Replacing an outdated sliding glass door can bring more natural light into your home, improve access to your pool or lanai, and provide greater protection during Florida storms. Clearwater Window and Door, Inc. installs PGT WinGuard® impact sliding glass doors and French patio doors for homeowners throughout Clearwater and Pinellas County.
For over 60 years, our team has helped local homeowners replace difficult-to-operate patio doors with durable, energy-efficient options designed for Florida’s coastal climate. From traditional two-panel doors to multi-panel, pocket, and corner sliding glass doors, we’ll help you choose the right PGT WinGuard system for your home, opening, and local code requirements.
Why Clearwater Homeowners Choose Us Over Big Brands
Even a high-quality impact patio door can underperform if it is not installed correctly. With over 60 years of local experience, we provide the precise measurements, code-compliant installation, and careful finishing needed for lasting performance.
- PGT Windows and Doors Platinum Dealer
- Factory-trained employees, never subcontractors
- Precise, code-compliant installation
- Permitting and inspections handled
- Personalized guidance without high-pressure sales tactics
Real Reviews. Real Projects. Real Tampa Bay Homes.
Patio Doors Designed Around Your View
PGT WinGuard sliding glass doors offer much more than a traditional two-panel patio door. Multi-panel and multi-slide configurations can create wide openings with panoramic outdoor views, making them especially well suited for Florida homes designed around pools, lanais, patios, and waterfront settings.
Depending on the product and opening, available configurations may include:
- Two-, three-, and four-panel sliding patio doors
- Multi-panel and multi-track door systems
- Pocket sliding glass doors
- Center-opening configurations
- 90-degree and 135-degree corner doors
- Narrow-profile frames
- Openings accommodating up to eight panels
Our team will evaluate your existing opening and recommend a configuration that balances your desired view, ventilation, storm protection, and budget.
Learn More About PGT Windows
See why PGT is one of Florida’s most trusted names in hurricane impact windows and doors. These videos show how WinGuard® systems are built, tested, and designed for coastal homes like those in Clearwater, Florida and Pinellas County.
Benefits of Hurricane-Rated Patio Doors
For homeowners in Clearwater and throughout Pinellas County, impact-rated patio doors provide benefits during hurricane season and throughout the year.
- Storm Protection: Impact-resistant glass and reinforced frames help protect against wind-driven debris.
- No Shutters Required: Approved impact doors provide continuous protection without separate storm panels over the opening.
- Enhanced Security: Laminated glass and secure locking systems make forced entry more difficult.
- Noise Reduction: Impact glass can help reduce traffic, landscaping, and neighborhood noise.
- Energy Efficiency: Energy-efficient glass and frame options can help limit unwanted heat transfer.
- UV Protection: Laminated glass helps reduce UV-related fading of flooring, furniture, and décor.
- Improved Views: Large glass panels bring in more daylight and strengthen the connection to outdoor areas.
- Increased Home Value: Updated impact doors can improve protection, appearance, and buyer appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Patio Doors in Clearwater, FL
These are the most common questions from homeowners in Clearwater, Florida and throughout Pinellas County when upgrading to hurricane impact windows.
How much does it cost to replace a sliding glass door in Clearwater, FL?
Patio door replacement costs depend on the size of the opening, number of panels, door configuration, glass package, finish, and installation requirements. Pocket and corner configurations generally involve more complexity than standard bypass doors. Schedule a free in-home estimate for accurate pricing based on your home and selected PGT WinGuard product.
Are impact-resistant patio doors required in Pinellas County?
Requirements depend on the property’s location, construction, opening, and applicable Florida Building Code provisions. In the Tampa Bay area, homes may be subject to specific wind and wind-borne-debris requirements based on their location. Clearwater and St. Petersburg in Pinellas County, Tampa in Hillsborough County, and Bradenton in Manatee County can have different requirements depending on the property’s location and applicable code provisions.
For additional information, you can review local building-code and permitting resources:
- Pinellas County: Building Codes & County Policies
- Hillsborough County: Residential Structural Design Criteria & Wind-Borne Debris Requirements
- Manatee County: Development Services & Building Resources
What is the difference between an impact patio door and a regular sliding glass door?
An impact patio door uses laminated glass and a reinforced frame engineered to resist wind pressure and wind-driven debris. If the glass is struck, the interlayer helps hold the broken glass together. Standard patio doors do not provide the same protection and may require separate shutters.
Are PGT WinGuard patio doors hurricane-rated?
Yes. PGT WinGuard patio doors are impact-resistant products engineered and tested for hurricane-prone areas. The appropriate model, glass, design pressure, and product approval must be selected based on the home’s location and opening requirements.
What is the best patio door for a Florida home?
For coastal Florida homes, an impact-resistant patio door is generally the best choice for storm protection, security, and everyday convenience. PGT WinGuard Vinyl doors also provide low-maintenance frames and energy-efficient glass options suited to Florida’s heat, humidity, and strong sunlight.
What is the difference between WinGuard Sliding Glass and Preferred View doors?
The standard WinGuard Vinyl Sliding Glass Door has a 4.28-inch panel profile and offers several configurations. The Preferred View model has a slimmer 2.5-inch profile that increases the visible glass area. Both provide impact-resistant protection, but Preferred View is designed for homeowners who want narrower frames and more expansive views.
Can sliding glass doors be customized for large openings?
Yes. PGT WinGuard Vinyl sliding doors are available in bypass, pocket, 90-degree corner, and 135-degree corner configurations. Select configurations can include up to eight panels and span openings up to 40 feet. Available options depend on the opening and structural requirements.
Does PGT WinGuard offer impact-resistant French doors?
Yes. PGT offers WinGuard Vinyl French Doors in single- and double-door configurations. They combine traditional hinged styling with impact-resistant glass and are well suited for patios, lanais, balconies, and other outdoor entrances.
What is a multi-slide patio door?
A multi-slide patio door uses several glass panels that move along multiple tracks. Depending on the configuration, the panels may stack together, slide into a wall pocket, or meet at a corner. PGT WinGuard multi-panel sliding glass doors can accommodate wide openings while providing impact-resistant protection.
Can PGT sliding glass doors disappear into a wall pocket?
Select PGT WinGuard sliding glass doors are available in pocket configurations. When opened, the panels slide into a prepared wall pocket to create a wider connection between indoor and outdoor living areas. Pocket installations depend on the home’s structure and available wall space.
Are corner sliding glass doors available?
Yes. PGT WinGuard Vinyl sliding glass doors are available in 90-degree and 135-degree corner configurations. These systems can open two adjoining sides of a room to create expansive views and a stronger connection to a patio, pool, or lanai.
Can impact patio doors help lower my Florida homeowners insurance?
They may. In Florida, certain impact-rated patio doors can contribute to a home’s wind-mitigation features, which may help a homeowner qualify for an insurance discount. Savings are not automatic, however, and requirements vary by insurance company. Your insurer may also require documentation or a wind-mitigation inspection to verify the home’s qualifying features.
For more information about Florida’s wind-mitigation program and inspection requirements, visit the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation’s Wind Mitigation Resources. Before replacing your patio doors, ask your insurance provider what documentation they require and whether qualifying impact-rated patio doors could affect your premium.
Do I need a permit to replace a patio door in Clearwater?
Most exterior patio door replacement projects require a permit and must comply with applicable Florida Building Code requirements. Clearwater Window and Door, Inc. handles permitting and installs each door according to its approved specifications.
How long does patio door installation take?
Many standard patio door replacements can be completed in one day. Large multi-panel systems, pocket doors, corner configurations, or openings requiring structural modifications may take longer. The expected schedule will be reviewed before installation begins.