VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window

VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window in Tampa, FL | Lightwell Windows Tampa

The VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window is a vertical-glide aluminum window built for Tampa homes that need dependable ventilation without the maintenance headaches of older wood or vinyl units. Both sashes slide independently, and the tilt-in design means you can clean interior and exterior glass from inside your house. No ladders, no window washing services. As an authorized ViewLux installation partner, Lightwell Windows Tampa supplies and installs this window to manufacturer spec, so your warranty stays intact and the window performs the way it was engineered to in Florida’s climate. Call (850) 360-6785 for current Tampa pricing and availability.

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Product Overview – VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window

The single hung and double hung window remains the most common window style in American homes, and for good reason. It slides up and down, it fits into standard rough openings, and it looks right on everything from a 1940s bungalow in Seminole Heights to a new build in Westchase. The VLX 500 takes that familiar format and builds it out of extruded aluminum, which is why this series holds up so well against Tampa’s humidity, afternoon thunderstorms, and salt-tinged air in Bayshore and Davis Islands neighborhoods.

What separates the VLX 500 from commodity hung windows is the engineering tolerance in the frame. The profile measures 2.36 inches across the face and carries a wall thickness of 0.079 inches. That’s a noticeably stouter extrusion than what you’ll find in budget aluminum windows sold at big box stores in the Tampa Bay area. The sashes ride on smooth vertical tracks and lock into place with positive engagement hardware. When you release the tilt latches, each sash swings inward for cleaning – a feature single-hung window buyers in Tampa tell us they use far more than they expected, especially on second-story openings.

Lightwell Windows Tampa recommends the VLX 500 to homeowners in Tampa who want the clean sightlines of aluminum, the thermal performance of a modern engineered system, and a window that won’t warp, rot, or swell in Florida’s climate the way wood does.

Technical Specifications

Here’s what you’re getting in the VLX 500, in plain terms rather than catalog shorthand:

• Frame material: Extruded aluminum with thermal break technology
• Profile width: 2.36 inches, a slim frame that maximizes glass area
• Wall thickness: 0.079 inches, heavier than standard residential aluminum
• Operation: Single hung (top sash fixed) or double hung (both sashes operational), tilt-in sashes on both configurations
• Glass options: Clear, Frosted, Low-E, Tempered, Laminated
• Finish options: Premium Black, Pure White, Anodized Silver, Bronze, Champagne, Teak Wood
• Screen options: Half-Screen or Full Screen
• Performance compliance: NFRC-rated thermal values, AAMA 2400/2410 installation parameters, AAMA 812 perimeter sealing
• Impact option: Laminated glass available for wind-borne debris protection in Tampa’s wind-load zones

Every unit is fabricated to the exact opening dimensions measured at your Tampa home, not pulled off a shelf. That matters for both fit quality and long-term air sealing.

Performance Features

Thermal Efficiency. The VLX 500 uses a polyamide thermal break between the interior and exterior frame halves. That barrier interrupts heat transfer, which is why this window holds an NFRC-rated energy performance label. Tampa homeowners see the biggest benefit from July through September, when the afternoon sun loads up west-facing walls, particularly along the water in South Tampa.

Acoustic Performance. Aluminum naturally transmits less sound than thin vinyl, and the VLX 500’s glazing channel is designed for thicker insulated glass packages. Buyers on MacDill Avenue, near Gandy Boulevard traffic, or under the TPA flight path frequently select laminated glass for its marked reduction in exterior noise.

Airtightness & Weather Seal. Double-fin weatherstripping runs continuously around each sash perimeter. When the sash closes, the seal compresses evenly. That continuous contact is what keeps your air conditioning inside during Tampa’s ten-month cooling season and keeps humidity-driven drafts out.

Waterproofing. The sill design includes a sloped drainage path with weep holes that direct water outward, not into your wall cavity. Combined with AAMA 812 low-expansion foam applied to all perimeter joints at installation, the system is designed to handle Tampa’s sudden rainfall events without weeping or interior staining.

Wind Resistance. The 0.079-inch wall thickness and reinforced corner joinery give the VLX 500 the structural stiffness required for Florida wind-load requirements. For homes in Tampa requiring impact protection, laminated glass holds together on impact, and the frame is rated to carry it.

Security & Hardware. Sash locks use cam-action engagement rather than simple friction catches. The lock body is aluminum, not plastic, and the tilt latches require two-hand release, which complicates forced entry from outside. It’s a small detail until you live on a ground-floor unit in Seminole Heights or Ybor City.

Color & Glass Options

The VLX 500 comes in six finishes, and choosing one usually comes down to your home’s architectural era and your HOA, if you have one. Pure White reads as the safest choice for traditional Tampa homes with white trim. Premium Black has become the default for modern renovations in Tampa Heights and Riverside Heights, where dark frames give windows a crisp, architectural edge. Anodized Silver and Bronze both suit mid-century ranches across West Tampa and Temple Terrace. Champagne softens the metal look for coastal condos along Bayshore, and Teak Wood gets you the warmth of a wood finish without the rot risk in Florida’s rain.

On glass: Clear is the budget option. Low-E is what we recommend for most Tampa homes because it reflects infrared heat while passing visible light, reducing cooling load without darkening the room. Frosted works for bathrooms and street-facing windows. Tempered meets code for doors and large openings. Laminated is the impact-resistant option and also cuts noise. Lightwell Windows Tampa will walk you through which combination makes sense per opening, based on sun orientation and code requirements for your specific Tampa property.

Installation by Lightwell Windows Tampa in Tampa

An aluminum window is only as good as the opening it sits in. We see failed window installations across Tampa on a regular basis: units shimmed wrong, fasteners skipping the framing, sealant gaps hidden behind trim, and water that’s been seeping into wall cavities for years before anyone notices. The manufacturer’s warranty on the VLX 500 is conditioned on professional installation. If the window is installed incorrectly, the warranty is void before you ever notice a problem. That’s the main reason homeowners in Tampa choose Lightwell Windows Tampa over a handyman or a cut-rate crew.

Our process starts with a pre-install inspection of every opening. We check the rough opening dimensions against the fabricated unit, inspect the surrounding framing for rot or termite damage, and review the flashing condition. Then the old window comes out carefully, the opening is prepped to a clean, load-bearing perimeter, and the new VLX 500 goes in level, plumb, and square. Truing a window matters: a racked frame will cause sash bind, air gaps, and premature weatherstripping wear.

Perimeter joints get fully insulated with AAMA 812 low-expansion foam sealant, which seals and insulates without bowing the frame. Installation follows AAMA 2400/2410 standards, the same reference standard referenced in Florida building code language for replacement window installation. We perform a water test on every opening before calling the job done, and we leave the site clean. In Tampa’s climate – high humidity, frequent downpours, high wind events – a properly installed window is the difference between a 30-year product and a five-year problem.

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 fabricated to order, not stocked, so lead time in Tampa typically runs 3 to 4 weeks from final measurement to delivery at our shop. Color, glass selection, and impact-rated options can add time. After installation is scheduled, our crew finishes most homes in 1 to 2 days depending on opening count. Call (850) 360-6785 and we’ll give you a current timeline for your specific configuration.

Does the VLX 500 qualify for energy tax credits or rebates? The VLX 500 with Low-E glass carries NFRC-rated thermal values that may qualify for federal energy efficiency tax credits, depending on the specific glazing package and your tax situation. Eligibility changes year to year, so we recommend verifying with your tax preparer. We’ll provide the NFRC label documentation for every unit we install in Tampa so you have what you need to file.

What warranty comes with the VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window? ViewLux provides a manufacturer warranty on the frame, glass, and hardware, and the workmanship of the installation is backed by Lightwell Windows Tampa. The exact warranty terms depend on the product line and glazing, and we walk every Tampa customer through the coverage before you sign. Improper third-party installation voids the manufacturer warranty, which is why we install what we sell.

Can I customize the size of the VLX 500? Yes. The VLX 500 is built per-opening, not in fixed stock sizes, so unusual window openings in older Tampa homes are not a problem. We measure every rough opening individually, and the extrusion is cut and welded to fit. We’ve installed this window in everything from standard 3-foot-wide bedroom openings to tall picture-window replacements in Seminole Heights bungalows. Call (850) 360-6785 to schedule a free measurement.

How do I maintain the aluminum frames and sashes? Aluminum frames need almost nothing beyond regular cleaning. Wipe the frame and tracks with mild soap and water a few times per year, especially after pollen season in Tampa, which clogs weep holes if left alone. Keep the tracks clear of debris, and lubricate the tilt latch mechanism annually with a dry silicone spray. The VLX 500’s powder-coated finish doesn’t need painting and won’t fade like anodized finishes from decades past.

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

If you’re replacing windows in Tampa, the VLX 500 Single & Double Hung Window is worth pricing before you commit to vinyl or wood. We’ll measure your openings, spec the right glass and finish for each room, and give you a written line-item quote with no surprises. Schedule a free on-site measurement today: call (850) 360-6785 or call to talk through options with our Tampa team.

Written by the team at Lightwell Windows Tampa, authorized ViewLux installation partner serving Tampa, FL.