Coastal Virginia’s Window & Door Company

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


| CVP Windows & Doors |
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. The term “French door” generally refers to a pair of swinging patio doors. However, there are many possible configurations ranging from a single swinging door to a pair of 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. They also take up more space because they open up into your room or out on to 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 1960’s. 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. And unlike French Doors, sliding doors open in parallel to the wall and take up 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 away 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, on the other hand, are only available in standard sizes. If your opening is an odd size, it’s easier to install a door that’s custom-built to the opening 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.

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 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. 

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 which 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 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 a combined 125 years of experience in the homebuilding industry. We’re happy to tell you what we know.

Written By
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.