Make every square metre count
Sashes that glide instead of swinging inward. The most space-efficient solution when interior room matters and openings are wide.
Official Aluplast Distributor · In Alicante since 2010
Why sliding wins on wide openings
Above 1.8 m wide, tilt-and-turn stops being viable: sash weight exceeds 130 kg and the interior space gets eaten up. Enter sliding windows - Costa Blanca's best-selling system for living rooms, balconies, terraces and commercial premises.
Sashes glide parallel to the frame, they don't swing inward. In living rooms with a sofa against the window or narrow balconies with furniture, this is the only viable solution.
A single Cortizo Cor-Vision sash takes 2,500 × 2,000 mm glazing weighing up to 400 kg. For panoramic terrace access, it's the only technically possible option.
Flush "Stulp Zero" rail recessed into the floor with a threshold of just 4 mm - comfortable access for wheelchairs, prams and older users. Complies with Spanish Building Code DB-SUA accessibility.
Cor-Vision system with hidden sash: just 35 mm of visible aluminium between two glass panes. Contemporary minimalist aesthetics, 90% glazed surface vs 70% in a traditional sliding window.
Motorised opening by remote or phone app. Critical for heavy sliding sashes (>120 kg) or those installed up high. Integration with KNX home automation or Apple HomeKit.
Multipoint locking, anti-extraction bolts and P4A laminated glass. Modern sliding windows certify RC2 - putting paid to the myth that "sliding is easy to force open".
How the gliding works
A sliding window isn't just "a sash on a rail". It's a 3-part precision system that determines smoothness, tightness and service life. After 14 years installing them, these are the criteria we evaluate on every project
Key difference vs lift-and-slide HS: a sliding window always touches the rail (worse closure), HS lifts the sash 5 mm to slide and compresses on closing (superior tightness).
Lubrication: PTFE silicone on the rail every 12 months. NEVER mineral oils (they trap dust and stiffen the glide).
Recommendation by room
Above 1.8 m wide, sliding beats tilt-and-turn both technically and economically. These are the 4 scenarios where it's the only sensible option.
2.5-4 m wide opening with constant foot traffic. No invasion of interior space, no clash with terrace furniture.
Optimal configuration
Cortizo Cor-Vision 2 sashes (1 fixed + 1 moving) · 4/16/4 low-e glass · recessed rail
4-6 m opening with sea views. Maximum glazed surface so you don't lose the landscape. Hidden sash and minimal frame.
Optimal configuration
Cortizo Cor-Vision or HS Premidoor 76 · 3-4 sashes · 6+6.4 toughened safety glass
Access to bar, restaurant or shop terrace. Wide opening for customer flow. Wheelchair-accessible rail (Spanish Building Code DB-SUA).
Optimal configuration
Aluplast ASS 70 HI or Cortizo industrial · 3-4 sashes · RC2 closure · motorisation optional
Converts an open balcony into usable space (8-15 extra m²). Compatible with a complementary glass curtain for 360° views.
Optimal configuration
Aluplast ASS 50 NI or Cortizo Cor 80 · 4 sashes · 6 mm toughened glass · no thermal break (toughened)
Opening over 6 m or glazing 3 m tall? Better lift-and-slide HS - a standard sliding window loses stability. Opening under 1.5 m? Better tilt-and-turn.
Technical comparison
These are the three most requested systems for wide openings. The table summarises measured technical performance (not marketing) and our judgement after installing all three across Costa Blanca.
Key price difference: a HS for a 4 m opening costs ~ An equivalent Cor-Vision sliding window: ~ HS is only justified if you need Uw < 1.3 W/m²K.
Available configurations
It isn't just "a sliding window": there are 5 distinct technical configurations. Your choice depends on opening width, the number of moving sashes you need and your budget.
Opening 1.8-2.8 m
The bestseller: one sash slides, the other stays fixed. Useful access = moving sash width. Base Ideal for medium living rooms.
Opening 1.8-3 m · centre opening
Both sashes slide to opposite sides. Useful access = double. Central closure with double hook. Better foot traffic flow.
Opening 3-4.5 m
One fixed sash + two moving sashes that overlap behind the fixed one. Useful access = 2/3 of the opening. For wide terraces.
Opening 4-6 m · balcony enclosure
The 4 sashes overlap in pairs (2 each side). Useful access = 1/2 of the opening. Typical setup for balcony enclosure with a glass curtain. (no thermal break).
Cor-Vision · 35 mm visible frame
The sash integrates into the frame - only aluminium shows between panes. Flush aesthetics, ideal for contemporary design and new builds. 90% glazed surface.
2026 pricing - reference
Indicative prices per m² including VAT, manufacturing and installation. Configuration: 2 sashes (1 moving + 1 fixed) + double low-e glass. For lift-and-slide HS, motorisation or special glazing, see the specific quote.
PVC sliding
280
PVC with thermal break, 76 mm profile, 4/16/4 low-e glass, anti-corrosion aluminium rail.
Aluminium sliding
380
Aluminium with thermal break, 3 sashes, 6+6.4 toughened safety glass, recessed 4 mm threshold rail.
Premium lift-and-slide HS
700
PVC lift-and-slide HS with perimeter compression, low-e + argon glass, sash up to 400 kg.
Simple aluminium without thermal break (balcony)
Aluplast ASS 50 NI or Cortizo Cor 60. For balcony enclosures with a glass curtain.
Cor-Vision minimalist hidden sash
Premium aesthetics, 35 mm visible frame. For new builds or architect-led work.
Final closed quote after free technical visit. No last-minute "extras".
Technical specifications
Motorisation and home automation
Not every sliding window needs a motor. But there are 4 scenarios where Somfy motorisation is a worthwhile investment: heavy sashes, hard access, home-automation integration and accessible housing for older users.
Large panes (2.2 × 2 m) weigh 130-180 kg. Manual gliding forces you to pull hard - uncomfortable and wears rollers. A motor solves the problem.
Sliders behind fixed furniture, above tall shelving or in double-height rooms. Open by remote or phone app.
Compatible with KNX, Apple HomeKit, Alexa and Google Home. Programmable: close on rain detection, open in the morning, automatic holiday mode.
For people with reduced mobility or older users with limited strength. Button at 90 cm from the floor or a remote control. Recommended by geriatric specialists.
Recent work
Renovated apartment in Acequión. 4 m opening between living room and terrace with sea views. Recessed rail for accessible entry. QUALIMARINE lacquering for proximity to the sea (300 m).
180 m² penthouse with panoramic terrace facing the Levante. Hidden-sash system with 35 mm visible frame to preserve the view. Somfy motorisation with HomeKit. 6+6.4 toughened safety glass.
3-star hotel refurbishment facing the Peñón de Ifach. One slider per room with access to an individual balcony. RC2 anti-burglary + acoustic glass Rw 38 dB. Staggered manufacturing in 4 phases without closing the hotel.
Restaurant in Castaños. Main façade with 4 sliding sashes for full opening in summer (street terrace). Stulp Zero wheelchair-accessible rail. RC3 anti-intrusion closure (night-time business).
How we work
Call or WhatsApp. We orient you: sliding vs HS, number of sashes, rail type, indicative budget.
Time: same day
Millimetre-precise measurement of the opening, sub-frame condition, structural load assessment (large glazing is heavy).
Time: 24-48 h
Detail: system, number of sashes, rail type, glazing, closure, motorisation if applicable. Closed price.
Time: 24-72 h after visit
Profile cutting in our own workshop. Controlled glazing. Roller and hardware assembly.
Time: 12-18 working days
Rail levelled to the millimetre (critical for smooth gliding). Sika sealing. 100-cycle test before handover.
Time: 1-2 days per home
Signed handover, CE marking, installer certificate, 5-year profile warranty + 5-year roller warranty.
Time: installation day
The VentanaCosta team
A badly installed sliding window always fails: it rubs, makes noise, leaks water or drops within 2 years. That's why rail levelling is the most critical step. Our installer José has been fitting sliding windows for 12 years - he knows 1 mm off level = problems in 6 months.
VentanaCosta has been installing carpentry in Alicante and Vega Baja since 2010. 14 years of activity, 3,200+ homes, Cortizo Premium + Aluplast official certification.
Surveyor
18 years measuring. Calculates structural load for glazing > 150 kg. Speaks Spanish and Catalan.
Multilingual support
Spanish, English, Russian. Coordinates work with foreign clients and owner communities.
Installation lead
Cortizo Premium + Aluplast certified. Specialist in Stulp Zero accessibility rails.
Warranties and certificates
CE marking, DoP, installation certificate and written 5-year warranty. Digital + paper dossier for subsidies, income-tax credits or building inspections (ITE).
Declaration of Performance (DoP) per model. Without this, no window has been legal in Spain since 2014.
Industry endorsement for the product delivered. Spanish Association of Manufacturers of Light Facades.
Officially certified distributor and installer. Access to Cor-Vision and Cor 80 industrial systems.
Multipoint locking + P4A glass to UNE EN 1627. Approved by insurers.
Stulp Zero rail with 4 mm threshold certifies compliance with the accessibility standard.
10-year Cortizo/Aluplast profile + 5-year hardware and roller cover. In writing.
Frequently asked questions
HS costs 2-2.5 times more than standard sliding. It's worth it if: (a) opening > 4.5 m, (b) main home with a significant energy bill (HS Uw 1.1 vs sliding 1.8 W/m²K), (c) glazing > 2.2 m tall, (d) Class 4 airtightness required against heavy Levante gusts. For an occasional second home or balcony enclosure: standard sliding is enough.
The number one cause of jamming is sand/salt in the rail, not the roller. Solution: monthly rail cleaning with a vacuum and brush (5 minutes). Annual lubrication with PTFE silicone (NOT mineral oils - they trap dust). With this maintenance, Cortizo sliding windows in Cabo Cervera (seafront) still glide perfectly after 12 years.
Three options: low-profile rail (8-12 mm, standard), raised rail (20-50 mm, industrial), Stulp Zero recessed rail (4 mm, accessibility). For residential use: low-profile. To meet the Spanish Building Code DB-SUA accessibility (home with older users, wheelchair or pram): Stulp Zero. Extra cost for Stulp Zero: + per sash.
Yes, with two requirements: (1) moving sash at least 90 cm wide (useful access after the frame), (2) Stulp Zero rail recessed to 4 mm. Standard wheelchair wheels clear a threshold of 14 mm or less without trouble (Spanish Building Code DB-SUA). In new builds or refurbishments we recommend planning a recessed rail from the start.
The cheap sliders of 20 years ago were (single rail, simple hook). Modern sliding windows with the RC2 anti-burglary package include: perimeter multipoint locking (3-5 points), anti-extraction bolts, reinforced central hook, key-locking handle and P4A laminated glass. They certify UNE EN 1627 - 3 minutes of resistance to professional tools. Approved by insurers.
Yes, with Somfy motorisation hidden in the frame. Cost: per motorised sash. Recommended for: sashes > 120 kg, hard access, home-automation integration (KNX, Apple HomeKit, Alexa) or homes with older users. Programmable: close on rain, open in the morning, holiday mode. Somfy 5-year motor warranty.
Depends on the opening: 2 sashes (1 fixed + 1 moving) for openings 1.8-2.8 m. 3 sashes (1 fixed + 2 moving) for 3-4.5 m. 4 sashes (2 fixed + 2 moving) for 4-6 m. For openings > 6 m, use lift-and-slide HS or a full enclosure with vertical mullions. More sashes = less useful access - a 4-sash sliding window in a 6 m opening gives 3 m of useful passage.
Simple aluminium sliding (Cortizo Cor 80). Lift-and-slide HS (Aluplast PremiDoor 76 HS or Cortizo HS 1300). Roughly 2x. For a 4 × 2.3 m opening (9.2 m²): sliding ~ HS ~ Difference ~ Only justified if the energy saving over 5-7 years offsets the extra outlay (main residence with a high bill).
Other opening types
If a standard sliding window doesn't fit your project (you need more tightness, a small opening or a different look), we have 4 alternative systems with the same quality and 5-year warranty.
Guides
We have written honest guides on prices, permits and materials. No marketing, just what our customers actually ask.
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