Serving Hatteras Island & Ocracoke
Andersen Coastal Window and Door Materials
Choosing Andersen coastal window materials is the difference between a home that simply looks good and one that keeps performing through salt air, humidity and hurricane season on the Outer Banks.
Serving Hatteras Island & Ocracoke
Andersen Coastal Window and Door Materials
Choosing Andersen coastal window materials is the difference between a home that simply looks good and one that keeps performing through salt air, humidity and hurricane season on the Outer Banks.
Materials selected for the island
Materials Selected for Hatteras Island and Ocracoke
Windows and doors on the Outer Banks face constant exposure to salt air, humidity, wind-driven rain, intense sunlight and severe coastal storms.
The Window & Door Company installs Andersen products that use advanced materials and construction methods designed to provide better durability, lower maintenance and stronger performance in demanding coastal environments. Explore our windows and doors to see what we install across the island.
Not every Andersen product includes all of these features. We help homeowners select the appropriate product and configuration based on the home’s location, exposure, opening size and performance requirements.
Materials & features we may recommend
- Impact-resistant glass
- Fibrex® composite material
- Fiberglass exterior components
- Corrosion-resistant hardware
- Stormwatch® protection
- Andersen A-Series coastal windows and doors
Storm protection
Impact-Resistant Glass
Impact-resistant glass is designed to help protect windows and doors from windborne debrisduring hurricanes and severe coastal storms.
Unlike standard glass, impact-resistant glass contains a laminated interlayer that helps hold the glass together if it is struck or damaged. This helps reduce the possibility of the opening being completely breached during a storm.
Benefits of impact-resistant glass may include:
- Increased protection from windborne debris
- Continuous protection when the home is unoccupied
- Reduced need for temporary storm panels
- Improved security
- Reduced outside noise
- Increased ultraviolet protection
Impact glass is only one part of an impact-rated window or door. The frame, sash, hardware, glass, anchoring and installation must work together as a complete approved system.
Composite construction
Fibrex® Composite Material
Fibrex is Andersen’s proprietary composite material made from reclaimed wood fiber and thermoplastic polymer. It combines the strength and stability of wood with the low-maintenance qualities of a composite material.
Fibrex is used throughout Andersen’s product lines, including Andersen 100 Series windows and as part of the exterior protection system on many Andersen A-Series products.
Benefits of Fibrex for Coastal Homes
- Resistant to rot and decay
- Stronger and more rigid than conventional vinyl
- Low-maintenance exterior finish
- Stable during temperature changes
- Resistant to warping
- Does not require regular exterior painting
- Supports narrower frames and larger glass areas
Fibrex can be a strong material choice for homeowners who want a durable, low-maintenance alternative to traditional vinyl or exposed wood.
Exterior strength
Fiberglass Exterior Protection
Selected Andersen products use fiberglass exterior components to provide additional strength and weather resistance.
Fiberglass helps protect the window or door from exterior moisture, temperature changes, sunlight and coastal exposure. It also allows homeowners to maintain the warmth and appearance of a finished wood interior without leaving the wood directly exposed to exterior conditions.
Benefits of fiberglass exterior components include:
- Strong and rigid construction
- Resistance to temperature changes
- Low-maintenance performance
- Dimensional stability
- Protection for interior wood components
- Long-term weather resistance
Andersen A-Series products combine fiberglass, Fibrex material and wood to place each material where it performs best.
Salt-air defense
Corrosion-Resistant Hardware
Salt air can quickly damage unprotected metal hardware and fasteners.
Corrosion can affect the operation and appearance of:
- Window operators
- Locks
- Patio-door rollers
- Handles
- Exterior fasteners
- Hinges
- Keepers
- Multipoint locking systems
- Screen components
- Tracks
Where available, we recommend corrosion-resistant hardware packages and compatible fasteners for coastal installations.
Proper maintenance is still important. Salt deposits should be cleaned from windows, doors, tracks and operating components before buildup begins to affect performance — our Andersen service and repair team can help.
Coastal performance
Stormwatch® Protection
Stormwatch is Andersen’s designation for windows and doors designed with increased structural and impact performance for coastal applications.
Depending on the product, Stormwatch protection may include:
- Impact-resistant glass
- Reinforced frames or sash
- Upgraded hardware
- Stronger structural performance
- Coastal-rated product configurations
Stormwatch options are available only on qualifying Andersen products, sizes and configurations. Product specifications must be reviewed before ordering to confirm the required performance level.
Premium product line
Andersen A-Series Coastal Windows and Doors
Andersen A-Series is the primary product line we consider when a homeowner wants premium materials, architectural flexibility and strong coastal performance.
Wood interiors
- Resistant to rot and decay
- Fibrex composite material
- Fiberglass exterior protection
- Impact-resistant glass
- Structural reinforcements
- High-performance weatherstripping
- Corrosion-resistant hardware options
- Stormwatch coastal configurations
This combination allows Andersen A-Series products to provide the traditional appearance of wood on the interior while using durable composite and fiberglass materials on the exterior.
Island homes
Why A-Series Works Well for Island Homes
A-Series windows and patio doors may be a strong choice for:
- Oceanfront homes
- Impact-resistant applications
- Sound-front homes
- Custom homes
- High-exposure elevations
- Major exterior renovations
- Roof leaks or water stains
- Homes requiring premium interior finishes
The exact product should be selected based on the individual opening. Not every A-Series window or door is automatically impact rated or approved for every coastal application.
Our process
Selecting the Right Andersen Materials
The best Andersen product depends on more than appearance. A protected window under a porch may require a different product than a large ocean-facing patio door exposed directly to wind and salt spray.
Our goal is to help homeowners select the right combination of Andersen materials and product features for the specific conditions of their home across our service areas.
- The home's location
- Existing wall and flashing conditions
- Building height
- Opening size
- Required performance ratings
- Exterior maintenance expectations
- Existing wall and flashing conditions
- Ocean or sound exposure
- Wind exposure
- Glass requirements
- Interior finish preferences
Consultations
Andersen Coastal Product Consultations
The Window & Door Company provides Andersen window and door consultations throughout Hatteras Island and Ocracoke. We can help you compare impact-resistant glass options, Fibrex composite windows, fiberglass exterior construction, corrosion-resistant hardware, Stormwatch products, and Andersen A-Series windows and patio doors.
Call 984-386-8828 to schedule a consultation.
Serving Hatteras Island — from Rodanthe to Hatteras Village — and Ocracoke.
