Andersen Windows FAQ

Sort of. Andersen windows are perfectly fine windows, but not particularly remarkable in terms of quality. Andersen makes wood, clad and composite windows. They are mostly sold to builders for new construction projects, but Andersen also makes replacement windows.

Generally speaking windows sold for new construction are not going to be as nice as replacement window since the builders drive down the costs which drives down the quality. Sometimes people think Andersen makes the best windows and that’s not really the case in our opinion. You can find detailed window reviews here for more info.

People buy windows for all different reasons. Some people think Andersen windows are the best windows which might be why they buy them. Andersen makes a range of options from less expensive to very fancy windows and the quality will depend on the product line that you pick. You can find Andersen window reviews here and info on Renewal by Andersen window complaints here.

That’s relative. Andersen windows are often times more expensive than other brands. They’ll tell you that you get better quality from Andersen which makes them worth the cost. You certainly can find perfectly nice windows from other manufacturers so if Andersen windows are not in your budget just look for other options.

Vinyl windows will often be more cost effective and sometimes more energy efficient as well. Find window reviews here to find the best windows for your project.

No. Renewal by Andersen branded windows are made of a composite material called Fibrex and are sold through Renewal by Andersen dealers which are often franchises. Andersen branded windows are wood and vinyl clad windows that are sold through builders, window dealers and sometimes through lumber yards or building products distributors. They do also make a composite window line similar to the Renewal by Andersen product that is sold under the Andersen name.

The warranty on Andersen windows will vary depending on the window model that you purchased. The warranty for Renewal by Andersen windows is also different than the warranty for Andersen new construction windows. The dealer or builder selling you the windows should be able to provide you with the warranty for the windows you’re considering. It is important to read and understand the warranty so you can decide if it is a product that makes sense for you.

Yes, many people do like Andersen windows. In our many years in this industry we see many more complaints about Renewal by Andersen than the actual Andersen wood and clad windows.

No. We have heard from customers that window salesmen have made claims that Renewal by Andersen windows will increase the value of the home or that other types of windows will decrease the value. This is not likely to be the case. When your home is appraised the appraiser looks at the size, the condition, the location and recent sales prices of other comparable homes in the area. They generally don’t care at all about the brand of your windows.

Andersen makes a wide range of windows so some are better than others. There are certainly windows out there that are not as nice as Andersen windows and may be other brands that are a better solution for your project. You’ll want to look through detailed window reviews to find the best solution for your home.

The lifespan of a window will depend on many factors. Window salesmen might make unfounded claims about the expected longevity of a window so they are not a great resource. The best way to see how long a window manufacturer expects their products to last is to look at the warranty. Windows that have a 20 year warranty on the frames and glass are expected to last at least that long. If a window has a lifetime warranty that can be even better, but you may not live in the house for 20 years anyway so that may not be relevant. Find more window info including warranty info here.

Andersen branded windows are made of wood, composite or vinyl clad wood. The all wood windows are the most historic looking and often the most beautiful. The downside to all wood is that they need to be painted on the exterior to protect them from the element. Vinyl clad wood is a good option because the vinyl cladding protects the wood. The downside is that the vinyl cladding can fade or become damaged over time. The composite windows can sound nice but they’re often very expensive and the warranty is still 20 years in many cases so they’re not actually expected to last any longer.

The pricing for Andersen windows will vary a lot depending on the product you pick and the nature of the installation. It’s common for us to hear from readers who were quoted $2000 or more for a Renewal by Andersen composite window. The Andersen brand wood windows, like the 400 series or 100 series, will often be much less expensive. Those are sometimes better options than the very expensive composite windows.

That’s relative. Both Andersen and Pella make wood and clad windows. The Pella clad windows are aluminum clad and the Andersen clad windows are vinyl clad. Each salesman will tell you his option is better and they’re probably both wrong. Both Andersen and Pella make perfectly fine windows so one isn’t really better than the other.

Pella recently settled a class action lawsuit relative to the windows leaking so I would assume they’ve made some design changes to address that issue.

No. Andersen wood or composite windows are generally more expensive and less energy efficient than a nicer vinyl window so they’re not better. The advantage to an Andersen window is that it’s either real wood or it looks more like wood than a vinyl window. If the look of a wood window is worth the trade off of higher (worse) air infiltration rates and higher cost then Andersen windows might make sense for your project. If not then you might be better off with a high quality vinyl window. You may be able to take a nice vacation with the money you save.