200 Series Sliding/Gliding Replacement Patio Doors

Many people think that a French door refers to the style of grilles on the door—typically Colonial or equal lite grilles, both of which can feature numerous “lites” (the squares or rectangles created by the grilles). 

In reality, what defines a French door is the operation of the doors—not the appearance. French doors have hinges on the side and swing open either to the home’s interior (inswing) or toward the exterior (outswing).

Conversely, a sliding (or gliding) patio door does not swing at all… it slides on a track and requires no additional floor space to operate. 

Many people feel like a sliding or gliding patio door is the more contemporary or modern of the two styles. However, at Renewal by Andersen, we are all about customization! So if you love the look of a “traditional” French door, but need to save space, consider leveraging grille options to recreate that traditional many-lite look.

And, of course, the converse is true as well. Want an inswing or outswing French door, but with a contemporary look? Try equal divided lite grilles with only three lites, or go without grilles altogether for a modern look.

Because it slides on a track, a sliding glass door is, by necessity, two panels. We LOVE all the light that comes in and the big views. And that is especially true with the 200 Series doors, which have narrower rails (the horizontal top and bottom sections), and the most glass area out of all of our patio door selections. 

Another advantage is the space savings…like their cousin in the window family, the sliding or gliding window, a sliding patio door does not protrude into the space (interior or exterior) and is a great option for walkways, narrow rooms, or places where you may want furnishings nearby.

Finally, our optional footlock is a great accessory available on sliding doors.The footlock provides an extra measure of security when the door is in a locked position. The lock can be set so the door is fully closed or partially open to provide a secure venting position and is available in all hardware finishes.

Just like when we talk about windows, when we talk about the energy efficiency of patio doors, we have to consider the whole picture—from the frame to the glass to the installation.

The Andersen^® 200 Series doors we carry and install offer a wide variety of glass options to suit most every climate zone, including dual- and triple-pane options, and numerous coating types for cold climates, warm sunny climates, and everything in between. Learn more about the benefits of our available glass options here.

200 Series Narroline and Perma-Shield doors can be configured to meet ENERGY STAR^® Certification in most areas; and select configurations and zones have been named ENERGY STAR^® Most Efficient for 2025.

And of course, installation is paramount. The best windows and doors will not perform if they are not installed correctly and professionally. Improperly installed product can lead to damage of your home and door, as well as gaps, air infiltration, and more. At Renewal by Andersen, we know the right way to install every product we sell, in every part of the country and within a wide variety of unique home construction styles—and of course we warrant our products AND our installation.

_{ENERGY STAR is a registered trademark of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. See website for specific configuration details.}

Yes! You can work with your Design Consultant to decide which type of high-performance glass option is right for your home and climate zone. Options include:

200 Series patio doors also offer enhanced triple pane options; ask your Design Consultant for more information on choosing triple pane. 

Visit the Glass Options page to learn more about each of the different types of glass available.

All of our patio doors feature tempered glass, as well as the unique Andersen^® reachout locking system that pulls the door panel snugly into the jamb for weathertightness and enhanced security.

For additional peace of mind, consider adding a six-pin key cylinder lock (available in hardware-coordinating styles and finishes). This lock allows the gliding door to be locked and unlocked from the exterior.

Another security option is an auxillary footlock. The footlock provides an extra measure of security when the door is in a locked position. The lock can be set so the door is fully closed or partially open to provide a venting position and is available in all hardware finishes.

Finally, select Perma-Shield^® configurations are available with Stormwatch^®: a PG upgrade featuring heavy-duty rollers and reinforced frame and panel components to allow standard glass units to achieve higher performance ratings. Andersen^® patio door products with Stormwatch^® protection are designed and tested to meet the tough building code requirements* in coastal areas. 

_{*Tested to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101 I.S.2/A440-08. Performance values vary by product line. View Product Performance Data at Andersen Windows. See your local code official for building code requirements in your area.}

The time your job takes varies depending on the number of windows and doors, the size of your crew, and the complexity of your structure—and a large majority of our replacement jobs are completed in as little as one day!