French doors are defined as much by their broad glass panels and architectural character as by the way they open. Andersen refers to this category as hinged patio doors, with one or more panels that swing on hinges rather than sliding along a track. Depending on the product, the doors can open inward, outward or from the center of a paired configuration.
For Hampton Roads homeowners, Andersen’s hinged patio door lineup provides options ranging from straightforward traditional designs to highly customizable architectural doors. Better View Windows & More can help compare the available series, materials, panel arrangements, glass, hardware and performance options for the home.
What Is an Andersen French or Hinged Patio Door?
A hinged patio door operates like a traditional entry door: the panel swings on hinges. Two-panel configurations create the familiar French-door appearance and can provide a wide opening between indoor and outdoor spaces. Andersen also offers single-panel and three-panel configurations in selected product lines.
All of Andersen’s core hinged patio door series are available as inswing doors. A-Series and E-Series also offer outswing configurations, giving homeowners more flexibility when room layout, furniture placement or exterior space affects the direction the door should open.
Andersen Hinged Patio Door Series
Andersen’s primary hinged patio door families for Hampton Roads projects include 200 Series, 400 Series, A-Series and E-Series. Andersen Aluminum hinged doors are limited to select Southwestern states, so they are not a practical part of the Virginia lineup.
Homeowners deciding among these four product families can also review our Andersen French & Hinged Patio Door Series comparison for a closer side-by-side look at materials, swing direction, configurations and design differences.
200 Series Hinged Patio Door
The 200 Series hinged patio door delivers traditional French styling with a comparatively streamlined set of choices. Andersen uses fiberglass door panels, while aluminum helps protect the frame and sill from exterior exposure. The door opens into the room, preserving patio or deck space outside.
- Traditional French-door styling
- Inswing operation
- Wood protected by fiberglass and aluminum exterior components
- White interior with White, Sandtone or Terratone exterior choices
- Grille, hardware and patterned-glass options
400 Series Hinged Patio Door
The 400 Series is Andersen’s best-selling hinged patio door and is built around a classic French-door look. A natural-wood interior is paired with a vinyl-protected exterior, giving homeowners traditional interior character with exterior protection.
The 400 Series is available in one-, two- and three-panel configurations. In paired configurations, the doors can swing inward from the center. Homeowners can also choose among numerous hardware finishes, grille patterns and blinds-between-the-glass.
- Classic French-door styling
- Natural-wood interior with vinyl-protected exterior
- One-, two- and three-panel configurations
- Inswing operation
- Blinds-between-the-glass option
- Extensive hardware and grille choices
A-Series Hinged Patio Door
A-Series adds greater design and performance flexibility. It combines a wood interior with fiberglass exterior protection and is available with both traditional and contemporary panel designs. Traditional panels use a wider bottom profile, while contemporary panels use a narrower lower profile to increase the glass area.
Unlike the 200 and current 400 Series hinged doors, A-Series can be configured to swing inward or outward. Standard heights extend up to 10 feet, and custom sizing is also available. For applicable coastal projects, Stormwatch® impact-resistant protection can be specified.
- Inswing or outswing operation
- Wood protected by fiberglass
- Traditional and contemporary panel styles
- Single-, two- and three-panel options
- Blinds-between-the-glass option
- Stormwatch impact-resistant options on applicable configurations
E-Series Hinged Patio Door
E-Series offers the greatest design freedom within Andersen’s core hinged patio door lineup. It combines wood interiors with aluminum-protected exteriors and is available with both contemporary and traditional French panel styles.
Andersen currently offers 50 standard exterior colors, nine interior wood species and 11 stain choices in E-Series, allowing the patio door to become a highly coordinated architectural element. Inswing and outswing configurations are available, and applicable products can be ordered with Stormwatch impact-resistant protection.
- Inswing and outswing operation
- Wood interior with aluminum exterior
- Traditional French and contemporary panel styles
- Extensive exterior color selection
- Multiple interior wood species and stains
- Stormwatch impact-resistant options on applicable configurations
Inswing vs. Outswing Hinged Patio Doors
Swing direction affects both everyday use and space planning. An inswing door opens into the room, which keeps the patio or deck clear but requires interior floor space around the opening. An outswing door opens toward the exterior, preserving interior space but requiring adequate clearance outside.
Andersen currently offers inswing operation across its 200, 400, A-Series and E-Series hinged patio doors. Outswing is available with A-Series and E-Series. The right direction depends on the product, room layout, exterior conditions and project requirements.
Single, Double and Three-Panel Configurations
A two-panel French-door configuration is familiar, but it is not the only hinged option. Selected Andersen products are available as single-panel, two-panel and three-panel doors. The 400 Series and A-Series explicitly support one-, two- and three-panel configurations, while other series provide configurations appropriate to their individual product designs.
Panel count affects the width of the opening, symmetry, ventilation and the amount of wall space devoted to glass. The appropriate configuration should be determined from the actual opening rather than selected solely for appearance.
Traditional vs. Contemporary Panel Styles
French doors are often associated with traditional homes, but Andersen’s hinged lineup is not limited to traditional styling. A-Series and E-Series are available with contemporary as well as traditional panel designs.
Traditional panels generally emphasize broader rails and classic proportions. Contemporary panels reduce visual mass around the glass, creating a cleaner appearance and allowing more daylight. The choice can help the same basic hinged-door operation fit very different architectural styles.
Materials Across Andersen Hinged Patio Doors
Materials change meaningfully by series. The 200 Series uses fiberglass door panels with protective aluminum at the frame and sill. The 400 Series pairs natural wood inside with a vinyl-protected exterior. A-Series uses wood protected by fiberglass, while E-Series uses wood protected by aluminum.
These differences influence interior appearance, exterior finish choices, maintenance expectations and customization. Homeowners who want natural wood or a particular exterior color should compare the relevant series before focusing on hardware and accessories.
Glass and Energy-Efficiency Options
Large glass areas are central to the appeal of a French or hinged patio door, making glass selection an important part of the project. Andersen offers Low-E glass choices designed for different climate and solar-control needs. Low-E4® glass is a standard option across the hinged patio door category.
Triple-pane glass is available on applicable 400 Series, A-Series and E-Series hinged patio doors. The best glass package depends on the selected door, orientation, desired daylight and project performance goals.
Blinds-Between-the-Glass
Selected Andersen hinged patio doors can be ordered with blinds positioned between panes of glass. This provides adjustable privacy and light control without an exposed blind hanging over the door.
Blinds-between-the-glass are available on applicable 400 Series and A-Series products. Because this feature is integrated into the glass assembly, it should be considered during product selection rather than after installation.
Hardware and Locking Options
Hinged patio doors depend on substantial hardware to support full-size operating panels. Andersen offers numerous handle styles and finishes across the lineup, with particularly broad selections on 400 Series and A-Series.
Hardware is both functional and visual. Handle style, finish, hinges and locking components should be coordinated with the interior finishes and the door’s traditional or contemporary design. Available hardware varies by series and configuration. For a closer look at these choices, see our guide to Andersen door colors, hardware and design options.
Grilles and Patterned Glass
Grilles can dramatically change the architectural character of a French door. Andersen offers standard and custom grille patterns on applicable hinged patio doors, allowing homeowners to coordinate the door with nearby windows or reinforce a particular home style.
Patterned glass is also available on selected products when privacy or decorative detail is desired. Exact grille and glass choices vary by series.
Insect Screen Options
Andersen offers insect-screen solutions for hinged patio doors so homeowners can bring in ventilation while limiting insects. Depending on the product and configuration, available options can include hinged, gliding or double-track screen arrangements. Screen selection should be coordinated with the door’s swing direction and panel configuration.
Coastal Options for Hampton Roads
For some Hampton Roads properties, coastal exposure and wind-borne debris requirements can influence patio door selection. Andersen offers Stormwatch impact-resistant protection on applicable A-Series and E-Series hinged patio doors.
Stormwatch configurations use laminated glass and product features designed for coastal applications. Availability and performance ratings vary by product, size and configuration, so Better View can help determine which options should be considered for the specific home.
French/Hinged vs. Sliding Patio Doors
The main functional difference is clearance. A hinged patio door swings through interior or exterior space, while a sliding patio door stays within the plane of the opening. Hinged doors can create a traditional entry experience and, in paired configurations, a dramatic double-wide opening. Sliding doors are often more practical when furniture, walkways or smaller patios make swing clearance difficult.
The decision should account for both architecture and everyday use. Homeowners who like French styling but need space-saving operation can also compare Andersen’s Frenchwood® gliding patio door, which combines traditional visual cues with sliding operation.
How to Choose an Andersen Hinged Patio Door
- Decide whether the door should swing inward or outward.
- Determine whether a single-, two- or three-panel arrangement fits the opening.
- Choose between traditional French styling and a cleaner contemporary panel design.
- Compare material systems and desired interior wood or exterior finish.
- Select glass, grille, hardware, privacy and screen options together.
- Determine whether coastal or impact-resistant performance is relevant to the project.
Better View Windows & More can help Hampton Roads homeowners compare Andersen hinged patio door options in the context of the actual opening and home design. Homeowners can also visit the Better View showroom in Virginia Beach to discuss available materials, styles and configurations.
Andersen French & Hinged Patio Door FAQs
What does Andersen call French doors?
Andersen generally groups French doors under its hinged patio door category. These doors use one or more panels that swing on hinges rather than sliding along a track.
Which Andersen series offer hinged patio doors?
Andersen’s core hinged patio door lineup includes 200 Series, 400 Series, A-Series and E-Series.
Can Andersen French doors swing outward?
Yes, but not every series offers outswing operation. Andersen currently offers outswing hinged patio doors in A-Series and E-Series. All four core hinged series offer inswing configurations.
Can Andersen hinged patio doors have three panels?
Yes. Selected Andersen hinged patio doors, including 400 Series and A-Series, are available in three-panel configurations.
Which Andersen hinged patio doors have contemporary styles?
A-Series and E-Series are available with contemporary as well as traditional French panel styles.
Can Andersen French doors have triple-pane glass?
Yes. Triple-pane glass is available on applicable 400 Series, A-Series and E-Series hinged patio doors.
Does Andersen offer impact-resistant French doors?
Yes. Stormwatch impact-resistant protection is available on applicable A-Series and E-Series hinged patio doors.
Are blinds-between-the-glass available?
Yes. Andersen offers blinds-between-the-glass on applicable 400 Series and A-Series hinged patio doors.
Explore Andersen Hinged Patio Doors with Better View
Better View Windows & More helps homeowners throughout Hampton Roads compare Andersen French and hinged patio doors based on the opening, swing direction, materials, architectural style and desired features. We can help narrow the product choices and plan the door around the way the home is actually used.
Schedule a consultation or call Better View Windows & More at 757-689-6210.