Coastal Virginia’s Window & Door Company

How to Buy the Best Sliding Glass Door: Step-By-Step Guide


A man installing the Sliding Glass Door

If you’re looking to enhance the aesthetics and overall functionality of your home, a sliding glass door is the perfect place to start. Not only do these doors provide an abundance of natural light and beautiful views, but they also offer easy access to outdoor areas and create a seamless transition between your indoor and outdoor spaces. 

At CVP Windows & Doors, we are Coastal Virginia’s only window and door manufacturer. Because we LIVE IN this market, we BUILD FOR this market—and we know our CVP sliding glass door is the best for COVA. Here’s how to buy one that’s best for you.

Choosing the Best Sliding Glass Door: A Step-by-Step Buying Guide

1. Consider Your Requirements

Before diving into the buying process, identify your sliding glass door replacement needs and preferences. Assess factors such as the size of the opening, the amount of space available, and the architectural style of your home. Think purpose: will this door be used for access or maximizing natural light and views (or both)?  Also consider any compliance requirements for your community and ensure whoever you are buying from can accommodate those requirements. 

2. Choose a Durable Material

Sliding glass doors are typically available in three main materials: vinyl, aluminum, and wood. Each material has its own unique characteristics and advantages, but we recommend vinyl for the coastal market.

The ideal door for this market needs to be built to achieve DP-50 rating; which means it can withstand a 171 mph wind and 7 ½ foot pounds of water. A CVP sliding glass door is composed of all vinyl frame and sash components which are all internally reinforced with steel to achieve those high wind and impact ratings necessary for those heavy storms. 

Just as important as the structure of the door is the hardware used.  CVP’s vinyl sliding glass door uses only true stainless steel hardware for all its moving parts. Fully adjustable stainless steel lock and keeper, and heavy duty stainless steel ball bearing rollers to provide a lifetime of effortless function.  With Coastal Virginia’s high humidity, sand and salt water, and even the occasional hurricane, CVP’s sliding glass door is truly built for this market! 

3. Consider Energy Efficiency and Safety Features

Seek doors with high-quality insulation, such as double or triple-pane glass, low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings, and Argon gas filled units. These features can help keep your home comfortable and cut energy costs by minimizing heat transfer.  The sliding glass door produced by CVP Windows and Doors will meet or exceed Energy Star standards for thermal efficiency with a variety of glass options available.  

Likewise, safety should always be a top priority when choosing a sliding glass door. Keep an eye out for upgraded hardware, including multi-point locking systems.  At CVP, all our sliding glass doors come standard with a multipoint locking system.  There are no additional costs for this system, and no need to purchase additional secondary locking systems.  

4. Check Operation, Functionality and Additional Features 

Before finalizing your purchase, test if the door slides smoothly on its track and the locking mechanism is easy to operate. Additionally, check to see what features you might want are standard, such as a screen, and what features may be optional (such as hardware finishes to match the other doors in your home, or keyed hardware if you are going to use the door as a primary entrance).  At CVP Windows and Doors we have a wide variety of add-on features.  All of these function and feature questions can be answered by scheduling a visit to our showroom. 

5. Seek Professional Installation

Now, it’s time to search for a company that installs sliding glass doors with optimal performance. By hiring a professional installer who is experienced in working with these types of doors, you can ensure your sliding glass door will be properly aligned, sealed, and secured—lowering the risk of issues in the future.  The best door on the market can be ruined by improper installation. 

CVP Windows and Doors only uses in-house installation teams.  Our installers are trained by us, and install only CVP products every day. 

Research reputable brands known for manufacturing high-quality sliding glass doors and read customer reviews to gather insight into the performance and durability of different products. 

Once you’ve ensured you’re getting the best value for your money, obtain multiple quotes from different suppliers. Compare prices, warranties, and included services to make an informed decision that aligns with your budget and needs.

CVP Windows & Doors: Professional Sliding Glass Door Installation

At CVP, we are the best sliding glass door replacement company in the Coastal Virginia market. Our initiative is to build a custom product—from your custom size and make-up to your specific glass specifications, we proudly manufacture and install sliding glass doors that last a lifetime. 

Are you ready for a new sliding glass door in your home? Get your free in-home consultation with us today and experience the best sliding glass door in your home! 

Written By
CVP Windows & Doors