I did the spacer bar on the windows in my house. Once the muttin is 7/8" or thinner I found it to be very easy to see through. On the doors I used 1 1/8" and it is very hard to tell I did not use the spacer bar. If you haven't purchased yet I'd spend the extra and get Woodrights. I think they are a much better window- easier to tilt, no exposed wood on the exterior and no glazing beads.

This is an old thread, but I was just looking at these today and thought I would add my 2 cents for anyone else who might stumble across this in the future.

On the patio doors I looked at, the spacer was aluminum/steel/silver colored and was just too noticeable. I can see how you could see through narrower grills (or see odd shadow/light patterns), but I don't think we would do the SDL even if they didn't cost extra.

"On the patio doors I looked at, the spacer was aluminum/steel/silver colored and was just too noticeable. I can see how you could see through narrower grills (or see odd shadow/light patterns), but I don't think we would do the SDL even if they didn't cost extra."

You can get that spacer in bronze/black to make it less noticeable from some manufactures. You cannot beat the SDL look.

I have the internal silver spacer. I have to replace the entire installation, due to product failure that Andersen will not stand behind. The interior grills which are permanent are made from a low quality plastic that leaks a vile odor. Andersen rep came out found an odor. They will not stand behind. Buyer Beware!

By interior grills are you talking between the lites or on the exposed surface inside the home?

If you are talking about the grills between the glass, they aren't plastic, they are metal and they don't have an odor.

If they are interior, they are plastic but they have used those for years, I sold them for years and never ever heard of them having an odor.