundant.
While Casement windows have some advantages they are maintenance heavy for mechanisms and cleaning as well and can suffer from wind grabbing that messes up the hardware... not to mention what little ones (kids) can do to them... I have had the mechanisms fail, in one case a heavy storm literally grabbed the window and broke it free.... Sold that house and decided those windows would never grace any of my homes after that misadventure. Now I use only double hung with one exception which is my Bedroom Window to meet the Egress Requirements.
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Wilbour
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# Posted: 7 Oct 2017 05:54pm
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Quoting: Xeta sliders don't seal as well as casement and therefore leak air and water and so on
I doubt that is an issue with newer sliders. I too have a cabin on a very windy island (89 wind turbines can't be wrong) and my sliders work well.
There was one occasion where the rain was pushed so hard against the one side that the interior track filled up with water as it could not escape fast enough but within 10 minutes the storm died down and the remaining water poured out the drain holes
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Xeta
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# Posted: 10 Oct 2017 05:39am - Edited by: Xeta
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Thank you for the input.
I was actually thinking single hung, but I wouldn't mind side to side, if it is better for whatever reason.
I might consider installing vinyl windows if there is no other way, however the initial plan was that the carpenter would be making the windows as well, which means they would be made of wood, if I'm not mistaken. In that case, is there a method to build it so that it doesn't leak?
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