VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window

VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window in San Diego, CA | Hale Windows San Diego

The VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window from ViewLux is a classic vertical-glide aluminum window built for homeowners who want clean sightlines, easy operation, and a frame that will not warp or sag in San Diego’s coastal air. We install this series throughout San Diego County because it handles the climate well and looks right on homes from Mission Hills craftsman bungalows to Carlsbad tract homes built in the 1990s. As an authorized ViewLux installation partner, Hale Windows San Diego can order the VLX 500 in any size or finish and install it to AAMA 2400/2410 standards so the manufacturer warranty stays fully intact. If you are pricing out replacement windows, call (619) 793-3248 and we will walk you through exact costs for your home.

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Product Overview – VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window

The VLX 500 is a vertical-glide aluminum hung window, which means the sash slides up and down inside the frame rather than swinging out. Single hung means only the bottom sash moves. Double hung means both the top and bottom sashes move independently. That second moving sash is useful in San Diego homes where you want cross-ventilation on hot September afternoons, or where you need to tilt the top sash inward to clean the outside glass without leaning out a second-story window.

What draws most buyers to this series is the tilt-in sash feature. Both sashes unlock and tilt inward, so you can wipe the exterior glass standing safely inside the room. That matters on homes in Point Loma or La Jolla where upper-floor windows sit 20 feet above a slope or patio. You are not hauling a ladder, and you are not paying a window cleaning company every quarter.

The frame is extruded aluminum with a 0.079-inch wall thickness and a 2.36-inch profile width. Those numbers matter. The thicker wall resists flexing better than thinner aluminum you find in builder-grade slider windows, and the 2.36-inch profile gives the frame enough depth to house the thermal break, the balances, and the locking hardware without bulking up the sightline. The result is a window that feels substantial when you close it, but still lets in plenty of daylight. For San Diego homeowners replacing 1970s aluminum single panes, the difference in both feel and energy performance is immediate.

Hale Windows San Diego recommends the VLX 500 for whole-house replacements, bedroom egress windows (double hung with the right rough opening meets egress code), and second-story applications where a casement or awning window would be awkward to operate. It is a workhorse window that does not draw attention to itself, which is exactly what most San Diego homes need.

Technical Specifications

Here is how the VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window breaks down by the numbers. These are the stock specs we order from ViewLux every week for San Diego jobs.

• Frame material: Extruded aluminum, 0.079-inch wall thickness
• Profile width: 2.36 inches
• Operation: Single hung (bottom sash only) or double hung (both sashes)
• Cleaning: Tilt-in sashes on both operating panels
• Glass options: Clear, Frosted, Low-E, Tempered, Laminated
• Frame finishes: Premium Black, Pure White, Anodized Silver, Bronze, Champagne, Teak Wood
• Screen options: Half-screen (covers bottom sash only) or full screen (covers entire opening)
• Sill options: Standard sloped sill; custom sill profiles available by request
• Thermal performance: NFRC-rated with thermal break technology
• Installation standard: AAMA 2400/2410 compliant, AAMA 812 low-expansion foam on all perimeter joints
• Wind load: Rated for San Diego County wind zone requirements, including coastal exposure

Custom sizing is available. ViewLux builds each VLX 500 to the rough opening dimensions we measure on site, so you are not stuck with stock sizes that leave a big gap to shim.

Performance Features

Thermal Efficiency. The VLX 500 frame carries a thermal break that separates the interior and exterior aluminum surfaces. That break slows conductive heat transfer through the metal, which is the number one weakness of old aluminum windows. NFRC-rated performance data is available on request for the specific glass package you pick. In San Diego terms, a Low-E glass VLX 500 will keep your cooling bill lower from July through October.

Acoustic Performance. Aluminum frames transfer sound, but the VLX 500 mitigates this with a tight double-wall construction and quality glazing. If you live near a flight path in Bankers Hill, the trolley line in Mission Valley, or a busy arterial in North Park, ask us about pairing the VLX 500 with laminated glass. Laminated glass cuts mid-to-high-frequency noise substantially, which makes a noticeable difference in bedrooms.

Airtightness & Weather Seal. Every perimeter joint on the VLX 500 gets sealed during installation with AAMA 812 low-expansion foam, which is the standard-specified sealant for aluminum window systems. The weatherstripping is compression-fit at the meeting rail and jambs, preventing the air leakage that makes rooms feel drafty. This matters year-round in San Diego, but especially when a Santa Ana wind pushes against the west side of the house.

Waterproofing. The window’s weep system channels water that enters the track back to the exterior, and the frame design prevents pooling at the sill. Combined with the AAMA 812-perimeter seal and proper sill flashing from our install team, the VLX 500 performs well in coastal areas like Ocean Beach and Imperial Beach where wind-driven rain during winter storms is common.

Wind Resistance. Aluminum is the strongest window frame material, and the 0.079-inch wall on the VLX 500 handles negative and positive wind pressure well. The window is wind-load rated for San Diego’s coastal exposure and inland canyon wind conditions. On homes in areas like Rancho Santa Fe or Alpine that get stronger gusts, we will confirm the correct glass thickness and hardware when we measure.

Security & Hardware. The VLX 500 uses a positive-locking cam system that seats the sash firmly into the frame. Double hung versions lock at the meeting rail with a substantial metal catch, not a plastic notch. For extra security and impact protection, laminated glass is available, which holds together when struck instead of shattering. That option is worth considering for ground-floor windows facing the street in neighborhoods across San Diego.

Color & Glass Options

Finish choices set the tone, and the VLX 500 covers the full spectrum San Diego homes use. Premium Black suits modern farmhouse and contemporary builds across La Mesa and Encinitas, and it reads sharper against white stucco than dark bronze. Pure White matches the predominant trim color on most San Diego coastal homes and does not fade in direct sun. Anodized Silver is a clean industrial look that fits mid-century homes in Clairemont. Bronze is the default for traditional Spanish and Mediterranean houses, especially with tan or earth-tone stucco. Champagne is a warmer bronze that softens the contrast on a beige or cream exterior. Teak Wood is the most distinctive, an anodized finish with visible woodgrain texture that works on craftsman-style homes in South Park or Kensington.

On the glass side, Clear is the budget option for garages or interior rooms where heat gain is not an issue. Frosted glass gives privacy for bathrooms and side yards. Low-E is the standard we recommend for nearly every San Diego living space because it reflects heat while staying visibly clear. Tempered glass is required by code for windows near doors, in bathrooms, and in bedrooms with lower sill heights. Laminated glass adds noise reduction and impact resistance, and it is the upgrade we suggest for street-facing windows and upper-level storm exposure. Each glass type can be ordered in the VLX 500, and we will map out what each room needs during the estimate.

Installation by Hale Windows San Diego in San Diego

Here is the honest truth about window installation: the best window on the market will leak and fail if it is installed wrong. We see it regularly on San Diego homes where a previous window was set out of square, sealed incorrectly, or never flashed at the sill. When a window is not level and plumb, the sash binds, the locks stop seating, and the weatherstripping wears out years early. ViewLux’s warranty covers manufacturing defects, but it does not cover failures caused by installer error. That is why we install every VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window exactly to the manufacturer’s spec, step by step.

Our process on every San Diego job starts with a careful pre-install inspection of the rough opening. We check the framing for rot or termite damage before the old window comes out, because hiding a damaged frame behind a new window creates a bigger problem later. Once the old window is out, we shim the VLX 500 so it sits level, plumb, and square, with even reveals on all four sides. We do not rush this. A bowed frame means the sash will never seat right.

Then comes the perimeter seal. We use AAMA 812 low-expansion foam on every joint, inside and out, which seals against air, water, and sound intrusion without bowing the aluminum frame. On the exterior, we flash the sill properly and seal the perimeter caulk lines after the foam sets. Every installation meets AAMA 2400/2410 standards, which are the recognized installation guidelines for aluminum window systems in the U.S. If your San Diego home is in a coastal zone, we take the extra step of verifying the fastening pattern meets wind-load requirements. Finally, we run a water test on the lower corners, check the sash operation in both directions, adjust the balances, and clean the job site completely. The old windows leave with us.

Because we install in San Diego County every week, from Chula Vista to Oceanside, we know which local code requirements apply to your specific city. Egress rules for bedrooms, tempered glass requirements near doors and wet areas, and coastal corrosion considerations are all part of our standard planning conversation. You get a written quote with the full scope so nothing is a surprise when we show up to install.

Frequently Asked Questions – VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window

Q: What is the lead time for the VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window? The VLX 500 is made to order in the size and finish you select, and we see typical lead times of 3 to 5 weeks from the date the order is confirmed. We confirm the actual production window when you place the order and schedule the installation as soon as the windows arrive at our San Diego warehouse. If we are installing multiple windows and the project is large, we will phase the install so you are never living with open openings.

Q: Does the VLX 500 qualify for energy tax credits? Qualification depends on the specific glass package you choose, the U-factor and SHGC ratings for that configuration, and the current federal or California incentive programs active in the year you install. The Low-E glazing options on the VLX 500 are designed to meet Energy Star specifications typical for the Southern California climate zone. When we quote your project, we can tell you whether your specific window configuration meets the current 2025 – 2026 tax credit thresholds. Call (619) 793-3248 and we will check your exact build.

Q: What warranty comes with the Single & Double Hung Window? ViewLux provides a manufacturer warranty covering the frame structure, the finish, and the hardware on the VLX 500. The glass package carries a separate warranty for seal integrity against failure of the insulated glass unit. The specific warranty terms are spelled out in the ViewLux warranty statement we include with your quote, and as the authorized installer, Hale Windows San Diego handles all warranty coordination so you do not deal with the manufacturer directly.

Q: Can I customize the VLX 500 size? Yes. The VLX 500 is produced to the exact rough opening dimensions we measure at your San Diego home. We have installed this series in standard 36 x 48 openings, in tall vertical windows over staircases, in wide horizontal stacked configurations, and in old 1940s homes where every opening is a slightly different size. We also configure custom grids, color-matched hardware, and mixed glass packages per room during the estimate.

Q: How do I maintain aluminum frames? Aluminum frames on the VLX 500 need almost no maintenance. Twice a year, wipe the frames and tracks with mild soap and water, and vacuum or brush out the bottom track so the weep holes stay clear. Lubricate the balance springs lightly if the sash feels stiff after several years. Do not use abrasive cleaners or solvents on the anodized or painted finish, and avoid pressure washing the windows directly, which can force water past the seals in any window. The tilt-in sashes make the exterior glass easy to clean from inside the house.

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

The VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window is a window you will live with for 20 years, so it is worth getting the details right. Hale Windows San Diego will measure every opening, recommend the right glass for each room, order the correct finish and sizing from ViewLux, and install to AAMA 2400/2410 standards. Call (619) 793-3248 to schedule a free on-site measurement and get a written, line-item quote for your San Diego home.

Written by the team at Hale Windows San Diego, authorized ViewLux installation partner serving San Diego, CA.