Doors - Exterior - Folding Door System
Andersen - Architectural Big Doors
Truly remove the boundary between indoors and outdoors with Andersen® Big Doors, part of our Architectural Collection.
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Product Summary
The Andersen® Big Doors Architectural Collection creates spectacular spaces for relaxing, entertaining or just being. Start by framing your view; capturing it in monumental glory. Then simply open the glass that separates you from it.
Learn how to embrace your outside and a healthy home with Architectural Collection Big Doors moving glass wall products.
Features and Benefits
Andersen Architectural Big Doors by Andersen Windows & Doors offers a premium selection of exterior door systems designed to maximize natural light, connect indoor and outdoor living spaces, and enhance the aesthetic appeal of any home. Engineered for superior performance and exceptional design, these systems are crafted to meet the demands of modern architecture and discerning homeowners.
The product line features four distinct categories, each providing unique functional and design advantages:
Folding Door Systems
Features: Andersen's Folding Door Systems offer an expansive opening, allowing for a seamless transition between interior and exterior environments. These systems can be configured with multiple panels that fold neatly to one or both sides of the opening, creating a wide, unobstructed pathway. Available in a variety of materials and finishes, they provide flexibility in design to match diverse architectural styles. High-performance glass options contribute to energy efficiency and comfort. The robust hardware is designed for smooth operation and long-term durability.
Benefits: This system is ideal for homeowners seeking to maximize their living space and embrace an indoor-outdoor lifestyle. It allows for unparalleled flexibility in controlling ventilation and access, transforming entire walls into open air portals. The ability to fully retract panels creates an impressive and inviting atmosphere, perfect for entertaining or simply enjoying the natural surroundings. Enhanced natural light penetration also contributes to a brighter and more welcoming home environment.
Lift & Slide Doors
Features: Andersen's Lift & Slide Doors provide a sophisticated and convenient way to open up living spaces. The unique operating mechanism allows the sash to be lifted slightly off its seals before sliding smoothly along its track. This feature ensures a tight seal when closed for excellent weather resistance and energy efficiency, while simultaneously making operation effortless. These doors can accommodate large glass panels, offering expansive views and ample natural light. They are available in various configurations to suit different opening sizes and aesthetic preferences.
Benefits: The effortless operation of Lift & Slide Doors makes them ideal for large expanses of glass. The smooth gliding action, even on massive panels, simplifies the process of connecting indoor and outdoor areas. The superior sealing technology provides peace of mind regarding energy efficiency and protection against the elements, ensuring comfort year-round. The unobstructed views and abundant light create a sense of spaciousness and connection to the outdoors.
Pivot / Hinged Doors
Features: Andersen's Pivot and Hinged Doors offer a classic yet modern approach to exterior entryways. Pivot doors rotate on a vertical axis located near the edge of the door, allowing for the use of larger, heavier panels and a unique, dramatic opening experience. Hinged doors offer traditional functionality with robust hardware for smooth, reliable operation. Both types are available in a wide range of materials, customizable to complement any architectural design. High-quality construction ensures durability and long-term performance. Options for advanced glazing contribute to energy efficiency and sound insulation.
Benefits: These doors provide a grand entrance statement, whether through the smooth, sweeping motion of a pivot door or the reliable performance of a hinged entry. They offer the ability to incorporate substantial design elements, including oversized panels and distinct hardware, to create a personalized and impactful first impression. The versatility in design allows them to serve as both functional entry points and striking architectural features, enhancing curb appeal and interior flow.
Multi-Slide Doors
Features: Andersen's Multi-Slide Doors feature multiple panels that slide past each other along parallel tracks, allowing for a wide range of opening sizes. This system provides a flexible and elegant solution for connecting indoor and outdoor living areas. The panels can be stacked to one side, both sides, or even pocketed into walls for a completely open feel. Engineered for smooth operation and durability, these doors are designed to accommodate large expanses of glass, maximizing views and natural light. High-performance glass and weather-resistant materials ensure long-lasting beauty and functionality.
Benefits: Multi-Slide Doors offer exceptional versatility in creating open living spaces. The ability to slide multiple panels creates a truly expansive opening, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor environments. This system is perfect for homeowners looking to maximize their connection to the outdoors, facilitate easy entertaining, and enhance natural light and ventilation throughout their home. The sleek design and smooth operation add a touch of modern sophistication.
Across all categories, Andersen Architectural Big Doors are built with a commitment to quality, innovation, and aesthetic excellence, providing homeowners with solutions that enhance their lifestyle and the value of their homes.
Construction and materials
Andersen Architectural Big Doors offers a selection of exterior door systems designed for expansive openings and seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces. These systems include Folding Door Systems, Lift & Slide Doors, Pivot/Hinged Doors, and Multi-Slide Doors.
The construction and materials employed in Andersen's Architectural Big Doors are engineered for durability, performance, and aesthetic appeal. While specific material compositions can vary depending on the chosen product line and configuration, Andersen generally utilizes a combination of premium materials.
Frame and Sash Construction:
- Wood Interior: Many of Andersen's premium offerings feature a rich, natural wood interior. This provides warmth, beauty, and a classic aesthetic that can be stained or painted to match interior décor. Common wood species used include pine, oak, or maple, selected for their strength and finishing qualities.
- Fiberglass Exterior: To ensure exceptional durability and resistance to the elements, Andersen often employs a robust fiberglass exterior cladding. This material is known for its low maintenance, resistance to warping, fading, and corrosion, and its ability to withstand extreme weather conditions.
- Perma-Shield® System: Andersen's proprietary Perma-Shield® system is a hallmark of their durable exterior construction. This involves a low-maintenance vinyl or aluminum-clad exterior over the wood frame, offering protection against moisture, insects, and UV rays without sacrificing the beauty of the interior wood.
Glass Options:
The glass used in these large-scale door systems is crucial for energy efficiency, security, and clarity. Andersen offers a range of advanced glass packages:
- Insulated Glass Units (IGUs): All standard Andersen doors utilize double-pane or triple-pane insulated glass. These units consist of two or more panes of glass separated by a spacer, creating a sealed space filled with air or an inert gas (like Argon or Krypton) to enhance thermal performance.
- Low-E Coatings: Andersen's High-Performance™ Low-E glass options are designed to reflect infrared light (heat) while allowing visible light to pass through. This helps to keep homes cooler in the summer by reducing solar heat gain and warmer in the winter by minimizing heat loss. Different Low-E coatings are available to optimize performance for specific climates.
- Tempered and Laminated Glass: For enhanced safety and security, tempered glass, which breaks into small, less harmful pieces, and laminated glass, which holds together when broken, are often available or standard on larger door panels.
- Specialty Glass: Options for decorative, obscure, or textured glass may also be available to enhance privacy or add architectural detail.
Hardware and Operation:
The hardware is integral to the functionality and aesthetic of these large door systems. Andersen utilizes high-quality, durable hardware designed for smooth operation and longevity.
- Folding Door Systems: Typically feature robust hinges and robust track systems that allow panels to fold neatly to the side. Hardware is often made from stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant alloys.
- Lift & Slide Doors: Characterized by a mechanism that lifts the panel slightly off its track when operated, allowing for smooth, effortless gliding. The lifting and sliding hardware is precision-engineered for heavy panels.
- Pivot/Hinged Doors: Utilize specialized pivot hardware at the top and bottom of the door, allowing for larger and heavier panels than traditional hinges.
- Multi-Slide Doors: Employ sophisticated roller systems and track designs to enable multiple large panels to slide past one another, creating very wide openings.
Finishes for hardware typically include brushed nickel, polished chrome, oil-rubbed bronze, and black, offering a range of styles to complement the door and surrounding architecture.
Energy Efficiency and Durability:
The combination of high-performance glass, advanced frame construction, and meticulous sealing techniques results in door systems that contribute to energy efficiency and long-term durability. Andersen products are engineered to meet stringent performance standards for air and water infiltration, as well as structural integrity.
Glass Options
Andersen® Architectural Big Doors offer a selection of premium glass options designed to enhance performance, aesthetics, and comfort. These options are available across their various door systems, including Folding Doors, Lift & Slide Doors, Pivot/Hinged Doors, and Multi-Slide Doors.
Standard Glass Options:
The default glass for Andersen Architectural Big Doors is typically dual-pane clear glass. This standard configuration provides a good balance of light transmission and energy efficiency for most residential applications.
High-Performance™ Low-E Glass Options:
Andersen offers a range of High-Performance™ Low-E glass options, designed to improve energy efficiency by reflecting heat. These options are crucial for optimizing thermal performance and reducing heating and cooling costs.
- High-Performance™ Low-E4® Glass: This is a standard upgrade that offers improved energy efficiency over basic clear glass. It helps to keep homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
- High-Performance™ Low-E4® SmartSun™ Glass: This is Andersen's most energy-efficient glass option. It offers superior performance in warm climates by reflecting more solar heat, significantly reducing cooling costs. It also offers excellent performance in cooler climates by retaining more heat.
- High-Performance™ Low-E4® Sun & Glare Control Glass: This option is designed to reduce the intensity of sunlight entering a home, minimizing glare and protecting interior furnishings from UV damage. It's an excellent choice for spaces with direct sun exposure.
Tempered Glass:
For safety and security, tempered glass is available and may be required in certain applications by building codes. Tempered glass is stronger than standard glass and designed to break into small, relatively harmless pieces if shattered.
Laminated Glass:
Laminated glass offers enhanced security and sound dampening. It consists of two or more panes of glass bonded together with an interlayer. This construction makes it more resistant to breakage and can reduce noise transmission.
Decorative Glass Options:
While less common on the large-format architectural systems, decorative glass may be available as a custom option to add a unique aesthetic touch. Specific decorative glass patterns or types would be subject to inquiry and availability for these specialized door systems.
Grids and Muntins:
To further customize the appearance, Andersen Architectural Big Doors can be fitted with various grid and muntin styles. These are typically integrated between the glass panes or applied to the interior or exterior surface of the glass.
Glass Coatings:
Beyond the Low-E coatings, other specialized coatings may be available to enhance performance, such as coatings that make glass easier to clean or provide additional UV protection.
The specific glass options available for each Andersen Architectural Big Door system can vary. It is recommended to consult with an Andersen dealer or review product-specific literature for detailed specifications and available combinations.
Hardware
Andersen® Architectural Big Doors, manufactured by Andersen Windows & Doors, offer a sophisticated range of hardware options designed to complement their high-performance exterior door systems. These options are available across their Folding Door System, Lift & Slide, Pivot / Hinged, and Multi-Slide door categories, providing both aesthetic appeal and functional reliability.
For the Folding Door System, Andersen offers hardware that emphasizes smooth operation and security. This includes robust multi-point locking systems and durable hinges engineered to support the weight and movement of large folding panels. Finishes are typically available in options such as brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, and polished chrome, allowing for customization to match various architectural styles.
The Lift & Slide door systems feature hardware designed for ease of operation. The lift mechanism, a key component, is built for durability and smooth gliding. Handles and locking mechanisms are integrated for a clean, modern look, often with a focus on secure, one-handed operation. Similar to the folding doors, a selection of premium finishes is provided to enhance the overall design.
Pivot / Hinged doors by Andersen are equipped with hardware that balances visual elegance with structural integrity. Pivot hardware, for instance, is engineered for large, heavy doors, ensuring stable and effortless movement. Hinges for the hinged variants are heavy-duty, designed for longevity. The hardware sets for these doors often include complementary handle styles and locking hardware, available in a curated palette of finishes.
Andersen's Multi-Slide door systems are characterized by hardware that facilitates seamless movement of multiple large panels. This includes specialized track systems and rollers designed for quiet and smooth operation, even with extensive panel configurations. The locking mechanisms are integrated discreetly, and the handles are designed for ergonomic use. Finishes available for these systems are chosen to withstand outdoor elements while maintaining their aesthetic appeal, mirroring the choices offered across the other product lines.
Across all Andersen Architectural Big Doors product lines, the hardware is crafted from high-quality materials, ensuring resistance to corrosion and wear. The available finishes are selected to provide both visual depth and lasting durability. Specific hardware details, such as the exact types of locking mechanisms, roller systems, and handle designs, will vary by specific product model within each category, offering a tailored solution for different design and performance requirements.
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Kolbe Windows & Doors
With expertise, innovation and care, Kolbe builds door systems for people who desire grand sizes, imaginative shapes and styles, and demand superior performance.
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Product Summary
Kolbe Means Expertise. You can’t find Kolbe windows and doors in the aisles of a home center. As a qualified Kolbe dealer, we are as passionate about windows and doors as you are about bringing unique visions to life. Kolbe dealers are equipped to work with architects, builders and homeowners to determine which windows and doors will be best for every home or building. Visit us for a personalized design consultation.
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