Hi,

I'm replacing my existing hinged French doors with the Anderson Frenchwood 400 sliding door and I'm looking for some advice.

Apparently, if I want a pre-finished white interior, I need to also go with white exterior. I had originally wanted to go with the sandstone exterior and white interior (but if I go with sandstone exterior, I have to get unfinished pine interior). So my plan was to go with white/white but then paint the exterior to match our outside trim (which is a light cream/tan). When I mentioned this, the door sales rep indicated that the exterior would be vinyl and could really not be painted (paint wouldn't stick well).

I really was hoping to at least have the option to paint the exterior (e.g. if we change our exterior color). Our current french door is all painted to match the trim color (even the grills). All our windows are white (frames/grills).

So my question is, which is the better option in terms of looks and maintenance:

1. white/white - and just leave the white outside which wouldn't match the rest of the trim. I wouldn't have to paint the interior in this case.

2. sandstone/white - and hope that I never want to change the exterior color from sandstone

Any insight would be appreciated!!

Thanks!

 

Painting the interior really isn't that difficult. We just installed a Frenchwood swing style, and that was tougher than a slider, since we didn't want to remove the doors. Sliders could be painted before install no problem. A good quality waterbourne enamel paint would hold up qute well on the interior.

You can paint the exterior, Andersen has instructions and requirements on their website, but I don't believe you can paint them DARKER then the applied vinyl.

Ahh here.....
Exterior Finishing
Andersen Frenchwood® and Narroline® gliding patio doors have rigid vinyl cladding on
their frame exteriors and a long-lasting urethane base finish on the door panels. The
Perma-Shield® gliding patio door features vinyl-clad frame and panels.
• Sandtone or Terratone® color exteriors may be painted any color lighter than
Terratone, using quality oil-base or latex paint.
• Submit color samples to Andersen for approval when painting White, Sandtone
or Terratone colors any color darker than Terratone.
• Do not paint Forest Green exteriors.
Below is a general overview of vinyl painting instructions. Painting and staining may
cause damage to rigid vinyl exteriors. Andersen does not warrant the adhesion of
paint to vinyl surfaces.
• Buff the frame and panels with a 3M® ScotchBrite® pad, 00 steel wool or 240-grit
sandpaper until the surface is dull. Remove dust particles with a soft, dry cloth.
• Clean the frame and panels by wiping them with a surface conditioner or acetone.
After the solution dries, prime the surface with a fast-dry alkyd primer in a neutral
color. Always read and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for proper use.
• When the primer is dry, remove the operating panel and apply a high-quality
oil-base or water-base paint.
“3M” and “ScotchBrite” are registered trademarks of 3M Company."

The whole page is here Andersen® Online

Oh, and if you are getting grilles between the glass be very aware of options on the color. I think the standard is the grilles match the exterior cladding.