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Swing Door vs. Slider: How to Pick Your Perfect Patio Door

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Slider VS Swing door

Reasons to Choose Replacement Swinging French Doors

Homeowners love French doors for their traditional, classic look. They add an air of elegance to any room with a wide frame, stylish hardware, and customary 15-lite grid pattern. “French door” generally refers to a pair of swinging patio doors. However, many possible configurations range from a single swinging door to a few doors flanked by matching sidelights. You can also choose doors with or without a grid pattern.

Swinging doors typically cost more than comparable sliding glass patio doors, including the cost to replace sliding glass doors. They also take up more space because they open up into your room or out onto your patio. For these reasons, swinging patio doors are a good choice for rooms that are spacious, stylish, and less frequently used.

Swinging French Doors
Sliding Glass Door

Why You Might Prefer a Sliding Glass Door

Sliding glass patio doors have been a mainstay since the 1960s. Over the years, they’ve significantly advanced in quality and performance.

Sliding doors offer a clean, modern look with a floor-to-ceiling view of your backyard. For homeowners who prefer a traditional look, sliding doors can be customized with grid patterns. Unlike French Doors, sliding doors open parallel to the wall and occupy very little space.

Beyond the aesthetics, there are functional reasons to consider a sliding glass door. Sliding glass doors are fixed to a track with a sill and weep system that helps divert water from your home. Compared to swinging doors, they have fewer horizontal openings for air and water to penetrate. In our humid coastal area, these factors protect your home against water damage while increasing energy efficiency.

Another big advantage of sliding glass doors is that they can be custom-built to size. Swinging doors, however, are only available in standard sizes. If your opening is an odd size, it’s easier to install a custom-built door than to modify your opening to fit the door. Resizing an opening can be expensive and invasive, especially if it requires changing the header, installing sheetrock, and getting permits.

Sliding Door vs French Door- No Matter Which Replacement Exterior Door You Choose, We Can Help!

We sell French swing doors and sliding glass patio doors. Both styles deliver a high-quality, affordable exterior patio door with a maintenance-free frame and rot-free PVC exterior trim.

CVP Windows & Doors has taken the sliding glass patio door to the next level. All our patio doors come with stainless steel hardware and precision roller bearings to open effortlessly for years to come.

CVP doors, including our advanced sliding-swing-door, have a sturdy PVC frame and DP50 hurricane-rated glass to withstand 170+ mph winds. These performance features give our sliding glass door structural advantages that surpass just about any swinging glass door.  A sliding door manufactured by CVP is tighter and resists water and air infiltration much better than a swinging door.

FAQs About Slider and Swing Doors

Which is better, a sliding door or a swing door?

  • While the Sliding door vs French door debate is endless, the choice essentially boils down to factors such as space availability, aesthetics, and cost. Sliding doors are space-efficient, while swing doors offer a traditional and elegant look.

How do I choose a patio door?

  • Consider factors like available space, design preference, and budget when choosing a patio door. Swinging doors are elegant but require more space, while sliding doors are modern and space-efficient.

How do you determine the swing of a patio door?

  • To determine the swing of a patio door, stand outside the room or house and note which side the hinges are on. If the hinges are on the left, it’s a left-hand swing; if on the right, it’s a right-hand swing.

Get a Free In-Home Consultation

At CVP, we pride ourselves on the quality of our product, our installations, and our commitment to “always do the right thing.” We look for solutions that not only make your home look great but also protect its long-term value. Choosing the right door and proper installation is essential to achieving the desired results.At CVP, we pride ourselves on the quality of our product, our installations, and our commitment to “always do the right thing.” We look for solutions that not only make your home look great but also protect its long-term value. Choosing the right door and proper installation is essential to achieving the desired results.

If you’re looking for the best French or sliding glass doors for your home, call for a free estimate. Our sales and executive team have 125 years of experience in the homebuilding industry. We’re happy to tell you what we know.

CVP Windows & Doors

Written By
CVP Windows & Doors

CVP Windows & Doors
For 20 years and counting, CVP Windows & Doors has been the only company in Hampton Roads, Virginia, to manufacture, deliver, and install custom vinyl windows and doors. We’re proud to say that every window and door we sell is proudly made in the USA.
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