A Room Without Boundaries

Discover the Magic of Big Glass Doors

Let’s talk big doors. Like, really big doors. OK, huge doors. Andersen makes them so massive that they’re actually moving glass walls.

Now imagine those in place of actual walls within a home. When closed, they frame a sweeping view of the surrounding terrain, no matter the weather. When open, the home’s interior and the exterior space around it become one, creating a combined and expanded living area blessed by natural light and fresh air.

Of course, in order for these big doors to become a reality, much thought and superb craftsmanship have to go into the manufacturing process. Let's explore the engineering behind them.

Customizable Construction

Andersen’s aluminum multi-slide doors are made for large openings, with plenty of configurable options to meet the homeowner’s needs and design choices. These are definitely not a one-size-fits-all type of product.

The aluminum frames can be anodized with one of several different attractive finishes, or factory painted. The glass can also be specifically selected — SmartSun™ is an excellent choice here in Arizona because it blocks unwanted solar heat from entering the home and helps filter out ultraviolet rays.

A door panel can be as tall as 12 feet, with a total per-panel area of 60 square feet. It’s possible to create a multi-slide stack of seven panels when the wall is completely open. The door panels can be manufactured to slide into a stack on either the left or right side of the glass wall, or can be made to slide completely into a pocket at one end of the wall, concealing it altogether. And if you create two sections that meet in the middle and slide apart to stack on either side, that means you can create a glass wall that spans 43’6”. 

If one expansive glass wall isn’t enough, two walls of big doors can be configured to meet at a corner, creating a breathtaking room that’s literally half glass. There’s no need for a corner post to block the view, either. The glass panels can be pocketed into the wall or stacked flush. 

Stainless steel ball bearings and rollers make opening and closing the doors so smooth, it’s practically effortless. Even the hardware can be selected to be flush mounted with a folding or recessed handle, or keyed to allow the door to be unlocked from outside.

The MultiGlide Option

Andersen’s MultiGlide™ doors are also available in similar configurations, manufactured for one- or two-directional stacking or pocketing to meet the specific needs of the home’s design, whether it’s contemporary or traditional. The main difference is in the frame — they’re of aluminum-clad wood construction and available with a variety of options, including a choice of 50 different baked-on silicone polyester enamel exteriors and seven anodized metallic finishes. All of these finishes are warrantied against fading, cracking, peeling and blistering — absolutely essential in a hot, sunny climate like ours. The interiors are available in every imaginable wood finish, from clear coat to dark espresso, or painted in one of several design-complementing colors.

These doors are called “MultiGlide” for a reason — they open and close so smoothly because of their carefully engineered, adjustable synthetic rollers and stainless steel ball bearings. These are rigorously tested for easy operation, even with repeated use. 

Whether you choose a stacking or pocketed configuration, MultiGlide doors can be operated with either an interior touchpad or an exterior keypad, or can even be connected to a home automation system. 

If bugs are a concern, there is also an option to add an insect screen, either as an aluminum framed bottom gliding panel or a retractable system. These can fit openings as wide as 30 feet and up to 10 feet tall, and they’re built into the wall so they’re not visible when they’re not in use. The mesh is securely mounted within the frame to prevent gaps where insects might enter and to prevent it blowing out due to wind gusts. 

Helping You Go Big

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by now, we’re here to help. We invite you to come into our Selection Center and chat with us about your project. We’ll make recommendations specific to your needs and help you bring your great big vision to life.