When enclosing the balcony of a new home, which is more practical: sliding windows or casement windows?

If you prioritize sealing, sound insulation, and thermal efficiency, choose casement windows (specifically the inward-opening/tilt-turn type, which is safer for high-rises with children); if you only need ventilation and have a very limited budget, sliding windows are an option.

Sliding windows have wider gaps, allowing drafts and water seepage during strong winds and failing to block street noise effectively; in contrast, casement windows use multiple locking points to compress the weatherstripping, resulting in superior water and air tightness. Residential complexes in Foshan generally recommend casement windows—such as the Forge windows inward-opening/tilt-turn series—which allow for ventilation during rain without letting water in and come standard with safety tethers for high-rise installations.