Andersen offers sliding—or gliding—patio doors across several product families, but the differences extend well beyond appearance. The 100, 200, 400, A-Series and E-Series options use different material systems, support different configurations and provide different levels of design flexibility.
For Hampton Roads homeowners, comparing the lineup by product is the most useful way to narrow the choices. Better View Windows & More can help match the series to the opening, architectural style, desired materials, glass needs and level of customization.
Andersen Sliding Patio Door Lineup at a Glance
The core Andersen gliding patio door lineup includes the 100 Series Gliding Patio Door, two separate 200 Series products—the Narroline® and Perma-Shield®—the 400 Series Frenchwood® Gliding Patio Door, A-Series Gliding Patio Door and E-Series Gliding Patio Door. Each fills a distinct role in the Andersen portfolio.
Homeowners still deciding between sliding and hinged operation can start with our broader guide to Andersen patio door styles, series and options. For a comparison that includes both operating styles across the primary Andersen series, see Andersen Patio Door Series & Product Options.
100 Series Gliding Patio Door
The 100 Series is Andersen’s Fibrex® composite sliding patio door option. It is designed around a clean contemporary appearance and low-maintenance material system rather than a natural-wood interior.
Standard configurations pair an operating panel with a stationary panel. The series is a strong starting point for homeowners who want Andersen sliding-door performance and a streamlined design without the broader wood, finish and configuration choices of the upper series.
- Fibrex composite construction
- Contemporary styling
- Two-panel sliding format
- Standard heights including 6’8″, 6’11” and 8′
- Coordinated interior and exterior color options
200 Series Narroline® Gliding Patio Door
The Narroline gliding patio door introduces a natural-wood interior and a vinyl-protected exterior while maintaining a comparatively narrow frame. Andersen positions the slimmer profile to maximize the glass area and view.
Unlike the 100 Series, Narroline can be configured as a two- or four-panel gliding door. That makes it relevant for homeowners who want a wood interior, contemporary proportions and the possibility of a wider patio-door composition.
- Natural-wood interior
- Vinyl-protected exterior
- Narrow frame profile
- Two- and four-panel configurations
- Standard heights including 6’8″, 6’11” and 8′
200 Series Perma-Shield® Gliding Patio Door
The Perma-Shield gliding patio door is also part of the 200 Series, but it should not be treated as the same product as Narroline. Its wood core is protected by rigid vinyl on both the interior and exterior, creating a low-maintenance finished surface.
Perma-Shield uses a two-panel format and supports options such as blinds-between-the-glass. It can be a practical choice when homeowners want a contemporary sliding patio door and prefer a vinyl-protected interior rather than exposed natural wood.
- Wood core protected by vinyl inside and out
- Contemporary appearance
- Two-panel configuration
- Blinds-between-the-glass available
- Multiple interior/exterior color choices
400 Series Frenchwood® Gliding Patio Door
The 400 Series Frenchwood gliding patio door combines sliding operation with the broader rails and traditional detailing associated with a French-door look. It has a natural-wood interior and a vinyl-protected exterior.
Depending on size and configuration, the 400 Series can move beyond a basic two-panel slider into wider multi-panel arrangements. It also supports a broad selection of hardware, grille, glass and screen choices, including applicable blinds-between-the-glass and retractable screen options.
- Natural-wood interior with vinyl-protected exterior
- Traditional French-door-inspired styling
- Two- and four-panel possibilities depending on configuration
- Blinds-between-the-glass on applicable configurations
- Broad hardware, grille and screen choices
A-Series Gliding Patio Door
A-Series moves further into architectural design and configuration flexibility. It combines a wood interior with a fiberglass-protected exterior and is available with traditional or contemporary panel styling.
The series can support two-, three- and four-panel configurations depending on size, with standard heights extending up to 10 feet. For applicable coastal projects, Andersen also offers Stormwatch® impact-resistant protection.
- Wood interior with fiberglass-protected exterior
- Traditional and contemporary panel styles
- Two-, three- and four-panel possibilities
- Standard heights up to 10 feet
- Stormwatch impact-resistant option on applicable products
E-Series Gliding Patio Door
E-Series provides the highest level of customization within Andersen’s core sliding patio door lineup. The door combines a wood interior with an aluminum-protected exterior and can be tailored through extensive exterior color, interior wood and stain choices.
Andersen currently lists 50 standard exterior colors, nine interior wood species and 11 stain choices for E-Series patio doors. The series can also be incorporated into larger compositions using operating doors, stationary panels and coordinated windows. Stormwatch impact-resistant protection is available on applicable products.
- Wood interior with aluminum exterior
- 50 standard exterior colors
- Nine interior wood species and 11 stain choices
- Classic and contemporary design possibilities
- Stormwatch impact-resistant option on applicable products
Compare Andersen Sliding Patio Door Series
| Product | Material Approach | Configurations | Design Direction | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Series | Fibrex composite | Primarily 2-panel | Contemporary | Low-maintenance composite option |
| 200 Narroline | Wood interior / vinyl exterior | 2- and 4-panel | Contemporary | Narrower frame and wood interior |
| 200 Perma-Shield | Wood protected by vinyl inside/out | 2-panel | Contemporary | Low-maintenance vinyl-protected surfaces |
| 400 Frenchwood | Wood interior / vinyl exterior | 2- and 4-panel options | Traditional | French-door character with sliding operation |
| A-Series | Wood interior / fiberglass exterior | 2-, 3- and 4-panel options | Classic + contemporary | Architectural flexibility and applicable coastal options |
| E-Series | Wood interior / aluminum exterior | Customizable multi-panel possibilities | Highly customizable | Maximum color, wood and finish flexibility |
How Materials Change Across the Series
Material is one of the clearest dividing lines in the Andersen sliding patio door lineup. The 100 Series uses Fibrex composite. The two 200 Series products and the 400 Series use wood with vinyl protection in different ways. A-Series pairs a wood interior with fiberglass exterior protection, while E-Series uses an aluminum-protected exterior over a wood interior.
That progression affects appearance and customization as much as maintenance. Homeowners who want visible natural wood inside will compare Narroline, 400 Series, A-Series and E-Series differently from homeowners who prefer Fibrex or a vinyl-protected interior.
Two-Panel vs. Multi-Panel Sliding Doors
A two-panel sliding door is the simplest configuration: one panel operates while the other remains stationary. Selected Andersen series also allow wider arrangements using additional operating or stationary panels.
Narroline and 400 Series can support four-panel configurations, while A-Series provides two-, three- and four-panel possibilities depending on size. E-Series offers greater flexibility for larger architectural compositions. Exact panel arrangements and maximum sizes should always be confirmed for the selected product.
Glass Options Across the Lineup
Low-E glass choices are available across Andersen’s sliding patio door families, with specific packages varying by series. Triple-pane glass is available on applicable 200 Series, 400 Series, A-Series and E-Series patio doors.
For privacy and light control, blinds-between-the-glass are available on selected products, including applicable 200 Series Perma-Shield, 400 Series and A-Series configurations. Because glass options can affect energy performance, daylight and solar heat gain, they should be compared for the specific door and exposure.
Color, Wood and Finish Options
Design flexibility increases substantially as homeowners move through the lineup. The 100 Series focuses on coordinated composite colors. Wood-interior products introduce natural wood and finish choices, while E-Series provides the broadest palette.
For projects where the patio door is a prominent architectural feature, the difference can be significant. E-Series is particularly useful when the exterior needs to coordinate with a specific color scheme or the interior requires a particular wood species or stain. Our guide to Andersen door colors, hardware and design options provides a broader look at Andersen customization choices.
Hardware, Grilles and Screens
Hardware, grille and insect-screen options vary by series. These details can shift the same basic sliding-door format from contemporary to traditional and can also affect everyday use. Andersen offers conventional gliding screens and retractable patio door screens on applicable products, along with multiple hardware styles and finishes.
Rather than choosing these options independently, it is usually better to coordinate hardware, grille pattern, frame color and interior finish as one design package. Homeowners interested specifically in screen configurations can also explore our guide to Andersen screen doors and retractable screens.
Coastal and Impact-Resistant Options
Hampton Roads homeowners may also need to consider coastal exposure. Andersen offers Stormwatch impact-resistant protection on applicable A-Series and E-Series gliding patio doors. These products use laminated glass and additional features intended for projects where protection from wind-borne debris is required or desired.
Not every size or configuration carries the same performance rating. Product selection should therefore be based on the exact opening, location and project requirements rather than the series name alone.
How Do Standard Andersen Sliding Doors Compare with MultiGlide?
Andersen’s 100, 200, 400, A-Series and E-Series gliding patio doors are designed around more conventional residential patio-door applications. MultiGlide belongs to Andersen’s Big Doors lineup and is intended for substantially larger architectural openings.
Andersen MultiGlide can use multiple large panels that stack together or pocket into a wall, with configurations reaching up to 50 feet wide and 10 feet tall. It also offers options such as center-opening operation and automation on applicable systems. Homeowners looking for a conventional sliding patio door should generally begin with the series compared on this page, while those planning a moving glass wall or dramatically larger opening can explore MultiGlide and Andersen’s other Big Door systems.
Which Andersen Sliding Patio Door Series Should You Choose?
100 Series: A strong fit for homeowners prioritizing Fibrex composite construction, contemporary styling and straightforward sliding operation.
200 Series Narroline: Consider it when a narrow frame, larger glass area and natural-wood interior are priorities.
200 Series Perma-Shield: Consider it when you want a two-panel contemporary slider with vinyl-protected interior and exterior surfaces.
400 Series Frenchwood: A strong choice when you want traditional French-door character while retaining space-saving sliding operation.
A-Series: Consider it for greater architectural flexibility, taller or multi-panel configurations and applicable Stormwatch options.
E-Series: Best suited to projects where extensive color, wood, finish and architectural customization are major priorities.
Planning Your Andersen Sliding Patio Door Project
Series comparisons are most useful after the opening and functional goals are clear. Measure the role the door plays in the room: how much wall width is available, how wide an opening is desired, whether natural wood matters, what exterior finish needs to coordinate with the home and whether coastal performance is relevant.
Better View Windows & More can help Hampton Roads homeowners compare Andersen sliding patio door products and determine which configurations are appropriate for the project. Homeowners can also visit the Better View showroom in Virginia Beach to discuss available materials and design options.
Andersen Sliding Patio Door Series FAQs
How many Andersen series offer sliding patio doors?
Andersen’s core lineup includes 100 Series, two 200 Series gliding products, 400 Series, A-Series and E-Series.
What is the difference between 200 Series Narroline and Perma-Shield?
Narroline has a natural-wood interior, vinyl-protected exterior and supports two- and four-panel configurations. Perma-Shield protects its wood core with vinyl on both the interior and exterior and uses a two-panel format.
Which Andersen sliding patio door has a traditional French-door look?
The 400 Series Frenchwood gliding patio door is specifically designed to combine sliding operation with traditional French-door-inspired styling.
Which series offers the most customization?
E-Series offers the broadest color, wood species, stain and architectural customization among Andersen’s core gliding patio door families.
Which Andersen sliding patio doors offer impact-resistant options?
Stormwatch impact-resistant protection is available on applicable A-Series and E-Series gliding patio doors.
Which Andersen sliding doors can have blinds between the glass?
Blinds-between-the-glass are available on selected products, including applicable 200 Series Perma-Shield, 400 Series and A-Series configurations.
Can Andersen sliding patio doors be wider than two panels?
Yes. Selected products support three- or four-panel arrangements and larger compositions. Availability depends on series, size and configuration.
Compare Andersen Sliding Patio Doors with Better View
Better View Windows & More can help you compare Andersen 100, 200, 400, A-Series and E-Series sliding patio doors based on the features that matter for your home—not simply the series name. We can review materials, panel layouts, glass, finishes, hardware and installation considerations for Hampton Roads projects.
Schedule a consultation or call Better View Windows & More at 757-689-6210.