Some help with new Patio Sliders!

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DudeFromMA
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Jun 02, 2019 3:00 pm

Some help with new Patio Sliders!

#1 Post by DudeFromMA »

Hi,
I am new to this site, found many of the posts very helpful-thanks ! We need to replace two exterior Patio Sliders in the sunroom, 8’ (96”) wide by 6’8” (80”) tall. The current ones are hollow vinyl with insulated Low-E glass, and aluminum still. Have earned their cost over the past 25 years. The glass seals are failing, the doors are getting difficult to open and close, etc., so time to replace. We are also replacing the outside and inside trim, so it will be virtually a new install. The sliders will be opened and closed twice a week during the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Rarely in the winter. We are looking for a lower maintenance product, with good energy properties. and hopefully a long life.

Located West of Boston MA, so warm summers, and cool winters, with some snow; lived in this home for 30 years ! There is a deck outside the patio sliders which is 3” lower than the Sliding Patio Door sill; on the inside there is hardwood strip Oak flooring which is approximately 3/4” thick. The walls are 2x6 construction, with plywood sheathing, and cedar horizontal clapboards, and 1” (3/4” actual) trim boards. This Sunroom has many windows which are all 1990’s Low-E (arrow out) insulated glass. Would the standard Andersen Low-E be a good choice for us?

We are getting older, plan on living here for the near future....have painted, scraped, primed, painted, replaced, primed, painted—repeat...too many times, (Not the vinyl Patio Doors); 8 years ago, build a deck with Azek boards, and a “Composite” material railing system which I believe to be very similar to Fibrex.... it has held up very well.
So when looking into Patio Sliding Doors, we tried to check out a number of sliders in person.

8’ (96”) wide by 6’8” (80”) tall;
No grills;
Low-E argon filled;
White/White;
Standard hardware;
Regular sliding Screens;




1. Marvin Integrity Ultrex / Wood:
Ultrex exterior
wood interior;
Ultrex frame;
aluminum still.
$2150.00
(Marvin Integrity Ultrex/Ultrex not available in 8’ wide)

2. Andersen Narrow Glide:
urethane coated wood exterior;
wood interior;
frame is vinyl covering wood;
sill is aluminum.
$2500.00 each

3. Andersen PermaShield:
Vinyl covered wood exterior;
Vinyl covered wood interior;
Frame is vinyl covered wood;
Sill is aluminum
Needs to be custom sized because of height.
$2800.00. (But did get email quote for $2400.00—is it a mistake...?)



4. Andersen 100
Fibrex exterior
Fibrex interior
Frame is Fibrex
Sill is PVC with SS roller track “cap”
$1450.00


We got to see and “use” the Integrity Ultrex/wood, the Andersen 200 Narrow Line, the Andersen 200 PermaShield. All were as expected. Easy opening and closing. Workmanship
seemed to be good and solid. We could not find any Andersen 100’s. Zippo, Nada, Zilch. Called literally 25 dealers within 50 mile radius. “Well sir & madame, homeowners in this area are used to a certain Caliber product.” Was told something like this by numerous dealers.
Wow ! I actually looked up Andersen’s patent on “Fibrex”.... was something like
40% wood fiber and 60% thermoplastic polymer.... not like “MDF” which has much less
resin/polymer/PVC or whatever it is in it. Seems like a good material for Patio Sliding doors; the PVC sill with SS roller cap - isn’t that a good material too? I believe the glass packages are now all Cardinal glass, and are all the same in the 100 and 200 series. I looked up replacement parts on Andersen website, and the rollers are the same in all Andersen Sliding Patio doors.

We are confused why the Andersen 100 sliders are not more popular..... guessing the dealers do not make as much total dollars selling them because total dollars is much less than other models. But wouldn’t, at minimum, the Andersen 100’s compete strongly with vinyl sliders? What are we missing here....what’s wrong with the Andersen 100 Fibrex?
Substantial difference in price. If we should go with more expensive Patio sliders, then we will.

We need two sliders, so the totals are:
1. Integrity Ultrex/wood $2150.00 times two = $4300.00
2. Andersen 200 Narrow Line $2500.00 times two units = $5000.00
3. Andersen 200 PermaShield $2800.00 times two units = $5600.00
4. Andersen 100 Fibrex $1450.00 times two units = $2900.00

Any suggestions, comments would be appreciated !

Thanks,
DudeFromMA.

User avatar
Windows on Washington
Posts: 5310
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:23 am
Location: DC Metropolitan Area-Maryland/Virginia/DC

Re: Some help with new Patio Sliders!

#2 Post by Windows on Washington »

The 100, although entry, is a pretty good little unit and Andersen does make some nice sliding doors.

The math leans in that favor, but you certainly won't see many folks unhappy with the Integrity. Tough choice to be honest. Did you have a favorite in the looks department.

DudeFromMA
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Jun 02, 2019 3:00 pm

Re: Some help with new Patio Sliders!

#3 Post by DudeFromMA »

Thanks Windows on Washington ! Actually will be seeing the first Andersen 100 Fibrex slider today or tomorrow.
Is the Andersen Low-E4 glass “272” ?
If the glass surfaces are numbered:

Outer pane Outside surface (Facing Outside): #1
Outer panel Inner surface: #2
Inner panel Outer surface:#3
Inner panel Inner surface (Facing Inside Home): #4

On the Andersen Low-E4 glass, which panels are “treated/coated” ?
Are #1 and #3coated?

For the Boston area— (all other windows in the Sunroom are 1990’s Low-E with arrow to the outside)-is Andersen 272 the best glass? Or is the 366 or another better?
Sliding Patio Door unit “One” faces the North.
Sliding Patio Door unit “Two” faces the South.

Will post an update once I see the Slider in person.
Thanks,
DudeFromMA

User avatar
Windows on Washington
Posts: 5310
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:23 am
Location: DC Metropolitan Area-Maryland/Virginia/DC

Re: Some help with new Patio Sliders!

#4 Post by Windows on Washington »

The Soft-coat Low-e (i.e. the 272) will be on surface 2 or 3 in this case.

In a Massachusetts climate, 272 is appropriate in double pane and triple pane is a good idea too!

DudeFromMA
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Jun 02, 2019 3:00 pm

Re: Some help with new Patio Sliders!

#5 Post by DudeFromMA »

Thanks WindowsOnWashington !

Guy
Posts: 552
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2004 12:41 pm
Location: Minnesota

Re: Some help with new Patio Sliders!

#6 Post by Guy »

Andersen’s 100 Series should work out well for you. The local Andersen by Renewal teams have been using the Fibrex units for a long time. The product has gone through some upgrades to fix past imperfections with product. I think they’ve pretty much ironed out all the bugs. You should be fine with your glass choice out on the East coast. Andersen’s warranty is pretty much the best in the industry. I’ve never had any problem getting new parts or glass from them for any reason. They ship it out right away! I happen to live about 45 minutes from their Bayport plant here in MN but that’s never been an issue. They should serve you well for many years to come.
Good Luck!!!

DudeFromMA
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Jun 02, 2019 3:00 pm

Re: Some help with new Patio Sliders!

#7 Post by DudeFromMA »

Thanks Guy !

Finally got to see a sample of an Andersen 100 Patio Slider. We live in near Boston MA., and had called virtually every Andersen dealer/lumberyard, in MA, Southern NH, and RI. Found only one store which displayed an Andersen 100 slider .... as one would have guessed...a store which was located on the opposite side of the state. We called Andersen support and asked about their Andersen 100 Patio Sliders ...why don’t many dealers display them; they said that this product line was “newer” to New England, has been available elsewhere in the US for over a decade, but only for a few years in NE. The Andersen Support Rep gave us the telephone number of the local Andersen Rep. Gave them a call, and discussed the product (A 100), Pros, Cons, and compared to the Andersen 200 PermaShield Patio Sliders, as well as some other competitors. Then the outside Rep asked, which Andersen dealer is close to you.... next Tuesday, they will have a “sample” for you to look at....

We finally got to see, and to open and close the Andersen 100 Patio Slider. It was a full size “rolling” display unit/demo unit, which has been shipped to many different stores; a full sized assembled Patio Slider being taken on and off a truck must put a lot of stress on it....AND the unit was in near working perfect condition—(yes there were a couple of surface scratches and scuffs—-forklift blades...).

We were impressed with how solid the Fibrex panel rails and stiles were, as well as the jambs. Looked more like painted wood than vinyl. The sill was PVC, and had a
SS cap for the roller track. The door opened and closed with very little effort. It had a sleek contemporary look to our eyes. I believe the glass was the standard Low-E4 glass.
It felt much stronger than the 25 year old vinyl sliders we currently have. This unit did not have a screen-so can not comment on that.

To our eyes, and for our purposes, this Patio Slider will fit the bill. We just ordered a pair; just the default options -except the width being 8’. The dealer said the wait should be around a month.

Really appreciated the comments to our questions, as well as the numerous Q & A threads on this site. So much useful information. Some lively discussions. All informative.
Thank you !
DudeFromMA

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