VLX 500 Sliding Window

VLX 500 Sliding Window in Fort Lauderdale, FL | Hale Windows Fort Lauderdale

The VLX 500 Sliding Window is a high-performance aluminum sliding system built for homeowners in Fort Lauderdale who want expansive glass, slim sightlines, and hardware that glides effortlessly for decades. It’s available in 2-track and 3-track configurations, which means you can open half the window or two-thirds of it depending on how much ventilation you want. Hale Windows Fort Lauderdale is an authorized ViewLux installation partner, so when you buy the VLX 500 through us, you’re getting factory-backed product support and a local install team that knows Fort Lauderdale’s climate, coastal air, and building codes. Call (754) 354-3671 to talk through your project or schedule a free measurement.

Call (754) 354-3671

Product Overview – VLX 500 Sliding Window

The VLX 500 is what you’d call a modern slider done right. The frame profile measures just under two inches wide, which means the glass dominates and the aluminum stays out of the way. You get a clean, contemporary look that works in mid-century ranch homes, new construction, and the kind of glass-wall renovations that are popular in Fort Lauderdale’s waterfront neighborhoods like Las Olas Isles, Victoria Park, and Coral Ridge.

What separates this series from budget sliders is the engineering behind the moving parts. The sashes ride on precision rollers that keep the weight distributed evenly across the track, so a 6-foot panel opens with two fingers. No lifting, no wrestling, no track wear that makes the window feel gritty six years in. The aluminum wall thickness is 0.079 inches, which is thinner than commercial storefront but thick enough to hold its shape through thermal cycles and storm winds without flexing or binding.

Buyers choose the VLX 500 for three reasons. First, the slim profile gives you more glass area per opening than a typical vinyl slider. Second, the track configurations let you design the opening you actually want, whether that’s a two-panel arrangement or a three-panel setup with a wider clear opening. Third, and this matters in South Florida, the frame takes a thermal break and an impact-rated laminated glass option, so you’re not sacrificing energy performance or storm protection for the sake of a larger view. Hale Windows Fort Lauderdale has been installing this series across Fort Lauderdale long enough to know exactly how it performs in real homes, and we’ve never had a customer come back unhappy with the glide.

Technical Specifications

Here’s what the VLX 500 brings to the table, spec by spec. These numbers come from the manufacturer’s published data, not our own testing, but they’re what we install and stand behind.

• Wall thickness: 0.079 inches of aluminum extrusion, consistent across the frame and sash.
• Profile width: 1.97 inches, measured from the interior face to the exterior face of the frame.
• Track configurations: 2-Track (two panels, one sliding, one fixed) and 3-Track (three panels, up to two sliding) for wider clear openings.
• Glass options: Clear, Frosted, Low-E, Tempered, and Laminated. Laminated is the one to pick for impact resistance.
• Color and finish options: Premium Black, Pure White, Anodized Silver, Bronze, Champagne, and Teak Wood. All are durable powder coat or anodized finishes that hold up to salt air.
• Screen options: Retractable Screen (rolls out of the way when not in use) and Sliding Screen (standard track-mounted insect protection).

We encourage homeowners in Fort Lauderdale to think about the track configuration first, because that decision affects the opening width, the sightline, and how the window works day to day. The rest of the choices, glass and finish and screen type, are about comfort and style.

Performance Features

Thermal Efficiency – The VLX 500 uses a thermal break inside the aluminum extrusion, which stops heat from conducting through the metal. That’s the difference between a frame that feels warm on the inside edge in August and one that stays neutral. The Low-E glass option adds another layer of heat rejection, and the combination is rated under NFRC standards for real energy performance in Fort Lauderdale’s cooling-dominated climate.

Acoustic Performance – The extruded aluminum frame and the sealing system combine to cut exterior noise noticeably. Laminated glass is the strongest upgrade here. In Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods near Federal Highway, Sunrise Boulevard, or the FEC rail corridor, the sound difference between laminated and standard clear glass is substantial. You’ll still hear the loudest trucks, but the constant low hum drops way down.

Airtightness & Weather Seal – The sashes seat against continuous compression gaskets, not felt strips. When the sliding panel locks, the gaskets form a full-perimeter seal that limits air infiltration. Combined with the low-expansion foam sealant we apply at the perimeter during installation, per AAMA 812, you get a window that doesn’t whistle in a northeast breeze.

Waterproofing – The track has an internal drainage system that carries incidental water to the exterior weep holes, and the sill design resists standing water pooling against the sash. The perimeter waterproofing is completed with AAMA 812 sealant at every joint, so water doesn’t find a way behind the frame. In Fort Lauderdale’s afternoon downpours, this is exactly what you want.

Wind Resistance – The VLX 500 with laminated impact glass is rated for the wind loads required in Broward County’s High Velocity Hurricane Zone. The extrusion thickness and the reinforced corner joinery hold the sash rigid under pressure so the glass can do its job. If you’re not in a wind-borne debris zone, standard glass still benefits from the same frame stiffness.

Security & Hardware – The locking mechanism on the VLX 500 engages a multi-point lock that secures the sliding panel at more than one point along the track. Combined with the interlocking meeting stiles, it’s a much harder target than a single-barrel latch. The tempered glass option adds break resistance for ground-floor openings.

Color & Glass Options

Six finishes are available for the VLX 500, and each one changes the personality of the window. Premium Black is the boldest choice and a favorite in Fort Lauderdale’s newer modern builds, especially paired with white stucco or light limestone. Pure White reads as clean and traditional, a safe pick for older Florida ranch homes and coastal cottages. Anodized Silver has a machined metallic look that suits industrial lofts and mid-century restorations. Bronze brings warmth without going dark, ideal for homes with wood cabinetry or terracotta tones. Champagne is a soft metallic taupe that blends with beige and sand palettes. Teak Wood is a wood-grain finish in powder coat, which gives the look of wood facing the interior without the maintenance of actual wood in Fort Lauderdale’s humidity and salt air.

Glass selection depends on what the window faces. Clear maximizes visible light and is the most affordable. Frosted gives privacy, useful for bathrooms or windows that face a neighbor’s driveway. Low-E reflects heat while staying visibly clear, the right choice for east- and west-facing openings that catch the morning or evening sun. Tempered is required by code in certain locations like doors, large panels, and low windows, and it breaks into small harmless cubes if shattered. Laminated is the hurricane-rated option, two panes bonded by a plastic interlayer that stays intact even when the glass cracks. For Fort Lauderdale homeowners in evacuation zones or anywhere east of US-1, laminated is the one we recommend most often.

Installation by Hale Windows Fort Lauderdale in Fort Lauderdale

Here’s the thing about aluminum windows: the best product on earth will leak, bind, and fail early if the installation is sloppy. We see it all over Fort Lauderdale, windows set out of square, shimmed with scraps, sealed with whatever silicone was in the truck. The result is a window that doesn’t slide right, leaks in the first summer storm, and isn’t covered by the manufacturer when it fails.

Our installation crew follows the AAMA 2400/2410 installation standard on every opening, which is the nationally recognized benchmark for mounting windows and doors. That starts with removing the old window and cleaning the rough opening back to clean substrate. We inspect the studs for rot, especially in older Fort Lauderdale homes where termite damage or years of small leaks have compromised the framing. Then we set the new frame level, plumb, and square, which sounds like table stakes but is the step that separates a smooth glide from a sticky one.

Once the frame is anchored, we seal the full perimeter with AAMA 812 low-expansion foam at every interior joint and a high-quality exterior sealant that can handle South Florida sun and driven rain. We don’t skip the head flashing or the sill pan detail, because those are exactly the places where water finds its way in. After the window’s in, we run a water test on the exterior, operate the sliding panel through its full travel, and verify the multi-point lock engages cleanly. Then we haul away the old window, the packaging, and the mess.

If you’re building or renovating in Fort Lauderdale, you’re dealing with Broward County’s current Florida Building Code, which mandates specific wind-load performance for new fenestration. We confirm compliance and pull the permit when needed, working with your GC or directly with you as the homeowner. The short version: buy the window from us, have us install it, and the whole thing is warranty-safe from day one. Buy it from a reseller and hand it to a handyman, and the manufacturer won’t stand behind it.

Frequently Asked Questions – VLX 500 Sliding Window

What is the lead time for the VLX 500 Sliding Window? Most VLX 500 orders in Fort Lauderdale arrive at our warehouse 3 to 4 weeks after the order is finalized, with custom sizes and special finishes occasionally adding a week or two. We confirm the timeline when you place the order and schedule installation once the window is physically in our hands. Call (754) 354-3671 to check current availability for your exact configuration.

Does the VLX 500 qualify for energy tax credits? It can, depending on the glass package and the home’s location. The Low-E glass option is the key eligibility factor for the federal energy tax credit on qualifying window replacements. We can’t promise a dollar amount without reviewing your specific installation, but we can point you to the documentation you’ll need. Ask us during your free estimate.

What warranty comes with the Sliding Window? ViewLux provides a manufacturer warranty on the VLX 500 frame, glass, and hardware, and Hale Windows Fort Lauderdale provides a workmanship warranty on the installation itself. The manufacturer warranty only stays intact when the window is installed by an authorized partner to AAMA standards, which is exactly what we do. Get the full terms in writing with your quote by calling (754) 354-3671.

Can I customize the size? Yes, the VLX 500 is fabricated to your opening dimensions within the manufacturer’s min and max size range. That means you’re not stuck with stock sizes that leave a two-inch gap on either side. We measure the opening precisely, confirm the size with you, and order the window to fit. Custom sizing also means you can span wider openings with the 3-track configuration.

How do I maintain aluminum frames? Keep the track free of sand and debris, clean the frame with mild soap and water twice a year, and lubricate the rollers with a dry silicone spray when the motion starts to feel less smooth. Aluminum doesn’t rust, rot, or need repainting, which is exactly why it’s a good fit for Fort Lauderdale’s salt air. Skip the abrasive cleaners, and the finish will hold its color for a long time.

Get a Quote – VLX 500 Sliding Window in Fort Lauderdale

Ready to see the VLX 500 in your own opening? Call Hale Windows Fort Lauderdale at (754) 354-3671 to schedule a free on-site measurement and get a written line-item quote with no obligation. If you’re still in the planning stage, we’ll walk you through glass options, finish choices, and track configurations so you know exactly what you’re pricing.

Written by the team at Hale Windows Fort Lauderdale, authorized ViewLux installation partner serving Fort Lauderdale, FL.