VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window

VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window in Houston, TX | Meridian Windows and Doors Houston

The VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window is the workhorse of Houston home renovation. It’s a classic vertical-glide aluminum window that opens from the bottom, and in the double hung version, from the top too. What sets it apart from builder-grade windows you’ll find at big-box stores is the engineering: a 0.079-inch wall thickness on the frame and a 2.36-inch profile width that gives it structural rigidity you can feel when you operate the sash. Meridian Windows and Doors Houston is an authorized ViewLux installation partner, which means we source the VLX 500 directly and install it to the manufacturer’s spec. If you’re replacing original single-pane windows in a 1960s ranch in Meyerland or a townhome in Montrose, this series is worth a close look. Call us at (432) 278-2282 to talk through your project.

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Product Overview – VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window

The VLX 500 is built around a simple idea: a window should glide effortlessly, seal tightly, and clean up without a ladder. The tilt-in sash mechanism lets you release the bottom sash and swing it inward, so you can wipe both sides of the glass from inside your living room. That’s a real feature for Houston homeowners dealing with two-story houses in Kingwood or elevated homes in areas that saw flooding during Harvey. Nobody wants to drag an extension ladder out to clean a second-floor window in 95-degree heat.

Architecturally, the single & double hung format fits almost every Houston home style. We’ve installed the VLX 500 in 1950s brick bungalows in Garden Oaks, new construction in EaDo, and mid-century builds in Westbury. The aluminum frame reads clean and narrow compared to vinyl, which means more glass area and better sightlines. You’re not paying for chunky plastic frames; you’re paying for extruded aluminum that holds its shape over decades of Houston humidity and sun exposure.

The double hung version adds ventilation flexibility that matters in a city where April through October demands airflow. Open both sashes and hot air escapes through the top while cooler air pulls in through the bottom. On milder days in January, cracking the top sash lets you vent without the security concern of an open bottom window at ground level.

Meridian Windows and Doors Houston recommends the VLX 500 for whole-home replacement projects, rental property upgrades, and new construction where the buyer wants aluminum durability without stepping up to thermally broken commercial-grade systems. It’s the sweet spot between price and performance for the Houston market.

Technical Specifications

Here’s what the VLX 500 brings to the table, in plain terms:

• Wall thickness: 0.079″ extruded aluminum. This is substantially thicker than entry-level aluminum windows (which run 0.050″ – 0.062″), and the extra material translates into a sturdier frame, fewer flex points, and better long-term seal integrity.
• Profile width: 2.36″. A narrower profile than many competing aluminum lines, which means more daylight opening in the same rough opening dimensions.
• Glass options: Clear, Frosted, Low-E, Tempered, and Laminated. Mix and match per room: Low-E on south and west elevations to cut solar gain, frosted for bathroom privacy, tempered for code-compliant locations near doors and floors.
• Finish options: Premium Black, Pure White, Anodized Silver, Bronze, Champagne, and Teak Wood. Powder-coated or anodized, your call depending on the aesthetic you’re chasing.
• Screen options: Half-screen or full screen. The half-screen covers just the bottom sash opening; the full screen covers the entire opening when both sashes are open.
• Thermal performance: Thermal break technology with NFRC-rated energy performance figures available on request for the specific glass package you select.
• Installation compliance: Installed per AAMA 2400/2410 standards with AAMA 812 low-expansion foam sealant on all perimeter joints.

These numbers matter. A 0.079″ wall thickness on the frame extrusion is not a marketing gimmick; it’s the difference between a window that still operates smoothly in 15 years and one that binds and rattles. In Houston’s clay soil, houses shift. Sturdier window frames tolerate that movement better.

Performance Features

Thermal Efficiency
Thermal break technology separates the interior and exterior aluminum surfaces, cutting conductive heat transfer through the frame. Pair that with Low-E glass and you’ll feel the difference on August afternoons. NFRC-rated performance data for the VLX 500 is available on request, so you can compare U-factor and SHGC numbers against other windows you’re considering.

Acoustic Performance
Houston is loud. If you live off I-10 in the Heights, on a busy cut-through street in Oak Forest, or near Hobby Airport in Glenbrook, laminated glass is the upgrade. The VLX 500 with laminated glass measurably reduces exterior noise, and the airtight perimeter seal prevents sound from leaking around the sash. You won’t get recording-studio silence from any window, but the difference between single-pane aluminum originals and a sealed VLX 500 with laminated glass is dramatic.

Airtightness & Weather Seal
The VLX 500’s weatherstripping system is designed to compress uniformly around the full perimeter of each sash when closed. That means fewer drafts during Houston’s weird February cold snaps and less conditioned air escaping during the seven-month cooling season. Meridian Windows and Doors Houston applies AAMA 812 low-expansion foam at every perimeter joint during installation to eliminate the tiny gaps that cause most window air leaks.

Waterproofing
Houston gets 50+ inches of rain a year, often delivered sideways by thunderstorms. The VLX 500 drainage design channels water that enters the frame track back out through weep holes, and the sill design prevents pooling. Our installation team seals the perimeter per AAMA 2400/2410 so water never gets behind the frame in the first place. Mist prevention between panes comes standard with the sealed IGU construction, meaning no foggy glass five years down the road.

Wind Resistance
The VLX 500 is wind-load rated for Houston’s design requirements, including coastal-influenced wind speeds we see in Clear Lake, Seabrook, and League City. The 0.079″ extrusion wall and robust corner construction hold up. For homes in hurricane-prone pockets or where code requires impact-rated glazing, the laminated glass option provides impact resistance. We’ll spec the correct glass package for your specific location and exposure.

Security & Hardware
The double hung VLX 500 uses dual sash locks that engage simultaneously, and the operating hardware is zinc die-cast rather than plastic. The tilt-latch mechanism requires deliberate action to release, so the sash won’t accidentally disengage. Laminated glass adds a security benefit: it holds together when struck, unlike annealed glass that shatters into fall-out shards. That’s a real deterrent in neighborhoods dealing with smash-and-grab break-ins across Houston.

Color & Glass Options

The VLX 500 comes in six finishes, and choosing the right one changes the character of the whole house. Premium Black is the current high-demand finish for modern and transitional homes across Houston; it frames the glass like a gallery mat and holds up well against sun fade. Pure White works on traditional brick homes in places like Memorial and Tanglewood, matching painted trim without yellowing. Anodized Silver is the classic commercial look, popular on mid-century homes and apartment buildings. Bronze reads warmer and hides Houston pollen and road dust better than lighter colors. Champagne is a softer metallic that works well with stone and stucco. Teak Wood is a textured wood-grain finish that gives the look of stained wood windows without the rot and termite issues wood windows face in Houston’s humid climate.

On the glass side: Clear glass maximizes light and is cheapest, but does nothing for heat. Frosted glass offers privacy for bathrooms, sidelights, and street-facing windows without window film that bubbles and peels in Houston heat. Low-E is the upgrade we recommend to nearly every Houston client; it reduces solar heat gain and UV fade on floors and furniture. Tempered glass is code-required near doors, low sills, and stairways; it crumbles instead of shattering. Laminated glass is the acoustic, impact, and security upgrade all in one.

Installation by Meridian Windows and Doors Houston in Houston

A great window installed badly is a bad window. We’ve replaced windows in Houston for years, and a large share of our work is fixing water damage caused by poorly installed windows from other companies and building original construction shortcuts. That’s why we treat installation as half the product.

Every VLX 500 installation by Meridian Windows and Doors Houston starts with a pre-installation inspection. We measure rough openings precisely, check for previously hidden water damage or rot in the framing, and verify that the opening is square enough to handle a properly shimmed install. We don’t just rip old windows out and slap new ones in.

During installation, we set each window level, plumb, and square, using shims as needed. No amount of shimming is too much; a window that’s out of square by even 1/8-inch will bind, seal poorly, and eventually fail at the corners. We then seal the entire perimeter with AAMA 812 low-expansion foam, which fills gaps completely without bowing the frame. The work adheres to AAMA 2400/2410 installation standards, which are the industry benchmark for window installation quality.

After the window is set and sealed, we run a water test on the exterior perimeter during our final inspection. This catches installation defects before the first Houston thunderstorm does it for you. We clean the job site, remove all old window materials, and walk through operation and care with you.

One important note for Houston buyers: improper installation voids the manufacturer’s warranty. If a third-party crew installs the VLX 500 incorrectly and a leak develops, ViewLux will not cover the resulting damage or window replacement. When Meridian Windows and Doors Houston installs, the warranty stays intact, and we stand behind our installation workmanship.

Houston’s building codes and climate also come into play. We account for the city’s hot, humid climate, high wind exposure in certain neighborhoods, and energy code requirements. If your project is in a flood zone or a windstorm-designated area, we’ll spec the window and glass package accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions – VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window

What is the lead time for the VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window?
The VLX 500 is a standard production window with lead times that depend on the glass and finish combination you select. Most standard configurations ship within two to four weeks, but custom sizes and laminated glass can extend that. The best way to get an exact lead time for your project is to call Meridian Windows and Doors Houston at (432) 278-2282 with your rough opening sizes and preferred options. We’ll give you a real timeline, not a guess.

Does the VLX 500 qualify for energy tax credits?
The VLX 500 with Low-E glass and thermal break technology is positioned to meet many energy efficiency program requirements, but qualification depends on your exact configuration and where the window is installed. The NFRC-rated performance data for the specific glass package we quote you will determine whether that window meets the current IRS Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit thresholds. Ask us when you call, and we’ll help you understand what qualifies.

What warranty comes with the Single & Double Hung Window?
The VLX 500 carries a manufacturer’s warranty from ViewLux that covers the frame, glass, and hardware under normal use. The exact scope and duration vary by component, and we’ll provide the warranty documentation with your quote. Keep in mind that manufacturer warranty coverage requires that installation be performed by an authorized partner. That’s Meridian Windows and Doors Houston. If a third party installs the window badly and the frame leaks as a result, the manufacturer will not cover damage caused by installation failure.

Can I customize the size of the VLX 500?
Yes. The VLX 500 is built to order, so we can size each window to your rough opening within the manufacturer’s maximum and minimum sash dimensions. That’s a major advantage over off-the-shelf windows, especially if you’re working with older Houston homes where openings are non-standard. We’ll measure precisely during your free estimate visit so every window is made to fit your home, not the other way around.

How do I maintain aluminum frames?
Aluminum frames need remarkably little maintenance in Houston. Wash the frames with mild soap and water twice a year to remove pollen and grime. Check the sill tracks periodically and keep the weep holes clear. Lubricate the tilt latches and balance system once a year with a dry silicone spray. The powder-coated finishes don’t need repainting, and anodized finishes hold their look indefinitely. The tilt-in sashes on the VLX 500 make glass cleaning much easier, which is the reason many Houston owners choose this series in the first place.

Get a Quote – VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window in Houston

If the VLX 500 sounds like the right window for your Houston home, the next step is a free on-site measurement. We’ll bring finish samples, glass samples, and a price list to your home or project site anywhere in the Houston metro. Call Meridian Windows and Doors Houston at (432) 278-2282 to schedule your estimate, or ask us any question that’s still on your mind.

Written by the team at Meridian Windows and Doors Houston, authorized ViewLux installation partner serving Houston, TX and surrounding communities.