Andersen offers door options for nearly every major exterior opening in a home, from front entry doors and traditional patio doors to expansive moving glass walls. For Hampton Roads homeowners, the challenge is usually not finding an Andersen door—it is understanding which door type, product series, material and configuration best fit the opening and the way the home is used.
This guide provides an overview of the major Andersen door categories available to homeowners considering a replacement or remodeling project. Better View Windows & More can help compare the individual products, design options and performance requirements for your home.
What Types of Doors Does Andersen Offer?
Andersen’s residential door lineup includes entry doors, sliding patio doors, French and hinged patio doors, Big Door systems, storm doors and retractable screen solutions. Each category serves a different purpose, and several are available across multiple Andersen product series.
- Entry and front doors
- Sliding patio doors
- French and hinged patio doors
- Big Doors and moving glass walls
- Storm doors
- Screen doors and retractable screens
Andersen Entry Doors
Andersen entry doors are designed for the main entrances of the home and offer extensive opportunities for customization. Homeowners can choose among different panel styles, glass designs, colors, hardware, sidelights and transoms to create an entrance ranging from traditional to contemporary.
Entry-door selection should account for more than appearance. The size and configuration of the opening, desired amount of glass, privacy, hardware and the relationship between the front door and the rest of the exterior all matter. Our guide to Andersen entry door styles, materials and options takes a closer look at these choices.
Andersen Front Door Styles
Front-door design can range from simple solid or glazed panels to large architectural entrances with sidelights, transoms and distinctive glass. Andersen’s design options allow the entrance to become either a subtle extension of the home’s exterior palette or a deliberate focal point.
Homeowners interested primarily in aesthetics can compare panel proportions, glass placement, grille patterns, arch details, hardware and color before narrowing the exact product. Explore these possibilities in our Andersen Front Door Styles & Design Options guide.
Andersen Patio Doors
Andersen patio doors connect interior living areas with decks, patios, porches and backyards. The two primary conventional operating styles are sliding patio doors and French or hinged patio doors.
Andersen offers patio doors across several product families, including 100 Series, 200 Series, 400 Series, A-Series and E-Series. Not every style or option is available in every series, so the operating style and series should be considered together. For an overview of the category, see Andersen Patio Doors: Styles, Series & Options.
Andersen Sliding Patio Doors
Sliding patio doors move horizontally along a track and do not require floor space for a swinging panel. This makes them especially useful where furniture, a kitchen layout, deck furniture or circulation makes swing clearance difficult.
They also tend to emphasize glass and views. Depending on the Andersen series, homeowners can choose different materials, exterior colors, interior finishes, hardware, grille patterns and screen options.
Our Andersen Sliding Patio Doors: Styles & Features guide explains how these doors operate and the major options available. Homeowners who have already decided on sliding operation can go deeper with our Andersen Sliding Patio Door Series & Product Options comparison.
Andersen French & Hinged Patio Doors
French and hinged patio doors open on hinges and provide the familiar operation of a traditional door. Their wider rails and stiles and compatibility with divided-light patterns can make them particularly well suited to traditional and transitional architecture.
Applicable Andersen products offer inswing or outswing configurations, different panel arrangements and a range of hardware and finish choices. The available swing area should be evaluated before choosing this style.
Our guide to Andersen French & Hinged Patio Doors: Features & Options provides a broader look at this door style. Homeowners ready to compare specific product families can also review Andersen French & Hinged Patio Door Series Compared.
Sliding vs. French Patio Doors
The biggest practical distinction is operation. Sliding doors remain within the plane of the opening, while hinged doors need a clear swing path. Sliding doors are often preferred where space efficiency and broad glass views are priorities; French doors are often chosen for their architectural character and conventional hinged-door experience.
Neither style is universally better. Room layout, patio space, architecture, screening needs and personal preference should drive the decision. Our dedicated Andersen Sliding vs. French Patio Doors comparison examines these differences in greater detail.
Andersen Patio Door Series
| Series | General Position | Why Homeowners Consider It |
|---|---|---|
| 100 Series | Fibrex composite | Durable composite construction and streamlined styling |
| 200 Series | Wood with protected exterior | Popular configurations with focused option sets |
| 400 Series | Wood with protected exterior | Broad recognition, traditional detailing and options |
| A-Series | Architectural collection | Architectural authenticity and refined design choices |
| E-Series | Highly customizable | Extensive colors, finishes and design flexibility |
The series name is only one part of the decision because door type, material, configurations and available options differ within the lineup. Our Andersen Patio Door Series & Product Options guide provides a more detailed series-level comparison.
Andersen Big Doors & Moving Glass Walls
For openings that go beyond the scale of a conventional patio door, Andersen offers Big Door systems designed to create expansive connections between indoor and outdoor spaces. The major systems include MultiGlide™, Liftslide, Folding Outswing and Pivot doors.
These products differ significantly in operation. Some slide and stack or pocket, some use exceptionally large lift-and-slide panels, some fold to the side, and Pivot doors rotate around an offset pivot point.
Homeowners beginning their research can explore the category in our guide to Andersen Big Doors & Moving Glass Walls. When the goal is to compare the four systems directly, see Andersen Big Door Systems Compared.
MultiGlide Doors
MultiGlide is Andersen’s multi-panel sliding system for large openings. Panels can stack together or disappear into a wall pocket on applicable configurations. The system is a strong option when homeowners want a broad opening with straightforward sliding operation and relatively narrow panel profiles.
Learn more about stacking, pocketing, configurations and other choices in our Andersen MultiGlide Doors: Features & Options guide.
Liftslide Doors
Liftslide systems are designed for monumental openings and can use exceptionally large panels. Their operating hardware lifts the panels slightly before they slide, allowing large expanses of glass to move more easily. Depending on the design, Liftslide can accommodate straight, corner, curved, stacking and pocketing configurations.
Explore panel sizes, configurations, materials and design possibilities in our guide to Andersen Liftslide Doors: Features & Options.
Folding Outswing Doors
Folding Outswing doors use multiple panels that fold together and move toward the exterior. When opened, the panels collect toward one or both sides of the opening, creating a broad connection between indoor and outdoor areas.
They are particularly useful when the goal is to physically open a large percentage of the wall rather than simply slide panels past one another. Our Andersen Folding Outswing Doors: Features & Options guide covers configurations, materials and opening possibilities in greater detail.
Pivot Doors
Pivot doors create a distinctive architectural entrance by rotating around pivot hardware located away from the conventional edge-hinge position. Andersen offers large-scale pivot configurations in multiple materials, making them especially relevant to contemporary and statement-entry designs.
See our guide to Andersen Pivot Doors: Features & Design Options for a closer look at operation, sizing, materials and customization.
Which Andersen Big Door Is Right for You?
- Consider MultiGlide for a large sliding opening with stacking or pocketing panels.
- Consider Liftslide when very large panels, monumental scale or complex configurations are priorities.
- Consider Folding Outswing when you want panels to fold away and open a large portion of the wall.
- Consider Pivot when the door itself should become a dramatic architectural feature.
Because these systems solve different architectural needs, homeowners comparing more than one can use our Andersen Big Door Systems Compared guide to evaluate them side by side.
Andersen Storm Doors
Andersen storm doors add another layer outside the primary entry door and can combine glass protection with ventilation. The current lineup includes 10 Series, 8 Series and 6 Series products, with full-view, retractable-screen and partial-light configurations available across different parts of the range.
The 10 Series emphasizes premium operating and convenience features, the 8 Series provides a middle ground, and the 6 Series focuses on core functionality with simpler hardware.
For a broad overview of the lineup, see Andersen Storm Doors: Styles, Series & Features. Homeowners who are ready to compare the three series and individual storm-door configurations more closely can also review Andersen Storm Door Series & Options Compared.
Full-View, Retractable & Partial-Light Storm Doors
Full-view storm doors keep more of the primary entry door visible. Interchangeable models use separate glass and insect-screen panels, while retractable-screen models store the screen within the door when it is not needed.
Partial-light designs use a more substantial lower panel and can be a good fit when homeowners prefer a more traditional storm-door appearance or want an applicable integrated pet-door option.
The preferred style should be considered alongside series features. A homeowner who prioritizes maximum visibility may make a different choice from someone who values quick ventilation, simpler operation or a more substantial lower panel.
Andersen Screen Doors & Retractable Screens
Homeowners who want ventilation without storm-door glass can consider Andersen screen solutions such as the LuminAire® Retractable Insect Screen Door. The screen extends across the opening when needed and retracts out of sight when it is not.
Andersen also offers retractable-screen solutions for applicable patio doors and large MultiGlide and Folding Outswing openings. Screen compatibility depends on the exact door system. Our guide to Andersen Screen Doors & Retractable Screens explains the differences among these screen applications.
Andersen Door Colors & Design Options
The available design options vary by product series, but Andersen doors can offer extensive customization through exterior colors, interior finishes, wood species, glass, grilles and hardware.
Higher-customization products such as E-Series offer especially broad color and finish flexibility, while entry doors can be configured with architectural glass, sidelights and transoms.
For homeowners comparing the visual details across the door lineup, our Andersen Door Colors, Hardware & Design Options guide takes a closer look at these choices.
Door Hardware & Smart Lock Options
Andersen offers multiple hardware styles and finishes, along with designer hardware on applicable products. Certain doors can also use compatible Yale® smart-lock options.
Hardware should be selected as part of the overall design rather than as an afterthought because its scale, finish and style can noticeably change the appearance of both entry and patio doors.
Choosing Andersen Doors for Hampton Roads Homes
Hampton Roads includes a wide range of home styles and exposure conditions, so door selection should be specific to the property. The opening dimensions, architectural style, desired ventilation, indoor and outdoor space, glass area and performance requirements all influence the right product.
Homes with coastal or wind-related performance requirements may need specific product ratings, glass packages or Andersen Stormwatch® options where available. Those requirements should be confirmed for the exact product and project rather than assumed from the door category alone.
Better View Windows & More works with homeowners throughout Hampton Roads, including Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg and Yorktown.
How to Narrow Your Andersen Door Choices
- Start with the opening: front entry, conventional patio opening or large moving-glass-wall opening.
- Choose the preferred operation: sliding, hinged, folding, pivoting or retractable screen.
- Determine how much floor or patio space is available for door operation.
- Decide how important uninterrupted glass, ventilation and screening are.
- Compare Andersen series based on material, design flexibility and available configurations.
- Coordinate exterior color, interior finish, hardware, glass and grilles with the home.
- Confirm product-specific performance requirements for the installation location.
Andersen Doors FAQs
What types of doors does Andersen make?
Andersen offers entry doors, sliding patio doors, French and hinged patio doors, Big Door systems, storm doors and retractable screen solutions.
What Andersen patio-door series are available?
Andersen patio doors are available across product families including 100 Series, 200 Series, 400 Series, A-Series and E-Series, although exact styles vary by series.
What are Andersen Big Doors?
Andersen Big Doors are large-format door systems designed for expansive openings. Major types include MultiGlide, Liftslide, Folding Outswing and Pivot doors.
Are sliding or French patio doors better?
Neither is universally better. Sliding doors conserve swing space and emphasize glass, while French and hinged doors provide traditional swinging operation and architectural character. Homeowners weighing the two can compare them directly in our sliding vs. French patio door guide.
Does Andersen make entry doors?
Yes. Andersen offers residential entry doors with numerous panel, glass, color, hardware, sidelight and transom options.
Does Andersen make storm doors?
Yes. Andersen’s storm-door lineup includes 10 Series, 8 Series and 6 Series products with multiple full-view, retractable-screen and partial-light configurations.
Does Andersen offer retractable screens?
Yes. Retractable-screen solutions are available for applicable entry, patio and Big Door applications.
Can Andersen doors be customized?
Yes. Customization varies by product but can include colors, wood species, interior finishes, glass, grilles, hardware, sidelights, transoms and other options.
Explore Andersen Doors with Better View
Better View Windows & More helps homeowners throughout Hampton Roads compare Andersen entry doors, patio doors, Big Doors, storm doors and screen solutions. Rather than choosing from the entire lineup at once, we can help narrow the options based on the opening, architecture, desired operation, design preferences and project requirements.
Schedule a consultation or call Better View Windows & More at 757-689-6210.