I have a window that slides to the side, and each time temperature outside drops below 0*C it freezes and there is no way to open it (not that there is ice all over it, just moisture from the room freezes somewhere inside I guess). Are there any (easy) solutions to prevent freezing or making it open when needed?
Way to prevent sliding window from freezing
windowswinter
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Can't say for the US market (as I don't have first hand experience over here), but in the UK if those windows didn't provide adequate ventilation (open-able window area) they would not be allowed to be used in the construction of a new home (building). They wouldn't get pass UK Building Regulations.
Therefore if the US is anything like the UK in that regard, I would say those windows are ok! for the environment they are being put into. That said, it doesn't guarantee you as an individual living in that condo will be happy with them (the amount of natural ventilation they provide), as different people tend to prefer certain environments eg
- My wife likes our house overly warm in the winter and fridge cold in the summer.
- Me, I prefer the house a little cooler in the winter (too warm and I want to fall asleep) and generally as long as it's cooler inside than outside during the summer months I'm ok!
The usual approach is a "crank-type" casement window with a loop in place of the crank handle, and a hook on a pole (try "clerestory pole crank" as a search term) that engages the loop. There are also hex-type versions that use a flexible shaft inside the pole. Or, these days, motors. I'd suggest the hook on a pole, I view motors in this sort of application as things likely to fail and then make the motorized windows useless as they will probably be hard to replace when they fail. Or they'll leave you with inoperable windows during a power outage.... But it is an option.
A hook or hex style operator pole (image from BlaineWindow.com):
I can't make out how the current windows are operated - they might be able to be retrofitted with operators of that type, rather than replacing the whole window, if the only reason for replacing them would be to make them operable from below.
The style that @TDHofstetter mentions, with a catch that's operable by a hook (image from calaifornia-classics.com):
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Best Answer
My suggestion would be to pull out the window and clean everything really well to make sure nothing is gumming things up. Then I would use a clean rag and wipe all the areas where the window contacts the frame with a good quality silicone lubricant. A little goes a long way with silicone lubricant, you don't need to saturate things with a direct blast. I would avoid wd-40, or other cheap oil sprays, it could make things worse.