Hi Mary, I am a window installer with over 10 years of experiance with sash windows! It sounds to me like the sash windows u have had installed may have been too tight on the width, therefore causing a slight bowing effect in the outer frame, which would then in turn explain the sliders being so stiff to open. Sorry if this is bad news. as for your patio doors, if they are very big they will naturally be stiff to open and close as the glass is very heavy! if any problems contact me on redevil2_81@hotmail.com! hope i have helped you in some way. regards Chris Lomas.
Chris Lomas
June 2007