Aluminum Sliding Windows
Boyd commercial aluminum sliding windows are horizontal sliding window systems for commercial buildings that need controlled ventilation, smooth operation, and durable aluminum construction. Boyd offers multiple sliding aluminum window series for applications ranging from hotels and motels to multifamily, schools, and secure government projects.
With so many applications for sliding aluminum windows, selecting the right Boyd series depends on the project type, required performance, glazing, frame depth, muntin requirements, operating configuration, and installation conditions. A Direct Assistance™ rep can help review the window schedule, drawings, and project requirements before you bid or specify a series.
Sliding Aluminum Window Series
Boyd's sliding-window lineup includes thermal-break, heavy-commercial, pass-through, historic-replica, blast-related, and impact-tested options where they apply to the selected series. Use the table below as a starting point, then confirm the exact series, glazing, rating, operating configuration, and project requirements before specifying or quoting.
Boyd commercial sliding window series summary
| Series | Series notes and common review points |
|---|---|
| Series 950 | Thermal-break construction; two tandem adjustable rollers; interior and historical muntins that allow reglazing without grid removal; AW-PG80 AAMA rating; 4" frame depth; published notes identify blast-rated and impact-tested attributes; commonly reviewed for historic replication projects. |
| Series 910 | Thermal-break construction; two tandem adjustable rollers; true and interior muntins; HS-HC65 AAMA rating; 4" frame depth. |
| Series 900 | Thermal-break construction; removable dual weatherstripped sash panes; true and interior muntins; HS-HC45 AAMA rating; 4" frame depth. |
| Series 600 | Durable, smooth sliding system; numerous application capabilities; interior muntins; LC-PG40 AAMA rating; 2.375" frame depth. |
| Series 700 | Pass-through sliding aluminum window system for service or transaction openings; interior muntins; smooth operation; 2.75" frame depth. |
Commercial Sliding Window Features
Boyd sliding-window series are presented around practical commercial-window needs: smooth operation, interior-removable operating sashes, offset locks with keepers at the meeting rails, and bead-glazed or marine-glazed insulated glass options. The right series depends on whether the project needs a pass-through opening, thermal-break construction, historic muntins, a specific performance class, or project-specific blast or impact review.
Sliding window selection factors
| Selection factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Application | Hotels, motels, multifamily, schools, offices, and government buildings may need different operating, security, finish, and performance priorities. |
| Operation and configuration | Confirm whether the project needs a standard sliding window, a pass-through or transaction opening, or a specific OX, XO, or XOX configuration shown on the window schedule. |
| Egress and net clear opening | Sleeping-room projects such as hotels, motels, and multifamily buildings may require emergency escape and rescue opening review. Horizontal sliders should be checked by net clear opening, not just overall frame size. |
| Thermal construction | Thermal-break sliding windows are often reviewed where energy performance, condensation risk, or occupant comfort is part of the specification. |
| Performance rating | AAMA/NAFS class and performance grade should match the project requirements, opening size, exposure, and specification. |
| Frame depth and opening condition | The existing or proposed wall condition, receptor/panning needs, and opening dimensions can affect which slider is practical. |
| Muntins and historic appearance | Historic replication projects may need true, interior, or historical muntin review depending on the selected series and reviewing authority. |
| Security, blast, or impact needs | Do not assume every sliding-window series qualifies. Confirm the exact series, configuration, glazing, and project requirement before relying on blast, impact, or approval-related language. |
When Sliding Aluminum Windows Make Sense
Commercial buildings where a horizontal operating sash is preferred over a projecting or vertically hung sash.
Hotels, motels, multifamily, schools, and office buildings that need controlled ventilation and straightforward operation.
Sleeping-room openings where emergency escape and rescue opening requirements must be checked against the adopted code and authority having jurisdiction.
Pass-through conditions where a sliding service, ticket, or transaction opening is needed.
Historic-replica projects where the window pattern, muntins, and visual match need to be reviewed against the existing building.
Projects where the design team needs to compare thermal-break, frame-depth, rating, glazing, and operating-sash requirements before choosing a series.
Common Sliding Window Coordination Issues
Operating direction and sash access: Confirm which sash operates, where the lock is located, and whether interior sash removal is required for maintenance or reglazing.
OX, XO, and XOX notation: Window schedules may use these labels to show fixed and operating panels. Confirm the drawing convention and which panel operates before ordering or detailing.
Opening size and frame depth: Match the selected series to the rough opening, wall condition, receptor or panning approach, and surrounding construction.
Glazing method: Confirm bead-glazed or marine-glazed requirements, insulated glass needs, and any project-specific glass thickness or makeup.
Performance requirements: Match the specified AAMA/NAFS class, performance grade, water, air, structural, thermal, and design-pressure needs to the selected series documentation.
Historic muntins: If the project must match an existing steel or historic window pattern, send the lite layout, muntin type, centerlines, photos, and reviewing-authority requirements.
Blast and impact language: Keep blast, impact, and Florida Product Approval review tied to the exact tested or approved configuration. Do not generalize those requirements across all sliding windows.
What to Send Boyd for Sliding Window Review
Architectural drawings, elevations, and window schedules.
Opening sizes, rough-opening conditions, frame-depth constraints, and replacement or new-construction details.
Any emergency escape and rescue opening requirements, net clear opening targets, sill-height limits, and authority-having-jurisdiction comments if egress review is required.
Required window type, operation, sash direction, OX/XO/XOX configuration, and pass-through requirements if applicable.
Specified AAMA/NAFS class, performance grade, design pressure, water, air, structural, thermal, or energy requirements.
Glass type, insulated glass makeup, glazing method, finish color, and hardware requirements.
Historic muntin pattern, lite layout, photos of existing windows, and reviewing-authority comments if the project involves historic replication.
Blast, impact, Florida Product Approval, security, or government-project requirements that must be reviewed against current product documentation.
Related Sliding Window and Project Resources
Commercial Aluminum Sliding Window FAQ
What is a commercial aluminum sliding window?
A commercial aluminum sliding window is an operating window with one or more sash panels that slide horizontally in an aluminum frame. Boyd sliding aluminum windows are used on commercial projects where the opening needs controlled ventilation, smooth horizontal operation, and a window series that can be reviewed against project performance requirements.
Are commercial sliding aluminum windows thermally broken?
Some commercial sliding aluminum windows are thermally broken. Boyd lists Series 900, Series 910, and Series 950 as thermal-break constructed sliding aluminum windows. Series 600 and Series 700 serve different sliding-window and pass-through roles, so the selected series should be confirmed against the project's thermal, glazing, and performance requirements.
What do OX, XO, and XOX mean on sliding window drawings?
On many sliding-window schedules, O indicates a fixed panel and X indicates an operating panel. OX, XO, and XOX describe the fixed and operating panel arrangement, but drawing conventions can vary. Confirm the schedule convention, viewing side, operating sash, lock location, and handedness before ordering or detailing a sliding window.
Do commercial aluminum sliding windows meet egress requirements?
Sometimes, but egress depends on the adopted code, the authority having jurisdiction, and the exact unit size and configuration. Emergency escape and rescue openings are reviewed by net clear opening, not overall window size. Model-code values commonly include a net clear opening near 5.7 square feet, minimum clear dimensions around 20" wide and 24" high, and a sill height not more than 44" above the floor, but the project code and authority having jurisdiction control the actual requirement. On a horizontal slider, the operating panel determines the usable clear opening, so a slider often needs to be wider than the total clear opening required. Send Boyd the window schedule, unit sizes, operating configuration, sill height, and egress requirements so the selected series can be reviewed against the project conditions.
Can sliding aluminum windows be used on historic, blast, or impact projects?
Selected sliding aluminum window configurations can be reviewed for historic, blast, or impact-related project requirements. Published Series 950 notes include historical muntins that allow reglazing without grid removal, an AW-PG80 AAMA rating, blast-rated attributes, and impact-tested attributes. Do not assume every slider qualifies; confirm the exact series, glass, configuration, installation condition, and project requirement before relying on those attributes.