VLX 500 Sliding Window

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

The VLX 500 Sliding Window is a high-performance aluminum sliding system built for homeowners in Fort Lauderdale who want wide glass openings without sacrificing strength, energy efficiency, or clean architectural lines. Its slim 1.97-inch profile frame and effortless glide mechanism make it a favorite for modern coastal homes, mid-century renovations, and high-rise condo replacements throughout Broward County. Westlight Windows Fort Lauderdale is an authorized ViewLux installation partner, which means you get the genuine product with a warranty-safe installation done by a local Fort Lauderdale team that knows our climate. Call (754) 354-5397 to schedule a free measurement and quote.

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Product Overview – VLX 500 Sliding Window

The VLX 500 is ViewLux’s answer to the demand for aluminum sliding windows that feel substantial but look nearly frameless. Westlight Windows Fort Lauderdale installs this series in condos along Galt Ocean Mile, waterfront homes in Las Olas Isles, and mid-century ranches in Coral Ridge, where owners want maximum glass and minimum visual obstruction. The system is available in both 2-track and 3-track configurations. The 3-track layout lets two panels slide past a fixed center panel, opening roughly two-thirds of the full width, which is a practical advantage in Fort Lauderdale’s breeze-driven living style.

The frame is engineered from extruded aluminum with a wall thickness of 0.079 inches, giving it the torsional rigidity needed to resist racking in wide spans without the bulk of older aluminum systems. Buyers choose the VLX 500 over vinyl alternatives for three reasons: the frame stays straight after years of South Florida sun exposure, the track tolerances remain consistent so the panel never gets stiff, and the finish options are deep and uniform rather than plastic-looking. A sliding window’s long-term quality lives in the track and roller hardware. The VLX 500 uses a precision-machined bearing system that carries the sash weight smoothly across the full opening, which is what we mean when we say effortless glide. It should not require a two-handed shove. If it does, something was installed wrong.

Technical Specifications

Here are the hard numbers for the VLX 500 Sliding Window, as supplied by ViewLux and verified during our pre-install inspections in Fort Lauderdale:

• Frame wall thickness: 0.079 inches of extruded aluminum
• Profile width: 1.97 inches, slim sightline for larger glass area
• Track configurations: 2-track (two panels, one slides) and 3-track (three panels, two slide past a fixed center)
• Glass options: Clear, Frosted, Low-E, Tempered, Laminated (impact-rated laminated available for coastal wind zones)
• Finish options: Premium Black, Pure White, Anodized Silver, Bronze, Champagne, Teak Wood
• Screen options: Retractable Screen, Sliding Screen
• Energy performance: Thermal break technology, NFRC-rated for U-factor and SHGC
• Installation compliance: AAMA 2400/2410 standard, AAMA 812 low-expansion foam sealant at all perimeter joints
• Ratings: Airtightness, waterproofing, mist prevention, and sound control ratings documented per unit size

Performance Features

Thermal Efficiency. The VLX 500 frame includes a structural thermal break that separates the interior and exterior aluminum faces. In Fort Lauderdale’s climate, where air conditioning runs ten months a year, that break slows heat transfer into the room. NFRC-rated U-factor and SHGC values are available per glass package, and Low-E glass further reduces solar gain without darkening the view.

Acoustic Performance. Sound control matters in Fort Lauderdale whether you are a block off Federal Highway or under the flight path near the Executive Airport. The VLX 500’s multi-chamber frame profile, combined with laminated glass when specified, measurably reduces exterior noise. Laminated glass is the single biggest upgrade for sound, and it doubles as the impact-rated option.

Airtightness & Weather Seal. The frame carries factory-installed wool pile and dual flex gaskets at the meeting rails and track channels. These seals keep conditioned air in and humidity out, which in Fort Lauderdale means fewer fogged glass panes and lower humidity loads on your HVAC. The system’s airtightness ratings are tested per unit configuration.

Waterproofing. Sliding window water management is about drainage, not just sealing. The VLX 500 track includes sloped drainage channels that carry incidental water to the exterior weep system. On installation, we apply AAMA 812 low-expansion foam sealant at every perimeter joint, then tool and seal with a high-grade exterior caulk. That sequence is not optional in a Fort Lauderdale afternoon thunderstorm.

Wind Resistance. Broward County is in the high-velocity hurricane zone, and window wind-load ratings are part of the building code conversation. The VLX 500 is wind-load rated for local requirements, and specifying impact-rated laminated glass brings the unit into compliance for most Fort Lauderdale replacement projects. We verify load requirements with your permit drawings before ordering.

Security & Hardware. The sliding panel rides on stainless steel rollers and locks with a die-cast zinc multi-point latch that engages at the meeting stile. It is a tight, positive lock, not a friction hook. Tempered glass adds break-resistance for ground-level openings like pool-facing sliders in Fort Lauderdale backyards.

Color & Glass Options

The VLX 500 comes in six finishes, and the right choice depends on your Fort Lauderdale home’s architectural era. Premium Black and Anodized Silver read contemporary, and we see them most on new construction in Flagler Village and modern remodels in Victoria Park. Pure White suits traditional Florida homes and condo associations with white or cream exterior requirements. Bronze and Champagne are warmer metallic tones that blend well with 1980s and 1990s buildings along the Intracoastal, where original bronze aluminum was common. Teak Wood is a specialty finish for homeowners who want a wood-like look with aluminum’s rot resistance, a practical choice for Fort Lauderdale’s salt air.

Glass selection is straightforward once you know your priorities. Clear is the default for unobstructed views. Frosted works for bathrooms, walk-in closets, and ground-level windows facing a neighbor. Low-E is the energy upgrade that reduces heat gain while keeping the glass transparent. Tempered satisfies code requirements near doors and in hazardous locations. Laminated is the heavy-duty option for impact resistance and the only choice we recommend for large sliders facing open water in Fort Lauderdale.

Installation by Westlight Windows Fort Lauderdale in Fort Lauderdale

A window is only as good as the opening it sits in. We say this to every Fort Lauderdale homeowner who asks about the VLX 500, because the manufacturer’s warranty is void if the unit is installed out of level, out of plane, or without proper perimeter sealing. That is not a scare tactic. It is the reality of AAMA 2400/2410 compliant installation, which ViewLux requires for warranty coverage.

Our process starts with a pre-install inspection. We measure the existing opening in three places for width, height, and diagonal squareness, because Fort Lauderdale homes built before current codes often have openings that drifted over decades. We then order the VLX 500 to exact dimensions, not a generic stock size. On install day, we remove the old unit, repair any rotted or soft framing, and set the new window level, plumb, and square with shims at the load-bearing points only. The perimeter gets AAMA 812 low-expansion foam at every joint, followed by exterior-grade sealant and a tooled finish. We complete a final water test with a low-pressure spray to confirm no seepage before reinstalling interior trim.

Fort Lauderdale-specific considerations include salt air corrosion resistance on coastal properties, wind-load requirements that change by proximity to the coast, and condominium association approvals that often require specific finish colors or impact glass. We handle the paperwork and coordination with your association when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions – VLX 500 Sliding Window

What is the lead time for the VLX 500 Sliding Window? The VLX 500 is made to order, and current lead times run 3 to 6 weeks from approved shop drawings to delivery at our Fort Lauderdale warehouse, depending on glass type and finish. Custom sizes and laminated glass add time. Call (754) 354-5397 and we will give you a current estimate for your specific configuration.

Does the VLX 500 qualify for energy tax credits? It can, when specified with Low-E glass that meets the federal ENERGY STAR requirements for the Southern climate zone. Eligibility depends on the U-factor and SHGC of your specific glass package, which we will document on your quote. Ask us during your free estimate at (754) 354-5397.

What warranty comes with the VLX 500 Sliding Window? The VLX 500 carries a manufacturer’s warranty from ViewLux that covers the frame, glass, and hardware against manufacturing defects. Coverage requires installation by an authorized partner using AAMA 2400/2410 methods, which is exactly how Westlight Windows Fort Lauderdale installs every unit in Fort Lauderdale. We will provide full warranty terms in writing before you sign.

Can I customize the size of the VLX 500? Yes. The VLX 500 is not a stock-size product. We order every unit to the tenth of an inch based on field measurements of your Fort Lauderdale home’s opening. Oversized spans are possible within engineering limits, and we will confirm wind-load requirements for your location before ordering.

How do I maintain aluminum frames in Fort Lauderdale? Wash the frames and tracks with mild soap and water every few months, especially if you live within a few miles of the ocean where salt deposits accumulate. Keep the bottom track free of sand and debris, and lubricate the rollers once a year with a dry silicone spray. Do not use abrasive cleaners on the finish. Call (754) 354-5397 if a panel ever feels stiff; it is usually a simple adjustment, not a replacement.

Get a Quote – VLX 500 Sliding Window in Fort Lauderdale

If you are replacing sliders in a Fort Lauderdale condo, renovating a mid-century home, or building new, the VLX 500 is worth a serious look. We will measure, spec the right glass and finish for your exposure, and give you a written line-item quote with no change orders later. Call (754) 354-5397 today to schedule your free on-site measurement with Westlight Windows Fort Lauderdale.

Written by the team at Westlight Windows Fort Lauderdale, authorized ViewLux installation partner serving Fort Lauderdale since 2016.