Renewal by Andersen Windows Reviews

renewal by andersen windows reviews

If you’re looking for Renewal by Andersen windows reviews you came to the right place.  If you’re in the business of selling Renewal by Andersen windows you’re probably not going to be thrilled with what you read here.

We’re not big fans of these windows for several reasons.  Before we start off down that road we should tell you that there is no debating the fact that these windows are pretty.  They really do look nice and that’s their main selling point.  If you’re in the market for new windows and you want something with a warmer feel than traditional vinyl windows you may be interested in Renewal.  That wouldn’t be unusual.

Renewal by Andersen Updates:

2023 Update: Renewal by Andersen has updated their warranty and we have not yet thoroughly reviewed it.  At first glance it looks to be pretty similar.  20 years on the glass and the frames, 10 years on hardware, 2 years on installation, etc.  

One change I noticed is that they now say you’re not allowed to file a class action lawsuit against them.  I don’t recall seeing that language in other window warranties.  It might point to something they’re a little nervous about, who knows.  We’ll write up a full 2023 Renewal by Andersen warranty review soon, there are several things ahead of that one on the list.

renewal by andersen wood fibrex frame
Here you can see the corner of the sash on a Renewal by Andersen window. They do look like wood windows.

Let’s get to the Renewal by Andersen reviews!

If you’re looking for Renewal by Andersen windows reviews you came to the right place.  If you’re in the business of selling Renewal by Andersen windows you’re probably not going to be thrilled with what you read here.

We’re not big fans of these windows for several reasons.  Before we start off down that road we should tell you that there is no debating the fact that these windows are pretty.  They really do look nice and that’s their main selling point.  If you’re in the market for new windows and you want something with a warmer feel than traditional vinyl windows you may be interested in Renewal.  That wouldn’t be unusual.

Why don’t we like Renewal by Andersen windows?

If there’s one thing I’ve learned after a career in sales it’s that a salesperson who spends all of his energy disparaging a competing product must not have a very strong value proposition to offer.  The Renewal by Andersen or RBA sales pitch very often relies on emphasizing why you should not by vinyl windows.

They often use a handout that talks about vinyl windows warping and bowing and cracking and falling apart.  This is complete nonsense, it’s based on untrue information and it is designed to trick you into thinking all vinyl windows will fall apart in 5 years.

Why would a salesperson distribute untrue information?  

Because the truth doesn’t help their sales pitch.

The next untruth often spread by the Renewal salespeople is that “lifetime” warranties are actually only good for 7 years.  I don’t know where they got this idea, but it’s just factually not true.

Why would someone tell you a “lifetime” warranty was actually limited?  

Because their warranty is short and they need a way to explain it.

In fact, most nicer vinyl windows come with lifetime warranties that cover the windows for as long as you own the home.  That will often be MUCH longer than 7 years.  Again, the Renewal by Andersen salespeople are faced with a dilemma.  Their warranty is relatively short compared to less expensive vinyl windows.  They could be honest with you and explain the differences and we’re sure some of them are, but we hear stories every day about these false claims and it bugs us.

What is the warranty for Renewal by Andersen windows?

UPDATE: As of the summer of 2016 the Renewal by Andersen warranty has changed.  Perhaps they listened to our feedback.  They now offer a 20 year warranty on the fibrex frames which is much better than the 10 year warranty they had offered in the past.  We’re glad they extended this.  It was a smart move for them and a better value for their customers.  

We hear their salespeople continuing to tell people that vinyl windows with lifetime warranties are actually only covered for 7 years.  I believe this is completely untrue.  I’ve asked them several times for any references to verify this claim and I’ve never received anything in return.  If we get something we’ll post it and if not we’ll continue to believe this claim is completely untrue.  

Remember, if they had a good value they wouldn’t feel the need to make claims that are not based in fact.  

So what about those Fibrex frames?

We know they’ll tell you all about how great those Fibrex frames are.  They’re not wood, they’re not fiberglass they’re a composite that will never cause you any problems.  Forget about this.  if they were never going to cause you any problems they would have a longer warranty.

For example, you can now get real wood windows from Jeld-Wen with a lifetime warranty on the frames that covered rot or termites or any damage.  That’s pretty strong, the warranty on the Renewal windows is better than it was, but in line with what other companies offer.

Are we just disparaging Renewal by Andersen windows to sell vinyl?

Nope, I have Andersen wood windows in my house and our company installs wood and clad window options every day.  We’re a fan of the beauty and warmth that wood windows provide, but we’re completely turned off by the sales tactics that come along with this composite product.

In addition, you can get BETTER warranties on real wood windows than you get with Renewal by Andersen.  Why would you get imitation wood (Fibrex) with a 20 year warranty when you can get real wood with a 20 year warranty for about the same price?  You probably wouldn’t which is why we’re pretty convinced that the Fibrex product doesn’t represent a very good value.

Renewal by andersen tilt sash
The tilt latches on Andersen windows are a little unique and very nice looking.  These latches slide down on top of the sash to release it.  They slide up out of the way when not in use.  It’s a nice system.

What about the cost of Renewal by Andersen windows?

They cost a lot.  The pricing depends on the local dealer.  They are sold and installed by independent companies, not by Andersen itself so the prices will vary.  We typically see them being offered in the range of $1500 – $2000 per window or more including installation, but you may be able to find them less than that.  Remember, for that kind of money you have a lot of options.

So what’s the bottom line?

Renewal by Andersen typically doesn’t represent a very good value.  If you like the look of a real wood window we highly suggest getting a real wood window.  Fiberglass and composite products do look nice, but their drawbacks outweigh the benefits in our opinion.  Some folks are afraid of wood windows because their old wood windows have caused them problems, but this doesn’t need to be a concern with the nicer wood window options available today.  Bottom line: keep looking.

Update again:

Sine this has become one of the most popular pages on the site we recently wrote a new post on Renewal by Andersen complaints. You can find it here and if you’re shopping for windows you might find it interesting. Our Renewal by Andersen FAQ is also here for your enjoyment.

Additional posts you might find interesting:

Remember, for more great window company info you can find our suggestions for the best local companies in your area right here. There’s no need to work with a company that gives you the run-around or makes the process difficult. There are plenty of fish in the sea as they say. The best way to get started is to check out our list of great window companies.

Update: We now have more recommend LOCAL window companies than ever before.   Click here to see who we recommend in your town.  It's 100% free.  You'll thank me.  There is no better resource; you're going to love it.  See for yourself right here.  

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614 thoughts on “Renewal by Andersen Windows Reviews”

  1. Egen Wang says:

    Thank you very much for the review of Renewal by Asdersen. My wife and I just attended the presentation today. I am so glade that I found your web site. May I ask for your opinion, we are lived in Phoenix, due to the high heat in the summer, what brand and what kind of windows that we should look into it in order to save the energy and reduce the electric bill? Thank you very much.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      We just LOVE Phoenix! You certainly have a climate that necessitates specific windows, but don’t let the Renewal people tell you that vinyl windows will warp and crack. One of the largest vinyl window manufacturers in the country built a plant in Yuma just a few years ago. If that doesn’t tell you that the windows are designed for use in that climate I don’t know what would.

      You obviously want glass that does a great job with the sun. PPG SolarBan70 is a low-e coating that offers increased resistance to solar heat gain. A lot of folks also get full screes for the increased shade. That isn’t completely necessary if you have a better low-e coating, but it doesn’t hurt.

      The first step is to meet with a few reputable local window companies and see what they recommend. If you’re unsure about anything they tell you just ask!

      1. My address is 36 Aston villa Rochester Ny 14514. I live in a beautiful track built between 2005-2010 I have new vinyl windows in my home and throughout my entire neighborhood. If you think vinyl is a good solution drive through my neighborhood. On almost every house in the track there is signs of window failure. Windows with condensation between the glass that you can no longer see out of. My neighbors have tried to get new Windows based on the warranty know one was given anything. So good luck to those that choose vinyl.

        1. thewindowdog says:

          New construction vinyl windows can be horrible. You won’t get any argument on that from me. You’ll also see that cheap fiberglass doors installed by builders fail all the time. That doesn’t mean all fiberglass doors are garbage.

          Nice vinyl windows will hold up for a very long time. Good luck with your project!

          1. Thank for this review. Just have been slimed by a renewal rep and like to see it wasn’t just me, it’s their strategy. Yuck!

          2. thewindowdog says:

            Unfortunately it sounds like it’s almost (but maybe not quite) everyone. I don’t know why they would train their people to act like that, but it seems like they do.

          3. Jon smith says:

            There is no such thing as a nice plastic window. Vinyl is just plastic.

          4. thewindowdog says:

            Hi Jon, thanks for writing. Did you recently complete the Renewal training class? There definitely are nicer and cheaper vinyl windows just like every other product. For example, you can get a fibrex window from Anderson that is much cheaper than Renewal. Do you think the Renewal by Andersen model is better or are they all the same because they’re all made from vinyl mixed with sawdust?

          5. Andy Dufrain says:

            Could you post some comparing warranties, I have not found a legitimate “lifetime” warranty when I read the small print. Service call fees, non-transferable, etc.. etc.. please show examples and back your claims before I make any decisions. Thank you.

          6. thewindowdog says:

            Hi Andy, legitimate is a tricky term because what is perfectly legitimate to one person may not be legitimate to another. Many vinyl window warranties specifically state that they’re valid as long as the original purchaser owns the house and most are transferable when the house sells. That’s what they mean by lifetime warranty, it’s good for as long as you own the house.

            Some companies that offer shorter warranties try to disparage a lifetime warranty by saying it’s for the life of the window and there’s some time limitation to that. It is try that you occasionally see lower end products with warranties that say they’re for the life of the product, but that’s not true in most cases in my experience. Most of the lifetime warranties you see are for as long as the purchaser owns the home which seems like a valid lifetime warranty to me.

        2. FYI…Brendan works for renewal by anderson

          1. Yvonne ornellas says:

            What materials are used to make their best windows . Not the vinyl ones .

          2. Ben Dover says:

            Totally. Nice try Brendan.

          3. Haha. That is funny!

        3. Anderson does make a less expensive model you can find them on the shelf in Home Depot I have one in my home and it’s a vinyl window it’s Anderson and it’s been here for 10 years and any problem I’ve had a rectified

        4. Hello

          People forget that homes built today are built with what is refereed to as “contractor” grade. Contractor grade is by far the lowest grade that can put into a home and is done to increase profits so things fall apart or where out very soon. Your windows are contractor grade which is the same low end box stores carry.

          1. thewindowdog says:

            Hi Joe, the terms can vary, but most people wold say builder grade. Ultimately it’s the builders that choose to use the cheapest products they can get their hands on. The upside is that it keeps replacement window companies in business!

          2. Jason Kovacs says:

            Builder Grade here in Texas used to mean Aluminum Frames. They’d last for 20- 30 years before homeowners replaced them. Then code changes phased them out due to conductivity of frame and now builders use vinyl. And guess what.. the new generation of homeowners are replacing their windows when they’re 5-10 years old. Choosing vinyl is nothing more than choosing new builder grade to replace old builer grade and spare me the fake outrage over RBA prices. Vinyl window companies here in Austin, TX are charging $1,000-$1,500 per window for vinyl when they buy the plastic window for $300 and pay the sub $125.. They’re operating at 60% plus profit margins.

            And as far as all the harping on warranty… people who spend so much time carrying on about warranty only do so because they sell a substandard product and they’re used to people needing those warranties.

            As a consumer ask yourself – what’s really better? A 20 year warranty from a company like Andersen that’s been in business for 100+ years or a triple lifetime warranty from some vinyl salesperson whose entire knowledge base is encapsulated in a PowerPoint who works for a company that’s been around for 6 years?

            For the record – I am a Marvin Windows salesperson. I’ve been selling Marvin for 11 years. Nearly 30 million dollars in sales. Not once have I had to initiate a warranty claim for seal failure for a customer.

            On the flip side I’ve been called out to houses to replace vinyl windows with failed seals on new construction less than a year old.

          3. thewindowdog says:

            It is absolutely true that builders use the cheapest possible windows and that’s great for replacement window companies as people do tend to start replacing them at about 10 years. That doesn’t mean all vinyl windows are the same as the cheapest possible vinyl windows.

            That would be like saying you bought the cheapest possible car and it didn’t last very long so all cars will not last very long. There are pretty significant differences between the cheapest possible window and a nicer window, just as there would be with any product.

            For example, my company has been offering windows for 15 years now and we don’t get warranty calls from those early customers. Nicer windows will last a very long time and cheap windows won’t.

        5. I work for window world. Andersen has to lie to sell thier overpriced window. They only offer 20 years on glass, 10 years on mechanisms and 2 years on installation( from thier own materials and website). That’s pathetic for such an overpriced window. They should have the best warranty not the worst for the prices they charge. Our vinyl Windows come with a double lifetime guarantee on all parts and glass and installation. Plus it’s transferable fot the entire lifetime not just 2 years. Lol

          1. I’m curious.
            if a lifetime warranty truly covers the owner for a “lifetime”…why do you need to offer a Double Lifetime? do your Windows get reincarnated? it’s because your windows are a sham and a lifetime warranty only covers you for 7 years in N.Y. state and Connecticut… it’s called the common knowledge in case law. each state will have its own laws. educate yourself before you regurgatate false info. yes.. I work for RBA. and I’m proud of our product. our highest ranking with JD Powers and our customers prove to me our product works. if you think we’re spreading falsehoods..why hasn’t the gov’t told us to stop saying them…since 1991?

          2. thewindowdog says:

            Hi Dan, I believe that is completely not true and is sales propaganda used by companies that offer shorter warranties. Do you have any documentation that a lifetime warranty is 7 years in New York? I think that’s a lie that has been debunked for many years.

            I’m sure your boss told you that and you probably believed him, but unless you can show me why that is true I’ll consider it not based in reality.

            Windows have a double lifetime warranty because the warranty is transferable to the next owner and covers them for life too. I imagine you knew that already, but it is fun to write silly things on the internet.

            Send over that documentation and I’ll write a post about how right you were. It’s possible that i’m wrong, but I don’t think I am. Otherwise, you might want to find a more honest company to work for. It’s easier to sell things when you can be honest with people.

          3. We just signed with RBA to replace three windows for $11k! We have 2 days to cancel. I could not sleep last night thinking that we may have been ‘swindled’. One 3’x4’ slider, two large picture windows(custom). Is this way overpriced?

          4. Cory Spencer says:

            Window World sells a very low grade window for a high grade price. Window World truly is whats wrong with our industry.

          5. thewindowdog says:

            That article is a great example, thanks for posting. This is how companies with a shorter warranty try to scare people. If you read the warranty for nicer windows it will describe what lifetime means. They’ll say something like “for as long as the purchaser owns the property”. So, it’s not up for debate it’s for as long as you own the house and then they’re generally transferable when you sell the house.

            Companies that offer more limited warranties will always look for ways to explain why their warranty is better and not worse than another, but really I think most of the warrantees that I’ve read are pretty clear on that.

            It is true that new construction companies will have shorter warrantees. That’s very standard for windows sold to builders.

            Thanks for writing.

          6. Then why won’t Window world install only a few windows at a time? No one is rich and can afford 10k at one shot for , yeah Replacement Vinyl Windows.. Salesman from window world wouldn’t even turn our estimate and measurements into our local office! Why, they wouldn’t make enough commision….

          7. thewindowdog says:

            Hi Matt, you’ll find a lot of companies have a minimum order size for a replacement window project. It’s often caused by the way the installers get paid. For example, my company will take on a 1 or 2 window project but we do charge more on a per window basis than a larger project. I thought that was a decent solution to the problem, but you can’t please everyone.

          8. Renewal by Andersen offers the product exclusively patented to us called Fibrex. This is only for “replacement” windows and a branch of the original Andersen windows. The true facts are that the installation crew belongs to Renewal and is not contracted out to others. They give a life time warranty on installation, and 20 year warranty on the replacement windows including the sash and window panes, the glass being twice as thick as commercial grade and double paned, 10 years warranty on the hardware such as handles etc. It is a superior product being twice as effective for insulation than vinyl and therefore cost more. However, they do keep out 95 percent of the UV rays in one option of glass and are Energy Star rated.

          9. thewindowdog says:

            I don’t think that’s all correct, at least not according to their website and some of the comments we’ve seen and my personal experience interviewing installers who had worked for one of the Renewal franchises.

            Sounds like you might work there. Do you have a printed warranty that backs up that claim?

            And, how thick is the glass?

            And the efficiency ratings don’t seem to indicate the windows are more efficient than vinyl windows. What sort of U-Factors are you seeing to make you think they’re more efficient than a vinyl window?

            Thanks for taking the time to write in. It’s always interesting to hear from industry folks and if we’re wrong about something I’ll be happy to post about it.

          10. thewindowdog says:

            Hi Jane, I was hoping to hear back from you. Let us know if you can find out some of the basic info like how thick the glass is, etc. I think it would be helpful info for folks.

          11. What vinyl windows would you recommend as replacements for Andersen windows??
            We got a price from Andersen Renewal that is $2,000 per window, and this is supposed to be a sales price

          12. thewindowdog says:

            Sounds like everyone gets the $2k per window SALE price. They have a funny strategy. What’s your zip code? We may be able to make a recommendation.

          13. “On windows and patio doors, condensation may occur as the natural result of humidity within a home or changes in interior/exterior temperature. It does not indicate a product defect. The warranty covers neither condensation, not frost, nor freezing from condensation on the windows or patio doors. ”

            Window World warranty

            So to be clear, condensation is not covered between the glass if I am reading this correctly. Which would mean that seal failure is not covered because condensation between glass is a direct indication that the seal is broken and the argon has dissapaited out and moisture has made its way in. Love your spirit but what you have is a LIMITED lifetime warranty . Please let me know if I am mistaken but I have replaced your windows after 10 years of being installed because your company would not rectify this problem for the client.

            This upsets me that a whole website is devoted to bad mouthing a company. JD power and associates ranked us number 1 for 2020 customer satisfaction for window replacement. Believe me this is not an error.

            Best of luck out there sincerely.

            Disclaimer. I am a very proud employee of renewal by Andersen.

          14. thewindowdog says:

            Hi Corey, thanks for taking the time to write. I believe you are wrong about the Window World warranty. They’re talking about condensation outside the glass. I’d expect your Renewal by Andersen warranty would also not cover condensation outside the glass.

            I’m not a huge Window World fan, but to my knowledge they do cover condensation in between the panes of glass just like pretty much everyone.

            The example I often use is someone taking a steamy shower. There’s condensation on the window, it’s not a warranty issue, it’s just physics.

            And, you might want to drop the idea of harping on limited warranties. Every warranty in the world is a limited warranty including the limited warranty on Renewal by Andersen windows. That’s just the way the world works.

            Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help out.

          15. Andy Dufrain says:

            Double lifetime gaurantee do you realize how moronic that sounds?!

          16. thewindowdog says:

            It is a bit of a silly term but what they mean is that it’s good for as long as the original purchaser owns the house and then it’s transferable and good for as long as the next person owns the house. Usually the third owner is out of luck and nobody loses too much sleep over that as everything has to end sooner or later, even a window warranty.

          17. What is a “double” lifetime warranty ?? Why two ? Makes absolutely no sense unless there was a limit on the first !! So someone please explain this .,.

          18. thewindowdog says:

            It is a silly term. When window salespeople say “double lifetime warranty” they mean the warranty transferable when you sell the house. So it’s a lifetime warranty for you and then when you sell the house it’s a lifetime warranty for the next person. Then, there’s no warranty for the third owner.

            So, if you owned the house for 50 years and then the next person owned it for 50 years there would theoretically be a 100 year warranty on those windows. Who knows how that would actually play out.

            This is pretty common when it comes to window warranties. It’s not what Renewal by Andersen offers but many companies do it. Some companies will limit their warranty when it transfers. For example, I just wrote a post about a company that offers a lifetime warranty but when the ownership transfers the warranty changes to 20 years from the date of installation. That seems reasonable enough to me, but different companies will take different approaches.

            The idea is that it helps the resale of your house if the windows come with a lifetime warranty for the next owner. Who knows how much value a buyer puts in it, but that’s why they say it that way. Window sales is a funny thing.

          19. Amy Glowniak says:

            Your facts are off. It sure seems like this website is very biased and loves to bash RBA. There is quite a bit of misleading information. Not all reps are like you say. As with any industry or profession you always have a mix of good/bad/great/not so great workers.

          20. thewindowdog says:

            Hi Amy, I don’t believe we said all Renewal by Andersen salespeople are jerks, but there does seem to be a lot of similarity in the feedback we see from readers. Do you work there or what is your perspective on the feedback we see from readers of the site?

          21. Jason Kovacs says:

            The Window World warranty is absolute trash. It says they guarantee it won’t blister, peel, rot or corrode but makes no guarantees against it warping and fading which is the most likely issue. Think about it – it’s impossible for plastic to rot or rust – you don’t even need a warranty on that. They’re just counting on you to not use your brain and actually read critically.

            Separately unless it’s changed their “transfer” requires you to fill out paperwork and write them a check for $50 and send it away to North Carolina.

            Here is me guessing nobody ever does that and even if they did I’m sure it gets lost and not processed. Blowing off their long term liability saves them a lot more than $50.

          22. thewindowdog says:

            Hi again, I don’t think this is true. The warranty I had for Window World does specifically include warping and fading. The copy I have is a little old so it’s possible something has changed. Do you have an actual copy of a warranty to back this up or is this just something you were told?

        6. Greg Twerdy says:

          Condensation has nothing to do with the vinyl. Condendation occurs because the seals on the sashes have failed letting the inert gas escape and letting air in between the panes of glass.

          1. After working for a vinyl window company in the warehouse I can say that most glass failure is caused by the expansion and contraction of the vinyl window sashes and the frames.
            I have builder grade MI vinyl windows in my home and they are complete garbage that is showing failure after 2 years. These windows cost the builder $93 each. You get what you pay for!

          2. So are you saying that if I wake up and go into my bathroom and see condensation on my window and it’s not on the inside and I haven’t yet taken a shower I got a seal leak issue?

          3. Jason Kovacs says:

            Condensation in between frames is most common on vinyl frames because vinyl expands and contracts 7x as much as glass does which constantly puts pressure on the seal between the two materials.

            Of all the criticism leveled against RBA windows it’s funny that nobody wants to tell the truth about the worst thing about them. The worst part of their window is the 60% that is vinyl. That’s what makes even the RBA frame expand at 4x the rate of glass. Fiberglass and Wood are far superior and nobody should consider vinyl or vinyl composites unless they simply cannot afford a good window framing material.

          4. thewindowdog says:

            Do you have any actual data to support this idea? I’ve heard this story for a while not but I’ve never seen anything to prove it. That’s always made me think it was potentially made up by a sales manager somewhere. If you have any actual data I’d be curious to see it.

        7. Next time be sure to look at the design pressure ratio, 30 to 40 Dp
          Are crap vinyl windows .Get windows in the 70 plus ratio, not all windows are seal failure prone . 35 years experience and I hear all this knocking vinyl . NFRC are ratings about Cold and Heat transfers. AAMA are ratings about pressure for Air , Water, Wind, Force entry.Next time look at how many chambers make the weld contact.,also the gauge of the vinyl. Great Concept if you know what you’re doing and what to look for.

          1. thewindowdog says:

            I don’t agree that DP is too relevant unless you’re in a storm prone area like south Florida or Houston. Why worry about 100+ MPH winds in areas that never see wind like that?

            I do agree that the vinyl window bashing that some companies engage in is silly. If they offered a good value they wouldn’t need to spend their time picking on their competitors will completely misleading (at best) info.

          2. Blanca & Teddy says:

            Which company do you highly recommend?

        8. Gus Hanson says:

          New houses have low cost construction grade windows that come in standard sizes and builders know that they are off of the hook in a year for non structural items so they buy low cost first and if close the best initial appearance or the low quality vinyl windows bought from wood window companies who could lose out on all the low and mid range sales These would be Pella Marvin and Andersen of course. They bought the low end manufacturers of vinyl because they really only want to sell vinyl if it is the only way to get the sale.

          Premium vinyl windows are all custom sizes as windows do not come in standard sizes and as manufacturers change them as often as every year on their low end new build products no matter who makes them vinyl, aluminum , wood, or sawdust and glue mixed with fiberglass resin that everyone else (besides Renewal) calls “MDF” for Multiple Density Fiberboard. You may have seen a sign at a box store or lumber yard saying “MDF not for exterior use”. I would add that even when you clad it and have a fairly leaky window it should not be used for that product in my opinion and experience. Premium virgin vinyl windows do have longer warranties and have none of the problems of the low grade ones. The idea of saying a wood or imitation wood mechanically fastened corner sash and is as good as a thick extrusion, virgin vinyl 4 point computer squared and true simultaneously welded window is absurd. The manufacturers are forced to tell the truth by the small print in the warranty and no one knows as much as the manufacturer of that window what they don’t want to bet on.

          1. thewindowdog says:

            I tend to agree with you Gus when it comes to the quality of a nice vinyl window. The Renewal by Andersen salespeople we get commenting probably only know what they’ve been taught so it’s not surprising that they don’t agree. They’ll probably figure it out sooner or later.

          2. Padraic Devine says:

            MDF is medium density fiberboard and not what you described it as. And at 1k for a replacement window it would have to be very special indeed to not be a ripoff. A relative just had a quote for 14 windows a door and bay window…..45 thousand dollars. Insane.

        9. Irvin Baker says:

          Its not the vinyl…discolorations or fogging is caused by seal failure in the glass. Contractors categorically buy the cheapest window available. There are very good vinyl windows on the market today. Simonton and Jeld-Wen V5500 are a coupe. They are certainly not the cheapest….but you get what you pay for.

          1. thewindowdog says:

            I’m not a huge Simonton or Jeld Wen fan but you’re right that a seal failure in the glass has nothing to do with the window frame.

          2. Jason Kovacs says:

            I had a Jeld Wen V5500 sliding patio door in my house when I bought it. Had a six inch long crack in the sash after less than 5 years from installation. I would add the photo to prove it if the site let me.

          3. thewindowdog says:

            I dealt with Jeld-Wen windows for several years with perfectly fine results. At some point that changed and we had problems with every single project. We stopped working with them at that point. I was very frustrated with the quality, but can’t speak to how they’ve been doing more recently.

            You can email me a picture of the cracked sash if you’d like. Seems odd you’d have a long crack in a patio door as that would be tempered glass that would typically break in small pieces rather than a long crack. I guess anything is possible.

        10. I agree with the above statement and the condensation problems. I have seen complaints about water intrusion on vinyl sliders also. I have been stuck for awhile now needing windows and not knowing what to choose because of all the complaints and even class action lawsuits against vinyl window companies. One thing I do like are windows with a slanted sill. The tracks seem to hold water and dirt.

        11. I’ve been selling ,in the Dallas ft. Worth area, vinyl windows for Many years now and one thing for certain is that we have NEVER had even one of our homeowners have a problem with the vinyl framed window !
          The insulated glass WAS a different story until we begin To ONLY sell windows that had CARDINAL glass in them !!
          As far as glass is concerned we know of NO other manufacture that might be superior to Cardinal and with that said MOST window providers use Cardinal even though it might be referred to in a more company offering type way ,this is in no means a new approach of product labeling for many different types of businesses for years now !
          Point is that in MOST cases seal failures , which cause fogging between the two glass panes , are due to the glass itself not made with the technology
          of Cardinal ! The frame itself is VERY seldom the cause of seal failure !!!
          To sum this up with our 40 years of experience in this industry we offer a life time warranty on labor and the vinyl frames along with the Cardinal
          glass units we offer !

          1. Amy Glowniak says:

            If the window has a spacer bar (located between the panes of glass) with seams in all the corners you most certainly will have seal failure. You want the spacer bar to be one continuous roll along the inside of the window pane and sealed anywhere but the corners, The corners are the weakest part of a window, that is also where you will see window frames separating letting moisture and bugs inside.

          2. thewindowdog says:

            I can’t think of any company that uses individual pieces of spacer with seams at each corner. Is that something they told you about in sales training class or where did that idea come from? In my experience that type of material hasn’t been commonly used in 15+ years.

          3. Woodruff, Who do you work for? I’d like to know more about Cardinal. RBA just gave me a bid of $50k for 13 windows. Told me if I signed today I get 25% off for a lifetime. But if I didn’t sign now, I can never get the 25 off deal again. Is that true? One bay window with 4 panels priced at $15k. That seems very high to me.

          4. thewindowdog says:

            Hi there, we can help with our new quote review program if you’d like feedback on the Renewal quote you’ve received. Or, if you’d like recommendations of window companies all around the country check this section.

            I would guess you could still get the 25% off deal if you wanted, since I would expect that’s something that everyone is offered every single day. Companies just offer things like that to make you feel like you’re getting something special. You might be able to find a better value than $50k for 13 windows…

      2. Morris Koad says:

        The window dog is clearly a mutt…scorned by renewal or other premium window companies. I’ve been in the industry for 25 years…growing up in Pella, Ia and have worked with Pella, Hurd, Andersen, Provia, and Eagle.
        He’s most likely a sales manager for a value segment window company that drinks the kool-aid of the value segment corporation he now endorses.
        Recommendation for dog: stay off the big boy playground before you get bitten.

        1. thewindowdog says:

          Thanks for the tip Morris. I’ll keep that in mind.

          1. Wishisawthissooner says:

            My guess is that the commenter works for rba… We made a $30k+ mistake by going w them to do a whole house job… They left our project unfinished, didn’t do what was in their contract to finish, finish the exterior wrap well… I can send you pictures to add to your less than favorable review if you ever want them. Wish we could turn back the clock and save ourselves the money and headaches… Hope this helps others with their decision making…

          2. thewindowdog says:

            I would guess that too. We’ve been getting some suspicious comments lately. Sorry to hear about your troubles. I don’t think installation quality is typically their issue. I wonder what happened with your project. The Renewal stores in the areas where we operate tend to use some less than desirable sales tactics (that’s putting it really nicely), but I don’t usually hear complaints about the installation quality.

        2. Blitzkrieg says:

          Lol what a salty old man. RBA “composite” product is a glorified vinyl with some saw dust. Dog brings valid points that anyone who has been in the game knows are true. They lie and deceive their customer base with made up “facts”, it is a decent product but certainly not what they make it out to be, and the products thermal expansion is not so good. I crush RBA day in and day out with solid vinyl and fiberglass products.

          To anyone looking into replacement windows, my advice is to do your research and look at several options.

          Recommendation for Morris – adapt or die, some of the big boys are getting upset because they can’t offer junk for insane prices anymore. Consumers aren’t helpless anymore, they are doing the research and getting educated.

          1. I worked for RBA on long island- It is NOT dealing with andersen directly as they tell you, it is a DBA franchise. The installation crew, not employed by andersen as they state, and this is true will all RBA’s. Each RBA sets their own prices and RBA LI raised theirs often- not because andersen did, just because they needed to hit #’s. The windows, they are an upscale 100 series, not as good as a 400 series that can be purchased for less at a distributor/installer, INSTALLED- I had people calling with issues right after install- sure they were corrected, but a professional crew should never have to fix an install a day later. And their add on construction costs were astronomical, my advice, go elsewhere. Nothing about them is that great and you pay far more than other windows would cost.

          2. thewindowdog says:

            Thanks for sharing your experience.

        3. Brian Roepke says:

          Then what widow would you suggest? I have Norcco windows now. i am looking at RBA and marvin infinity.

          1. Jason Kovacs says:

            Infinity is a far better product at a lower price point. Marvin Ultrex is a true Fiberglass much more stable than Fibrex. Fiberglass and glass expand and contract at virtually identical rates. Fibrex expands at 4x the rate of Marvin Ultrex due to its 60% vinyl composition.

            Both companies use the same Cardinal glass. The Marvin acrylic capstock is also far superior at resisting exterior fading from UV exposure if you want a dark color.

            Vinyl and vinyl composites warp between surface temps of 163-173 degrees. Might not be an issue for northerners but here in TX exterior surface temps hit as high at 200 throughout the summer. Fiberglass resists warping at up to 285 degrees.

            Lastly – everything I said above is a scientific fact not a personal opinion. That might not fit in well around here.

          2. thewindowdog says:

            Hi Jason, thanks for writing. I always like to have industry folks chiming in, even if we don’t always agree. Do you have the air infiltration rates for the Marvin Infinity and Ultrex double hung windows? I was just looking for that info and having trouble finding it online.

        4. Jon smith says:

          I couldn’t have said it better myself!

        5. Donna DuPree says:

          Having worked for all those companies. Which would you put in your house?
          We are looking at Anderson 400 custom and renewal. We
          have Estimates from both types. And companies hard to compare what is better?
          Omg it practically a new mortgage.

        6. Amy Glowniak says:

          I completely have to agree with you about this site. This “mutt” of a site rips and accuses about how unprofessional it is to bash a competitor, which I agree 100% a reps should not do. Ironically, this site is proving that they themselves are most unprofessional, and worse they are targeting one company. SMH

          1. thewindowdog says:

            Typically we’re just responding to feedback from readers of the site. Are you thinking those readers aren’t being honest about their experiences?

      3. You don’t think vinyl warps? You need to come to my house. I have vinyl windows and they are warped, hard to open, and discolored. Strange you don’t think this happens to vinyl.

        1. thewindowdog says:

          That’s like saying you don’t think cars breakdown. There are lots of nice cars that are very reliable and lots of other cars that aren’t. You find the same thing with windows. Nice vinyl windows don’t warp. Cheap new construction windows fail in all sorts of ways. That’s what keeps window companies in business.

        2. That’s your cheap vinyl windows for ya. I had vinyl windows that lasted only 5 yrs. I had they replaced with achola vinyl ( spelling may be incorrect) windows. They are 15yrs old and well made.

        3. Emily Gmitter says:

          I’ve had the same experience with my vinyl windows from RBA. And worse than that…or maybe because of that (the warping)…several of my windows won’t even lock because I can’t get the upper window closed all the way. Even when it looks like it’s closed all the way, and no amount of force will move it anyway so you think it’s completely closed, they are not and the locks are ineffective. Not safe and not energy efficient. Can’t remember when I got these, don’t know about my warranty status now but I do know I’ll never use RBA again. I’m sure I’ll have to replace all my windows one of these days, though the costs of an entire house replacement project is going to be out of my retirement level funds. Very disappointed.

          1. thewindowdog says:

            Hi Emily, I’m sorry to hear about your trouble. Could you send a couple pictures of your issues with the windows? I’d be interested to see what was going on. Maybe we can help out.

          2. Emily I am sorry to hear this. If you are under warranty Renewal by Andersen will honor this and they have a lifetime warranty for installation. Call their office near where you live and ask them to come out and see what you are talking about. They will fix it.

          3. thewindowdog says:

            They definitely do not have a lifetime warranty for installation according to their website. The only warranty I can see says it’s a 2 year warranty on installation. Do you have a warranty that says something else or is that just what the salesperson said?

          4. RBA doesn’t make a vinyl window Emily, never have. Renewal ONLY makes a Fiberx composite replacement window.

          5. Hi Emily you don’t remember when you installed the windows?

          6. RBA doesn’t and has never made a vinyl window…. so this isn’t true

          7. thewindowdog says:

            I don’t think she said she had vinyl windows? Andersen did make vinyl at the same time some salespeople were talking about how horrible they were. This is a funny business.

      4. Christopher James says:

        You had a bad sales rep. Very happy with quality installation from Andersen installers . I’ve had a nightmare experience with a vinyl window company that had an amazing price but the retrofit windows they put in looked like they were just place in not like they belonged there. Then 2 windows they had to remove frames from my house and ruined my stucco texture .
        My new house we went with renewal by Andersen, not series 100 or 200 that you see at Home Depot or as you say lumber yard. But the real all fibrex windo. Installation couldn’t have been better. Respectfull and efficienct without damaging my home. Thank you RBA . Very happy!

        1. thewindowdog says:

          Glad to hear you had a great experience. I believe the Andersen Series 100 windows are the same fibrex frame material as well. Thanks for taking the time to write.

          1. David Schmier says:

            The AW 100 is a Fibrex window but thinner gauge, thinner glass, cheaper hardware – it’s the company’s answer to vinyl. Not recommended. But here’s a FUN FACT: Andersen is the largest window company in the world. Back in the 1950’s they invented the vinyl window to deal with the rot problem plaguing wood windows (farm wood that’s very soft and porous.) So, even though they invented vinyl windows they never sold them until 9 years ago when they purchased an existing vinyl window brand, then rebranded it under the Andersen American Craftsman name. They sold them in big box stores and lumber yards for 9 years and then sold the company a couple of weeks ago. Why? Because the failure rate was so high that with Andersen’s comprehensive 20 year warranty it became too expensive to sell them – too many replacements being given away for free. I’ve sold every type of window out there and yes, in optimal conditions a high quality vinyl window can last. But I’ll put Renewal by Andersen’s wood composite window up against vinyl any day of the week. FUN FACT #2: If you’re replacing your deck would you rather have wood or a wood composite, such as Trex? I chose Trex for my new deck and love it. Same technology as Renewal by Andersen’s composite window (that’s because Andersen invented that too!)

          2. thewindowdog says:

            You’re right that the American Crafstman windows were pretty cheap and didn’t hold up well. I was always surprised that Andersen would put their name on a product like that. I believe they also owned Silverline or perhaps Silverline produced the American Craftsman windows.

            I think it was definitely a smart move for Andersen to get out of that product. It’s cheap windows like that that keep nicer window companies in business. If builders all started using nice windows the market would get smaller over time. Since they all use cheaper windows the market just keeps getting bigger.

            And I picked wood for my deck. I think it looks and feels better than a fake wood product like Trex. We all get to make our own choices.

            Trex has had a ton of warranty issues over the years. I don’t know if you’d want to tell people it’s the same material in the windows. I believe the Andersen marketing people would probably have a long story to tell about why it’s not the same.

          3. The 100 series window is made with a thinner frame and sash Fibrex than what Renewal sells. It’s a cheaper window, it’s not going to hold up as well in cold climates. I used to sell and install vinyl windows some 20-30 yrs ago. I had ONE decent brand but they stopped making them, all the other vinyls are junk.

            Absolute junk.

          4. RBA warranty on installation is now 5 years. Just signed a contract with RBA last week . None of the sales tactics you mentioned in past posts. And the more I learn and read about them, the more I like them. Of course they are more expensive but who said good stuff comes cheap.

          5. thewindowdog says:

            Hi Gabe, thanks for writing. They still say 2 year installation warranty on their website. Did the salesperson give you anything in writing or did he just tell you that? If it’s not in writing I don’t know if I would trust it.

          6. Amy Glowniak says:

            You need to do your research, whatever it is that “you believe” is not factual information at all, one would be wise to not take you seriously. Maybe, you should find a new gig, a comedian for example; good for roasting and laughs THE END.

          7. thewindowdog says:

            How long have you been working for Renewal? Your string of comments feels like step one in the enlightenment of a window salesperson. When you’re shortly out of sales training you think everything you know is accurate. It usually doesn’t take long to learn that the people training you weren’t necessarily giving you the whole story. Just let us know if we can help with any clarification on anything.

            Step two is you deciding if you want to keep telling the stories that you were trained to tell even after you learn that they’re not 100% accurate. That’s entirely up to you.

        2. What was the price? I just got an estimate for them at$18,000 for 11 windows

          1. I just received a quote from RBA for replacing 11 windows and 1 sliding door for a price of $22K AFTER the discount as retail was $31+K……. That is A LOT of money and I’m pretty sure the Jeld-Wen would suffice and my reliable carpenter would be able to replace them for about a quarter of the price. Any opinion on Jeld-Wen??

          2. Blanca & Teddy says:

            I just got an estimate from rba at 22,000 for a bay window and four patio doors

          3. U got a good deal then! I just signed a few days ago; with RBA, 11 windows plus one door 33K
            I’m so sick of windows companies
            They’re all rip offs you just need to choose who you’re going to get ripped off by and hope the product lasts. I’m scared but I’m hoping for the best. I look at my neighbors cheap windows and don’t want that. It’s a scary purchase for sure but I’ve had every company here and they’re all swindlers especially if you’re a woman. Very sketchy business.

          4. thewindowdog says:

            There definitely are a lot of sketchy characters out there, but they’re not all bad. What’s your zip code? We might know someone to recommend.

          5. Joel erickson says:

            We just got an estimate for 22 windows. $62,000, but after the great sale it came down to only $ 47,000. What are they smoking?

        3. Glad to hear some positive s about renewal by Anderson. We are scheduled to have windows installed. I’m hoping I made the right decision!

          1. You will be more than happy! We also are in the middle of a multi phase project with RBA. While not cheap, neither is the product. The installation we’ve experienced so far has been better than ever dealing with a contractor. I did learn that most contractors are salty because they can’t sell or install RBA windows so they recommend a product they can make money on. Seems to be the issue with many in this group. No matter how you dress up plastic windows (that’s all vinyl is) they look cheap and make a home look cheap! They have their place but it’s not in a home of any standards or value, that’s for sure!

        4. Jason Kovacs says:

          I have been selling windows for 11 years. Overpaying for a great product from a great company that always stands behind it is hardly the worst case scenario.

          Getting ripped off by the triple lifetime vinyl company that sells you a price and not a window and then dissolves their LLC after six years in business and packs up and leaves town is what you should fear.

          1. thewindowdog says:

            You’re right about that. That’s why I always recommend working with a large and well established company. For example, there are companies offering vinyl windows that have been in business for 70+ years. That’s a much safer bet than some other options. In my nearly 20 years of experience in this industry I’ve seen many manufacturers come and go. Some companies that were highly regarded by window “experts” have vanished leaving all of their customers with no warranty and no access to parts.

            I think people don’t appreciate the value in working with a larger and more well established company. Those companies do exist offering windows of all types vinyl, fiberglass, wood, composite, etc.

      5. David Molly says:

        You are as irresponsible in how your portray Renewal. True research would reveal that FIBREX is a superior product and clearly better than vinyl/plastic/wood grown from tree farms. While Renewal is trying to sell their product over the competition, they sell it as superior because the product is superior throughout from the frame to the glass. Vinyl will NEVER last 20 years and keep performing for 20 years. Renewal Windows will last that long which is why they warranty it for that period of time and which is why the offer a LIFETIME Labor/Service warranty as well.

        1. thewindowdog says:

          Hi David, I think you may have recieved some bad info. Renewal windows have might higher (worse) air infiltration rates than nicer vinyl windows so they start off less efficient. There are millions of 20+ year old vinyl windows out there that are performing just fine.

          What about the fibrex do you think is better? It does look very nice, there’s no doubt about that. Other than that I don’t know what would be better about it.

      6. Michael Marciniak says:

        I’m buying anderson they have changed their windows. They offer a lifetime warranty without windows as long as you live their. Also that window warranty transfers to the new owner. I have seen the windows felt the heat staying in and cold air out. Their tinted and fibres white which can be painted. There better that cheap vinyl I have now from the box store home depot or lowes.

        1. thewindowdog says:

          That’s definitely not true. Did the salesperson tell you that? I just looked at their website to make sure. The fibrex window frame material still only has a 20 year warranty. It used to have a 10 year warranty so 20 years is better, but it’s not a lifetime warranty.

          The insulated glass unit has a transferable 20 year warranty too. Looks like the hardware, locks and balances, etc only have a 10 year warranty which seems short.

          We’ll do a Renewal by Andersen window warranty review video one of these days to go through the details.

          1. (Editors note: Sadly the link Brian posted is no longer valid, looks like it has been removed from the server or the address has been changed)

            Here is the warranty and what I like it doesn’t have fine print like everyone else on the market today. It’s a solid, straight forward and honest which I like. Read over it once, pretty good.

          2. thewindowdog says:

            Yes, that’s the warranty we’ve found online too. Notice it has a 2 year warranty on installation while some commenters here have made other claims. I’d say it has about the same level of fine print as you get on most warranties. The fact that they cover labor to fix an issue is a nice feature, 10 year warranty on non-glass components is rather short compared to what you get elsewhere.

          3. I am looking for a great replacement window and can honestly say this site is not helpful. I am confused. I know people who love and who hate Andersen. IF Renewal by Andersen has franchises then wouldn’t they also have different prices, different warranties and different sales techniques? Why create a website that confuses the issue and doesn’t actually do any research of their own? Most importantly you cannot make a claim about ALL sales personnel as I am certain each and every sales person IN ANY FIELD does not have the same ethics, religious background or sales techniques.
            I am certain franchises in New York are more expensive for the same service or products as those in say Idaho? Due to the cost of office space, etc. it only makes sense. When I went to New York a cup of coffee was $9. I could post a website on how outrageous that product is and everyone would agree across the board. However in Michigan where I live a cup of coffee is considerable less because businesses don’t pay the same premium for store space as they do in New York. IF and I only say if because I am not certain you are correct that Andersen is a franchise then you can argue any side and be correct because they are all different. Window Dog you stated that they are a franchise and then you go on to state online warranties. You keep accusing everyone of being a sales rep for Renewal, but why are you spending so much time on this website?
            I want facts and I realize a window in one state or location could be vastly different in price from another especially due to overhead cost, etc. The cost of labor in one state is more or less depending on the cost of living in that location. You are being deceiving and I don’t understand why. Please do the research for us and quit relying on others to post it. YOU Window dog took the time and energy to create this website and update it. If you don’t have an agenda then you should also have the time to do the research and not let anyone confuse us.
            I live in Michigan, can you tell me what the warranty, price, etc. is for my state? In New York I’m sure it’ll be like the cup of coffee, frightening, lol.

          4. thewindowdog says:

            Hi Sue, you’ll find people from all over the country chiming in with their experience. To respond to your specific question, the Renewal window warranty is published on their website, that’s what we’re referring to. They don’t make any mention of some stores offering a different warranty than others which leads me to believe that they don’t. If anyone has another warranty to send in please do and we’ll be happy to write about it.

            The same is true with their sales tactics. It’s certainly true that one salesperson could be different than another, but the similarities in the stories you hear from folks all over the country leads me to believe that they train their people in those tactics. I don’t have any insight on that, just my assumption due to the commonality in the comments from folks.

            There’s nothing inherently wrong with Andersen windows. I think their wood windows can be perfectly nice. We have some in our cabin. They came with the cabin, we didn’t pick them and they work great. They are the real wood windows rather than the imitation wood Fibrex material. I definitely prefer the real wood over imitation wood. I just think the sales tactics used by the Renewal dealers is a sign of weakness. If they had a strong value proposition they wouldn’t need to operate that way. Just my opinion.

            If you get a quote let us know how it goes and what sort of pricing you see in MI. We have a lot of visitors to the site from Michigan and I’m sure they’d find it to be helpful.

        2. That is odd. I just had a rep today. No lifetime warranty and no transfer. I don’t remember the exact warranty quoted, but something like 20 years on the windows.

          1. thewindowdog says:

            Right. Their warranty is pretty clear, definitely not a lifetime warranty according to their own printed information.

          2. Their warranties are a LIMITED transferable warranty on glass, fibrex material components, on exterior color finish,on installation, and components other than glass.
            Its 20 yrs from installed date on glass, 20 yrs on fibrex material components, 10yrs on components other than glass(i.e. locks, hinges, lifts etc) , 10 yrs on exterior color and 5 yrs on installation.

          3. thewindowdog says:

            Hi there, just checked their website again this afternoon. Still only 2 year warranty on installation, but the rest of that looks right to me. It is more limited than many other warranties but certainly not a bad warranty. There are worse out there.

          4. Rosie Fisher says:

            Windowdog, where do you see in the RBA warranty that they cover labor to fix an issue for the 20 year warranty? We have Andersen windows and they are coming out in a couple of days to fix some issues on windows installed in 2006. Should I expect a bill for repair

          5. thewindowdog says:

            You can find their warranty on their site. That doesn’t mean it’s the same warranty you would have received back in 2006. How did the service call go?

      7. What a joke lol. Vinyl windows CANNOT withstand extreme temperature change. If you were a little more educated you would surely understand the variation in climates throughout our wonderful country the United States of America. Vinyl is pure PVC. It bows and buckles and eventually breaks down which leads to typically seal failure. Vinyl is NOT FINAL.

        1. thewindowdog says:

          Hi Joe, I hope it doesn’t break your heart to learn that you’re wrong about that. Vinyl windows are very successfully installed in Arizona and Alaska. Who told you that they wouldn’t hold up in extreme environments? You might want to question everything else that person told you.

          Also, vinyl windows are not pure PVC, that’s one reason they can hold up just fine. Sounds like you’ve received some questionable info.

      8. I am genuinely shocked by your review of Renewal by Andersen. I bought into the PGT reinforced virgin vinyl and they discolored in less than 5 years. The black rubber between the 2 panes of glass were detaching. I paid $1500 per window and checked with others to make sure they weren’t overcharging me within my area. I received a “lifetime” warranty…the distributor didn’t honor it and PGT certainly didn’t honor it. Their manufacturing warranty is a joke. The distributor changed their company name and their precious lifetime warranties became null and void. I don’t think anyone should believe any company that says Lifetime. I would make it a point to stay away from them. No company has the longevity like Andersen does and nothing in life last forever. Companies with 100 year longevity, will assign a warranty period that states how long the product will hold up without issues- 20 years is not bad and 20 years is an honest warranty for a company with this type of tenure. I bought from Renewal by Andersen and it wasn’t much higher than PGT…8 years in, they are looking and operating the same as they did when I bought them. They’ve lasted twice as long as virgin vinyl. I live in Florida so the sun is unforgiving here and if you’re in your right mind, wood frame windows are definitely not an option down here. Wood decking, wood or vinyl fencing, Wood or vinyl Siding, wood or vinyl patio furniture…none of that last more than 5 years especially if you’re near the water. Composite decking, fencing, siding (hardy board), patio furniture…that’s what you see the most of down here in Florida. When the Andersen rep said they were composite framed windows with a realistic warranty period and a tenure like theirs, it was a no brainer. It seems like you’re located up north and you just got a bad Renewal by Andersen rep. It’s a shame cause you really don’t know what your missing. Even if lifetime warranties are a real thing and the company is still in business when you call, who wants to have to call a company every 5 years to get things re-done? That’s way too soon for something as major as window installation. Composite anything has a longer lifespan than 5 years.

        1. thewindowdog says:

          Hi Jennifer, sorry to hear you had some much trouble with the PGT windows. The warranty is a pretty clear legal document. It’s possible you ran into a salesman who made some false claims, unfortunate that happens all the time, but the warranty you recieved from the manufacturer would still be valid and would be just as valid as a Renewal by Andersen warranty.

          $1500 per window is quite a lot even in todays market, let alone 5 years ago. Sounds like you met a company that wasn’t too focused on treating customers well. I don’t know if that’s the fault of vinyl windows but I do know that my customers from 15 years ago still have windows that work great.

          Good luck with the new Renwal windows.

        2. Jason Kovacs says:

          Amen sister! Anyone who shows up with a lifetime warranty on something made out of plastic should be thrown out of your house. They know for certain it’s not possible when they sell you on it.

          Andersen is over 100 years old. It employs PhD scientists and is on the cutting edge of research, design and engineering.

          Vinyl companies basically use open source patents to make the same windows as everyone else. They just slap their name on the lock and call it special.

          Ask yourself – vinyl windows have been around since the 1960’s. It’s not “new technology”. The Germans used it out of desperation to cheaply rebuild after WW2.

          So why is it that there aren’t any 60 year old vinyl companies?

          Triple lifetime guarantee…. Hah…. How long have you been manufacturing windows…. 8 years…

          You see where I’m going with this.

          1. thewindowdog says:

            Hi Jason, there certainly are vinyl window manufacturers that have been in business longer than 20 years and to my knowledge the warranty on the Fibrex frames is 20 years. So, that would mean the customer who bought a vinyl window from those well established manufacturers got a better warranty than someone who bought the Fibrex windows, right?

            It’s definitely a risk when someone works with a newer manufacturer and it’s true that many of them have failed, but it’s also true that many large manufacturers have succeeded and offered good quality products for many years.

            There have also been plenty of wood or fiberglass manufacturers that have failed. I don’t think that means fiberglass windows are horrible, but I do think it’s clear that working with a large and well established manufacturer is a smart move regardless of the window type.

      9. Cord Wilson says:

        I honestly don’t know how to feel now? I had them come out to my house today and give me a quote (which I committed to) and I have nothing but high praise for the guy that came. He had nothing bad to say about any other company, he showed me pictures of what I would think were common failures. He went through some pros and cons about the windows I have now which are not that old. I feel like they are fairly cheep and have failed too soon. Did I make a mistake by ordering from them? I felt like the price was fair and thought I had did my homework prior to selecting anyone to give me a price. I typically buy based on the willingness/knowledge of the sales person and don’t shop around a bunch once I feel comfortable with the rep.

      10. Amy Burkhart says:

        I challenge you to go on a in-person consultant appointment with me. It may not be allowed, if not I am so very happy to provide you with my clients, buyers or not, referrals. You have NO IDEA about us consultants. Yes, there are bad apples in EVERY single company, please stop your paid finger pointing at us solely. I pride myself on integrity and honesty. Yes, we are not for every household. I have a conversation with all I meet with. I give them facts, I do not disparage any company, unlike yourself. I do not tolerate tactics you accuse RBA of doing. Again, my challenge to you is out there. Oh yeah, one last but extremely important fact. You claim RBA bashes other companies/material, yet you are the worst of the worst.
        Amy Burkhart
        Detroit

        1. thewindowdog says:

          Hi Amy, thanks for taking the time to write. I certainly don’t intend to say all salespeople are bad. I’ve even written about that in the past. Do you use the magic iPad with prices that get lower and lower and ends with “today only” specials? We’ve heard about tactics like that from many readers of the site.

          I’d be curious to know if you’re using that same strategy? And, how long have you been selling for Renewal by Andersen? I find it’s usually newer reps who feel like you do.

          And, I’d be happy to go on a few appointments with you one day.

          1. Dave C. LV,NV says:

            We had the magic I-pad experience yesterday. Since may wife is a math prodigy we are totally pissed by the new car finance gimmicks. We would someone ask us to rate them a 10 right away as soon as we get the text or email – because it is likely tied to commissions. The first price quoted was half the original purchase price of this home before the magix I-Pad bullshit started. Just saying not all buyers are fools! BTW if he would have started with the 4 lowest price possible we would have seriously considered that deal. BTW don’t let them leave that I pad near you. Why the may be illegally remoting into your conversation at your table from outside. Yes I am a tech guy and yes it’s possible but illegal in many states.

        2. Ummm…he never said anything about consultants…he is expounding on commonly known tropes of any sales ecosystem…windows…cars…widgets etc… just show me on the doll where her hurt you….

          1. thewindowdog says:

            Ha, I think it’s usually people right out of sales training who feel that way. They get all amped up from a week of exciting training and they haven’t yet realized that most of what they were taught was garbage. I would guess that’s one reason the turnover in those positions is so high. At some point they do realize they’re spreading a lot of BS and they need to decide to either keep doing it because the money can be good or find another job.

            Somewhere in-between they come on here and tell me about how I don’t know anything. It’s a fun business.

    2. Wife is trying to decide between RBA & Champion. Opinions please!

      1. Jack Stamis says:

        Not only are they providing great work, they provide a great product.

        Triple Pane Glass Allowing for as little as 4% of heat to transfer through the glass.

        Air leakage is .02 allowing for only 0.15 of a gallon of air per minute per window vs the industry standard at 1.5 gallons per minute per window at a .20 air leakage. Andersen has a .08 air leakage.

        Thick powder virgin vinyl frames with a vinyl triple head support system, and exceeds energy star standards by 45%.

        They are a minimum of half of renewal by Andersen, sometimes a third !!

    3. This site is loaded with opinions but very few from legitimate owners of Renewal. I had their sales team out. They are super expensive but a very well made window. I called over 20 people that the salesman gave me for reference. They loved their windows, had no problems, but hated the price. I went out and looked at the installation of three homes and the work was excellent. I have to pass them up because they want $26,000 for my small retirement home.

      1. thewindowdog says:

        I completely agree that they’re nice looking windows. I think the problem most people have is the sales process. Since the comments seem to be similar and seem to come from all over the country I would assume they train salespeople to operate that way. If you really had a great value you don’t need to operate like that. Porsche makes a great car and they’re not offering huge discounts if you buy today. It’s either right for you or it’s not.

      2. I’m in Michigan and just got a price of $2,000 per window…2 double hung and 4 casement..that includes installation for the fibrex..Home Depot charged $1,200 for same window but I wasn’t happy with the installation…Ive been told its really important to have good installers!

    4. Angela Fettig says:

      Andersen! The dog is clueless!

      1. thewindowdog says:

        Thanks for chiming in Angela!

    5. Do your windows or any window companies for that matter cover the dissipation of argon gas for the lifetime of your or anyone else’s warranty? RBA covers that for 20 years. Do you have a top secret vinyl or wood frame that won’t expand and contract with climate changes? Fibrex does not expand and contract nearly as much as wood or vinyl does. Your paying for a quality product with RBA and most of all you are paying for the experience. There is a department at RBA for everything you could possibly need for window replacement. Finance department, install department, service department, sales department, show room, ordering, customer service. It is a detailed in home consultation with a design rep, followed by a visit from an engineer that goes into great detail what should be expected, followed by installers that are specifically trained to install the fibrex product. Renewal by Andersen also has the smallest carbon footprint in the industry. People want things done right and done professionally, unfortunately some contractors gave the industry a bad rep. You have to understand that its more than just the product for homeowners, they also want a premium service and RBA provides that as well with a high end product because they understand consumers. When you compare vinyl to fibrex it is most certainly not apples to apples.

      1. Christy Cochran says:

        Thank you! Everyone making me feel bad for spending so much on RBA

    6. From a worker stand point the fibrex is brittle. What they won’t tell you is what the employees use to clean the fibrex. Or how many times they are handled. What the company is currently doing to the employees right now isn’t right either. It’s a toxic work place. Very little care Really goes into the making. They care more about the number of windows produced then the actual order of any individual window. You will be replacing any window within a couple yrs if it isn’t white or there canvice color. A lot of defect if you actual Take a look at any of there windows. I would encourage anyone who has or is thinking about getting these windows to look elsewhere before turning to this company

  2. Lisa Paternoster says:

    I just had a renewal by anderson guy in my home! We got some outrageous numbers on replacing our windows. Anywhere from $1500-$5000 per window (granted some of our windows are very large, but still it seems super steep!) He said they have a 20 year warranty and that they are installed by Anderson. I kept thinking but they are ‘Anderson’ but still it seems pretty outrageous!

    We just bought a house on long island. The house was built it in the 50’s. Some of the windows are original, but most were replaced between 1982-1987. The draft in the house is significant, and with all the project we have to do I am getting a little overwhelmed. Any advise on the type of windows we should be looking at in the northeast??

    1. Hi Lisa

      I grew up on the Island – moved to NJ and work with a exterior renovation Company for the past 29 years. We sell windows doors roofing and siding. A rating BBB and Super Service award on Angies list . Okna vinyl replacement windows will be your best bet . I don’t know who sells them on the Island . I have reps come thru our office all the time with the “latest and greatest” – we scrutinize windows to the tenth degree before we put our name behind them . For the money $350-500 per window your money will have been spent the best way possible

      1. Asa Betancourt says:

        Hello Lisa,

        What is the name of your company you work for? I’m looking to replace some windows soon.

        Asa

      2. Blanca & Teddy says:

        Anyone can get a BBB rating it doesn’t mean anything.

        1. thewindowdog says:

          That’s a fact. The BBB is a funny thing, not particularly relevant to anything.

      3. That’s hilarious…. simple google search “Okna Windows lawsuits” ??‍♂️

  3. I was looking for a window company to work for…maybe they’re not the one.

  4. looking for a reputable company to replace 8 windows and 1 palatium window in the Hudson Valley NY area (Dutchess County).

    1. thewindowdog says:

      I’m sorry Peg, I don’t think we know anyone in your area. I’d suggest trying Angie’s List (find discounted rates here). If you find anyone great please submit their info in our best replacement window companies section. Thanks!

  5. Pretty amusing. I bought my Renewal By Andersen windows using Angie’s list over a year ago. Love them. Ran across your site which seems to be run by them by coincidence. For what it’s worth I had Gorell Windows sold to me by another Angie’s list provider in 2008. They didn’t even make it 10 years. I called the company who bought the Gorell assets “The Factory” and they said if I go to the website it says that the courts say they don’t have to honor the warranty. And that’s from them. And they are correct. Gorell.com. So when my vinyl windows leaked under the sill and my wall was soggy and insulation started to smell who was there to help. No one. Meanwhile Andersen has been around more than 50 years and they did fix my old casement in my bathroom (it was wood so it got rotten from being wet 20 years after it was installed) For a fee. As it was way beyond any reasonable warranty. Btw my Gorell windows had your so called lifetime warranty and it was worthless. So when I clicked the link for the ebook I see that Angie’s list claims you can save up to 70 percent on services and that there are 1000s of trustworthy reviews. If you don’t have the Renewal composite window how can you review it. Just saying. That’s like the TV commentator who claims he was shot at during a segment and we find he was no where around. And if an Angie’s list contractor will work for 70 percent less then they are probably an amateur at best. And the person recommending it to me probably won’t know a shim from a moulding and isn’t qualified to really score the install until years down the road. Just like I just did. Gorell 0 stars Andersen 5.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Glad to hear you had a great experience with your windows. We’re not associated with Andersen in any way, but we’re glad you took the time to write.

      1. I believe Barry meant that it looks like you are affiliated with Angie’s list, not Anderson. I thought the same thing when I first looked at your site and sall all the references to A.L.

        1. thewindowdog says:

          Gotcha, we have struggled with the best way to help people find great companies. We get many requests each and every day for recommendations in one town or another. While I know a lot of people in this business I just don’t know someone to recommend everywhere. I also find Angie’s List is a great way to get actual feedback. We do recommend it a lot, and that’s because we get asked for advice a lot. When they offered discounts and promos for our readers I really thought it made sense…and I still do. Hope that helps explain things!

    2. I do realize this post is old but HAVE to comment. Just saying, you sound like an Anderson rep…..I bought Vinyl Windows from a salesman selling Anderson about 8 years ago. I am very disappointed to hear their commercial talking about how they have dumpsters filled with junk windows made of Vinyl. I do need new windows but I will not deal with a company that will actually tell you a product they sold you was junk. I really do not want to buy junk again. I am looking at real wood. Real windows for the same money or less. Also I was told they have a limited 20 year warranty, yet their commercial tells you at 8 years your windows need to be replaced. Which way is it? Cannot have it both ways. Anyone other company 10… Anderson -0

    3. Thank you Barry. I’m getting window estimates this week. My gut tells me that vinyl doesn’t do well in Colorado.

      1. thewindowdog says:

        Hi Clara, what did you find? Vinyl windows will work just fine in CO. There are many thousands installed every month.

      2. Mac Shafer says:

        Clara, DON’T USE RBA IN COLORADO. I bought a home in Colorado Springs in 2012. The entire home had the windows replaced with casement RBA windows. One of the biggest selling points was the windows and this amazing warranty. I’m looking at a warranty from RBA Colorado that says NO FINE PRINT, YOUR WINDOWS AR GUARANTEED TO PERFORM AS WELL AS THE DAY THEY WERE INSTALLED FOR AS LONG AS THEY REMAIN IN YOUR HOME. NO MATTER WHAT MAY GO WRONG, WE WILL FIX IT FOR FREE. THE ONLY ITEMS NOT COVERED BY THIS GUARANTEE ARE ITEMS SUCH AS TRIM MATERIALS, PAINTING OR STAINING, NOT INSTALLED BY OUR COMPANY. I had a window gasket go bad and called to get it replaced. A small bathroom window took 3 weeks to get someone out to measure for replacement. After RBA brought the replacement window they couldn’t get the window to close without using a plate glass window suction cup to pull the window closed. We were then told by the installer we had a bad mechanism but he would get it replaced but it would take three weeks. After a month we called and have now been told it will be $185 for a $20 mechanism. I’ve spent 40+ years in the construction industry in Colorado and these folks are the worst. There were no issue with the windows operations prior to RBA working on in, it opened an closed fine. Now I’m supposed to pay $185 dollars to fix a mechanism that was broken before RBA go involved. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH RENEWAL BY ANDERSON IN COLORADO, THEY ARE HORRIBLE AT BEST.

  6. We are replacing screens on a porch with windows. Are Andersen 100 casements different from ‘replacements 100 by Andersen? What would be a comparable window?

  7. Funny, for some one who is down playing the use of talking about a competing product you just spent an entire page bashing Anderson. What’s another name for vinyl? Plastic? Hm sounds to me you’re defending plastic windows through out.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Kyle, thanks for writing. I do think Renewal windows are pretty. I just don’t like the sales pitch that often accompanies them and I don’t think there’s really anything remarkable about them. For example you can get a lifetime warranty on frames with Jeld-Wen wood windows and then you have real wood instead of simulated wood. They recently upgraded from a 20 year warranty and I think that’s a pretty strong move.

      Did you see the comment from Steve in Syracuse recently? At almost $2,000 per window there are a whole lot of choices. If you’re a supporter of Renewal by Andersen windows give me the pitch. Why should I go with your 10 year warranty over their lifetime warranty?

      I’m open to ideas. So far I haven’t heard a compelling reason.

      1. Here is the latest warranty direct from Jeldwen’s website. Tried to post picture of 2 pages but not allowed. Note on page 1. “Wood/wood-clad” 20 years with 10 transfer. Also not on page 4 the very clear reasons they will not honor the warranty. Quoted from warranty:
        “JELD-WEN is not liable for damage, product failure or poor product performance due to:
        • Normal wear and tear, including normal wear and tear of weatherstrip; natural weathering of surfaces. Variance in color or texture of natural wood parts, and natural tarnishing of copper cladding are not considered defects.”

        And many other ways out due to weathering and improper installation. Not seeing anything about “lifetime” on any of the wood products?

        1. thewindowdog says:

          I’m not sure what your question is. On the second page of the warranty it talks about the lifetime warranty on the AuraLast wood products, that’s the part with the lifetime warranty.

      2. Hi all,
        22 years of installing windows, tech measuring windows, managing install crews, and now selling windows. The “sales pitch’’ that window dog speaks of is different depending on the rep and the experience. Let face it, most sales reps are just that sales people. They probably have sold cars, or insurance or toilets. They are just trained to sell. Most of the negative RBA reviews are from folks who didn’t buy. They just had a bad experience with the rep, and or didn’t like the price.
        Most folks who have a good experience dont run to the computer to review. The negative experiences are very quick to voice displeasure.
        Truth is most windows (no matter what the framing material is made of are sold through a dealer.
        The person who makes the window doesn’t install it. Thats the difference between RBA in my neck of the woods and almost every other option. Lifetime warranties are pretty much a sham as they all have verbiage in them that excludes installation, normal use and natural weathering (which is the main cause of window failure) most windows are manufactured for new construction and that is the problem. To make a window that was manufactured for a home that doesn’t have siding, trim,sheetrock, etc you have to do one of two things. Alter the window or alter the home. And because most windows are installed by sub contractors take a guess at which one they alter? You guessed it, the window. To mess with someone’s home,siding, trim ,etc is a gamble. If you mess up someone’s home it can get pricey. So altering the window to make it fit is much easier and quicker. Altering a window also voids the “lifetime warranty”
        We all know nothing lasts for ever and if your going to tell someone that it does you better have a paragraph on the back of your lifetime, or double lifetime, or lifetime plus (all crap) warranty that covers your butt for when plastic, fiberglass, wood, or composite fails you.
        The problem with most windows is to keep the price of something down you use crappy materials ie, plastic, aluminium spacers, felt weatherstripping single strength glass, shotty LoE coatings, and gas fill rates that are extremely low. That’s the product you want to stay away from.

        And as far as U factors, NFRC, DP ratings and all the other crap. These are all measured on the manufacturing table where all is good. Nobody comes out an measure this stuff after its gone through a few seasons and plastic has expanded and contracted, fiberglass has leaked in the corners, aluminium has conducted, tree farmed wood has had time to show its true colors, etc.

        Yes the RBA product is more costly but i have catalogs of failed vinyl window pics and have yet to see Renewal windows that have failed. The Renewal window was made to replace 80 year old wood windows and 30 year old aluminum windows but mostly we are replacing replacement windows (plastic is the main culprit). I am not only the hair club president but i am also a client!!! I wouldn’t put any other window in my home and i have put thousands of windows in homes. $2000 for a window isn’t all that much if you think about only doing it once. And not dealing with seal failures, all the black thats builds up on vinyl windows and yes warping,cracking, and all the other stuff that comes along with plastic. I sit with soooo many people that thought they were going to only do this once and had lifetime warranties only to find the sub contractor cant be found, the manufacturer has been sold or has closed doors due to too many service issues, or the dealer has moved out and changed LLC. They are now doing it again for a more heftier price. Unacceptable if you ask me.
        Hope this helps and remember it depends on your climate, and you get what you pay for!

        Be kind to one another

        1. thewindowdog says:

          Hi Joshua, thanks for taking the time to write and I appreciate your very reasonable perspective. There’s a lot of truth in what you’re saying. We don’t agree on the longevity of nicer vinyl windows, but you’re absolutely right that folks who are perfectly happy don’t write reviews. At least they don’t at nearly the same rate as people who are unhappy.

          Glad to have you on the site.

        2. Thanks for the commentary here, Joshua. I believe the same things & agree with it.

          I do think the focus on the Fibrex vs Vinyl vs Wood and warrantee nuances are a deflection and distraction of sorts… there are a LOT of other considerations, and a window, all it’s components, performance and manufacturing quality AND installation are part of an overall “system” that also includes the surrounding construction/framing materials and quality. What we should care about is expected lifespan and resale value based on the reputation of the manufacturer (total cost of ownership – not just price). And performance to a lesser extent. I say a lesser extent because while you may feel less “drafty” with new windows in most cases you’ll never recoup your investment in terms of energy savings. If I’m wrong, someone please show me a demonstrated savings of new windows based on only energy savings.

          While I do understand the questions about why RBA might choose to have this warrantee or that…I believe there are some realities about warrantees in general that are being missed here: it is not uncommon for some of the most reputable products and manufacturers out there to offer warrantees that are simply average. And it is not unusual for upstarts, wannabees and niche players to offer comprehensive and long-term warrantees to overcome their lack of long-term reputation (until they earn it). It absolutely does not mean a longer warrantee = greater value.

          I personally prefer to buy and tend to trust well-earned reputation over rumours, innuendo and small print. I buy Toyota trucks (4Runner SUVs). Their warrantees are completely average, but their quality and life expectation (and resale value) certainly are not. They’re just getting warmed up at 250K miles while most Explorers and Grand Cherokees are heading to the scrapyard.

          So it’s very much like that. Sure, you can get other windows cheaper, and in reality they may last a very long time as advertised. But listing your 30-40-50 year old house (or newer for that matter) and being able to boast that it has Andersen windows throughout… and you can assume you’ll be able to add all or most of the purchase and install cost directly onto the sales price (and get it). That is what a rock solid product reputation gets you. And also what generates some frustration with naysayers, who oftentimes don’t like a winner, or leader. Everyone guns for the leader.

          By the way… I put my money where my opinion is. I just placed an order to replace 50 casement windows at my “new” 30-year old house with RBA. I’m doing almost all including a few that were recently replaced – because we’re going all-black. We’re painting a few newer ones upstairs in the back. A few were “consolidated” so we can get more window area, so the new count is 41. About a dozen are tempered, and 8 are “specialty” (e.g. radius/arches). List was $135K (lol) and after discounts we’re at $70K total. I know that’s an absurd discounting game – but I don’t mind the sales thing… I just pay attention to bottom line. Pella with full install after haggling and discounts was quoted at $79K. I developed an initial estimate for Jen Weld through a local lumberyard dealer at under $40K not including installation costs, but backed off because there were so many variables and I felt I’d have more risk with an independent installer. So bring on the Andersens! Install is late March; early April.

          If anyone wants to know how it goes, I’ll respond later.

          1. Hi Eric. I had a design agent or specialist from RBA came to my house last Saturday and estimated $20,786 for my 11 windows. Mostly will be replaced with double sliding windows except for 1 picture window and 1 double hung. The agent said that it will take 15 to 17 weeks before installation will be started. How long did you wait before they finally installed yours? Also, how were your RBA windows doing now? Is the price you paid for worth it? Please respond asap as I only have until Wednesday to cancely contract. Thanks.

        3. You are spot on Joshua. You only cry once when it comes to quality and that’s when you buy it. I cried at least 7 times with vinyl. Never again. Renewal by Andersen’s Fibrex all the way.

      3. I purchased Renewal by Anderson Windows over 8 years ago and am extremely happy with them! I replaced vinyl windows that were foggy explained to me as seal failure. What stood out the most was their installers were great, professional, and courteous. I considered going with vinyl again because of the considerable cost difference, but I really didn’t want to do project again and again. These look much nicer. I guess you get what you pay for. The vinyl windows only lasted about ten years.

      4. I went to a showroom of RBA, and although I believe they could be good windows, I too, was told, to not buy a vinyl window. I have a family in Europe and some superb performing windows are in fact vinyl, and some very respected by customers, so I will not be deceived. Also, I was very much pushed into sliders, while I completely dont care for sliders. (they do have slimmer frames than others) I have to say I did not like the look of RBA. Their frames look very bulky and that is not just that it is taking from your view, but does not look modern in my opinion.

      5. Chad Goble says:

        If Vinyl is a strong product and the Composite is not Why dont I see Vinyl decks and I see a lot of composite decks? Just curious

        1. thewindowdog says:

          Hi Chad, great question. I don’t think anyone is saying composite materials cannot be strong. I believe the point is that there is a max strength needed for window frames and any stronger than that is not any better. It’s a common way window companies try to fool people.

          Maybe a good example would be the aluminum skin of an airplane. It’s as strong as it needs to be. Steel would be stronger, but stronger wouldn’t be any better so they don’t make airplane skin out of steel.

          Or you could ask, why don’t you see too many residential decks made out of titanium? That would be stronger than Trex boards, but not at all necessary and a huge waste of money so nobody does it. You might say that is just as necessary as making windows out of a material similar to deck boards.

          Hope that helps.

  8. You claim to be a reputable window reviewer?
    you didn’t even get the warranty info for the Renewal by Andersen correct.
    its clear your a plastic lover.
    I have piles of vinyl windows we have replaced because of warping and cracking. please give me your address so I can have them shipped to you so you can do a little bit more research.
    I cant believe your BS site gets as much traffic as it does.
    what a joke

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Tony, thanks for chiming in. What did I get wrong about the warranty for Renewal by Andersen windows? I based my comments off of a written copy of the warranty. If anything is wrong just send over documentation and I’ll be glad to update the site.

      People write in pretty frequently to tell me I’m all wrong about something. When we double check it we’re right much more than we’re wrong. If I hear back from you I’ll make sure to make any changes.

      Here is a copy of the Renewal by Andersen warranty so everyone can read for themselves. There’s no need to take my word for it.

      1. The warranty covers labor and materials for the life of the warranty.
        Andersen hasn’t been In business for 112 years because they put out garbage products.
        They are fully aware that the Fibrex material will outlast wood. Do you think it makes sense to put a competing warranty out there against themselves?
        They have obviously thought that out.

        You can’t buy the renewal product off the shelf at your local lumberyard.
        The renewal warranty is better than your your typical Andersen warranty because it covers installation if anything needed servicing. I challenge you to find a better company out there that stands behind their product like RBA does.
        We are in an area of the country where you get extreme heat and extreme cold and a majority of the products we are replacing are vinyl windows and that is a fact!
        As far as pricing goes please take a look at a cost vs. Value, report and you will find out RBA is in line across the board.

        1. thewindowdog says:

          I like Andersen windows, we’re about to place an order for 17 wood casement windows.

          From reading the actual Renewal by Andersen warranty it looks like you’re wrong. I posted a link in my prior comment. It says that installation labor is only covered for 2 years and the fibrex from is only covered for 10 years. I’m not making this up, it’s right there in the warranty.

          Do you have any additional information? Send us anything you’d like and if we can verify it we’ll be glad to post it. For now, it looks like your information is completely wrong.

          1. For anyone who thinks thewindowdog is misrepresenting Andersen’s warranty, take a look at their webiste – they say the exact same thing:

            http://www.renewalbyandersen.com/homeowner-help/warranty.aspx

            My wife and I have just started the estimate process on new windows, and I’m trying to do as much research before hand as possible. You’re site has been a wonderful resource. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

          2. thewindowdog says:

            Thanks!

          3. Full disclosure:

            I am a sales manager for RBA. I want to clarify the warranty issue. All Andersen products carry a 20-year warranty on glass, and a 10-year warranty on non-glass parts. This is true for both the clad wood windows offered in lumber yards and the fibrex windows offered by RBA. Because RBA both sells and installs the windows, any warranty claim will cover both parts and labor for the full warranty period. The 2-year warranty on installation doesn’t pertain to product failure, it is specifically designed to cover an installation failure. Most installation problems present immediately, or certainly by the first winter. If a problem presents after two years, it is almost certainly a product failure, not an installation failure. Regardless, I have never seen Andersen fail to go above and beyond their written warranty; both for the benefit of the customer, and to protect our brand.

            As for a “lifetime warranty”, it’s only as good as the name on the contract. If the company goes under, or changes hands, or just decides it’s not worth it, the consumer has nothing. And in NYS, the UCC code does in fact define a lifetime warranty as 7 years. That is in no way a fabrication.

            Lastly, JD Power ranks RBA #1 in the entire country among replacement window providers for customer satisfaction. We aren’t cheap. I can’t disagree there. But I think you are vastly mistaken on most of your critique.

          4. thewindowdog says:

            Hi Chris, glad to have more industry folks on the site. Can you send a link to the UCC code? I’ve heard that claim for years, but I’ve never seen any documentation.

            I want to believe you. That claim has been around long enough that I’d expect it’s based on something. Without anything to verify it just feels like a convenient way to explain why a 10 year warranty is good.

            Please send over any info if you have it. We’ll be glad to post it.

          5. Morris Koad says:

            Wait a sec. You’re about to buy 17 Andersen casement windows for your own home that have the same frame warranty as the Renewal product…. You can’t warrant a 10 year warranty with the Renewal product, but you can warrant a 10 year warranty with the Andersen product? Sounds fairly hypocritical, doesn’t it?

          6. thewindowdog says:

            You think you caught me huh? They’re not for my house, they were for a customer who was matching the 50 or so other Andersen windows already in the house. I don’t think they’re bad windows, but I do think the warranties are pretty weak and the sale tactics that customers tell us about from some of the Renewal dealers can be interesting. Just read the comments here. If I was making this stuff up you wouldn’t see people commenting about their experiences so frequently.

            Good luck out there.

    2. We have far more dumpsters of old wood Windows just 10-20 years old than vinyl. The mechanisms break down much faster than any frame material. Do we replace old vinyl Windows ? Of course. But not all vinyl is the same. There is virgin vinyl and recycled. Recycled won’t last, but virgin vinyl will out last any wood, fiberglass or composite period. Which is also hy they are now warrantied a lot longer than they used to be.

  9. I recently moved into a home where some of the windows will need to be replaced very soon. Interestingly enough, all of the windows in the home have been replaced by previous homeowners. Several were replaced nearly 10 years ago with Renewal by Andersen windows. All of those windows are in near perfect condition with no issues. They operate extremely well, they are safe and secure and are noticeably more energy efficient.
    The windows that need replacing are 6 years old and were put in by a more recent homeowner who chose to put in vinyl windows. These windows are a mess. There is condensation between the dual pane glass, they don’t stay up, some of the locks are broken and a couple of the sashes that face south and west are warped. All of these failing windows are made of a plastic or vinyl frame material.
    Now you guys can banter back and forth about warranty claims and the like all you wish, but there is no comparison between these 10 year old Renewal by Andersen Windows and the 6 year old vinyl windows that are falling apart. I’m not a structural engineer and I’m not a materials expert, but I’m telling you that Stevie Wonder could see the huge contrast between these windows.
    I called my local Renewal by Andersen office and they sent a guy out to look at the windows and he gave me a cost for replacement. Having read your remarks about their company before the sales visit I was prepared for a hard sell and was eager to see what all of this competition bashing was about.
    I showed him my window issues and he took a look at the windows that Renewal had installed 10 years ago. He simply asked, “Any particular reason why you called us back and not these guys?”
    No sales pitch, no dog and pony show, no bashing of competition. While he was writing his quote up I told him about the complaints on this website that I read and how I was surprised how a company that made such superior products would have to bash competitors. He said, “We assertively expose the companies in our industry that attempt to convince vulnerable homeowners that they will be OK with lower priced, lower performing products. We have an obligation to let them know that they won’t be alright.”
    I don’t like paying more than I have to as much as anyone, but I’ve been far more disappointed with my decisions of the past where I spent too little, and more satisfied where I stepped up and spent more for better products with highly rated companies.

  10. Mark Schlabach says:

    @windowdog. Why would Andersen complicate things for other dealers(lumberyards)? Who have been selling core product for years. It makes it very unhandy to explain that RBA is not Andersen. It is more, Renewal Window by Andersen Raw Product as it is my understanding that Fibrex is sold in its raw form to RBA. Correct me if I am wrong.

    On the flip side of the coin RBA’s pricing makes it very easy for our sales staff to close a deal because we have the same Andersen name and much cheaper pricing.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      I don’t know how Andersen distributes the fibrex material, but I would be interested to learn more if anyone else knows how that relationship works.

      You are right that the Renewal by Andersen pricing can make it very easy for someone else to get the business. As a big company they have many costs and they do pay their installers very well from what I’ve heard. They sure do want a lot for those windows.

  11. To Window Dog
    The creator of this blog:

    Disclaimer:
    I’ve been a licensed Home Improvement Contractor in the State of NJ for more than 10 years.

    I am a college graduate, have sold for Fortune 500 companies and have earned a 6-figure income since 1990.

    Recently I made the rounds investigating possible career alternatives, as I am considering transitioning from a remodeling contractor to a sales position in the home improvement industry.

    I’ve investigated numerous opportunities with corporations most everyone is familiar with.

    Recently I interviewed with one of the more than 100 Renewal by Andersen dealers here in the United States.

    To be honest, I had previously interviewed with a few other window companies and was extremely disappointed and unimpressed with both their products AND especially with their sleazy sales tactics.

    It’s obvious to me that selling vinyl
    windows is a commodity sale that is difficult at best.

    As a result, my intention was to quickly write Renewal by Anderesen off my list as just more of the same circus.

    I could not have been more wrong!

    From the moment I entered the Renewal by Anderesen dealership I was pleasantly impressed.

    Especially by the Sales Manager.
    There are no sales gimmicks when it comes to Renewal by Andersen.

    Renewal by Andersen products are NOT commoditized vinyl windows.

    As you admitted, they ARE different.
    They are extremely high quality windows.

    As such, they are NOT for everyone.

    In my experience selling to homeowners for more than a decade there are three classes of purchasers:

    Bottom Feeders
    The Value Conscious
    & Top Quality Demanders

    Bottom Feeders only care about price.
    The cheapest price always wins. Quality & Service are of little concern.

    Top Quality Demanders require “the best”. Price is of little concern. Service definitely matters. And they want it NOW. These are hard core Renewal by Anderesen buyers.

    The Value Conscious could go either way. They want VALUE. Some are willing to pay top dollar for top quality. As a result, some will choose to pay the premium for Remewal by Andersen in return for premium quality.

    None of these buyers are “wrong”.
    They simply have different values.

    Admittedly Window Dog, you are NOT a Renewal by Anderesen dealer. As such you could not offer the Renewal by Andersen product even if you wanted to.

    Renewal by Andersen is not for everyone.
    In fact, less than half the prospective buyers visited by a Renewal by Anderesen Sales Representative choose to purchase.
    This is similar to prospective purchasers of Mercedes, BMW and Lexus products.
    Not everyone wants or requires the best of class.

    But, since 1995 millions of homeowners HAVE chosen to see the value in paying more for Renewal by Andersen.

    Why is this such an issue for you Window Dog?

    Andersen is a One Hundred Billion Dollar Company that owns multiple window lines serving multiple markets, including the vinyl window buyer.

    I found the sales presentation and sales practices of Renewal by Anderesen not only professional, but quite congruent with my personal sense of integrity.

    Perhaps this is why every year homeowners here in New Jersey choose to purchase tens of millions of dollars worth of Renewal by Andersen products, rather than the less expensive, lesser quality vinyl products you prefer to sell.

    Bottom line:
    Renewal by Anderesen isn’t forcing any homeowner to buy.
    They are CHOOSING to buy.
    Simply because they recognize that the Renewal by Andersen product & service IS a good value for the price they pay.

    I wrote this because homeowners are searching the web for help, not confusion.

    Rather than disparage the competition, I suggest homeowners take the opportunity to meet with an Andersen Representative in their home for a no obligation opportunity to ask questions and decide for themselves if Renewal by Andersen products are right for them.

    Rather than take your, or anyone else’s word regarding them.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Thanks for taking the time to write. I completely agree that the products are pretty. Im not a huge fan of the warranty and some of the sales tactics I’ve heard of. Btw, Andersen is most certainly NOT a One Hundred Billion Dollar Company. Find 2014 info here. Did they tell you that as part of their pitch to you?

      Good luck with your career move.

      1. I’m not saying that Anderson is necessarily a $100 billion dollar company or not, but, the link you posted is simply stating their revenue and not their valuation. As a privately owned company it is not very easy to determine their valuation in order to validate or invalidate the previous poster’s point. Perhaps you might try adding up the net worth of all the beneficiaries of the Anderson brand, but even that sort of information is usually speculative.

        That said, to simply try to discredit a poster on false information… Well, it only adds to me wondering who’s pitch has an undercurrent of being disingenuous ?

        1. thewindowdog says:

          Hi Bryan, I’m not sure what you mean. The other commenter said Andersen was a $100 billion dollar company and it’s not. I was showing him that it’s not. I don’t believe he was talking about the value of the company and I also don’t think the value of the company would be 40x more than the annual revenue so don’t know if that’s too relevant. It’s not worth $100 billion no matter how you slice it.

          That doesn’t mean Andersen can’t be a perfectly fine company, was just pointing out that it’s not a $100 billion company. That’s all.

          1. Michael Gibson says:

            Sorry, your link goes to Anderson Accounting…not windows…might want to double check your link.

          2. thewindowdog says:

            Hi Michael, no need to be sorry. There are no outbound links in this post. The only links we have here link to other pages on this site. Nothing links to Andersen windows or Anderson Accounting that I can see. If you see anything that’s not working right just let us know where and we’ll be happy to help out.

    2. We had a couple people out to talk to us about Windows. We had a local vinyl window company that pitched to us like a used car sales man and wanted us to buy Windows right then and there, and then we had Pella and RBA out. Pella did a good job but I compared RBA to a Mercedes dealer versus the vinyl window company that felt more like a used car sales man. We like both Pella and RBA but to be honest the price of RBA was cheaper than Pella! We couldn’t believe it and they have changed their warranty (for the better) a little so I would look that up. Needless to say we went with RBA!

      1. thewindowdog says:

        Glad to hear you had a better experience than some other folks. What was different about their warranty? The one on their website today appears to be the same as it has been for quite a while.

        1. I don’t think they’ve updated their website but the new warranty is 20 year limited warranty on glass, 5 year limited warranty on instillation, and 10 year limited warranty for components other than glass. So I think what changed was the installation warranty.

          1. thewindowdog says:

            Interesting. I thought I saw the updated site a few days ago. Haven’t updated the post yet as I am going to do a little research first to make sure we’re sharing accurate info. At this point, from what I’ve most recently seen it looks like they did change the warranty. We’ll get to the bottom of it.

          2. I’m pretty sure that’s right b/c it’s the information we were given and we now have Renewal by Andersen Windows and love them!!! I’m sure you could just call a show room and they could tell you. 🙂

        2. I’m pricing windows and am completely shocked at the price of the lowest end of windows from rba. For 7 windows and a sliding door before current promotion it was almost $18,000. With discount it Washington still $15000. Also while reading the contract i found somethings that really have me concered. It states that the warranty is not in affect till final payment is made. So does that mean if i’m financing the project that i don’t have any warranty till its paid off? Also it states that they do not patch nail holes or caulk inside. And they are pushing and make you want to try to commit to the project on the first visit, and offer a 5 percent discount if you do. even after I mention to them that I have other companies already scheduled to come out to do estimates they asked me the specific names of the companies and then told me that I needed to do my due diligence on those other companies before even considering them but yet they were still pushing me for a commitment at that time that they were in my home. I think their windows are really over priced.

        3. I question what warranty you (thewindowdog) are looking at? At no time was the RBA warranty as short or as limited as you continue to profess! This is the address (anyone who would like to actually see the warranty for themselves) you will need to type into your browser since no links are allowed here renewalbyandersen.com/homeowners/warranty This is a warranty landing page of sorts and on it you will find 3 different links at the bottom of the page titled (abbreviated) RBA windows installed prior to April 30, 2016, RBA windows installed May 1, 2016 – 12/31/2021, and RBA windows installed after January 1, 2022. The consumer would select the link that applies to them according to their needs. The mis information here is astounding!

          1. thewindowdog says:

            Hi Kori, thanks for taking the time to write. I wasn’t aware that Renewal by Andersen had changed their warranty in 2022, but I’ll check it out. The info posted was based on reading the prior warranties. What specifically do you think I was wrong about? It’s been a while since I’ve read through them and we’re always happy to make sure we’re being as accurate as possible.

          2. thewindowdog says:

            I just took a quick glance at the 2022 warranty and it looks pretty similar with basically the same limitations. I’d be curious to hear what you think I’m wrong about.

            It does appear that they added a section saying their customers aren’t allowed to file a class action lawsuit against them. I don’t know if language like that is legal but it does seem unusual. I don’t recall seeing it in other warranties. Do you know if class action lawsuits are something they’re nervous about? I wonder what prompted that language to be added in 2022. If you have any insight on that I’d love to hear it.

      1. thewindowdog says:

        You’ll see a fair bit of misinformation from some of these guys. We try to correct as much as we can. Thanks for taking the time to help.

    3. Robert Ragland says:

      I would agree as a purchaser of RBA windows. I had a little buyers remorse after purchasing, because of some bad reviews. But honestly our sales person did not push us, he simply presented us with viable options.

      We decided to go all out, and also purchased some french doors. Our installers covered our entire house with carpet protective paper and they explained the entire process to us. In three days they replaced fifteen windows and my sliding door. Super impressed, best de cision we could have made….by the way we live in the brutality that is Colorado!! Hot Summers and Cold winters

      1. Edward Williams says:

        How much were the French doors? We just kicked a RBA rep out of our house (and I mean rudely asked to leave, by me) when he quoted us $12,000+ for a standard set of installed doors IF we decided today. And this was with the “retired teacher” discount. He said our base price was $20,000 if we bought this year.

        I later had to go look outside to see if there was a turnip truck parked nearby that he might have thought I fell off of.

        1. thewindowdog says:

          Ha, last I heard they were selling Provia doors under their own label. They were acting like it was a “Renewal” door, but it was really a Provia door that you could get from many places. It’s possible this has changed, but I doubt it. Provia doors are nice and sometimes a little more expensive than people thing. We install their french doors in the range of $3500 all the time. That’s quite a savings from $12k, but it is possible that you picked more expensive options. They can get pricey, but probably not $12k pricey.

        2. LOL…we just experienced the same thing!! A RBA rep quoted us on 2 replacement sliding French doors and 16 windows…$81,000 before discount, $62,000 after discount!! My wife and I couldn’t help it, and laughed the rep out of the house. The French doors were $32,000 ($16,000 each). I know they were near their top of the line, but come on. Needless to say, we will keep searching.

          1. thewindowdog says:

            Ha, those must have been some fancy doors! Have you found another option yet?

          2. In a previous home we installed Pella wood clad doors. We were very happy with them…although the RBA rep threw them down pretty hard due to a law suit filed in 2016. Anyhow, we will have them come in for an estimate and see where they land.

          3. thewindowdog says:

            When one company is throwing down another company I’d discount pretty much everything they are saying. When someone decides to spend too much time talking negatively about the other guy it’s a sign that they don’t have too much positive to say about themselves.

          4. “When one company is throwing down another company I’d discount pretty much everything they are saying. When someone decides to spend too much time talking negatively about the other guy it’s a sign that they don’t have too much positive to say about themselves.”

            Window Dog, my friend. I decided to see what an “industry professional” has to say about window replacement projects. All I seem to be reading is you “throwing down” Renewal by Andersen, and spending a lot of time “talking negatively about the other guy”. You are obviously in the business and make your income from the sale of windows in some manner. I have found that Renewal by Andersen has a product that cannot be purchased or installed by any GC other than the liscenced market affiliate directly tied through DBA with the corporate brand, so that would make RBA your only “other guy” as you can buy every other window ether direct from manufacturer, big box, or lumber yards to sell and earn consumer business.

            So to take your previously stated advice I will be “discounting pretty much everything you are saying” because “When someone decides to spend too much time talking negatively about the other guy it’s a sign that they don’t have too much positive to say about themselves.”

            By the way I’v done some research into your claims that you then follow with “maybe they have changed” or “I might be wrong” and in most of the cases you are just wrong. Maybe do a little actual research instead of asking other people to send you stuff before you offer “advice” to people looking for honest, informed, and viable information.

            Best of luck to you in your window business.

          5. thewindowdog says:

            I appreciate the feedback. You’ll see my only real criticism is about their sales process and the claims made by some of their salespeople. I think the windows are perfectly fine and I think they’d sell a lot more of them if they treated people better. There are some comments from people saying they had a great experience and that’s great. There are enough comments about bad experiences that I’d be cautious. You can even read comments from many of their salespeople to hear it straight from the horses mouth.

            Things have changed over the years. When we started this site they only had a 10 year warranty on the frames and they extended it to 20 years. That was a positive development for the customer. They do make a lot of claims that I think are not at all based in fact. When they do that I ask them if they have any documentation because I want to be accurate. You’ll notice they never have any which seems to reinforce my point.

            If I am wrong about something I’ll be happy to update the info or write a post about it. I did that when they changed their warranty. When they make claims with no evidence I do think those claims are false. It strikes me as a challenging way to run a business, but they don’t ask for my advice.

          6. Joanne Wojcik says:

            We had a similar experience with RBA. The quote for replacing 20 windows, one French door and one sliding patio door was $85,000! The doors alone were over $28,000. We have 52 windows and two patio doors to replace on our 4,300-square-foot house. Based on this estimate, it will cost nearly $200,000 to “renew” our windows with RBA. The cheapest quote was for a 22-inch by 34-inch casement window in our kitchen: $2,166. REALLY?!?! When I researched window prices for our area–we live in the Denver suburbs–I saw estimates ranging from $300 to $700 for an average-sized window, which is larger than that kitchen window I would think. I can understand paying this much for a large picture window, but for a small casement window, that’s outrageous. I agree that the quality of the RBA window is good, but we can’t afford to spend all of our home equity on windows. We’ll never get that back on resale. Or will we? What’s the ROI for windows?

        3. Here is why I am disappointed with renewal by Anderson from the Stamford,CT. First they measured for a patio door. Came to install and said that either I get someone to widen the opening or they had to push it out some to install it. I figured they knew what to do and let them do it. On 8/4/18 between 8&9am that morning was a torrential down pour. Mind u my family room is on lower level of araised ranch home. Water was coming in under the wood sill on the floor and mu wool rug ,thank god, took the brunt of the water. Mgr claimed it wasn’t from the door but when he went outside said I don’t know why it was installed it that way. I took pictures, they came out and reinstalled it but refused to compensate me because I had to pay $2,000.00 for a new laminate floor because I had only 8 planks to fix the ones that buckled. When the laminate was lifted to look under it the covering on the concrete floor squished when u stepped on it and water came out. Mind you I did not have water seep into the family room anywhere because I moved furniture and checked everywhere. When Hurricane Sandy hit and everyone had water pooling in their yards while I had the original patio door that was here when I moved in 7yrs ago, I only had some water in the utility room where the clean out pipe was because I found out the clay pipe under ground was cracked. I replaced that pipe after the storm but NO WATER came into the family room or 4th bedroom downstairs. When Andersen came out to fix the door again, the Mgrs claimed even the wood was not wet. That was 3 1/2weeks later on 8/30/18. They did not replace the wood on the ground for the frame of the door so there is no way he could claim all the wood was dry even for the ends of the sill inside that were dark colored on the ends from the door. SOOOOO, I will never ever suggest anyone buy Andersen Doors or Windows and not use the Stamford,Ct. Renewal by Andersen people. Btw, the Mgrs did not even remeasure the door opening to make sure the person who originally measured did not screw up. Ergo instead of the costing me almost $5,000.00 it really cost me $7,000.00 because I had to replace the whole floor because the previous owner only had 8 planks of laminate left over.??

          1. thewindowdog says:

            Sorry to hear about your trouble.

    4. Thank you, your review was very helpful.

  12. ServicePro says:

    If anyone has any questions concerning Renewal by Andersen windows, I would love to help. I am a service technician and I have been handling Renewal by Andersen warranty claims for the past six years. I know the ins and outs of this product. I am not a salesman, I am the fixer. I have also worked in new construction and remodeling for the past 16 years installing both windows and doors. I have worked with All-side, Ply Gem, CertainTeed, Larson, Pella, Marvin, and of course Andersen, along with some other off the wall vinyl products which vary from company to company, but in my experience a window is a window. It is an opening to the outside world. All of them have their issues. Personally, I am installing Renewal by Andersen in my home and I live in one of the most diverse climates in our nation, ranging from -40 to 105 degrees. RbA stands the test of climate change and time.

    1. Service Pro:

      I’m John, the contractor who wrote the comment preceding yours.

      I’m intrigued by your posting following mine…and am impressed by your experience.

      Window Dog is correct, I was mistaken; Andersen is not a 100 Billion dollar company.
      I stand corrected.
      My apologies.

      My sole intention is to ascertain if the “Renewal” product is worth the price.

      I can control my chosen sales tactics.
      But I can not control the window market.

      Simply put, my subsequent research has resulted in an interesting dilemma.

      Evidently:
      An educated consumer could pay approx $900 per opening for an Andersen 400 Series wood interior / vinyl clad exterior double hung window, which includes a very healthy $300 per opening installation labor charge…

      Or:

      In this market, that same customer could pay 55% more, or $1,400 per opening for the 100% Fibrex “Renewal by Andersen” product line, similarly installed.

      Please tell me why an educated consumer might knowingly opt to pay an extra $10,000 or $15,000 for a 20 or 30 window job (respectively) for the privilege of choosing the 100% Fibrex “Renewal by Andersen” window,
      rather than the local lumber yard “Andersen 400 Series” window, installed by a local contractor (?)

      Same manufacturer.
      Same warrantee.
      Slightly different construction.
      Hugely different pricing.

      Are “Renewal by Andersen” customers simply ignorant of the Andersen 400 Series alternative?

      Or…

      Is there something that warrants spending $10,000 to $15,000 more for the “Renewal” product line?

      That’s a 55% increase in price!

      Furthermore, it is my understanding that “Renewal” salespeople actually sell non-Renewal patio doors from the standard Andersen portfolio, but at prices typically 100% higher than the customer could purchase the same exact patio doors from their local Andersen dealer (lumber yard)

      Is this correct?

      I’d love to make a very comfortable living selling the Remewal product line.
      But not at the expense of (perhaps) overcharging prospective customers.

      I am very interested to hear your response.

      Thank you.

      John

      1. Actually, if you look at home depots pricing and compare expect same. Renewal guts it back to the studs and rebuilds the door in there!! Check home depot pricing on that.

        Also Renewal sells a composite patio door + 5 others home depo does not

      2. This is very interesting. I am in the research phase of replacing a window, 2 panel sliding door and 3 exterior doors. Recently purchased a 1994 year built house with Original Andersen doors and trying to replace sliding door since the stationary panel is damaged in the bottom. The wood is rotten in the corner. I am an average person who depends on others for advice. So I have contacted Andersen directly to find who can replace the window. They recommend to contact the local dealer and was told they will call me back. The local dealer in my area in Fl is Home Depot and another. So I am still waiting. In the meanwhile I saw renewal by Andersen and arranged for a meeting for a quote. The rep came and gave me 35K!! to replace sliding door and 3 hinged exterior door. Definitely I was shocked! I was very skeptical about Renewal. I wanted to know if they are part of Andersen. The rep mentioned they are part of Anderson, and he offered all his sales pitch to get me signed. I just got the quote and wanted to research about it.
        Your post helped me understand there is a difference, the renewal and Andersen are different and products are different. Am I right? So if I want to replace my doors and window with the original, then I could get the product via Andersen deal and install them rather than going via Renewal. I have 96in x 96 in sliding door and 3, 36in x 96 in exterior doors. Can anyone advise how to get my doors and windows replaced? Thanks and I really appreciate.

        1. thewindowdog says:

          If you’re looking at hinged doors the Renewal by Andersen dealers I’m familiar with are offering Provia doors under a private label. I don’t know if that’s the case in FL specifically, but you can usually find Provia doors many places. I once had a customer tell me that she had bought more expensive doors from Renewal for her house, but she was buying the cheaper doors from me for a rental house. You should have seen her face when I told her they were both Provia doors and we could help with any of the Provia models. This can be a funny business.

          What’s your zip code? I may know someone to recommend.

          1. Lol they don’t sell Provia doors and say they’re Andersen doors. They sell Provia front entry doors and let it be known that they’re Provia. They will sometimes sell Provia Hinged Patio doors but the Andersen patio door is a much nicer looking door and better product by far. And vinyl windows are cheap looking garbage. That’s why you won’t see someone with a high priced home buy plastic windows. I’ve seen HOA’s have homeowners that just installed plastic windows, remove them or face monthly fines of $500+ per month. They cheapen the look of the home and neighborhood. And due to their expansion rate they bow, warp, and twist very often. Doesn’t matter if it’s virgin vinyl or not. I have a plethora of pics that show these failures. Do you have any to show the failures of RBA Fibrex? I highly doubt it. And as far as the sales tactics, maybe some might be like that. But I’ve seen light years worse. RBA is transparent with their pricing. They don’t make phony phone calls to their bosses to see if they can get a lower price like a lot of companies out there when the rep already knows what their lowest price is. Talk about sleazy! Every company is looking for a 1 call close. And not just in the window and door industry. If you don’t want the same day price then don’t buy. RBA isn’t the only company that offers a same day. They know that if they have to keep coming back to the customers home that it takes away from the opportunity to make new sales calls. So for those people that know they like the product, the install, the company, the warranty, the service, and the salesperson, then they’re incentivized to do business that same day. It’s not for everybody. No one twists your arm. Get real. And if vinyl window lifetime warranties are so amazing then why do people get rid of their lifetime warranty vinyl windows so often? And give me a break with double lifetime vinyl windows. The company won’t even be in business for a double lifetime warranty to even be valid. What a joke. And RBA must be doing something right considering that they account for 1/3 of Andersen’s $3B revenue and growing! That is a whole lot of homeowners that overcame such awful sales tactics. Let me talk trash about your company. Oh wait a minute, I won’t do that because I’ve never worked there and you have never worked for RBA so until you do, you’re nothing but fake news.

          2. thewindowdog says:

            Hi Dustin, thanks for writing in. Sounds like you might have an agenda here. What type of windows do you sell?

      3. Hi John – I know this post is 5 years old but I’m in exactly the same position. I’m considering a career shift and feel good about the Andersen branding, but all of this negativity and backlash about their sales tactics has me really concerned about being out there representing them. Just wanted to see if you ever did follow thru with working for them, and what your experience has been like? Anyone else with experience, please feel free to chime in – I really appreciate any feedback.

        Thanks so much!
        Ty

    2. J Nicolai says:

      I have RNA & have so much condensation in the inside & air leaks in through the seep holes that are in the inside. Thus ice on windows, cold air etc. RNA put some foam in the seep holes but still leak some.
      They are to come out again.
      Was talked into double sliders & you can feel the air & the latches do not lock tight & push the windows out from each other. RNA tried to fix it. Have to hold the sliders when closing or they do not seal.
      We had a house audit done & added more insulation added another bathroom fan.
      Live in central mountains of colorado.

    3. Blanca & Teddy says:

      Hi Mr. Service Pro, After reading Karen’s comment on her installation of patio doors, I am really nervous. I just bought patio doors from RBA and at $12,000 I do hope that I don6end up with a nightmare after installation of my patio doors. The RBA representative came by this week and took his measurements. This coming Saturday Sept. 14th, 2019 a service Technician will reinforce the measurements on the patio doors. I do hope we won’t end up having the same serious problem as Karen had with her installers on Sept. 8th, 2018. Their should be no reason to have an installation problem when two not one professionals confirm the measurements. We live in East Harlem and enjoy having good quality patio doors installed but we can’t afford unprofessional mistakes at our expense after hearing your great commercials about being so professional! We will come back to comment on our experience.

  13. You’re site is a joke!

    You censored my last comment.

    Looks like you fear any challenge to your point of view.

    Good luck

    Youll need it

    1. thewindowdog says:

      We don’t censor anything except blatant ads. I do have a pretty aggressive spam filter as the site gets over 100 spam comments each and every day, that’s 36,000 spam comments per year. If you don’t see anything posted please feel free to send me an email and we’ll figure it out.

      Since you’re new to the industry you may want to tone down the accusations until you have a better idea of what is going on around you. It would make sense that you leave a meeting with a Renewal dealer thinking they’re the greatest thing out there. You’ll learn more about this business as you get into it. Good luck.

  14. I have been thinking about replacing the 10 single pane windows in my home which was built around 1970. I happened to be in Home Depot one day and scheduled an appointment to have one of their rep come out and give me an estimate. The total to replace all 10 windows with Simonton 6100 came out to less than $8k, the rep emailed me the detailed quote and a contract that I could sign if I decided to move forward.

    I then had the Renewal by Andersen rep come to give me a quote, which came to over $25k for their Firberx. He also told me that they would have to lower the sill on the windows in 2 of the bedrooms to meet code, (The Home Depot said nothing about having to expand the window). When I asked if he could email me the quite, he spouted of something about not being good with email, and wanting to play with his kids when he got home. He ended up taking a picture of the total and texting it to me. I was so shocked that he would not provide a detailed quote showing all the work they intended to do that at the time I did not push the matter.

    I understand that the Simonton 6100 is a mid tear window and the Andersen is the top of the line, but I was still shocked at the price difference. Is the $17 K price gap made up for in quality, service and longevity? I could replace all the Simonton windows 3 times for the price of the Andersen windows.

  15. Wow! This website has really been a great resource for my wife and me.

    You’re right about Renewal by Anderesen Window Dog.

    We allowed them to come to our home to quote 31 Windows.

    The representative was polished and friendly. That’s about all the good things we have to say about our entire experience.

    Our Renewal by Andersen experience can be characterized by 5 words:
    Mis-statements of facts
    Manipulation
    Crimes of Omission
    Outright Lies
    Surreal Pricing!

    We were told the following:

    They don’t sell the Andersen 200 and 400 series Windows sold in lumberyards because “they are more expensive and they are New Construction Windows, not replacement windows”

    Both statements are flat out lies.

    We were told all about other types of Windows and other brands of Windows.
    Especially the pricing of other brands and types.
    We were told that “vinyl windows are built to last 5 years and cost $1,500 per window.
    Both statements are flat out lies.

    My favorite part was the slick “price drop” gimmick.
    There’s the “guaranteed for 1 year price”
    The “guaranteed for 30 day price”
    And the “Buy tonight and save price”
    The whole sales pitch is orchestrated to create the illusion that buying tonight gets you a super deal.

    The truth is, it’s a manipulative ploy to get you to drink their Koolaide.
    They’ve already TOLD you lied about why you should not by other TYPES of Windows and other BRANDS of Windows.

    The deeply discounted “Buy tonight and save” ploy is designed to create the illusion of value AND prevent you from comparison shopping, since they’ve already filled you head with inaccurate product and pricing misinformation designed to lull you into buying their extremely expensive “Fibrex” product.

    How overpriced?

    Their “buy tonight and save” quote AFTER huge discounts for 31 Windows was $45,000!

    That’s about $1,400 per opening!

    Fact: We can have 31 Andersen 400 series Windows installed for less than
    $24,000.

    That’s less than $800 per window installed!

    A savings of $600 per opening!

    A total savings of $21,000!

    And, we get the same 20 year warranty on the glass and 10 year warrantee on the mechanicals.

    By the way…
    They also quoted us something like $4,600 installed for an Andersen Patio door… The SAME exact Andersen patio door we could buy at the lumberyard for less than $2,000.

    It was NOT “Fibrex”. It was literally the same door Andersen sells through lumber yards.

    That’s crazy!

    And here’s why it’s so expensive.

    “Renewal by Andersen” as it turns out is NOT exactly the same as the Andersen Company we all have known for 100-plus years!

    Renewal by Anderesen is “an Andersen Company” just exactly as its printed on Renewal by Andersen literature.

    Renewal by Andersen is simply a Non-Direct sales channel for Andersen.

    It’s a dealer network. There are about 100 independently owned dealer-franchises nationally.
    It’s like Dunkin Dougnuts!

    Each dealer is independently owned.
    It’s a marketing machine.
    That’s why the windows are so expensive!

    Do you realize that the salesperson who sells you $45,000 of Renewal by Andersen Windows by spending 2 to 3 hours at your kitchen table makes 10% of your purchase price in commissions?

    That’s $4,500 for 3 hours “work” convincing you not to comparison shop.
    It’s YOUR $4,500 you overpaid to support that dealer’s marketing machine costs!

    The Andersen Company is allowing “Renewal by Andersen” dealers to trade off their hard-won reputation at the expense of unsuspecting consumers.

    It’s hard to believe, but it’s true.

    Window Dog, you are CORRECT!

    The “renewal” product line IS a pretty window.
    But it comes at an obscene 50% premium cost over not only alternative Andersen products, but over dozens of alternative manufacturer’s product offerings as well.

    We are sooo glad we did our homework and exercised our good judgement by not falling for those underhanded sales gimmicks!

    We’ve written this to persuade others to do the same.

    Your windows are going to last for decades!

    Don’t jump the gun and waste It’s like if he doesn’t set an appointment he’s not going to eat this week!!! by falling for slickly choreographed sales hype.

    Put those thousands of dollars into your 401-k or children’s college fund, not you “Renewal by Amdersen’s” salespersons pocket.

    Best of luck to you!

    Buyer beware.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi George, I’m sorry you had to go through that process, but I do thank you for sharing your experience!

    2. Andrew Zahn says:

      Unfortunately we’ve heard this same story time after time.

      Thanks for helping the readers to know what to expect if they want to consider this company.

    3. Keith Kline says:

      I had a similar experience with surreal pricing from RBA. $44,000 for 27 windows – over $1600 per window, and all but two were standard size. I don’t understand how anyone could justify paying that much for windows. Many people get new windows to save money on energy bills. How long would it take to break even on that investment? I’d guess at least 30 years.

    4. Just got a visit by a RBA salesman. The reason I would let he in is because I know Andersen is a top of the line window manufacturer and the visitation is free plus my windows are failing. The salesman came and looked at the ten vinyl windows I intended to replace and quoted me around $23000. So I told him that price is way out of my expectation. He then knocked it down to around $16000. I’m from NYC metro area, so I know these numbers are just totally negotiable especially when they are up in the stratosphere. So I told he I need to think about it and took his business card before he left. While he was here, I took a close examination of the fibrex window sample he brought with him and I must say the construction of the sample windows is really top notch and I really like the fibrex material that this window is made of. Of course, his main selling point is that fibrex frame isn’t going to rot, warp or contract which are the main causes of failures that are typically associated with windows made of wood or vinyl. Before he came, I did do a little research online on Andersen window that are sold through the big box store and I thought I will probably go with the plain vanilla double hung 100 or 200 series that’s gonna cost me $400 to $800 including installation. I’d no idea what the differences are between the Andersen windows sold through HD and RBA. So I told him that’s what I thought they would cost. He then told me those sold through HD are prefabricated windows and they’re not replacement windows which means you probably can’t find your size. Anyway, that’s a lie because you can custom order them from HD up to certain size. So now I need to compare the quality of the Andersen windows from HD and checking their prices and I doubt they’re going to as high as the one quoted by RBA.

      1. Rick Thompson says:

        RBA quote for 18 windows and a french door: $60,000

        I’ve got the Home Depot contractor coming out later this week to give me a quote on the Andersen 100 Series windows. We recalled that the RBA salesman said that Home Depot only sold “new construction”, not “replacement” windows, so I asked the guy at HD. He assured me that they are replacement windows.

        George’s comment perfectly represented my experience with RBA.

      2. Well, all I can do is cross my fingers and pray. I did not do my due dilligence and signed with RBA in the presence of my usually money-conscious brother. It wasn’t until tonght that I realized I was paying roughly $2,000 per unfinished window. (The customer is responsible for staining the wood veneer.) An expensive lesson for a novice home owner. They had better be damned good!

        1. thewindowdog says:

          Have they been installed yet and how do you like them?

    5. I agree with you fully. They tried to tell me that it would be almost $18,000 for 7 windows and sliding door. Their bottom line and no fancy extras.

    6. They didn’t tell you half of that info, so if any one is flat out lieing is you.

    7. Little do you know George, that vinyl window companies sales people make even more per deal. They get overages. Do you know what that means? They will give you a high price and try to sell it to you to see if you will go for it. They get 50 cents on the dollar over and above their regular commission for what they sell above their par pricing. If they don’t get you there they will call their boss and ask them if they can use your home as a showcase home for “marketing” purposes. But they already know how low of a price they can go to. And I have seen plenty of plastic window companies with higher prices than RBA. Hope your lumber yard install was great. And hopefully they stand behind their work. Good luck.

  16. I had a rep come to the house and while talking he just assumed I’d welcome an inspection. I had contacted them about a year prior for an estimate on replacing windows on my home. The first price was way out of the ball park. Then they claimed to call their boss who lowered the price. Still out of the ball park. The second and third calls proceeded to lower the cost considerably. But as we were only seeking estimates, they refused to leave until we signed a contract. They kept pushing to sign a contract for hours even though we asked them to leave numerous times to the point of calling the police to escort them out, they left. But when we asked for the estimate that we were told would be good for one year, they said they couldn’t leave it as it was a special reduced price and not subject to the agreement of the 1 year lock.

    Bringing up to today, they showed up on a Saturday claiming they had an appointment. I refused to let them in the front door as I didn’t recall setting up any appointment. I explained I talked to a rep about two days prior but they insisted on coming in for a free inspection because they had an appointment to give a free estimate. I had to ask numerous times who set the appointment and they said my father did. My father has Alzheimer so I failed to see how he could have talked to anyone as he never leaves my sight, and wasn’t home when the rep showed up. With them at the door, we called the main office and they said they had us on record from about a year ago.

    So that’s when I remembered our horrific situation with them one year ago when they wouldn’t leave until we threaten to call the police.

    And though the reps were outside my door, they kept insisting to give a free inspection in spite of our insistence on saying No. These people don’t take no for an answer and will bug the hell out of you. This is no way to do business.

    1. Andrew Zahn says:

      That must’ve been extremely frustrating. We appreciate you sharing your experience to help the readers of this site.

  17. I am a homeowner and I have had Renewal By Andersen products of 4 windows and 1 sliding glass door. I have been completely satisfied, except for the price.

    My dining room is the only room remaining with 2 original windows from when my condo building was constructed in 1989. I am contemplating on having them replaced as they are slightly drafty and do not match the other windows.

    My electric bill has never been outrageous, even before the first 2 windows were replaced. I am uncertain if the RBA price of $1,346 per window (at least 2013 price) is worth it, although there is a sale of buy 1 get 40% off a second. I doubt the energy saver tax deduction for windows will continue.

    1. I have compared RenewalBy Anderson with Anderson 100 series, which are similar, but not exactly the same. $327 at home depot excluding installation, vs about $1,600 from RBA. That comes up to about $1,200 for installation once you calculate in the extra materials. 1 man and a kid can do the install in about 3 to 4 hours. $300 to $400 per hr is pretty steep, but it is no different than taking your car in for repairs. Buyer beware.

      1. Can I fix your car next time? Please? 🙂

  18. Murleen Ray says:

    I am a customer who has some experience with replacement Anderson French doors and will have to begin replacing the many aluminum windows in our house that have begun to fail.

    I came to this website because I was interested in a discussion of the comparative strengths and weaknesses of different windows and, instead, found a lengthy blog about Renewal by Anderson products and sales tactics. I was a bit annoyed that one poster characterized budget-conscious buyers as “bottom feeders” which is disrespectful. Buyers who have a limited budget are as concerned with buying the best product for their money as those who have an unlimited budget.

    Customers who do their research and due diligence will spend the time and energy to shop for the window/door type and price point they want and can afford. Having lived with builder installed vinyl and aluminum windows, we are ready for something nicer; but we do, indeed, have a budget. I’m no fan of composition type materials but that is a matter of taste and expectation for a product. Anderson wood doors are beautiful and built well, although we have had some minor problems with set screws falling out of handles. Anderson also doesn’t include factory finishing on all of their products, leaving that to the customer with expectations that the customer will finish the wood to Anderson’s specifications within 14 days of the installation in order to maintain the warranty on the product. That has been a huge surprise.

    Considering the cost of these products (materials and installation), one would expect the company to finish all wood doors and windows so that they meet factory specifications and stand by their product. I mention this because even a company like Anderson doesn’t always do the right thing.

    I understand that misinformation runs rampant on the internet, as well as being passed along by overzealous sales persons. I recommend that careful buyers research all sources, talk to people who have had the product installed (and have lived with it for a while since problems don’t always appear soon after), and weigh the pros and cons. Find a good installer.

    No product is perfect and nearly all require the buyer to make some kind of allowance or compromise; these are huge investments and buyers want the best value for their dollar regardless of the price. In spite of the shortcomings, Anderson still offers the most variety of materials, finishes, and styles at a reasonable price.

    Now, can anyone talk about the Anderson E-Series products? I understand that it used to be Eagle widows and doors and have heard “horror stories” from salesmen and installers about this product line. Has Anderson improved this or not? We like the wood options that the E-Series offers but we don’t want to compromise on quality.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Thanks for writing a very reasonable response. I have an Andersen wood sliding door that came with my house. I don’t know how much it cost as the previous owner bought it, but I’ll say it’s very nice.

      The Renewal by Andersen salespeople (including the ones who have posted here) can have a reputation for being a little aggressive.

    2. I used to use Eagle Windows exclusively. Never had a problem except that one time they changed some specs after I ordered and before I received the product and I had to make rough opening adjustments.

      The only other problem I had was that Masco (the previous owners of Eagle) had chosen to distribute through a large garage door sales company and the staff knew nothing about windows.

      Installers often have problems installing good windows, because they rarely read the instructions. Many may not have that capability at all. I have seen people with “20 years experience” screw up even the most basic window installations. These people really have 2 weeks experience 520 times.

      As for vinyl, I would consider vinyl in a workshop or basement remodel, but that is about it. Most are garbage, though the higher end ones keep getting better, but they do warp, deteriorate from UV rays, and crack in severe hail or in situations where Fibrex, fiberglass, and aluminum clad windows will not be damaged. To evaluate the strength, ask to see the results of the IZOD impact tests. This is a standard test done to all plastics and most composites.

      1. thewindowdog says:

        Hi Kevin, thanks for chiming in. I just don’t think it’s true that nice vinyl windows have any issues at all with warping or hail. We have customers in Florida and Houston with no issues at all. If the window is installed correctly it will hold up for a very long time, even in harsh conditions.

        It is true that early vinyl windows weren’t as durable, but that’s an issue that has been solved for many years.

  19. Show me no labor costs but show me outrageous cost of glass
    do your homework before you go with renewable by Anderson might be shocking when you get the bill. Spoke with a representative in Omaha what a Jerk.

  20. Let’s be honest why you don’t like Renewal by Andersen. You sell windows for Window Universe. You cannot sell the Renewal line of Andersen so you obviously don’t like them. Your site is a complete scam. You are unethical in your tactics and just trying to trick people into buying something you sell.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Thanks for taking the time to write Mark. I try to be as objective as I can. I’ve said that Renewal by Andersen windows are pretty. What I don’t like are the sales tactics that I’ve heard about from several customers and the short warranty on the Fibrex frames. You can read some of the comments from other readers on this page to get an idea of what I mean. There are many options for great windows out there, folks can certainly pick anything they’d like.

      One could say the same thing about your bias. If you work for a Renewal by Andersen dealer then you can only sell those products. You have to say they’re great because you can’t sell anything else.

      You guys are still selling the private label Provia doors right? I had a customer tell me they were something different which was news to me. I think they were probably misinformed, but you can probably confirm for us.

      1. So happy I found your site. I got two quotes today to replace 4 bedroom windows in a 50-year-old tri-level home. The first contractor quoted for high-end vinyl windows at about $700/window (with new interior moldings) and a life-time warranty. Then the Anderson Renewal guy showed up and gave me every single one of the pitches mentioned in the various posts here. He was not unpleasantly aggressive, but he did offer a special discount if I signed immediately. Even with the discounts he offered, however, the bill for the 4 windows came to $6500. My husband and I were totally torn trying to come to a decision — worried that the vinyl would be unreliable — and were seriously thinking of going with the Renewal installation. After reading the many comments here, I feel like I’ve just been saved from walking off a financial cliff. Thank you for providing this informative site.

        1. Nickie Griggs says:

          Chris,
          I was reading your post about your experience w/ Andersen Renewal. My husband and I got a quote from an Andersen Renewal rep on windows for our home. I was wondering what windows you ended up getting and how satisfied you are w/ them? Any other info would be so appreciative as I am finding this task daunting to say the least. Thank you.
          Nickie

  21. HomeSealed Brandon says:

    Talk about irony, an RBA representative accusing someone else of sales tricks and suspect ethics. I agree with Window Dog, it is a nice looking window, and from what I gather not half bad. As previously mentioned, the aggressive sales, propensity for giving misinformation about vinyl windows, poor warranty, and generally high price are what turn most people off.

    1. So first off I’m a canvaser for Remewal by Anderson and how dare you window dog sit here and write lies! Vinyl windows do indeed warp which is caused from the son which leads to seal failure. Do you know what that leads to? Here I’ll tell you, that means that the argon gas that’s in between the glass has been released and that’s what keeps your windows energy efficient so when that’s gone this causes drafts and condensation on a window during a rain shower.
      Condensation on windows is an unwanted problem and it can and will cause dampness, mold, health issues, wood rot, corrosion, weakening of mortar and masonry walls, and this means not only a larger energy bill but it also means you can whined up paying more to fix not just plastic Windows (vinyl windows) but also fixing the walls outside your house. I know this for a fact! I see it everyday and the sad thing is window dog your telling people that plastic windows are just as good as our Renewal by Anderson fibrex windows. Dude get a grip just because you can’t afford them doesn’t mean you should be bashing them. Also we have amazing promotions to make our windows affordable and who says get them all done at once? Your so stupid and lame!

      1. thewindowdog says:

        I believe that your boss told you that and you believe her. Unfortunately that doesn’t make any of your comments true. If you were legitimately offering a great value to customers you wouldn’t need to resort to misinformation and name calling to get people to buy your products.

        I have Andersen casement windows and a sliding door in my house (came with the house) and they’re very nice. I think Andersen is a fine company with a great history. You should probably check with the marketing department before you post too much more. You’re not helping their efforts.

        1. “You’re not helping their efforts” = HUGE UNDERSTATEMENT.

          1. thewindowdog says:

            Ha, I was trying to be diplomatic.

      2. Jay Simon says:

        Jonathon, try using a spell-check before you post. Your many spelling errors make you sound like a rube.

  22. Good website. My wife and I are beginning the process of replacement window shopping and all postings have been helpful. Thank you very much. We are replacing 38 year old Andersen vinly clad wood casement windows which have given us good service over the years. But due to numerous glass, wood rot and window hardware failures over the last 5 years, we must replace the windows. We have already shopped for vinyl replacement windows and had one in home estimate. The vinyl windows we have shopped all seem to be comparable in quality and price. What I have found is that a quality installation is the key to satisfaction. I have seen some vinyl window installations that appear to be holding up very well over time. We would not hesitate to install them in our home. I was very curious about the fibrex material that RBA touts as superior. I am trying to set up an appointment with our local RBA franchise but have yet to receive a return call. Before I have a salesperson come to my home I will always visit a showroom to touch and feel the product. Based on what I have read here it will be interesting to see if I will be invited to their showroom since their website says that is by appointment only. Thanks for all of the very useful information.

    1. Michael Silver says:

      Hi Gary
      Be careful on thinking all vinyl windows have the same quality. They range from really great Windows to really horrible windows. In many cases the best way to do a window it is not a replacement , but a new construction installation from the outside. I have used many kinds of windows for moderate-priced really nice window my go-to has been Harvey.

  23. Thank you for your very informative website – I met with an Rba rep last night and was shocked at the price and how long it took them to come up with an actual price! ($1621.50 each – then in order “to seal the deal tonight” they added a “free” window to make the final price $1390 each) I just want people to know this before spending 3 hours with the rep.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Thanks for sharing that info!

  24. JEFF PASTOR says:

    Dan H. arrived at our home this morning at scheduled time to swap out two damaged screens & to do some “pick-up” work on the interior moulding as some nail heads were not flush with the trim. Very personable & professional! Kudos!

  25. These F’ers are selling a $229 window for only $1600 if you buy tonight! Bet u want a know how I know? Seen the bills and the margins are 300 percent. You may make it back on heating and cooling but still very expensive.

    That being said when canvassing I see tons of homeowners with nothing but Terrible plastic Windows, vinyl is just another name for plastic. And none have been the renewal window but I think only available last 15 years or so.

    Hey if your rich buy them. I am sure the owners could use another million.

  26. Thanks for the input, we just had a RBA rep and all the above tactics were applied, in addition of how all other installers will just take a tool and crunch old frame causing damage to our siding and just cover up afterwards, we are in the PNW so not alot of extreme temps, but for 21 windows was quoted 75k, but with discounts 51k so 2.4k per opening. Was a bit taken aback at the cost.
    He was in the house for 2.5 hours and refused to give us an itemized quote, just a quote w/ 2 years no interest, or other financial options.
    The search continues.

  27. I’d rather have a limited warranty by a company that has been around over 100 years than a lifetime warranty from a company that changes it name every ten years to avoid liability.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      That’s a great point. I do always recommend looking for well established manufacturers. We see some of the unfortunate stories about smaller manufacturers on the site.

  28. I suggest you look at ALL of the exclusions in vinyl/wood window warranties , compare it to RBA’s and see the difference! One of the biggest mistakes people make while shopping for Windows is not reading warranty disclaimers. I’m sure there are a lot of satisfied customers with all of these products. I feel the lifetime warranties are misleading because of all of the exclusions which usually start with installation. Renewal by Andersen is the replacement division of the original Andersen entity. The warranty covers Install,glass,frame,parts,labor. As far as sales pitch! I’m sure everybody has had a bad experience with unprofessional salespeople no matter what company! It’s all about the customers needs and goals. People should keep shopping until they find a professional salesperson!

  29. I had a RBA rep come by had to give up at least 90 mins of my Saturday because it was required both me and my wife be here. Very likable guy seamed very knowable. But like everyone has said, he did bash the look the quality and the design of vinyl and fiberglass windows. He had us convinced that there was no other options anything else we would be wasting our money and be call him in 5 years to replace another vendor. Now he did not bash a brand had he done that I would of called him out. So after nearly 4 hours my pregnant wife needed to eat so we ended up offering him lunch. Like I said I was a likable guy. We ended up winding it down close to 6 hours late. I really wanted to get more info from other dealers but he kinda made me feel like I would be dumb to do so. We ended up getting a special financing deal and moving forward with the sale. As soon as he left I felt like I had been taken advantage of. I called Pella had them come out and she made it right making sure we were not fooled by the sales gimmicks of RBA showed her samples and did explain how the contractor made windows that are put in in some new construction and even some replacement windows that are out there can be bad like the RBA guy said. But you can’t group all vinyl windows together.
    With Pella we are able to do 4 more window for the same price and not only that but Pella is going to tear out the whole nose sill and brick molding around the window and replace it. RBA was only replacing a partial nose sill where it was bad rott.
    The whole reason we wanted to get windows was due to the wood rot. That and the windows are 25years old and drafty.
    We are going to cancel the order with RBA and may get more bids and see other products.

  30. Lisa Harper says:

    We just sat through a 3 hours presentation of the Renewal by Anderson. We are looking to replace about 18 window and 4 siding glass doors. I have to admit that I do love the Fibrex window and they are very “pretty” Plus they seem very well made…. But then I was sent over the cliff with the shock when the prices started rolling out. They totally lost me when he started with the “the price is only good today crap” I cant stand that!!!!! Why pressure someone into a deal when they are obviously fixing to spend ALOT of money and want to make a educated decision? Even though I do think their product is great… We said no. Is there other options out there that offer a quality window such a the Fibrex window? And what gets me… Is if there product is so good, why the aggressive sales pitch? Let the window sale themselves if I buy today, next week, or next month? We were not ready to get started on our project right away and were getting prices… I wasn’t ready to make the decision right away. Bottom line…. I think they are hurting themselves by the pressure sales.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      You’re asking the right questions. If they were really confident that the products compared well with the competition and the pricing represented a good value there would be no reason to try to get you to sign up right this second. When in your life have you spent $20 to $30k in just a couple hours without considering your options? Why would you do it for windows? In my mind a company that operates that way is telling you that they know they have a bad value. They know as soon as you have a minute to explore the options you won’t be calling them back. It’s a really old fashioned way to do business.

      Check with Angie’s List to see who else is offering wood windows in your area. You can probably find a product with a better warranty at a better price.

  31. We just had Renewal by Andersen come to give us a quote. The guy was here about an hour and a half. He didn’t pressure us at all and didn’t even give us the quote today. He said he would email it tomorrow and it would be detailed line by line. He also let us know that the warranty is now 20 years for the frame (as of May 1st). Install is 5 years. We’ll have to see what the quote looks like, but just wanted to share that different franchises probably operate a little differently as far as sales tactics.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      I’m sure there are great people in every business. I sold used cars in college, was pretty good at it, and I’m a friendly guy. They must have some friendly people too. Here’s the relevant section of the Renewal by Andersen warranty straight from their website. I just pulled this today, May 6th. They have 20 year coverage on their insulated glass (other manufacturers do lifetime on this too), but the section on the fibrex frames and sashes still says 10 years. Their site also still shows 2 year warranty on installation. Did they give you a copy of the warranty or just make a promise? If they gave you a copy please send it over and I’ll happily post it and update any info.

      Here’s the warranty from their site:

      1. Nothing in writing yet. He said they are still updating their materials. If I decide to go with them, I would definitely require it in writing before purchasing. He seemed genuine in saying they upped the warranty, but who knows.

        1. thewindowdog says:

          It may be true, just seems strange they haven’t updated their site. If there is something new we always like to know about it. If anyone finds a copy of a real warranty feel free to send over.

          1. They emailed me the updated warranty and it looks like they’ve also updated the website:

          2. thewindowdog says:

            It looks like they have, we’ll update some of the content. That’s a good move, maybe we helped out!

  32. I have no interest other than telling you my story.
    I have about 45 Andersen windows in my 5,000sq foot Victorian. I was a contractor over ten years ago and gutted my mini NYC mansion. I had installed New Construction Andersen, Andersen Replacement Wood wrights Casements, Double Hung and Plastic Home depot windows in my basement for Time constraint reasons.

    Fast forward 10 years, My Andersen’s ALL are performing the same as the day I installed them. My plastic basement windows FAILED almost immediately within 2 years. Now that I can’t do physical labor (I’m older) I hate the fact that I have to repeat this job again.

    I paid about 400k in improvements in a 2 million home and knew Andersen was the best. Still No Argument after Ten Years.

    In Short, I cut corners in my basement just because I could and now I’m sorry. Prices of Andersen is now higher. Yes they are very heavy windows and you better bring someone to help you or be young or Pay Andersen Renewal Installers. Oh yeah, anything that comes in plastic RUN you’ll be sorry and it looks cheap… I see my short cut reminder everyday which negates all the expensive stuff I did. Just BUY Andersen windows and pay up. Don’t be a cheap lazy bastard it will be with you like a bad tattoo I know.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      You’re absolutely right that cheap windows will give you bad results. Don’t paint all vinyl windows with such a broad brush. We just installed beautiful windows in the home of a foreign ambassador in Washington DC. Easily a multi-million dollar home that is frequently used for entertaining. There are nice vinyl windows, but you won’t find them at Home Depot.

  33. Wondering what you thought about QUALITY of RBA Fibrex and Pella higher end Fiberglass windows. We’ve priced out both and are aware of the sales pitches and pricing differences.
    We are interested in the quality of the window and any known benefits of one or the other. Thanks in advance.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      I’m not aware of any quality differences between the 2. Maybe someone else will chime in. I tend to recommend real wood windows with a clad exterior over the fake wood windows of either a composite or fiberglass. With real wood you can also get a 20 year warranty on the frames and then you have the real thing instead of an imitation.

      If you want one of those 2, I would put them in the same boat as far as quality. Maybe someone else will chime in with another opinion.

  34. James Delmage says:

    I still dont understand why anyone would go rba over 400 series. 400’s are better quality and quotes are cheaper than rba. I really think andersen is doing long term damage being associated with the rba sale tactics.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      I agree. They could change their tactics, sell a ton of windows and better maintain their reputation. It’s strange to me that they don’t do that.

  35. Bernard and Barbara Clark says:

    Greg and Adam were very professional, friendly and clean during the course of the day of installing our Andersen windows on 27 May 2016.

  36. Tim Furry says:

    My two-story house turns 50 years old this year (built in 1966). It’s in what I consider a fairly harsh midwest environment – temperatures range from -10 to 110 annually, and it’s not unusual to have 30mph steady winds. We had debated replacing the windows for several years since the originals are single-pane and were built on-site by the carpenters. A previous owner added high-quality storm windows about 40 years ago so the original wood frames haven’t had a lot of direct weather exposure.

    After reading sites like this, we’ve decided to keep the original single-glazed windows and just go through and re-putty any loose glazing. We had an energy efficiency team out a couple of years back and they were amazed at how tight the original windows were (around the frame gaps was leaky due to no insulation but the windows themselves were as good as anything he’d seen).

    The bottom line is that I can spend maybe $1000 in high-quality materials and paint, and with a fair chunk of my spare time over a summer (no big deal) bring these old wood windows back to new condition that have a PROVEN 50 YEAR FIELD HISTORY of: no glass breakage, no condensation (due to the large unsealed buffer gap between the window and the storm window) and no warping (old growth forest for the frames). All the original hardware works and is still attached with the original screws. Every single window operates smoothly and locks flawlessly. There are no adjustments and none are needed. There are no double-pane seals to break. The only rot in 50 years is some of the brick molding around the outside, which I will also replace (with a PVC product).

    Old school doesn’t mean bad. It doesn’t even mean inefficient. We’ve priced new windows, and even with me doing the installation the realistic payback period on a mid-range vinyl product is 20-30 years, and it sounds like many of them won’t make it that long.

    I’m only bringing this up because for some people, replacement may not even make sense. Certainly at RBA’s inflated prices you will probably never recoup the cost from energy savings unless you currently have gaping holes. I ask potential window dealers for 50-year transferable warranties to match what I have and they look at me like I’m nuts.

    I’d rather live in a newer house. The energy costs of this one are pretty high. However, I can throw that $20k that other people are spending on windows into a whole-house insulation package and realistically cut the energy use in half, something new windows will never do. Examine all your options first, don’t be swayed by the hard sales tactics (we’ve sat through our share of them), and don’t assume that what you eventually buy is going to be better than what you already have 10 years from now. 🙂

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Old windows do have a lot of character. It’s great that you’re taking the time to keep them in such good shape.

  37. This has been a very informative website. I had a presentation a couple days ago by a knowledgeable and personable RBA salesperson. Yes, he did try to close the deal that night with special offers, but basically told him that I needed to do some comparison shopping before committing to an expense that high. Granted this was only for a eight foot picture window with sliders. The price was around $6200 with all the discounts.

    My wife and I do want to get a high quality window for what is the largest glass area in the house. Even if the RBA window lived up to its reputation, we don’t have the money available to pay extra for an ultra-premium window. What would a step down be from an Andersen RBA: a high quality wood clad window by Andersen or Pella?

    1. thewindowdog says:

      For example, we use Jeld Wen and Whether Shield for wood windows in our stores with good results. Might be worth a look.

  38. Hi, TheWindowDog,

    Many thanks for your review of Andersen. I was sure I was having some sort of weird LSD flashback this a.m. when an Andersen rep showed up at my house and was rude from start to finish. (I ended up throwing him out of the house.) I am glad to see that I may not have been not as crazed as I thought I was.

    The rep began his sales call by hinting that his windows were too good for the likes of me, peasant that I am. And things went *down* from there.

    So, thanks again for your original review. Wish I’d read it before I called them for an appointment.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Ha, I suspect an LSD flashback would have been more fun!

  39. Wayne Johansen says:

    Let me start with one of my favorite quotes, “Don’t believe everything you read on the internet.” – Abraham Lincoln

    I read over half-way through this site and found a couple posts that hit home.

    I had 12 windows quoted by Renewal by Anderson. Just over $53,000. Granted, 2 of them are 10 feet wide by 5 feet high, bigger than average. My 2×5 window she said was $3200 to replace. Quotes for the 12 windows via Cascade and Atrium, for ALL windows were under $2k. Granted that is without installation.

    So, 5 windows from RBA? $17 or $19K, 122 months at $178 a month. 7.9% financing.

    Check a place in town – take out the little window RBA said would be $3200. Fiberglass Milgard Essence series windows, $4300.

    Another contractor, same 5 windows as RBA – $5090. 11. HIS installation? $125 per window, $200 apiece for the big windows. This contractor has over 7 years experience, has worked with 4 or 5 window makers and knew his stuff. (I based what he said to the other sales people I spoke with.) He also inspected and suggested NOT replacing other windows that simply didn’t need to be replaced. He showed me the stamp that proved the glass had been replaced on most of the current windows in my house. He also said I don’t NEED to replace any windows. Weather efficiency gain would be noticeable, yes. I want to do it as a preventive measure, and home improvement.

    I sense this is an “Everybody against RBA Window” comparison. Much like Car and Driver used to compare everything to BMW. Sure, RBA is great. So is my current car – NOT a BMW. I could by a BMW, but financially it’d be a poor decision.

    As another contractor put it, ‘Are Anderson windows and frames better than everybody else? Yeah. Is it worth it? I don’t thinks so.’

    Do I WISH I could afford RBA? YES! It’s a bit of a stretch, so I opted out. I’ll keep my fingers crossed, like the rest of us, that our not top-shelf windows will suffice for years and years to come.

    And yes, the sales person immediately started to bash a vinyl window in my house. It wasn’t closed all the way, and she was almost disappointed when she closed it – perfectly. She tried to wiggle it, but it hardly moved.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Thanks for sharing your experience. I don’t think Renewal windows are better than anything else, but they are nice. There are other nice windows too. Love that quote from honest abe!

  40. John undercover says:

    I am starting a home scam blog warning homeowners of unscrupulous companies like RBA. Came across this great blog and decided this product, will be the feature of my very first issue.

    After doing my own due diligence I have exciting news to share with readers of your blog.

    Firstly if you really like these windows you can actually buy them for much, much, much less than being offered by “Your” salesperson. What you say? Tell me how? I will in a moment.

    Secondly, I have uncovered that Renewal by Andersen corporate has issued an inspection of all windows “for free” due to defects in the glass. Do you know what that is called? Tell you shortly.

    Lastly do your homework no matter which window you buy, but especially with this one as I have spoken to many owners of these windows and the complaints keep coming. And I am not talking about sales tactics but rather satisfaction with the product. Hint… Bulky materials and loss of glass especially with one model of window. See below.

    Ok let’s get started. After reading this blog about RBA I did my own investigative research including but not limited to calling for an estimate, calling for a job interview to sell these puppies, asking my neighbors if they own any and several other sneaky things to get to the bottom of this.

    What did I find?
    The estimate price was indeed insane, crazy over the top and some thing in the order of $33,000.00 for 13 window one of which is a small bay in my kitchen ( which I was told was over 12k)
    The position sounded like a dream job. Stay at home all day working a easy schedule 1,2,3 preset appointments a day and make 150k a year. And that was if I had 0 experience! More seasoned reps pull in 400k and they take a lavish company trip if they sell over 1 million a year something almost every rep does. And the commission structure is huge and based on your success rate i.e. closing rate. ( at this place batting 20 percent is considered ok and 25 percent makes you a bundle.)
    After asking my neighbors if they had any I found 4 of 30 that did. And they all loved the window with the exception of several things. One was that there seems to be a “Factory recall” as you can guess after paying 3 times the going rate for small casements and gliders this didn’t sit well. But at least the company was proactive and is fixing the frost ( mind you that the homeowner wasn’t even aware of) for free. The biggest complaint the owners had wasn’t the price but rather the loss of glass. That’s right a window which is mostly glass had far less than desired. Like 3″ on each side! Crazy right? But true! And I know for sure as the homeowners showed me several more that they would have liked to do but couldn’t because THE PRICE WAS TOO HIGH! So apparently these good customers were willing to pay more for the advanced technology, the one stop shop feature, the great written warranty but hated that their 26″ x 60″ casement with 20″ of glass side to side became 14″ of glass. They were UGLY! And it was because they didn’t get full frame window but replacement.

    And as I promised I can get you a deal on these if you want but you’ll have to stand for the entire Brooklyn bridge show to qualify. So how can you get another 20 percent off the price? Drummmmm Rolllllllll Pleaseeeeee! Don’t buy. Huh? Say what? That’s correct. If and when you have 3-6 hrs to kill be nice, offer water, snacks and make the sale man who is playing you for a sucker think your being his best friend. Then politely ask for his card and explain how you have a uncle who you need to talk to about major projects like this ( even though it’s not really major it’s just windows not rocket science) and you’ll call him in the am. And when he leaves just call the company and speak with someone who is in charge. When you do ask them what is really the best so they can do. That’s it! Simple as 1,2,3,4,5….. They will immediately tell you they will give you the salespersons “COMMISSION!” Which in most cases is 12 percent- how else do you think they earn mid 6 figures? So my 33k estimate (which was really much higher before promotions )came down to 26k.

    And although I still didn’t buy I did learn an awful lot. And much of the blabber above is true including that they are beautiful ( as long as your not buying a casement that isn’t a full frame) sturdy, heat lamp resistant effective ( I get it but do we truly need that in my Long Island home it never gets that hot) titianium glazed window but they are way out of my league.

    Once I calculated the cost of ownership the pros and cons, I realized the only ones who benefit here are the greedy corporate executive who dreamed up all of this.

    I guess this is why Andesen disavows this entity by calling it something else. ( doubt it just buy them and you see these are diva RBA but company is something else, can you say franchises?) Then when the consumers get wind they still have their core business to lean on.

    Enjoy!

  41. Had an RBA guy over tonight. Not pushy, very pleasant. Yes, I got the “oh its 41k, but with all the discounts comes to 28k, WHAT A DEAL” (16 windows). The guy admitted that they always work that way and to just ignore the top of the page number.

    That is a lot of money, man. I’m going to go to my local lumber yard that does Andersen windows and try to get a quote on the 400 series. I suspect like everyone else it will come in cheaper, but i just dont get it. And I can’t even speculate as to how/why it is this way (RBA costing more than base Andersen for seemingly lower quality stuff). Any theories there?
    This is like Toyota selling Lexus at the dealerships for 50k, but then having a mobile sales force that goes to your house and sells you a Corolla for 80k. I suppose it works for them because of the convenience it provides?

    I will say a few years ago I had a few windows put in with a contractor I got off of angies list – that install experience was poor. Windows are OK so far, Oxbow windows or something like that. So if RBA consistently does a textbook install, there is some value in that. But not 10k’s worth (or whatever the delta ends up being).

  42. Wow, just wow RBA rep was at our house last night on Long Island, NY. 12 windows (1 is a picture window with 2 side double hung, 1 bathroom window, 3 (3442 standard Anderson size) 5 (3042 standard Anderson size) Suggested retail price $38,096 after promo’s and if we “signed” that night $29,144. I have been replacing the windows myself with Anderson 400’s I know the cost. I have 12 windows left to replace and was going to let someone else do it. I know these windows are only $450 (picture window is more), I can’t see paying $2428.66 a window. The rep told me the Low E is better on these windows that the 400 series but doing my research it shows they are the same or only a difference of .01. I’m glad we were still waiting for the home energy audit and that our home equity loan was not finalized, it gave us a reason to not sign.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Thanks for sharing your experience. Unfortunately it’s not an uncommon story.

  43. Windowdog. I appreciate your comment. I just had a quote. 15 average size Windows (renewal by Anderson) cheapest version cheapest color $49k but if signed today $37k.

    Live on Long Island. Vinyl Windows are ok, so far no issues. Replaced 2 years ago after Sandy.

    Does sound steep price. Of course I didn’t sign I said I need to consider. After reading windowdog initial post I am reluctant to go ahead. Btw I know someone that used contractor/roofer on Angies List. He took the deposit and disappeared. I believed Angies list removed him.

  44. John Galt says:

    I’m a former construction worker, now semi-retired real estate investor and property manager. How RBA stays in business is beyond me. There’s a sucker born every minute. I haven’t found their products to be any better functionally than their competition and yet their prices are outrageous. What turns me off the most is their high pressure sales. A additional discount if you commit at the time of the estimate. I’ll tell you why… because if you shop around, do your research, and get multiple competing bids they know you’re much more likely to choose someone else. It doesn’t end there. Twice I’ve had RBA reps get on the phone with other window companies pretending to be customers and try to make them look bad as part of their sales pitch. In fact the last guy was such a jerk that when he left I immediately called one of the companies he harassed, had them come give me a bid, and gave them a contract.

  45. My wife signed us up for an in home estimate by RBA at the local hardware store to replace a patio door. The rep’s pitch was low key but misinformation and tactics were as described here. She wanted to replace a bedroom window as well. Total cost for patio door and window with “discounts” was $12,000. I was shocked. She was gullible. Disgusted, I left the room . While I was gone she signed us up for the patio door for $8500 and gave the guy a 50% deposit. When I asked about how much time we had to change our mind he said 72 hours. When I read the agreement it said 5 days. Liar, liar. I am canceling ASAP and going shopping with at least 3 other companies.

  46. I watched the long boring commercial they have over and over. What I think is funny is how they say they have dumpsters full of those horrible vinyl windows. Guess what, MANY of those horrible windows were made by guess who…yep..Anderson. That was their line of products fro years. I know, i sold their triple pane windows over 20 years ago for a few years. I just think it is funny pooping on your own product 🙂 Also, windows that are 7 years old should be replaced? Not a problem, here is another 10K to swap them out, hopefully I will get these home improvement loans paid off someday 🙂

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Ha, you’re right about that. They still make a whole ton of vinyl windows under the SliverLine brand.

  47. You obviously haven’t looked at the latest warranty for renewal. It is 20 years on glass and fibrex. (Frames) most companies only offer 10 years on frames. The 7 year thing is the life expectancy of the vinyl product, hence why you see adds like double and triple life time warranties. It is never about as long as you own your home. As for price points, its about doing cost of doing business in a market. Do actually believe someone who lives in DC is going to pay the same price of some one who lives in “po dunk ” USA…. ..please.

    You are telling people false information that just simply isn’t true, do your research before you open your mouth. Especially if you clearly don’t know your subject matter “window dog” you sound more like a disgruntled x employee more than a subject matter expert.

    Before you slam vinyl or any other product, understand there are multiple products for every type of customer…
    Builders use vinyl..why low cost and higher profit margin.. The only have to warranty a house for one year.

    Home owners usually use vinyl..why low cost and either can’t afford a better product or don’t care because they are selling..

    You think Anderson is the only one that sells vinyl.. What about pella ? Window world, champion, simonton… Etc the list includes thousands….

    You going to slam fiberglass as well? Wood ,wood clad, let’s talk about the top 3 companies in the industry… Let’s see what and how much you know… You are not unbiased, you have an ax to grind… So why don’t you just say what your issue is? Did they fire you?… Sounds like it.

    In biased places I would highly recommend for information.
    Consumer reports,
    Department of energy
    Cost vs value report remold lets magazine.
    BBB
    NFC.org… National finest ration rating counsel

    Before you start bashing companies, maybe you should do your research.

    Every company out there has flaws, it’s up to the consumer to choose the best product for their situation… Vinyl is plastic after all and melts and changes shape in high heat…. Wait… We only live in Texas…

    And warranties… It’s the life expectancy of the product… Never as long as you own the home…. Read the exclusions… And if it is, the company won’t be under the same name in 7 years…. Now there are some companies that do things right, but do you really think a window that is purchased for less than 500 bucks is going to have any kind of warranty in 10 years… It will be some kind of exclusion…

    READ THE FINE PRINT>>>>>>

    NOW ANYONE WANTING TO GET THE TRUTH.. LEAVE A REPLY AND I PROMISE YOU I WILL RESPOND.

    And all. The reason frames on vinyl product are larger, and you lose visible glass is simple, it has to be thicker to support the glass weight because it softens!!! Changes shape… It has to be!!!! If it’s not it would cause even more seal failure….

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Jeff, thanks for taking the time to write. You should read though the comments to get a better feel for the discussion that’s been going on. Renewal did very recently change their warranty, possibly due to our recommendation, and we’ll be updating the page in the next round of updates.

      You guys continue to be pretty misinformed about vinyl windows. I assume you’re repeating what you’ve been told without checking for yourself and that’s not your fault. It’s easy to trust people.

      When you see double and triple lifetime warranties on vinyl windows they mean they’re transferable once or twice for another lifetime warranty for the next owner. How many times is the Renewal warranty transferable and is it more limited after it’s transferred? It’s not bad if it is, I’m jus curious.

      I wonder why you’re so fired up? You’re right that vinyl windows aren’t for everyone, but if you’re going around telling people they’re going to fall out of the house in 7 years you’re basing your pitch on a lie.

      If you’re offering a great value you can sell your product without bashing the competitor. I’m glad Renewal expanded their warranty. It’s much better for the customer. You can still get real wood windows from Jeld-Wen with lifetime warranties on the frames, but 20 years from Renewal is better than the 10 years that they used to offer. Progress.

  48. Just remove my post, this is crap.

  49. So, after reading this thread, I feel compelled to mention my recent experience (price quote and basic measurement of 13 casement windows, 1 picture window, 2 bay windows, and a sliding door.) The sales guy came out, on time, was pleasant and dealt great with our two screaming young ones. I honestly can’t say a bad thing about anything other than the price. We were quoted $63,xxx.xx, for the above mentioned items. Now granted, the two bay windows are big- roughly 75×84. However, they quoted $13,xxx per bay window, and $4,900 for the door. Now, that breaks down to roughly $2,300/ window for the remaining windows. Holy hell that’s big money.

    Seriously, what brand of casement window can’t you buy for within that price point?

    On top of that, the sliding door was a Perma Sheild door, standard size. The same exact door purchased and installed via Home Depot was quoted at $2100 after tax.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Right, so if you could buy that project from another company for $20k just imagine the vacation you could take with your $40k savings! There are many options out there.

  50. Ranell Dacus says:

    Please do NOT go with renewal by Andersen. We fell for the sales pitch and 8,000.00 later we are still waiting on the correct kitchen window to be put in. We ordered the first of March, it’s now the end of July and all we get is excuses. They brought the wrong size initially and supposedly reordered ( express !) the correct size. 8 weeks later I get another phone call saying the wrong size came in again. Here we go again, express reordering my kitchen window the third time !!!
    They did get the other Windows done correctly, however after reading the reviews I’m sure there will be issues down the road and I have no confidence in this company that anything will be resolved.
    BTW. My neighbor is still waiting on a replacement window that they cracked while installing, it’s been a year and a half now !!!!!
    I sure wish I knew all of this in the beginning. Maybe I can save others from this company and their lies and lack of customer service.

  51. After reading every post on this site I have concluded that RBA is the way to go for the following reasons. Fibrex material is far superior over vinyl to maintain the argon gas seal. Fibrex is far superior over wood for maintenance. The 20 year warranty surpasses the “Lifetime” warranty others claim (which is legally defined as 7 years in New York State for vinyl windows). The installation process from Anderson allows me to sleep well knowing the job will be done correctly under warranty and will not exceed the quoted price for “unforeseen circumstances” once the job is started. Granted the 20 double hung windows costing $33.5K, averaging 36″ X 65″ in size is more than any car I have ever purchased, it is worth the cost of knowing it will be installed correct with superior product. I have had enough problems with vinyl windows losing their gas seal and literally falling apart in previous houses I have owned that I am willing to pay a premium price for peace of mind in the house I just moved into.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      That’s the biggest spam post I’ve seen all day. Do you have anything to support the notion that a lifetime warranty is only 7 years in New York state? I think that is completely inaccurate and deliberately misleading, but if you have something to back it up I’d be interested in seeing it.

      Seems that if you had a good value you wouldn’t have to mislead people. Send over a reference and if I’m wrong I’ll update this.

  52. WOW Windowdog… Such a SHARP tone… I received the warranty information from a 9/30/15 posting on this sight. Interesting that your comment back to that person was “glad to have more industry folks on the site. Can you send a link to the UCC code? I’ve heard that claim for years, but I’ve never seen any documentation.”
    If the warranty comment (from your sight) is the only issue you have of my post it’s all good. By the way, I have no affiliation with the window industry let alone with RBA so your SPAM comment is without merit and offensive to someone trying to simply supplement your sight.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Ha, well it’s been a busy day. I was referencing that claim back in 2015 saying it had no merit as far as I was aware and you were repeating it like it was true. In fact, several claims in your comment were inaccurate. If you’re about to spend a lot of money based on that info you may want to do a little more research. I’ll be happy to help out if you really believe all of that.

  53. There is a lot of bashing of Andersen’s windows. They cost more than others but they are better. You can debate if on a job by job basis and given your particular situation they are worth it to you. But I do not hear horror stories on Andersen the way I hear with vinyl.

    Vinyl windows are essentialy low end and habe both appearance as well as performance issues. You will not often see them in the finer homes unless cost was an overwhelming concern.

    The Andersen 450 is an economical window with a good reputation. There are others that are better and yes more expensive.

    RBA is generally pricy but the generally have a good reputation and there is not a whole lot wrong with them as would be with vinyl.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      I completely agree that Andersen makes some nice windows. Never intended to say anything else. The push back you see about Renewal is usually focused on the sales tactics. Vinyl isn’t necessarily low end and nice vinyl windows perform better than wood or composite windows like Andersen. You buy wood or composite windows for the look and that’s not a bad reason to pay more for something.

      I think the sales tactics are pretty telling. If that salesperson or sales manager or franchise owner thought they were genuinely offering a great value they wouldn’t need to rely on those tactics. The fact that many of them do tells me that think that’s the only way they’ll be able to get anyone to buy them. Not a sign of strength.

  54. Charles Banksoon says:

    Its unfair to judge a company or its representatives by the stories of a few but if thats all you have to judge it on, I suppose its up to you as to whether or not you choose to judge off of opinions or seeing it yourself.

    I am a sales rep for RBA. I’ve been selling this product for slightly over 3 years. In any company with a sales platform like this, there will be rotten eggs sometimes. The same can be said for car salesmen, boat salesmen and the like. Im sorry if people got bad experiences by pushy salesmen but its the nature of any business that has a sales staff. That cannot be disputed.

    I cannot speak for any of these pushy salesmen but I can speak for me. More than 40% of the people I encounter buy these window systems from me. Not because I sit across from them and pressure them. Pressure doesnt sell, information, education and quality product sells. I am not there to force anyone into buying. I am there to educate people that a window isnt a window. In fact, windows are VERY different and the performance of the window is whats most important and the company that backs up their product is equally important. “Pretty” windows arent expensive because they are “pretty”. They are expensive because they are the best product on the market that is backed up by the best service on the market and the best warranty on the market. Any source that claims otherwise is uniformed and likely just attemting to appeal the masses for some other reason.

    Any person that claims to be a window expert cannot look someone in the face and claim that a vinyl window is just as good or better than one made of composite or wood. In fact thats a silly statement. Virgin vinyl or not, vinyl simply performs poorly under warm or hot conditions. A company can add all the steel and fortifiers that it wants to but plastic is plastic. Science is science and the expansion and contraction of vinyl is what causes seals to fail and your insulating glass to lose its gasses which results in condensation problems, chalking and most importantly causes your furnace to stay on all day long because the only thing that separates you from the outside are 2 – 1/4″ pieces of glass. Windows today have the technology to perform much much better than that.

    Vinyl companies go out of business because they cant honor the warranties that they offer in THEIR shifty sales techniques. Dont be fooled by vinyl, its a bad product. Vinyl windows were invented by Andersen back in the 50s. Can anyone tell me if there is a vinyl company that has been around since the 50s?

    Look, I know that it is difficult to afford a high priced item. There are certainly cheaper mousetraps than Renewal by Andersen products. You should know what is on the market though and be informed. I agree with a previous post where the guy addressed what he talks about when it comes to other products. I do the same thing. I inform my customers about what is on the market for them to buy, I aggressively attack other products and why shouldnt I? Should I not mention what Marvin and Pella say about their argon in their glass panes? Both companies do not warranty the amount of argon present inside their glass panes AFTER manufacture. Why wouldnt I point that out? Why do you think those 2 companies bury that information on page 6 of their warranties? A layperson wouldnt know that on their own. Dont I have a responsibility to show my customers that so that they can make an informed decision? Right after I do that, I show them Andersens warranty and that one shows that Andersen warrantys the gas, seals and glass for 20 years. You dont think thats important information for my customers? Forget about the fibrex, forget about the titanium oxide on the glass, the argon is THE most important part of a window and I want a window that is gonna perform so that the argon stays in it as long as possible.

    By the time my presentations are over, my people are now educated about windows and no longer think that a window is a window. I pressure no one. My product, my presentation and the fact that they trust me as the person that does know a thing or two about how a window is supposed to perform followed by a company that backs it up is what sells windows.

    If anyone is still reading this at this point, call your local RBA. Schedule and appointment, make sure you and your spouse are there for it. This is not a purchase of a furnace or boiler. Its a big investment and one that provides heavy resale benefits, energy efficiency and one that beautifys your home. Any realtor worth their salt will tell you that any Andersen house sells for more and faster than any other house with any other window. If after you know all the facts, you still think that these are sales gimmicks, then dont buy.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      I appreciate the more reasonable tone than many of your coworkers take. I still don’t buy the idea that you get more seal failures in a vinyl window. I think that’s completely made up. Do you have any data to support that idea? I believe it is a fact that the efficiency ratings for Renewal windows are worse than for nice vinyl windows. Do you disagree with that? If so what’s the best U-Facotr and air infiltration rate you can achieve?

      I do believe that it’s perfectly reasonable to pay more for something nice. A friend of mine jus paid $10k for a fancy oven. Does it bake cookies better than a $1k oven or a $500 oven? Who knows, it makes him happy and it looks great in his fancy house so why not buy it.

      I do think Renewal windows look nice. To say they perform better is not backed up by facts, at leas not any facts that I’ve ever seen. If you have any data I’d be happy to see it.

  55. over the past 40 years, I have used Andersen, Eagle (now part of Anderson) Marvin, and Weathershield windows. I like them all with the exception of when Andersen was doing a vinyl clad wrap on their windows. I happen to agree with what the RBA people say about Vinyl and vinyl is not a competitor, it is a material. In fact, Andersen, Marvin, Pella and Weathershield all either have vinyl lines or subsidiaries. The Andersen 200 series is vinyl. I dont like vinyl because it can warp, deteriorates from UV rays, cracks in severe hail or when something hits it when it is cold. It also expands and contracts far more than wood or fiberglass.
    I recently flipped a house which had Andersen windows installed in 1966. I had calculated in the cost of replacement because it appeared the seals were bad. Nope. Just hadnt been cleaned in 30+ years. Took me 3 times to finally get the crud off, and they were just fine.

    1. How did you finally get the crud off. Did you use a jewelry polish with fine grit. I am having the same issue?

  56. Charles Banksoon says:

    I am not a engineer. Although I have product knowledge, I am not the guy to talk to in terms of performamce statistics, nor will I drag this vine out boring people with scientific stats. If this stuff is this much of an interest for you, I would recommend that you join IGMA (Insulated Glass Manufacturers Alliance), formerly SIGMA (Sealed Insulated Glass Manufacturers Association). As a member, you are privy to these precise statistics. Beware because I think your opinion about vinyl may change.

    For the layperson, I seriously doubt they are interested in joining IGMA. That said, what should be important for a consumer is a company that has been around for many years, a company that makes a quality product and most importantly, a company that stands behind their product. Andersen warrantys their glass systems for 20 years because they know they will last at least that long. You are not in business for 113 years by slinging deception, you are not the #1 selling window in America, you do not have a BBB rating of A+ and youre not #1 in J.D. Power and Associates in customer satisfaction because you dont do what you say youre gonna do.

    Ive seen tens of thousands of windows up close. My personal statistics are the eyball test. If you’ve seen what I’ve seen, I think your opinion of vinyl would be much different. Thats not to say that there isnt good vinyl products out there but be prepared to pay big bucks for them. The fact is, people only buy vinyl because they are cheap windows and cant imagine dropping 20 or 30 grand in windows. Those people are destined to make the same mistakes over and over. Do it once, do it right and do it with a company that provides the best warranty. If you love vinyl, then get vinyl but if you want a quality product, be prepared to pay.

    If you want horror stories, google “vinyl window seal failure”. Its hours of reading.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      It’s absolutely true that there are cheap vinyl windows out there. I don’t think you’ll find anyone to disagree with you about that.

      I’ve never said I think Andersen makes bad products. I think the pitch used by some Renewal salespeople is lacking in the truth department. The fact that we see the same lines repeated over and over with no supporting information leads me to believe there is an issue with their training, but I have no inside knowledge about that.

      Think of it this way, when you go to buy a Mercedes the salesperson doesn’t need to spend an hour talking about why Chevys are no good. He doesn’t need to because he has a very nice product to tell you about. Sure, it’s expensive, but it’s really nice. The fact that some salespeople feel they need to spend a lot of time spreading false info about competing products leads me to believe that they don’t have a great value proposition. If they did they’d spend their time talking about that.

      When we have a customer looking for the look of a wood window we recommend real wood windows. We install Andersen windows occasionally, more often Jeld-Wen or Weather Shield. Nobody here is anti-wood windows, but I am opposed to the sales tactics mentioned many times on this page. They’re designed to separate hard working people from their money and I don’t think it’s a great way to run a business.

      It’s a sign of weakness that they operate that way, not a sign of strength.

      1. Note: I am an RBA customer and very happy

        1) When you go buy a Mercedes the salesman doesn’t need to tell you Chevys are no good.

        This is a poor example because someone who goes to a Mercedes dealership already understands why it’s better than Chevy. They don’t need to be educated to understand the value. Window buyers do. In this case you are like a Chevy salesman who tells everyone that walks through the door that your car/warranty/service is just as good as the Mercedes for 1/3 the price. If that were true Mercedes would be out of business.

        I personally own both a Mercedes Benz and RBA windows and I’ve never thought for a moment that I didn’t get good value for my money with either. My windows will be 7 years old next year and they still look brand new. My country club put vinyl windows in our clubhouse less than 5 years ago. Half of them are fogged up already and the manufacturer is out of business. Warranty could be used to light a fire and that’s about it.

        I don’t know how all Renewal’s do it but my local RBA offered me a supplemental lifetime warranty that covered all parts, labor, installation for as long as I own my home. The basic 20 year warranty is transferable. I’ve had them out a couple small service calls and never had to give them one red cent. You’ve spent a lot of time bashing that warranty but the bottom line is Andersen is one of a handful of companies that will still be there in a lifetime. 9 out of 10 vinyl window companies that offer “lifetime warranties” won’t exist in 20 years and their warranties won’t be worth the paper they’re printed on.

        A good friend of mine is a contractor in Michigan and has installed every kind of window under the sun. I consulted him before spending big money on windows and his advice was to buy the best window I could possibly afford.

        You call $1500/window insane prices. I call $600 for a plastic window insane. According to my friend the average vinyl window costs $75-$125 from the factory. So you have a $75/window and $400-$500 Of overhead, markup, marketing, commissions, profit. The same friend tells me that he has also paid well over $1,000 unit for custom made Andersen A-series and sees the RBA as being similar priced. Call me crazy but I’d rather have $1,000 worth of window and $500 worth of bull crap than $100 worth of window and $500 worth of bull crap.

        I still receive RBA advertisements in the mail in my weekly coupon pack. Each time I get the RBA ad I get ads from Champion, Window World, etc. Is it cheaper for them to run an ad? Cheaper for their commercial air time? Companies pay all the same overhead costs on cheap vinyl that they do on expensive windows and the end result is $75 standing between you and Mother Nature for 20+ years. Good luck on that gamble.

        When getting bids on my project the worst lies were told to me by vinyl salesman…. including

        1) “We manufacture our own products”. Almost everyone who made this claim was simply a reseller buying an All Side window or something of similar quality and just putting their name on the locks.

        2) “I don’t work on commission”. The cheapest guy told me this unprompted. I know better. Didn’t believe another word he said after that.

        3) “The RBA window is just a vinyl window with saw dust mixed in”. You keep alluding to RBA reps trashing vinyl but my rep simply gave me the research that Andersen had done and let me make up my mind. He certainly never told me such an egregious product bashing lie as the one told to me by the Champion guy.

        Maybe this type of dishonesty from vinyl reps is why RBA reps come off as pushy? If I were less informed I probably would’ve believed a couple of the lies I listed above.

        RBA put an 90*70 tempered Picture window in my house in place of 3 single hung aluminum junkers. Their contractors ripped and replaced the header, redid the drywall, Sheetrock and sills flawlessly. Nobody else could build the window that large and none wanted to do the work. They just wanted to cram 3 cheap plastic windows in even though I didn’t want that. That Picture Window stops people dead in their tracks. I get compliments on it all the time. RBA’s willingness and proficiency in doing work that other companies were afraid to do set them apart. I spent $33,000 on my windows and doors and I’m fine with it. I am 36 years old and I intend to die in this house without ever replacing them again.

        1. thewindowdog says:

          I’m glad to hear you’re happy with your purchase. I think there are several statements in there that are not accurate so I wonder if you’re actually a customer, but assuming you are I hope you enjoy your new windows for many years to come.

  57. Charles Banksoon says:

    The analogy about a mercedes dealer looks valid on the surface but you would agree that people know much much more about cars than they do windows. 95% of the people I see think their windows are just fine and the same percentage think a window is there to keep the bugs out while being something that allows them to see outside and let some natural light in. Nobody knows what low-e does, almost nobody knows what argon even is much less the importance of it. Im there to educate people and to help them make an informed decision, not to talk them into something they dont need. You may call them sales tactics but if I had a nickel for every time someone said, “wow, i had no idea that windows were even made to do this kind of thing”, Id make alot more money.

    There may be shifty salesmen out there and Im sure there is. All Im saying is that its not a necessary practice. I think that the main reason you may hear these complaints is because of RBAs method of doing business. A contractor walks onto a job, asks how much the customer wants to spend and then spends inside that budget. RBAs presentations are designed to get people to think logically and to buy a quality product with a legitimate warranty. RBAs presentations are designed to ask how much a customer is willing to spend to have nice things for their home.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      I agree with almost everything. I don’t know if the presentations I’ve heard of are designed to get people to think logically. The strategy of hitting someone with a $2k per window price only to drop it to $1,200 if they buy today is specifically designed to get people to be illogical.

      I don’t think it’s a bad product. I do think it’s often presented in a way that wouldn’t make anyone’s grandmother proud. That doesn’t need to be the case. Someone has decided to operate that way which is unfortunate.

      1. This was not my experience. I was offered a promotional price of roughly $1,700 window and a 10% discount for day of visit which brought them down to around $1,500/per I did not sign that night and the salesman did not push me. I told him I’d make a decision inside of a week and that if it was about saving a trip I’d come to him and save him a second trip. I met him at his office early in the morning, signed the paperwork and he still gave me the additional 10%. I’m glad he didn’t start at $2000 and drop to $1200 because that would’ve been insulting. The RBA rep was the most professional and ultimately it was obvious that he was the most knowledgeable about his product. I had a Home Depot rep out and told him up front I was only interested in Andersen 400 or A Series for comparison to RBA. He spent 30 minutes trying to convince me to buy Simonton Vinyl. It was clear to me at that point that he knew very little about the Andersen products he sold and also clear that Simonton was offering him some extra incentive to push their product on everyone he met with.

        1. thewindowdog says:

          I’m sure everyone doesn’t have a bad experience. Thanks for taking the time to write.

  58. Sue Thompson says:

    My search for the brand of french doors a local highly-rated contractor carries led me to this website and I must say I have spent most of the afternoon reading comments just from 2016 alone. Once we replace our french doors, we plan to replace the windows, all part of our plan to place our home on the market within the next 5 years. I would like the same contractor to do all of the work. The problem is that we have dogs and with dogs come scratches so I was initially looking for a material that is scratchproof (for the doors). My contractor carries and obviously suggests Provia products. It appears Provia products are mainly vinyl and aluminum products (at least my very limited understanding of doors and windows leads me to that conclusion). We had an Anderson rep. give us a $90,000 estimate last year (after all discounts) and that did not even include replacing the 4 sets of three panel french doors. I keep reading that vinyl and/or aluminum windows (and I assume doors) are cheap looking and lasting and I do not want to install vinyl or aluminum windows (or doors) if they are going to decrease the value of the home rather than increase it. For financial reasons, Anderson and RBA are not options. I have another contractor whom I trust who can install my doors and windows. I do not want to waste the Provia dealer’s time by coming out and measuring if the Provia windows and doors are not going to be an option. So, can anyone recommend a brand that is not as expensive but still looks nice, wears well and increases rather than decreases the value of a home? Our climate is either very, very hot or very, very cold, with lots of high wind.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Provia doors come in steel and fiberglass. Nothing is going to be scratch proof, but I’d suggest that steel would be easy to repaint one day while scratched fiberglass woodgrain will always be scratched. Since you mentioned Renewal I’d let you know that last I heard Renewal was offering Provia doors just rebranded with their name. They’re the same doors so you may be able to find a better price from someone offering Provia.

      If anything has changed on the front I’m sure one of the many Renewal reps will chime in with more info.

      The Provia doors are typically very well regarded. My company has been offering them for years with great results.

  59. It’s a high binder sales scam! Period end of story. No window should cost anywhere near the prices you all are saying. $1k for the best of the best! Not $1500-$3000 or $8000 for a bay! Are you kidding me Andersen Windows cost me $175-$450. And I charge $125 to install them.

    Let me guess they drove a Mercedes to your home and told you to buy on the spot! That’s a high binder!

    Google the represenitives entire name. Guarantee they are a scammer even a convicted criminal!

    No replies please.

  60. Not sure where to leave this comment/request.

    I’m thinking about replacing 2 newer Alside Sheffield’s with a European tilt and turn style window. Any recommnedations?

  61. I had a RBA salesman quote me a four section, French sliding patio door last week – 133″ x 95″ – to match a RBA one already installed in the house I had purchased recently.

    The salesman was very pleasant, worked through his spreadsheet and came up with an undiscounted price of $24k and discounted to $19k if I signed on the spot. My response was a polite “No” and I began to show him to the door. At this point, he said he could do it for $18k to which I replied that I wasn’t interested in a price above $16k. A lengthy telephone call ensued between the salesman and his RBA franchise “owner” while I put the kids to bed. The owner told his salesman he would go as low as $17.5k, but I would have to pay for any unforeseen issues such as structural calcs for a header or electrical re-wiring, etc. Again, I replied with a polite “No” and drew the conversation to a close as he had already been in my house for 2 hours and we were getting nowhere.

    The next day I paid a visit to my local Home Depot to inspect an Andersen 400 series French sliding patio door. I was astonished to discover that the A400 series is IDENTICAL to the RBA patio door already installed in my house, even down to the color, glass, fly-screen and hardware options. I was very pleasantly surprised (but also shocked) when Home Depot quoted the same 133″ x 95″ patio door for $5k excluding installation. As I already knew a very good local window installer, the decision to go with the A400 series from HD was a “no brainer”.

    With hindsight, I am very glad the RBA salesman did not manage to get the price down to $16k as I would have likely signed on the spot. Instead, I have probably saved myself in the order of $8-9k on a single patio door.

    Upon further investigation, it is clear the only unique product RBA possess is their (very nice) Fibrex window profile which is also partially installed in my home. As I gradually replace the remaining windows and doors, I will use Andersen 400 series for all the doors and A100 Fibrex series for the windows at the rear and side of the property which is a close (-ish) match to the existing RBA windows. I can then decide whether to negotiate hard with RBA to match the front of the house or stick with A400/A100 series installed by my local guy.

    I am sharing my experience to help others in my situation. The message is clear – DO YOUR HOMEWORK and don’t sign immediately with RBA. It is entirely possible to install high quality Andersen product without becoming reliant upon RBA for installation and, at the same time, save yourself many thousands of dollars.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Thanks for taking the time to write. Now you can go spend your $8k savings on something fun!

  62. victor wang says:

    why is everyone saying $1600 / opening—do you guys all have the same sized windows? what is the size? casement, awning, sliding, double hung….. they all vary in price.

  63. Myrna Gray says:

    I am more than happy with the installation of my renewal windows by Andersen. The initial consultation with the salesperson was informative and well laid out. I was most impressed with the installers. They were on the premises exactly when I was promised. They were courteous and friendly. They went out of their way to make it easier for me, including removing blind brackets that were in the way. When finished, they replaced every bracket! Their clean-up after installation was phenomenal. I would definitely recommend this company to others.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Myrna, thanks for taking the time to write. As you can tell by the other comments, experiences seem to vary quite a bit. Glad to hear you had a great project.

  64. I just bought a small 1970’s ranch house that has Renewal by Andersen double-hung replacement windows that were purchased and installed in 2008. The window frames and sashes are still in good shape but they have ugly diamond crisscross style grills between the panes of glass that I would like to replace with colonial style grills.

    Has anyone actually replaced these diamond grills with colonial grills? If so, did you use replacement sashes sold and installed by Renewal by Andersen, or did you have a local contractor purchase and install the Andersen 400 Series double-hung insert replacement windows? Any insight is appreciated.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Paul, that’s a great questions. I don’t know the best approach, but I would start by calling Andersen customer service to see if you can order new sashes for the windows. If they’ll let you that will be the easiest way to do it and might be the cheapest too. Let us know how it works out.

  65. Thank you for your informative blog. I was this _close to buying these the other night for more than $43,000. The following day after not going through with the purchase I was called by a nice man over at Renewal and told I could save the salesman’s commission of $4300 and an additional 10 percent for a total of $8600 more off the $43,000 price which is why I decided to hold off and do my due diligence. Your site has litteratly opened my eyes to the fact that while they are nice windows it may not be worth the investment. If they are asking much more for these than reasonably warranted then can I actually trust them when they tell me I will save 35 percent on my heating bill? Probably not! Will windows really pay for themselves? Probably not because as you have pointed out on the site by the time I get around to achieving any real savings they will already need to be replaced. Thanks again you really saved me a fortune!

    1. thewindowdog says:

      That’s a serious chunk of change! How many windows do you have? I would bet you could find another option that would also look nice and be a little more competitively priced. Glad we could help!

  66. Hi Paul,
    I’m responding to your comment from Nov 4, 2016.
    I work for Renewal by Andersen Long Island.
    You would have to contact your local Renewal by Andersen location and have them come out to do a site inspection. It is completely free. We would have to replace the sashes because the grilles are between the glass. The 400 series sashes are not compatible with the Renewal line.
    If you live on Long Island, Queens, or Brooklyn I would be happy to help you out.
    John

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Thanks for the helpful reply John.

  67. Got the RBA sales pitch this week. With the Superbowl Deal. Buy one, get another 40% off! So for 5 windows, 36″x36″, full cost 15,000$!!! But with all the deals I can get them for ~11,000$. They looked nice, but certainly not 2200$ after “all the savings” per window nice.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Ha, I can picture them getting excited about a Superbowl Deal!!

  68. Had an RBA rep out today, not pushy, was an educational experience for me, he did try the sign today for 10% more off but given I need to replace 56 windows, and the quote came in at $131,000 after discounts I would never sign on the spot. He offered to not “input” the final details of my bid and come back in a week to “finish the quote” so I could get the 10%, a nice gesture; also a 24 month same as cash offer which would help with my cash flow. I live in a 9500 Sq. Ft. $1.5M house w/HOA, so low grade vinyl is not an option, also, would kill resale value if even allowed.

    I am definitely willing to pay a premium for high quality stuff for any house I own- (just bought a Sub Zero Pro Series fridge that makes me want to cry sometimes when I think about what I paid for it, but the one in my last house at 17 years old was as good as new, needed a $175 fan since I purchased it). I do think despite even the pro’s of this product line it is just too expensive for the value delivered, I’m going to need a much larger discount to pull the trigger; they did a neighbors whole house of 84 windows for $175K last fall, he was extremely pleased not only with the product, speed and quality of the installation, but aware he payed a premium for a company that stands behind their product as well.

    I live in Georgia, given wet weather, humidity, moisture etc. wood is not a good option, also termites come into play, I’m even nervous with Pella Aluminum cladding wood windows (which is what i bought for last house in Dallas, after 17 years they looked/worked as good as the day I bought them) but climate in GA is much different, I am definitely composite focused , love RBA’s FiberEx product, but not there with the price just yet…

    Would appreciate all input, advice from those in the window field…

    1. thewindowdog says:

      That price seems a little silly. I’m going to check with someone to see if I can help out. Will send you an email.

      1. Hi Dog! I live in Orange, CA in an house built in 1988. I have a 15 yr old large (94″x51″) Advantage vinyl window that faces south east and gets lots of sun from three sides! It began to warp after about 5 yrs but have put off replacing it. BTW the aluminum frame was removed to put it in. I would appreciate your recommendation on what brand of window, was thinking Andersen 400 Series; wood, composite or vinyl; and who to have install it here in OC?? Thanks so much for your website! Lisa

        1. thewindowdog says:

          Hi Lisa, unfortunately I don’t know anyone to recommend in your area yet so I can’t help out on that front. In terms of window material I think any decent windows made today should hold up for quite a long time. The decision of wood vs vinyl vs composite is typically made on looks. Some people love the looks of a wood window or a fake wood window (composite) others aren’t as into that and they like in the increase in efficiency and decrease in price that comes with a vinyl window. Good luck!

      2. I will say that one thing that disappointed me about RBA was that they did not offer any kid of volume discount for my project. Everyone else had some incentive for doing more past a certain point. I thought my house was a large job but I guess not. I would think they’d be willing to concede a few $$/window on a job with 56 windows!!

        1. thewindowdog says:

          I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Many companies will look for what a customer wants and then give them that special disown too they feel extra special. For example, if you’re a firefighter you get the firefighter discount. If you’re a teacher you get the teacher discount, if you have 20 windows you get the large project discount, if you have 50 windows you get the large project discount, if you have 200 windows you get the large project discount, you get the idea.

          My suggestion would be not to put too much stock in the dog and pony show, but instead to focus on the bottom line. Either it’s a better deal or it’s not. Whether they say you’re getting the neighborhood discount really doesn’t make any difference. Hope that makes sense.

  69. Thought this might be good info for people looking to do business with RBA I am attaching the link to Yelp, which I use very often to read honest customer reviews for things before doing business. If you click on “Details” next to the line that has the rating stars on it, you will find that they have 60 5 star ratings and 63 1 star. I just am not sure I have seen anything like that for any company, never mind a HUGE one like this. They have more 1 star than 5’s O.o. Read what these consumers had to say

    https://www.yelp.com/biz/renewal-by-andersen-hayward-2?sort_by=date_desc

  70. Not happy with RBA says:

    1st time homeowner here… My wife & I signed contract 2 mo ago to replace a 6-7′ bay window under an awning. RBA charged $9980 which I think 7k is labor alone. I did not realize the labor was so high and though it was the cost of the window. The window has not been installed yet and after speaking to a friend I realized 5-6k would be high. Any ideas on how to stop this process since I’m past the 3day cancel time-frame?

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Unfortunately, you’re probably out of luck. You could try to pay for the window and not the labor, but I don’t expect they would agree to that. Sorry to hear about your trouble.

      Be sure to let us know how it turns out.

  71. Dan Ellis says:

    We are currently looking to replace 10 original aluminum windows in our 1973 house. We have done 3-4 interviews/ research as we usually do, and one of those was RBA. The sales pitch took about 1.5 hours and the routine was the same as the most of what I have read here. We have 7 windows that are of similar size and 3 of varying sizes. The salesman was thorough and was a decent guy. The shock came with the initial offer of 17K and once the home show discount was taken into consideration, the price came down to 13K and change. I liked the look of the product, however, I was still not sure that this price was in the ball park. I was sent the quote, but all that was on there was a total; no breakdown of the per window price, installation, or anything else, other than the permit fee. When I asked for a breakdown of the costs, I was told that the pricing structure breakdown would be higher as there are numerous charges and fees as part of the cost of doing business. I work in a professional environment and understand how corporate business functions. So I never did receive a breakdown of the quote. The $1300 per window does not leave us with a good feeling, especially considering the various sizes of the windows. When debating the cost, we were told that their windows were not for everyone. When reviewing the quote, I also noticed that the paperwork was from a company representing RBA, a chosen franchisee, which was never mentioned in the presentation.

  72. We had a RBA salesman come out to our house in Southern California. It is a nice product…if you are willing to pay at least 100% to 150% more than you really need to! Thank you for your informative website!

  73. We had a RBA salesman come out to our house in Southern California. It is a nice product…if you are willing to pay at least 100% to 150% more than you really need to! Thank you for your informative website!

    Buying snake oil or swamp land in Florida would be a more transparent transaction.

  74. I also had a Renew by Anderson Rep come to my house. First quote for 33 windows was $75k, I said flat out no. Then he started with the discount and the only today price of $55k. Tried to convince me I would get my return on energy saving and resale value. I said told Kim that I like to do my research before any purchase and they were the first I called. He backed off and said let’s just write up 4 windows to “lock in” the today only price. Doesn’t sound like a reputable company would not honor quotes days or even weeks later. So after I did some research and read a lot of comments on this site commenting that the plastic fame warp or crack causes double pane windows to loose there seal and fog up. This is not true. My house has builder installed plastic windows and have some of them foged up. The insulated glass unit (IGU) is what is failing. If you window frames or still good, not warped or cracked you can replace just the IGU. Google it and you will find instructions on YouTube how to do it and companies that will sell just the IGU. Much cheaper and you don’t have to tear out the window frames. Now I also do have some windows that need to be replaced because the house settled and distorted the window frames. Think I’ll go with a local company just to replace the ones that need replacing. Save myself about $40k.

  75. Read through many posts. Can you please explain the difference between Andersen 400 casement window and the RBA product? When I called RBA I got a receptionist who said theirs is for older homes replacement and 400 is for new construction. Could get nothing else from her and no one else available. Makes no sense to me that I need a different indow for a 45 year old house if it’s installed properly. The lumber and millwork place with the 400 series has their own installers, not contracted out. They quoted about $100o for double casement window and about same for install. I’m willing to pay for quality but not get ripped off.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      There is a difference between a new construction window and a replacement window. Renewal by Andersen stores are franchises that can only sell that one product. It’s not in their interest to recommend a 400 series product. From what I’ve heard from readers over the years, you’ll likely get a better price on the 400 series.

    2. Betty, I’ve heard this “new construction vs. replacement window” argument before. It’s just lazy. I don’t think people who work for Renewal understand the other Andersen products and I don’t think the people who sell Andersen through 3rd Party retailers understand the RBA products. I did a lot of research and there were only some subtle differences. Ultimately the 400 series can be purchased as a replacement or a new construction window and I bet you that even though RBA is a “replacement window” you could probably order a full frame new construction version if you put an addition on your home and wanted a perfect match. I don’t think the representatives on either end mean to mislead people I just think their job is to do administrative work and nobody outside of sales or installation knows much about the products themselves. The main difference worth noting is that the 400 series is a vinyl clad wood window which means it has the vinyl looking 45 degree melted corner on the outside. My casements have the mortise and tenon joint that is typical of wood windows. Fibrex doesn’t have cladding so it looks more like your old fashioned painted wood. That was actually a factor for me as I really wanted them to look like wood windows inside and out. All that aside I think $1000/installed is a very fair price for an Andersen double Casement. I know I paid quite a bit more for the RBA version.

  76. I disagree with the statement that vinyl windows don’t warp. In the Detroit area we have a large vinyl window company called Wallside. Within one year their windows warped and became next to impossible to open. I’ve learned also in life that a warranty means nothing if the manufacturer refuses to honor it. The lifelong warranty on those Wallsides meant nothing when the people you dealt with were rude, obnoxious and refuse to honor it. My friends eventually gave up as they were selling their home. RBA was out today and stressed that heir windows used PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Is that actually the same “vinyl” that others use? I did not find the salesman pushy, but informative. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the E coatings and gas he used a heat lamp and a BTU meter. I could also feel the difference with my hand. Price-wise they were several thousand more that the 400 series Andersons (7 / 8 window job). Bottom line I’m not sure what to believe, yet sure shy away from vinyl.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Remember, there are cheap versions of everything. If you had some old broken down car in high school you wouldn’t say that you’re never going to buy a car made out of metal because you had one that broke down once. I always suggest folks work with larger manufacturers because they’re more stable. I know Wallside does a lot of local advertising, but they’re certainly not a larger manufacturer.

      In regards to the BTU meter, every company uses glass from the same 3 manufacturers so there is nothing in the glass from Andersen that you can’t get from many places.

      Good luck out there and feel free to let us know if you have any other questions.

    2. I just had a presentation by a RBA representative at my home yesterday. We have original wood windows from when the house was built in 1962, some still with the original storm windows. We want to replace 20 windows, mainly double-hung in standard sizing with some picture windows. He was a nice enough guy and gave some of the same information to me that has been criticized by others over time on this site. I have had other representatives from well-known vinyl window companies in the area come out in the past for estimates ranging from $8,000 to $14,500. I liked the RBA product and the appearance of the double-pane windows in person does look like real wood windows with a matte white finish. The quality is quite good, but then after a lengthy discussion about the windows and related topics he took the measurements and entered them into his iPad which generated the cost. He cautioned me early on in our conversation that there was no room for negotiation aside from the current promotion for a 20% discount, a thirty-day value price lock, and an additional instant savings by committing the same day. This is in addition to the one-year price guarantee. The quality plus the 20-year warranty sounded pretty good. You can imagine then my reaction when he gave me the price quote. It came out to $40,000, roughly $2,000 per window. I was candid with him and said that these are replacement windows, not new construction windows like Andersen 400 Series (I had two 400 series double-hung windows installed a few years ago when we renovated two bathrooms). You are not touching the interior and exterior trim with replacements and notwithstanding the exterior capping they would do, I could not believe what I was hearing. He followed up with showing me his IPad with markers indicating how many people in the surrounding area have completed the RBA questionnaire after their project has been completed (there were a significant number), and he noted that these are only the customers who submitted the questionnaire and only represented 50% of folks who have actually had RBA complete window projects. Needless to say I did not commit same day, although he said that by signing to do a portion of the project – at least three windows – all of the discounts would be locked in. All in all, I just cannot imagine how RBA or anyone for that matter could reasonably expect someone to pay with installation $2,000 per window, or roughly $1,500 per window with the current discounts, for replacement windows. In the end, I think that if considering RBA and their cost is a concern as it was for us, it may be a better route to go to purchase wood windows with exterior cladding at a lumber store or a home center and hire a carpenter to install the windows and replace the exterior and trim. You will certainly end up paying considerably less for the window project.

    3. I suppose that Wallside products aren’t the universal decision. Because I read different opinions when I made a research during my remodeling. I found out that some clients are totally satisfied with windows quality while others are extremely dissatisfied: https://wallside-windows.pissedconsumer.com/review.html
      Maybe it depends on exact location and salesman.

      1. thewindowdog says:

        You probably won’t be surprised to hear that there are people who like every product and there are people who don’t like every product. That’s just how it works. I’m sure there is someone on the internet with bad things to say about any company. It’s hard to put too much stock in something like that because you know you don’t have all of the information.

  77. We just had a RBA quote. Yes, it was high. but he made a point that I thought about: Home Depot will take the lowest bidder to do an install. So even if you got a good product, the installation may not be. Anyone have thoughts on that? Also, I don’t want to have to paint and maintain wood windows. I don’t want to spend more than I have to, but I don’t want to a bad install, or a high maintenance product. What’s the alternative?

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Remember, Home Depot and Renewal aren’t your only options. There are many companies in between.

      1. I agree, there are lots of window companies out there. Sometimes you get lucky and find a good quality windows immediately and sometimes it take a lot longer. Just like everything else, yiu need to do your homework.
        I do must admit the RBA windows are beautiful windows. But the price tag is very steep. ! I have 22 windows and they wanted 34k.
        I am not a fan of their buy now to get the discount, bashing of other products (yet being vague) and the 20 year warranty. If the quality is there why not life time?
        The cheap vinyl windiws they keep pointing out have life time.

        I will updated when the work is done

      2. I am about to replace my windows and I’m looking for who should I go to, I’m a little confused now with all
        What I read. I live in Connecticut and wanted to know where should I go, I’m thinking of HD but with what I read is like they have the cheap vinyl, then with RBA but It’s too pricey. Can you recommend one for me.

    2. Anonymous says:

      Unbiased as I dont work for HD but worked for my dad who worked through HD for years and I worked for them as a sub for PATIO COVER projects. Sears home depot lowes ect. all higher sub contractors who often times work for strictly for that one company (as a sub) for many years. Nobody bids on jobs… these companies have pay sheets and everybody gets paid the same.

      1. thewindowdog says:

        I agree. I’ve interviewed installers who had worked as subs for Renewal. They’re franchises so each one might pay their installers differently.

  78. Jim Fouche says:

    I replaced my home windows in Florida with Andersen Renewal windows 4+ years ago. I completed the installation and had no troubles with any window installation and have had zero performance problems with the windows. It has been my experience that these windows are very market competitive and provide outstanding insulating values in the hot, humid FL climate; my home is much quieter and relaxing. Also, as a matter of fact, these windows were less expensive than Pella vinyl windows (Lowe’s) and competing vinyl windows from unknown competitors. I did not purchase these windows from a “big box” store, but did shop windows at these locales. If you consider the ugly seams associated with various vinyl windows, the chemistry associated with vinyl is very much similar to poly vinyl chloride, which gets brittle over time (check out an older CPVC hot water pipe – very brittle) and will probably experience a higher level of failure. The downside to these windows is color selection AND you cannot obtain them as double hung units, only single hung; but IMHO, when you compare the crappy vinyl windows to these from Andersen you’ll be impressed. No, I don’t work for Andersen and I don’t sell these things. BUT, I looked at a BUNCH of windows before I selected these and I have been very satisfied with my decision.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Jim, thanks for taking the time to write. You got Renewal by Andersen windows installed for less than the cost of vinyl windows from Lowes? That does not seem to be in line with what other readers have reported. It’s so out of line that it leads me to suspect the veracity of your claim. Do you have any more info on how the pricing compared?

      1. I don’t believe that Jim is being intentionally misleading. I believe he was misled and simply doesn’t know better. His comment is a perfect example of how easily misinformed a customer can be while making what they think is a very informed decision.

        It’s safe to say he did not get windows installed by Renewal for less than Lowe’s vinyl. More than likely a slick salesman sold him an American Craftsman vinyl window and passed it off as the real deal. I think they even say “By Andersen” in Home Depot. Maybe it could be a 100 series as best. I have no idea what a Pella vinyl would cost today to compare to Andersen 100. Anyhow I suspect this happens thousands of times per year and it shows that there is no shortage of misinformation coming from salespeople.

        1. thewindowdog says:

          Unfortunately I bet you’re exactly right.

    2. Jim, if you don’t mind me asking how much did Renewal charge you. I just got a quote of 32 – 37 (Fibrex vs. Wood). Highest price we’ve received.

  79. I had window world quote 19 4000 series windows for 7300. Same house quote by RBA started at 40,000. Wow, my head is spinning like I am possessed

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Ha, and someone claiming to be a customer just wrote in to say that they bought Renewal windows for less than the cost of vinyl windows. Doesn’t seem likely to me. Thanks for sharing your experience.

  80. I did enjoy reading this blog. If I learned anything it would be that you shouldn’t get in a hurry when spending large amounts of your hard earned money.

  81. Jac Brown says:

    Hello –

    We live in NE Kansas on a hill and get strong, and sometimes extended periods of 30-40 MPH winds. Previous owner replaced some of the original windows (all double-hung) with Pella about 10 years ago – 2 years before we bought the house.

    Perhaps due to poor installation or poor window choice or both – the new Pella windows on West and South sides have had so much air flow we have them covered with plastic year round.

    Two questions:
    1. Without tearing apart the siding on the outside of the house can we do replacement windows in the casement crank-out style?
    2. What are brand / model options for the environment we live in.

    We were strongly considering Renew by Anderson as I like Anderson in general. Cost of replacement of one kitchen window by our local contractor was $1500 – this was a ‘new contruction’ installation.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Sure, you should be able to install a replacement casement window without too much trouble. It’s best to find a good local company before falling in love with a brand as some brands have limited distribution. Let us know how it goes!

  82. Cathy Bruzon says:

    I recently purchased Renewal by Andersen windows. As background for the need, I live in CT, and this past winter (2016-17) was so cold I was determined to make sure I would go into the next winter with a warm insulated house. I believe the windows I had were original to the house (1985) but they were so drafty you could feel a breeze coming through. I saw an ad for RbA, made an appointment and bought 11 windows. I should have done my homework. Here are my comments about my experience and the product: 1. Sales – personable sales rep so they have the right person in the right job. 2. Installers – excellent team!! In and out and it was all cleaned up. 3. Windows – I can’t say I’m too happy about this but I think it has more to do with communication by the sales rep because a. the windows don’t have a handle to pull/push it open or closed. Sales rep should have pointed this out so I could make a decision about how to open the window. To open, you have to push up from the middle of the window. The bottom of the window is too smooth to get a good grip to open. b. There is a piece that sticks up on the window sill which prevents a window a/c unit from sitting flat on the window sill. Again, a consideration sales rep could have pointed out. 4. Cost – I paid approx. $1,500 per window. So many lessons learned from this experience. So it’s only July and I won’t know how well these new windows keep heat in until a couple of months from now. If I can, I will post an update. Good luck to all!

  83. Wow! I live in the San Francisco bay area and had an RBA rep at my house 7PM-9:30PM last night, and then I spent an hour this morning reading this blog and every single comment. Incredibly helpful. Reaction:

    The RBA was professional, calm, informative, not pushy, and did not try to close the sale with any goofy “buy today or you lose the discount” pressure claims. He provided me with a written, itemize price list. So no complaints there. And I really like the windows — they don’t just look good; the operate well, pop out easily for cleaning, and seem solid.

    The price was, no surprise, astronomical. After discounts, for 14 average windows and 3 standard sliding glass doors, the price was $64,000. *gasp* Now that’s for “full frame installation” (new construction). The three doors were $18,000; the other 14 were $46,000. No fancy options. I’m sure I can get them to reduce that price a bit, but it’s still going to be insanely high.

    I need the new construction installation because there is dry rot and wood damage that needs to be replaced, so I know I’m going to spend more for that. It’s critical that the installation be done very well, and I have neighbors who speak well of RBA installation. So that’s a strong argument for them. But this blog makes me believe I can find a high quality installer and put in wood windows for $30,000 less. Is that really true, and if so, how can I find a trusted, excellent installer who can acquire high quality wood windows?

    Meanwhile, I’m going to do more research.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      I know you guys all make the big bucks out there in San Francisco, but $46,000 for 14 window is a little silly. Have you found another option yet?

      1. Yes, we bought Milgard Tuscany for $8,000 and are having them installed for $16,000. Much more reasonable.

  84. I called up Renewal by Andersen to get an estimate, they asked me when would it be convenient to come over and I gave them a date,. They asked me if both my wife and I would be home, I told them it would be me alone. They would not confirm the appointment until we were both home. After a few unsuccessful tries a salesman showed up. My wife had to go into work last minute and I was alone. The salesman told me that he had to come back because this was a 2 part process. I told him that was not what I was told. He said he would inspect and measure and make another appointment to come back with several prices. Then he insisted on measuring every window. I told him that all I wanted was four windows in front of the house and he insisted. I nearly threw him out. Then he wanted to reschedule when both my wife and I would be home. He would return with a window and colors and designs. I explained one more time that I wanted the windows to match what was there already. He wouldn’t give me a price. I told him that I didn’t know when we would both be home. He finally left.
    Their office called me to reschedule and insisted on having us both at home. We decided on a Saturday afternoon. The same salesman came over. I was told by the office both times to put one hour to an hour and a half aside for them.
    The guy came in asked me the same questions again, looked at the windows again and once more wanted to measure all the windows to which I declined. He kept telling me that that was the only way he would know why they failed and the others didn’t. It was ridiculous. After nearly four hours of a presentation that was
    Nothing but putting other windows and companies down and me asking for a price because this was ridiculous, he gave me an price that was absurd. Then he said that he had promotions, one was good for a month and the other was if we would by the windows right there and then. No time to discuss or think. The way I figured it each glibly hung window came to about $1800. Ridiculous.
    When I told him that we weren’t going to spend that much he went back to his extremely long presentation and was telling us that we agreed that aluminum , fiberglass and vinyl weren’t good for my house. He wouldn’t leave. I had th escort him out.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Unfortunately I can only assume that is part of their training process as we see similar stories from so many people. Any company that relies on practices like that is acknowledging that they don’t offer a great value. If they did they wouldn’t need to try to that hard. At least that’s my opinion, can anyone think of another reason a company would operate like that?

  85. Surely consumers are savvy enough to see through this pseudo “unbiased” evaluation site that is hosted by a window company selling a competing window product material. If you are looking for legitimate experiences, check out real online reviews on Google, Angie’s List, and the like, not the website of someone selling a competing product.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Thanks for your feedback Justin. We try to be pretty transparent around here. If you think anything we post is factually incorrect let me know and send over some documentation. With that I’ll make any needed changes. It’s our goal to be factually accurate all the time.

      Of course I do also share my opinions and as you may have noticed I don’t have a very high opinion of the sales process used by many Renewal dealers. Good luck out there.

  86. This is All ?. Why would someone put sooo much effort into downplaying Renewal By Andersen?? Talk about RBA bashing. I wonder how many people really fall for this crap. Your whole pitch here is hypocritical. Let me guess.. you want to help folks get windows from “good companies ” … I’m sure you would never get any get any kickback for those “leads”. Don’t be naïve people.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Chris, I’ve repeatedly said I think the RBA windows are decent products. It’s the sales pitch and the pricing strategy that I think is silly. I wouldn’t put them in my house, especially not for the prices they charge. If someone else wants to that’s fine with me. Good luck out there.

  87. Tracey D. says:

    Hi! I currently have Renewal by Anderson because that’s what the previous owner purchased. I believe there are a total of 22 installed. There were some issues with air infiltration when we moved in, and I called the installers that came out and put some rubber horseshoe space type objects and there haven’t been any additional issues.
    I still have about 10 windows that I need to replace. Any suggestions?

    1. thewindowdog says:

      It would bug me to have windows that didn’t match, but the price from Renewal may be steep. You can get a similar window from an Andersen distributor. They say it’s not the same, but it looks pretty similar and the price will probably be better. Did you find a solution yet?

  88. I am in the process of looking for the best replacement windows I can for a higher end home in the Kansas City market. I currently have clad windows with a lot of wood rot. I have had wood rot specials bid the project, vinyl replacements bid the project and Anderson Renewal bid the project. I still have no idea what the best replacement window for my home is. Not sure how to find the info to help make this decision. It is very overwhelming process. Would love to hear any thoughts on this.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      My company offers vinyl windows in Kansas City. If you’re interested in a quote I’d be happy to help out. You can find us here.

  89. I live in Fairfield County Connecticut and have eight out of 20 windows that need to be replaced, including all trim work. Four years ago we were quoted $12,000 by ROA for the same windows and just received a new quote today of $18,000. The sales call was aggressive and it cost us $900 already because we didn’t sign on the spot. I accept that the quality of the windows and workmanship is good, but three questions… First, is it THAT good? Second, is $18,000 reasonable? Third, why the 50% increase in just four years? Is it the manufacturing costs? The economy? The market? Thank you all in advance.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      You know it’s not that good because of the pricing strategy. In my opinion, companies that offer a genuinely great value don’t need to be pushy. Companies that feel insecure about they value they provide tend to push you harder to sign up because they’re not confident you’ll come back. Who knows any individual situation could be different, but that’s my take on the pushy companies.

  90. Does the inside of the window get cold or hot based on the weather conditions? The sales rep indicated (with a demonstration) that you can’t feel the cold or heat on the interior of the windows because of the special treatment. While we do not feel any breezes coming from the window, the area in front of each window is very cold.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      That will really depend on the situation in the house. It’s completely possible that the area in front of the window could feel cool on a cold day especially if there are heavy curtains in front of the window.

      You can always ask the company to come out to check it out to confirm everything is correct.

  91. Greg Springer says:

    TWD,
    Just got a quote from Renewal by Anderson. Roughly $1,900 per window! I almost fell out of my chair. And I have about 37 windows I’m looking to replace. The sales rep was pushing the fibrex and trashing vinyl. I like the fibrex and tilted sills, but not at that price. Please advise where I can get similar quality window for a lot less. I’m looking to get the best value and NOT being ripped off. Thank you!

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Greg, just saw your comment here. As you’ve probably seen almost all vinyl windows have sloped sills and the pricing can vary a lot often independent of the quality.

      Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help out.

  92. Just sat through a 2 hour presentation on 1/9/18 with RBA.

    *Highlights*

    REQUIRED my wife to be present for presentation. She got a *cough* emergency phone call that called her away 5 mins into the sales pitch.

    RBA sales guy was very pleasant and not particularly pushy. He did use the 1 year/30 Day/Now pricing scheme. He spent the first ten minutes trashing other companies/products before I stopped him and said “tell me why I should buy from you, not why I shouldn’t buy from the other guy”.

    I made it clear that I had met with two other companies, and was meeting with two more after RBA. This frustrated him, and he knew his pricing was going to make this a hard sell for them.

    I have to say RBA’s fibrex product is very attractive, and if not for price, I would be much more interested in purchasing from them.

    Overall:
    16 Double Hung Windows
    $46,000

    I thanked him for his time, and told him we would compare/contrast his quote, and give thought to the differences of his Fibrex product compared to vinyl/wood.

    Overall, I could replace my windows 4 times for the price of doing Andersen once. They would have to be OUT OF THIS WORLD better than other companies, and I just don’t get the sense that they are.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Thanks for sharing your experience. Did you pick a window option yet?

      1. Yes. We went with Alside Mezzo windows from a local installer in Knoxville, TN. My wife really likes them. Total price for 16 double hung windows plus a specialty crescent window was right at $7,000 installed. We’ve had them about a month, so per Andersen’s sales pitch I expect them to last another 2-3 days 🙂

        1. I do not work for Anderson at all but the windows you chose will fail and 3-5 years. I would never buy renewal windows myself too much for too little but he wasn’t lying

  93. Love this site! fantastic. So glad I found it. Because i was thinking about Anderson but having second thoughts. Very expensive. I live in northern NJ and I see you recommend Taylor Rae. What is a good window brand to use and do you recommend going through Lowes or Home DePot? Lowes installed a Pella sliding door for me and a therma tru front door, both are awesome and they did an outstanding job. any advice is grateful Thanks!

    1. thewindowdog says:

      I typically don’t recommend the box stores as the reports we get on their service are very hit or miss. Glad you had a great experience, but I don’t think that means you’ll necessarily have a great experience next time. Did you talk with Taylor Rae? I bet you’ll like what they offer.

  94. Michel Cetre says:

    Hello,

    thanks for the site and for people providing info.
    I did a big addition to the house and installed the Andersen wood windows series 200 about 6 years ago. I like them, I think they are pretty good windows.
    The old portion of the house has Andersen wood windows from the 80’s. they still work ok, but are getting a little old. I’ve decided to start looking into replacing those too. I called RBA to get a price. Yeah, the sales pitch is very annoying, the push trying to tell you to buy today is very annoying. The sales guy was definitely talking crap about vinyl windows, but he was also talking crap about the Andersen wood windows like I have since they have a vinyl cladding on the oustide. He couldn’t stop talking about how great the Fibrex is.
    The weird part is that Andersen sells 4 series of windows through Home Depot. The 100, 200, 400 and A series, in order of quality and price, and the 100 series is the one made of the Fibrex material which makes no sense as they say it is the best stuff out there.
    I priced out the same window (one of the 15 I need) as an example for the 100 (Fibrex) the 200 and the 400. That window is not a standard size as it it 38×65. Surprisingly enough, the 400 series is available in custom size, the 200 is not, but the 100 is…. prices are around $900 for the 400, $510 for the 200 (a close size that will require mods), and $465 for the Fibrex 100 series…..
    So the Series 100 Fibrex is the cheapest and is a custom size when it is supposedly their best product.
    So, my question is Does Andersen make 2 different type of windows with Fibrex, one for RBA and one for the 100 series, or it is the same, and they just charge $1600 for installation…..

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Great post. I hope one of the many Renewal salespeople we have on the site will chime in with their expertise.

  95. Full disclosure: I sell windows and doors for an installation company. We use several different manufacturers. Andersen is no one of them.
    Thatsaid, the original overall conclusion of the Window Dog is, in my opinion, absolutely correct. I have had to re-educate customers who have endured a Renewal By Andersen sales call many times. Their salesmen are trained to sell no matter what and don’t seem to be trained to truly solve the customers’ problems. Their windows seem reliable but are way over priced because they advertise so heavily in print, on TV and radio.
    Last summer I went to the Indiana State Fair. Right at the entrance there was a Renewal By Andersen info booth. I asked the lady if their windows were made out of fiberglass. She said Fibrex is like fiberglass because it is a composite material. I asked her if Fibrex is stronger than fiberglass and she told me it was (It is not. Fibrrglass is more than 3 times stronger than Fibrex). A while later we passed another Renewal By Andersen booth. They had three I was told but we never found the third. At the second booth there was a man and lady. I asked them the same question if Fibrex was fiberglass. She said that it is not fiberglass but that it is stronger than fiberglass. I told her that was untrue and that the AAMA rates fiberglass 3.5 times stronger than fiberglass. She asked me who are the AAMA? I said they test things for industry. Her response, I kid you not, was “If that is true then why does the Better Business Bureau rate Renewal By Andersen as the best window you can buy?” I asked her when the BBB started testing windows. It is a good window. They shouldn’t have to lie or play pricing games to sell it.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Thanks for writing. I was just reading through a barrage of criticism about what a jerk I was for not loving their sales process. I went to the Indiana State Fair last year too. Small world!

      1. We live in Indiana and had a RBA rep here yesterday. We signed for windows, but questioned our decision immediately and are considering canceling the contract. They have poor reviews for their installation here and I’m concerned about the “glass loss” on the sides of the windows. We had a quote from Window World for vinyl, but are not sure of the quality. We’re thinking about quotes from Home Depot for wood windows. We currently have all casements, with the exception of two large windows replaced by the previous owner with vinyl sliders. Since you mentioned Indiana, do you (or does anyone else) have any recommendations on products or installers?

  96. Roberta Flack says:

    I am a simple homeowner looking for very good windows for reasonable price. What I “repeatedly” get from this site is that “thewindowdog” thinks the RbA windows are pretty but the sales pitch is sometimes rough and they can be pricy. What I would have liked to hear is a quality comparison to price. We had a RbA rep out and he was curtious and pleasant and never bashed any other window products. I had a flyer from their company with a 20% discount. I mentioned that when I called the company they mentioned a possible 50% discount. In the end we got a 50% discount but now after reading the back and forth I am not sure I have a good deal. Maybe 50% of really high is still high. I am more confused rather then enlightened….. thanks for nothing!

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Roberta, I think you nailed my feelings on the subject. In my mind the advantage to their windows is the look. If you like the look well enough to pay $1500 more per window for it then you’re in great shape. I don’t think it’s a “better” window than many other options, just a different look.

      Have they been installed yet? How do you like them?

  97. Getting Educated says:

    Getting educated.
    I had RBA installed this summer, I have had nothing but problems with them.
    !st the windows where the wrong size & were not sealing all the way.
    They did replace with. Also there was a lot of air blowing & I mean blowing in through the inside weep holes of the sliders & we about froze. They came & stuffed some foam in the holes. Also we have much condensation & ice forming on the windows. We had a home audit done & we do need more insulation.
    But the auditor said we also need to have a bathroom exhaust fan installed as well as a kitchen stove exhaust fan vented outside. He said we have too much humidity in the home. Our humidity is very low in the Colorado mountains. The glass is also icy cold to the touch & we have had a very mild winter so far.
    We live at 8,000′ and I think the argon gas leaked out. It is colder in our home than when we had our old windows. When the wind blows you can feel airflow in our home.I need some professional advise. We are retired & on fixed income & are paying about $13,000 for something I feel is not an improvement at all. Talking with Customer relations we agreed to see how the installation helps. I do not feel it will make a difference on the glass temperature.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Sorry to hear about your trouble. It doesn’t make sense that you said the auditor said you had too much humidity and you think your humidity is low. Stick to the facts and you’ll have an easier time finding a solution.

  98. I have seen hypocrisy before and I have to say, you dog, are a huge hypocrit! I wanted to do a little research before making a commitment and stumbled upon what I would call one of the biggest BS sites I have seen. You repeatedly state- why do the renewal folks constantly degrade other companies and all this is here is your pundit to do exactly that. Sure, sugar coat it here and there, but you do nothing but what you cite the other guy for and it is very clear you sell the vinyl windows. It also seems to me that they must be hurting your business and you are lashing out here on your web site. I hope others see through your comments as I do- That being said, I had someone from renewal over on Tuesday, he was nothing like you describe. He was professional and informative, did not mention any other company at all, until I asked him about a well know window company, and all he did was hand me their warranty to read. Much unlike the person I met from a local big name company that has vinyl windows. That guy was like a pit bull, he was pushy, sort of rude and just very off putting. Left in a huff when I told him I wanted to speak with the renewal guy because he made me want to speak with them more since he told me how great their window was, but it was expensive and did not really seem to care what I wanted. My choice with him was white, white, white but I think if I put in a special order, I could have gotten white. The andersen guy gave me color options- how unique!

    I did what you asked others to do for you, I looked up the claims you say they falsely make before I wrote this. In NY, a life time warranty is either express or limited, if it is the latter, which any warranty I have seen is, the limits are huge. And that limited status gives the company a huge out- the pushy window guy’s company is in its 3rd or 4th iteration, go out of business, come back under another name. I was impressed by the andersen as you are, I have vinyl windows now, they went bad about 10 years after I got them, some broke in less than 5 years and to take advantage of that life time warranty, I had to pay someone to come out just to look at the window. I read the andersen warranty and want to confirm with my rep, he said no cost for any service visit and non prorated. Still mulling the decision, your site actually is making me lean to them, after all, why would you knock them if they were not such a huge threat to you. I am willing to pay more for a better product, they are not that much more than the vinyl windows a saw and I feel that if I am not going to have to replace them where I now on my second set of vinyl windows since I bought my house- replaced the ones that were here when I moved in and they were in pretty bad shape, and there are two andersens that were here when we bought, that I did not replace, they still function but they are not as good holding i n the heat as the windows I saw, I will replace them too. The rep showed me the date on them, said they were put in in 1984, which correlates to what the person I bought the house from told me. The 2 andersens last 34 years, in that time, this house had 2 sets of vinyl, so even at twice the cost, seems they are the best value. Thanks for helping me make up my mind as I wrote this!

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Sandy, thanks for taking the time to write. I don’t believe I ever said that all Renewal reps were bad people. You can tell from the comments that there are a lot of folks out there who didn’t like their interaction. You’re also right that there are plenty of pushy and rude salespeople selling other types of windows. There are plenty of stories about that on the site too.

      My company offers several types of windows, but we don’t offer a composite product like that because I think if you want the look of a wood window then a real wood window is a better option than an imitation wood window. You certainly don’t need to agree with me. This is America you can buy anything you want.

      You’re also right that all warranties are limited warranties. The Andersen warranty is a limited warranty too. I have seen plenty of vinyl window warranties that seem to me to be better than the Renewal warranty. When he handed you a warranty what did you see that you didn’t like? I’d be curious to hear how it compared.

      If anything I think Renewal is great for my business as they let people appreciate the other options. Our offering tends to look pretty great by comparison.

      I’m glad to hear you’re happy with the option you found. Obviously many people are happy with the products or they wouldn’t exist. I’ve never said that the products weren’t fine windows. My criticisms typically have to do with the sales process and the claims made by the salespeople. You can read feedback from both prospective customers and Renewal salespeople on this very page.

      Good luck with your project!

  99. Thoughts on fiberglass windows? I live in Southern California the Los Angeles area San Fernando Valley.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      The only real advantage to fiberglass that I’m aware of is the look. They’ll tell you all sorts of stories, but it’s really the look that you’re paying for and that’s ok. The air infiltration rate are typically worse than a nice vinyl window and the cost is typically quite a bit higher. If you love the look then go for it, if not you may want to look at other options.

  100. Had a similar experience to most people here. Sales rep was very nice, but I honestly thought someone would come out, measure, and show us some pricing. Instead, it was like a 90 minute tutorial, which is fine, because it was informative, but way too much information. Our quote was 10 windows for $25k, which would be 20k if we decided in 30 days, and 19k if we decided immediately. This was about double what I expected. Will be asking for some more quotes elsewhere.

    I agree they are nice windows, and they seem to be energy efficient… but I am very skeptical you make back your investment via energy savings. In fact, the whole ‘heat blocking glass’ would be highly inefficient in the winter, when you can get natural warmth from the sun.

    I definitely felt uneasy about the hard sell experience.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      My theory has always been that if you offer a genuinely good value there’s no need to push people into it as they’ll pick it on their own. If you don’t have a great value the only way to get people to buy it is to push them. There’s nothing more efficient about the Renewal windows. I’ve see pretty high air infiltration rates for them too. I’d bet you can find a nice vinyl window with better ratings for half the price.

      The reason people pick them is the look and I get that. Some people really want the look of a real wood window. In that case there are still plenty of options.

  101. yup. Renewal by Anderson just came in and gave me the full sales pitch……I need 15 windows pretty standard size in a colonial house……today only price …..$32k……..told me not to go with other types of windows as they will need to be replaced in seven years. Said all other warranties are bogus.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Based on the comments we receive from all over the country that seems to be their standard practice. Seems to me that they could sell so many more windows by treating people better, but they haven’t asked me to run the place!

  102. Here is my little experience dealing with the Renewal by Andersen. I have a project to replace 16 Windows and one patio door for my 25 years old house. I had an appointment with them for this past Friday. A rep showed up promptly at the appointment time. She seemed a bit nervous about the whole sales thing and I think she forgot to give me her business card. But 15 minutes she got her footing and did a good job of explaining what Renewal was and other stuff. As stated in the other reviews, she also berated vinyl. I even showed her this page to her after the presentation. She claimed that she had seen it or heard about it with no rebuttal. She asked me what I thought the project would cost. I said between 10-12K. She told me up front that I was not even close, but went through the entire presentation and measurement. The magic number before any discounts was 38K. I believe she brought it down to about 32K with the specials they were running. I told her I was in the process of getting more quotes, and I would get back to her. That was the last I heard from her. No formal quote was sent out. Since I did not have her card I didn’t even know how to contact her or even thank her for the time she spent. I think she knew that it was a no sale, so why bother. I did receive a review email from the company to rate her performance.

    I finally landed up going with Andersen 100, installed by the Home Depot. The total project cost is a little shy of 19K.

    Considering that both Renewal and Andersen 100 are Fibrex material. No matter what the differences are between the two, the Renewal pricing is simply obscene and cannot be justified unless you have a lot of dough lying around. I suppose their whole business model is, even if they lose one deal out of two possible leads, they are still in the game.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Thanks for taking the time to write. I wonder how they would explain the differences between those 2 models. I figured one of their salespeople would have chimed in on that by now.

  103. Saw this statement “[f]or example, you can now get real wood windows from Jeld-Wen with a lifetime warranty on the frames that covered rot or termites or any damage” and the statements regarding Renewal by Andersen sale practices reporting that a “lifetime” warranty in New York state is 7 years. While I am NOT a lawyer, basic research shows that New York state law requires that the duration of a warranty be specified. In the case of the Jeld-Wen warranty on the frames, “lifetime” means for as long as you own your house in which the windows were installed (http://www.jeld-wen.com/en-us/product-support/documents/warranty-information) and is specific to “AuraLast Protection for
    Wood Products”, which may or may NOT be all of there wooden products.

    In general, I agree that Renewal by Andersen does have some “clever” (my experiences does NOT match others that posted on this site, so perhaps I am being generous with that adjective) tactics to encourage customers to purchase their products, but that being said, it appears that if you are willing and able to pay you are getting a good product with good service to back it up. Consumer reports rates them as one of the top companies for windows (with predictable below average scores for price). Jeld-wen did NOT fair quite as well (I believe average but with a much better price point).

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Right, lifetime warranties are typically good for as long as you own the house. The Renewal salespeople seem to think that somehow means 7 years and I think that’s not based in reality. If I’m wrong it should be easy for them to point to a source. Since they don’t I assume they don’t have one.

      You’re also right on the Jeld Wen warranty. It’s not every single window they make, it’s the nicer windows. They, like Andersen, also make cheaper new construction products that are geared towards builders and are not as nice. I don’t want to be defending Jeld Wen too much as I’ve has some irritating service issues with them. I was just using it as an example, that there are plenty of real wood options that I would prefer over the imitation wood.

      Of course everyone doesn’t need to agree with me. Thanks for taking the time to write.

  104. Jay Lillien says:

    If you are living in Colorado, you know windows are different case because of several factors like UV rays, changing temperature and extreme weather condition. Vinyl windows by Amerimax is definitely the best choice because it is built for Colorado and guaranteed to last a lifetime.

  105. More info says:

    Hello everyone, let me first start with saying that I am an Rba consultant! Ok got that out of the way lol, I have been reading comments on this website for days just to get a grasp on what the true content of these discussion are and a majority of it is in fact the aggressive nature of Rba salesmen. Like any industry or any business for that matter there will be good eggs and bad ones, I will tell you first hand that the aggression that everyone is speaking of is not part of the training process with Rba in fact they frown on using pressure tactics. As a consumer I don’t want to be sold anything, I want the opportunity to buy something if it is right for me and my family. We are taught to ask questions and to provide a solution to the problems that our customers are telling us about, if Rba was truly as evil as this website makes it seem, they would not have an A+ rating on BBB from consumers like you. Again not every company is perfect, especially when dealing with a man made product.

    I do have a legitimate question for Windowdog, if price were not an issue along with the salesman, would you choose the highest quality vinyl window over a fibrex window from Rba and why?

    Now the owner of the franchises in okc, Texas, Arkansas, and parts of Kansas has put a complete lifetime warranty on every component of the fibrex window, now when I say complete I mean it covers everything besides natural disasters and vandalism. So broken glass, color fading, the argon gas mixture, screens, literally every aspect of the window is covered for the original investors life and I can provide a copy of that warranty to anyone who desires it. Now why would he give this out if the product was inferior?

    Thank you in advance for any feedback from anyone, I dislike pushy salesman also and again the aggressive nature of a few do not speak for the entire company.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi there, thanks for writing and I appreciate your helpful tone. I hope the site isn’t making it seem that Renewal is evil. I think you can probably see the common characteristics of the comments from people talking about their experience with some salespeople. It’s absolutely true that the happy customers are less likely come on a website to share stories so we’re only hearing from the people who were unhappy. In my mind the relative consistency of the comments tells me that there are multiple Renewal by Andersen salespeople out there using the same tactics. I’m glad to hear it’s not they way they’re trained to operate as it doesn’t seem like a great business strategy to me.

      I personally would not pick Renewal by Andersen windows if the price were not an issue. If I were going for a very high end look I’d use real wood. We’ve replaced windows in embassy buildings in DC and in many very high end projects. For projects like that we tend to recommend a real wood window. That doesn’t mean the Fibrex is bad, it’s just not what I would pick.

      Since you’re here can you tell us the difference between the Andersen 100 series Fibrex windows that are sold in box stores vs the Renewal by Andersen line? Someone wrote in saying that they were the same, but I would guess there are some differences. If you could shed any light on that I’m sure the readers would appreciate it.

  106. I just had the presentation for 17 windows at a steep price. I was disappointed in the push to get me to agree immediately and the fact all incentives are only good for the time the salesman is with you.

    The Windows are very nice but I don’t believe it to be unreasonable to give the customer a few days to thing about it. It shows me they care more about the sale than ensuring their customer is 100% comfortable with their decision.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      I completely agree with you. I feel like I’ve said a million times that companies like that would make more money if they treated people like adults. They don’t seem to be interested in my advice. We’ll see how that business model holds up over time. I would guess it’ll change sooner or later.

  107. I have to disagree with the comments about RBA sales tactics. I just purchased an entire house of RBA windows. The sales person focused on telling me everything about their windows, from construction, quality, and unlimited transferable warranty. No other company I met with could come close.

    Yes they are very expensive, and I have some buyers remorse spending the money, but I know I am getting a quality product that is historically accurate for my house in appearance , doesn’t look like a replacement window, has been tested for over 30 Years, and is backed by a company K own for quality.

    BTW:I am replacing 18 Year old higher end vinyl windows that have failed.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Geoffrey, I don’t think anyone intended to say all Renewal by Andersen salespeople are jerks. I’m sure there are plenty of great people working for them.

      The fact that you call it an unlimited warranty when the warranty clearly is limited tells me that either they did succeed in misrepresenting something or that you’re doing a little advertising here yourself. As you may be aware the labor is limited to 2 years, the hardware limited to 10 years, etc. None of that is the end of the world, but to say it’s an unlimited warranty is a little misleading. I hope they didn’t mislead you when you placed your order.

  108. Thanks for this blog windowdog! I don’t know why people think you’re promoting vinyl windows. If they read your last paragraph, you suggest wood! Anyways, today is my last day to take advantage of the RBA deal, and it’s safe to say that I won’t be taking them up on it. I had a rep come by a month ago to tell us about their product. The rep was great and not pushy. He spent about 90 min taking measurements and demonstrating the different features and the difference in materials. I had some knowledge of the downside of vinyl, so I was really interested in what the composite, Fibrex, offered in window stability. Our home was built in the 1930’s in the SF Bay Area, but presently has aluminum single pane sliders. We also have a large 72×84 arch window in the front and wanted to convert two small windows in the kitchen into one large one. We had a total of 15 windows, and were considering putting in a french patio door. After the whole presentation, the RBA rep let us know the total price for everything before discount. About $65K!! The french doors was based on standard off the shelf size and that alone was around $14k. The front bay window was about $6800 and the one large kitchen window would cost more than $7000 (not including demo costs to see what the framing would be). That being said, the rest of the slider windows were in the range of $2500-$3000 plus one casement window at $4100. Needless to say, we didn’t pull the trigger and indicated we were in the process of a refi, so we wouldn’t be making any decisions anytime soon. I went to Home Depot yesterday just to see what they were able to get from Andersen, as I know they can order their Series 100, which is essentially what RBA promotes without the Series number. I have no reason to believe the two are different. Both Fibrex construction and have the same window protection. Anyways, asked them to price out the casement and one other slider. Price was about $770 and $330 vs $4100 and $2500!!! That is a HUUUUGGGGEEEE markup for installation. If any RBA rep can provide facts as to what the difference is between theirs and the Series 100 available from other distributors, I’d be interested to hear. I suspect they won’t say. I do have an appt with an HD installer to get a quote this weekend.

    That being said, I like the idea of Fibrex and it being composite and rot free. I don’t think I’m willing to pay for wood or fiberglass, but what are some things/features (other than warranty) to consider if I decided to look at and compare good quality vinyl windows? I imagine that vinyl windows that didn’t perform well were probably more than 5-7 years ago and suspect there’s been improvements since then to make them better. Thanks again!

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi JT, thanks for writing. I would LOVE it if an Andersen rep would post some factual info on the differences between the Renewal by Andersen line and the Series 100 Fibrex product. I would expect there are some differences, but I won’t hold my breath waiting for them to provide that info.

      If anyone wanted to donate a Renewal window, I’d pay for shipping and I’d go buy a Series 100 and we could do a video comparing the differences. If anyone has a Renewal window to spare just sent me a message.

      As far as what to look for in a vinyl window, I’d look at all of the efficiency ratings including the air infiltration and the condensation resistance. The warranty certainly is a big factor, then you can even look at the hardware and components. I think you’ll find that there are vinyl windows out there that outperform the Renewal window or any wood or fiberglass product. The difference really is the look.

      For example, we installed windows in an embassy building in DC and a different ambassadors personal house that was frequently used for entertaining. In both cases they paid quite a bit for high end wood windows because they were going for a certain look. That customer didn’t care much about the air infiltration rate or the type of balances. The look was the main consideration for them and they were not personally paying the bill so the cost was secondary.

      You just need to decide what’s most important to you and the answer will become clear.

      1. I did meet with a HD rep and he seem to indicate that the minor differences between the RBA and Series 100 are in the hardware (latches, etc.). The quote that we got from HD was much more palatable (~$15K), but did lack an estimate for the front arch window and the kitchen window, which they wouldn’t quote since it required opening the wall. He did provide a follow-up quote for the front arch window and indicated that it would have to be wood, instead of the fibrex. The estimate for the wood window was comparable to what RBA had initially quoted ~$6K. The HD rep was very familiar with the homes in my area and the City’s permit requirements. Vinyl windows are not an option in my city (Alameda, CA). The rep also wasn’t too impressed with RBA either. Right now, I think the goal is to wait on the windows, and focus on a new roof. Maybe order one or two Series 100 windows at a time and change out on my own. I did go ahead and order a fiberglass french patio door from Lowes that ran me about $800 vs RBA quote of $14K, and will be looking to install that in the coming weeks.

        1. thewindowdog says:

          Interesting, thanks for posting. I know the guy selling then cheaper thing will always say, “it’s just as good” and the guy selling the more expensive thing will typically go on and on about why his is better. I’d be interested in the Renewal by Andersen explanation of why their windows are better than the Series 100 Fibrex windows. I know there are plenty of their salespeople reading the site. Hopefully they’ll chime in.

          1. It may be instructive to compare the NFRC ratings for the Series 100 with those of the RbA windows for the specific window being considered.

  109. We are getting estimates for residing our home and we might as well replace the 1980 aluminum windows in the process. The condensation from the frames is incredible here in Portland, OR and the 3 large picture windows have lost their seals, so new windows it is.

    I had to ask the estimator about what type of windows they sell – I was thinking of vinyl ( I would like all clad wood, but the price!) – and he told me they only install RBA windows. Well, I didn’t get a hard sales pitch, but I’m now bracing myself for the Estimate.

    As far as the warranty, I have the window catalog in my hand, and looking at the table of contents, at the bottom, it says “Warranty … BACK”. So I go to the back page and all I get out of it is that they label each of their windows with a toll free customer service number. Other then “Fully Transferable” “LIMITED”, not a single actual number of years. Seems kind of hinky. Are all window companies like that?

    Well, I also have calls into 7 other siding replacement companies.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      There is definitely a number of years in the Renewal by Andersen window warranty that I’ve seen. Maybe you have a sales copy that is a little more fluffy. Would you mind emailing me a copy of it? I’d be interested to see it.

      Glad to hear they weren’t too pushy. I’m sure there are plenty of helpful Renewal by Andersen sales reps out there, we seem to only hear from their salespeople on the other side of the spectrum.

      Most vinyl window warranties will be for as long as you own the house and the Andersen warranty will typically be for a set number of years.

  110. Jerry Ott says:

    The men that came and installed the windows at my home did a very outstanding job and were very well polite and worked very fast in getting the job done. The only problem was I had to talk to Joe and have him translate to the other 2 men but it was realy not a big problem for me.They all three did the job well.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Thanks for sharing your experience!

  111. Mike Baxter says:

    My wife and I have been shopping for replacement windows on our home that was built in 2000. We recently went to a home show and gathered up cards and literature from every window vendor there. Since that time, we’ve been receiving bids (what a pain) and going thru the sales pitches from about 13 different companies. I’m a business owner and have been so for 30 years of my life and I can honestly say I absolutely HATE windows now…LOL! This process has been the most miserable experience ever. That said, I’m a very picky person and I usually want the “best of the best” type of products, but holy crap with the Renewal By Andersen group. I must say, that I love their windows. They have clean lines, amazing screens and what appears to be above average quality, BUT we were quoted $88,000 for 34 windows…yeah, I almost fainted and I know for a fact I sat there and sucked air without giving a response to the salesman for at least a minute until my brain told me to say something. I might add it was a 5 hour sales pitch and the usual discount to buy that night brought the price down to a much better price of $70,000, with a reasonable monthly pmt of only $825 @ month. No pressure tho…haha. Needless to say, that quote has led me to find the best windows, with the best installation possible, at a fair price. In fact, I’ve come to the conclusion that the installation/installers mean more to the replacement window process than the actual windows do themselves. My wife and I are leaning more towards the Tuscany windows by Milgard ($30,000 quote for all 34 windows) just because the installers in our area have the best reputation in our entire county. However, we are still undecided at this point because I’m struggling with how much vinyl is showing in framing the glass itself. I like more glass and less frame and the Tuscany windows have a very large vinyl frame. All I can say about Renewal By Andersen, is you folks need to get a grip and understand most of us home owners just want a decent, honest, straight forward quote without the B.S. tactics and pressure! FYI, I would probably be considered a fairly wealthy individual with a very nice home, but I can tell you that I will never buy anything from RBA because of their smoke and mirrors game. What a damn joke! Yes, add me to the list of Renewal By Andersen haters.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Ha. I agree with you Mike. I think they have a perfectly nice product and they’d do much better by treating people like adults. More people would buy them if they operated in a more professional manner. I know they don’t agree with me and that’s their prerogative. Time will tell I suppose.

    2. Mine was more insane, cheapest was $3000 per window, today. I couldn’t keep my eyes from popping in the 3+ hour presentation with heat lamps(to demo heat transfer). King county, Washington and the area is expensive but I’m not made of money…

      1. thewindowdog says:

        Thanks for sharing your experience. $3k per window sure is fancy!

  112. Window Dog, sorry a RBA took ur ball from u on the playground to make u mad.
    Windowdog..RBA takes about vinyl windows because 25 % of the windows we replace r vinyl replacement windows.
    U any person reading this blog can find stories about replacing vinyl replacement windows.
    At u, and ur readers earielist conscience, please provide examples of RBA replacement windows getting replaced by vinyl or and other windows? U will virtually find none.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      You’re absolutely right that builders install a lot of cheap windows. It’s what keeps us all in business. I’m not sure what that has to do with anything else?

  113. Window dog…I’ll give u a double lifetime warranty for life on my comment. How good is that warranty if I go out of business now. Ur doing a disservice by not informing people how to look for a real warranty. Sad. Tell them

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Timmy, you’re absolutely right that it’s important to look at who is offering the warranty. The warranty my company offers on many vinyl windows is a lifetime warranty backed by a $1.2 billion dollar company with a 70+ year history. Are you thinking customers should look for something better than that? As far as I know the Renewal by Andersen warranty is 2 years on labor, 20 on the frames and the glass and 10 years on some other components. That’s definitely better than it was before. I’m always happy to see the Renewal people make improvements to what they offer.

      I’m not sure if you’re thinking the Andersen warranty is better or worse than other options. I think they have a good reputation for service, they just have a shorter warranty than many vinyl products. It’s not the end of the world, but a difference people should be aware of.

  114. Lisa Graff says:

    My husband and I recently purchased a home that is a little over 20 years old. Some of the windows are in good shape, while some of them are on their way out (ie chipping/cracking frames, top portion of window slides down when bottom portion is lifted). We are considering RBA and Harvey, which is a popular vinyl window manufacturer in New England. We have our consultation with RBA this Thursday, and I’m anxious to see what the total cost will be for replacing all windows and sliders. We have 4 sliders, 2 additional picture windows, oversized double hung windows and some rounded windows. It’ll be interesting! As RBA says during the initial call, “RBA isn’t for everyone.” Once thing is for sure, we are excited to see the products in person and ask important questions. Since there has been some debate regarding RBA’s warranty period, I just looked it up. For any products purchased after May 2, 2016, the warranty period is as follows: for glass components and Fibrex frames, sash and other components, 20 years, for other components (hinges, screens, handles, etc), 10 years, and for installation defects, 2 years. This seems pretty reasonable to be, given that glass and Fibrex are now covered for 20 years. And it is transferable to the next owners, assuming it’s still within the warranty period. We are value conscious consumers…. we are conscious of cost but still appreciate quality when we see it.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Lisa, you’re right that the Renewal by Andersen warranty is now better than it was. It’s still not as good as a lot of vinyl window warranties despite claims often made by salespeople. Improvement is improvement and that’s good. I would guess the first price will be around $2000 per window and then there will be some kind of coupon or limited time savings that will bring it down to around $1500 per window.

      If you’re able, ask the rep for the air infiltration rates of the Renewal by Andersen double hung windows. I’ve been trying to look it up without much success. It appears that it’s around 0.25 or so which is 5 or 6 times higher than most vinyl windows, but it would be helpful to get the real ratings so we’re not guessing.

  115. W, Can you help me understand something? I have a large number of windows and 13 of them have failed seals. They are Anderson high-performance windows put in in 2003. Narrowline windows. I called Anderson, told them the issue, and took some pictures as they requested. I talk to them 24 hours later and they said that corporate had denied the claim for coverage under warranty. I must say I was furious and I am still furious and I will be furious tomorrow. What an effing joke this company is. They don’t even hotter there warranty? Who says they’re a great company I have something to argue with them about. They say the windows were Exposed to chemicals. What a bunch of BS. They didn’t even consider coming to inspect the problem. Does anyone else have problems with field Anderson seals and mold growing inside the windows? Moral of story don’t buy Anderson ever never never never horrible waste of money horrifying customer service.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      I’ve heard of chemicals used to wash bricks causing issues with window seals before. Did they say why they think your windows were exposed to chemicals? I wonder what would lead them to that conclusion. Perhaps there have been other claims in your neighborhood and they think they’re related? Just a guess. If you ask them let us know what they say.

      1. Angela Tillman says:

        Your story is mine! 13 of our windows installed in 1999.. High performance, casement…. Fogged up….can’t see through several. On the phone for hours…emails…photos…all the info. they wanted and within a couple of minutes…Oh…”our glass specialist says this appears to be from a chemical sprayed on your bricks that caused the seals to leak.” Oh my gosh! So, why did half of my windows fog and the other half have not? HMMM???? Maybe, the brick washer only cleaned parts of the house? Andersen is a sorry company. I will not ever give them another dime nor will I recommend them.
        As a matter of fact I will encourage everyone to buy from a reputable brand. To sum things up….All you have to do is read their warranty which states. ” improper washing” can void your warranty. They left it vague for a reason. Questions anyone? I bet Andersen would say Windex is an improper washing fluid if it meant they’d have to pay out for defective windows! So sad!

  116. Bird strike broke glass, I just got a quote from Andersen for a quarter round 20″ glass replacement for $552. Ridiculously overpriced. I could buy several 24″ pieces of glass with a TV behind them for less and they come with a remote.

  117. HouseDoctor says:

    Skimming through and reading some comments i must admit it sounds like none of you have ever been on a job site, seen or felt the differences of these products.
    I have installed for over 10 years, for all distributors and major manufacturers.

    Fibrex is 60% wood 40% copolymer and it is fire resistant, the material does not fade most people compare it to ”Trex Decking” bug and weather resistant. Price standard 35×59 after discounts (1,988$)
    Specialty windows or bigger sizes only go up from there. Warranty is 20 years on the product,10 years on the hardware and 2 years on the installation.
    (Will touch on importance and facts of warranties below)

    Wood is a natural material that offers an eligant look.
    Requires a lot of maintenance
    will eventually decay and or be eaten over time, wood windows are THE most expensive product in the market. 35×59 starting at (2,348$) price goes up from there

    Aluminum clad material just settled a multimillion dollar class action lawsuit with the company known as ”pella” the material was initially designed to slow down the decay of traditional wood windows from the exterior.
    An aluminum facing was fastened to the exterior of a wood window, one being a conductor, one being an insulator the material design took the average life expectancy of a wood window from 36 years to a mere 14 years, up until recently the material was only being offered by companies because if they took it off the shelf it would of been an admittance of guilt and settled the lawsuit.
    1,730$-3,100$

    Aluminum is THE strongest material in the market, it will remain in the home for as long as you allow it, aluminum is installed by builders with the mindset that whomever buys the home will eventually replace these windows, they are bought at minimum cost in bulk and are typically distributed into cookie cutter homes.
    Aluminum has been deemed the most inefficient product in the industry most companies can’t get a permit to install due to its high levels of conductivity and should be replaced within 12 years of the home being built.
    To the credit of aluminum builder grade i have seen it out perform already replaced windows.

    *Now stepping down to vinyl and fiberglass

    Vinyl is the most cost effective way to go,I’ve seen vinyl windows range anywhere from 300$-1,400$
    There ARE different grades of vinyl if you choose this path tread with caution and do thorough research.
    In 1951 Andersen created the first vinyl window, reason being people were using this vinyl material for patio furniture, flooring ,counter tops, and Tupperware’s it was an exciting new material, short lived in the window industry at the time, hotter states were destroying this material and causing lots of issues, before the 60s Andersen had already tossed 31 million into the product when they decided to chunk it, a lot of design improvements have occurred as technologies advanced, it is now Andersen/RBAs biggest competition.

    Fiberglass, last but not least, this material is known for its off gassing, and the constant need to be maintained, similarly enough people hear fiberglass and think “boats and corvettes” both of which are single mold, you won’t find a screw hole in a boat or corvette like you would in a fiberglass window, points of liability.
    Boats and corvettes Can be expensive items, that also require maintenance, you wax them down, put a cover over them and move them into the shade, reason being, exposure to direct sunlight dehydrates the fiberglass material.
    I don’t recommend this product but only to those who have high trees and or awnings,big porch coverings.
    Shade is this products best friend, also in the higher end of 1,600-2,200$

    WARRANTIES, the main 3 things that you need to look for that void out any and every warranty are going to be

    1. Exposure to direct sunlight
    2.improper installation
    3.normal wear and tear

    These are the three most popular reasons as to why a company will not honor your warranty when attempting to apply, truth is all companies want this product to hurry up and fail so that you can buy it again, it is no secret that builder grade windows will live approximately 12 years before issues arise,
    The average replacement window today has a life expectancy of 7 years, reason being, the attorney general stated that a “lifetime warranty” can not be measured “ whos lifetime ?”
    So the bar for a “lifetime warranty” was set at 7 years, that took pressure off of manufacturers and distributors ….so guess what happened, everyone started offering lifetime warranties and also manufacturing product with less material cost because they now only needed to produce products that had to live for 7 years, but also get to advertise they offer “lifetime warranties”

    My best advice IF nothing above has been helpful,

    Proper installation is key, finding someone that has a successful proven track record.
    “Certified installers” this May come as a shock,but there is no such thing.
    Chuck in a truck with a door magnet and business cards he got on Groupon doesn’t tell me anything.

    You can buy the cheapest or most expensive window, it is worth nothing if improperly installed.

    Read the warranty before sitting through an hour long presentation, if they’re hesitant show them the door.
    Companies that offer solar screens anticipate their product will fail so they sell these as an
    Aftermarket cost.

    Also in regard to glass, green annealed is ugly but most efficient,
    I will give Renewal By Andersen props on their corner key glass pack, thicker glass equals reduced noise pollution, sputter coatings elimate UV transferrs that fade flooring, drapes and furniture, and their Argon/ nitrogen mix is the best in the industry.
    One of the few companies that warrant Argon ( efficiency factor)

    Finding the right material for your window is only half the battle, that’s simply structural and aesthetic, glass depends on what quality of life you’re looking to achieve.
    But that’s a whole other can of worms.

    Consider this knowledge a gift
    Blessings to all

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Marc, thanks for taking the time to write. Your info on the warranties is definitely wrong. Many lifetime warranties do very clearly define the term. They’re good for as long as the purchaser owns and lives in the home. These warranties are often transferable too.

      That story about the attorney general is commonly used so it must be part of some sales training seminar but it’s definitely not true. I would suggest you find a different way to explain warranties.

      I also haven’t seen fiberglass window warranties that exclude windows that have been in direct sunlight. That sounds made up to me, but feel free to send over any examples of that.

      Good luck with your sales career.

  118. Lynn Rich says:

    Wow and I was just about to make an appt with Anderson to replace 14 windows. I have no idea what to do or what windows to buy. No real answers.

  119. Pedro Milo says:

    Hi Windowdog,

    Thanks for your blog, it really helped us to be more educated on the window world! Today my wife and I had a RBA sales rep stopping by our house in IL and wanted to share with you our experience. We were quoted 7 windows – three of them with circle top – with a total of 16 glasses and three circle top. The sales rep quoted fibrex windows at $52,000 w/o discount with the discount $32,000. We were pushed several times to accept the offer today b/c if not we would lose 7% discount only applicable if signing today. The sales rep mentioned the Pellas´s lawsuit as well as thru under the bus vinyl windows and the warranties other companies offer. Specifically mentioned the 7-year warranty. The RBA sales rep brought a demo window with her, it was good to see the actual window but was even better to see that the interior wood was peeling off , my wife asked her Is this real wood? the answer was yes, this is real wood this window its been around for a few years always in my car being displayed to clients and that´s why is peeling off – REALLY?

  120. Mike Prompovitch says:

    Hello,

    I’m very glad I found your site. My sister lives in Ormond Beach FL on the beach side. She is about 100 yards from the ocean so you understand what the conditions are like.

    What kind of windows should she get and can you recommend a local person? She just met with a Renewal by Anderson rep and he told her everything you said in this review. Plus when I told my wife the price/window, she just said wow!

    Thanks,
    Mike

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Ha, that doesn’t surprise me. I would suggest starting by talking with a few reputable companies in the area to see what they recommend. Unfortunately I don’t know anyone in the area to recommend, but I bet you’ll be able to find a couple. Let us know what you hear.

  121. Latest pitch for my project here in Washington with multiple quotes from RBA, best was an average of $3000 per window!!! Being in one of the highest real estate bubbles in the US means insane prices, I guess?? Will continue shopping around.

  122. Sam Bilbrey says:

    I have a basic question as we start the process of deciding on new windows for our home. Most of our windows are what I would consider double windows – 2 windows in the same frame, with a few triple windows. When we are looking at replacement costs, would I count the windows in the house or the openings?

    Thanks

    1. thewindowdog says:

      If they’re 2 double hung windows side by side then they’d count as 2 windows. You could replace a window like that with one larger sliding window or a twin casement window which could change the total count. If you wanted to keep the style the same you’d count windows like that individually. Hope that helps!

  123. Kim Kelly says:

    Manny, Brandon, Adam and Chris were the best! Great Job! Would recommand Renewal by Anderson. My windows look great inside and out and what a change in the room.

  124. Hi, I live in Long Island and I’m a single woman whose 30 year old ranch house is in desperate need of new windows. I was wondering if you had any knowledge of RellaBilt 3900 vinyl replacement windows. They are offered by my local Lowe’s store and could possibly be in my budget, but this is a one shot deal for me, and I don’t want to make a mistake. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your site, and the time you take to help so many people.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Jackie, I’m not a huge fan of the Reliabuilt windows that I’ve seen in the past. You might want to explore another option or two.

  125. Jeff Wisneski says:

    I found your site after my purchase and installation of RBA products. I only have buyers remorse and very upset with the high pressure sales tactics that were deployed by the Renewal By Andersen rep to make my wife agree to spend $10,624 on 6 insert windows. I feel very much swindled and robbed by them. The RBA rep tried to get my wife to buy a front door with sidelights for over $14,000 but I managed to dodge that mistake. I am extremely annoyed that RBA does not provide an actual breakdown of costs and their literature eludes to cost savings and an ROI that, when you spend some time doing the math, doesn’t exist. In addition, this company treats its installers very poorly. I’ll explain. During the install I voiced my questions and displeasure and wanted to make sure I did not cause any issues for the installation team that was actually incredibly competent and attentive. They informed me that I would receive a survey and that their performance was ranked by the following and if I answered less than 10, that they would be “dinged” by Andersen. Here’s the question, “Based specifically on your experience of the installation process, how likely are you to recommend Renewal by Andersen to a family member, colleague, friend or neighbor?” My actual answer is that install team did a great job putting lipstick on the pig. I got their number to come back and get some estimates for other jobs in the future. If the question is, will I buy Andersen again, the answer is zero percent chance of that. I would not wish my friends and family to be price gouged, placed in a high pressure sales pitch, have arguments with my spouse over the outrageous high cost and lowered expectations. Andersen tries to divert responsibility of any issues on to the install team with that question. That’s pretty slimy business tactics. That’s another reason why any more window or door purchases for our home will not include Andersen or its affiliates.

  126. My wife and I recently had rba come to our home for a quote. The sales pitch was almost word for word as you had written above. The price for 13 windows was around 40k, and each slider door was around 5k we have 3. We will not be hiring them that’s outrageous, I know everyone has to make money but holy $h/t.

  127. Susan Eckhardt says:

    I am ready to pull the trigger on 22 Anderson A Series windows. It is their top of the line. They are not Anderson renewal which is a different company.
    I would welcome any thoughts or opinions on the A Series. They are approx. $754.00 each. Trying to also find out what the install labor, material, disposal and permit cost (approx.) would be for new construction windows. Should I assume the total labor would be 22x the cost of each window??
    I’m in Massachusetts.
    Seems like everything else we do on our home works that way.

  128. Chet Navey says:

    I find your review of Renewal by Andersen to be quite puzzling. The company does not teach from a corporate level to disparage or discredit other company’s warranties but you can find article after article online rather quickly pulling apart the lies behind most offerings of a “Lifetime Warranty”. In most states it is my understanding the manufacturers have to define how long their lifetime warranty is. Such as stated in these articles:
    https://www.denverpost.com/2010/10/19/lifetime-warranties-usually-expire-sooner-than-you-think/
    https://hanfordsentinel.com/news/opinion/columnists/you-and-the-law-how-long-is-a-lifetime-warranty/article_38eccca8-3354-11e1-911f-0019bb2963f4.html

    The 20 year warranty on Fibrex is superior to most any other company’s lifetime warranty as it covers the material against flaking, rusting, blistering, peeling, cracking, pitting and corroding; even the exterior color is guaranteed not to fade! Also, Renewal by Andersen’s warranty covers installation for 10 years, non-glass components for 10 years and can be transferred a limitless number of times. Pella for comparison, only offers a 10 year warranty which varies from product to product, 2 years on the installation and can only be transferred ONE time (as it is with most every company). The bottom line is most people do not value their windows enough to make the investment in Renewal by Andersen but ultimately Renewal by Andersen stacks up great against all competition nationwide, even earning top marks from J.D. Power and many others.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Chet, thanks for writing in. This is a perfect example of how a pushy window salesperson might mislead a customer. I believe I used that Denver Post article in a post on this site a while back.

      Notice the issue in both of those articles was that the customer didn’t read the warranty and claims to have been mislead by an in-home salesperson. In-home salespeople can be very misleading.

      Especially when they claim lifetime warranties are inherently time limited. That’s just not true and you’ve proven that here. Unfortunately the door to door type salespeople will make all sorts of misleading claims.

      It looks like the lady in that Denver article claims she was told the product came with a lifetime warranty but it was actually a 5 year written warranty. Maybe the salesman lied to her, maybe she misremembered, who knows. What we do know is that article has nothing to do with the false claim that lifetime warranties aren’t lifetime. Nothing at all.

      The articles absolutely do not say that lifetime warranties are shorter than the more limited Renewal warranty. They say that the time should be defined. Most vinyl window warranties will explicitly say they’re good as long as the original purchaser owns the house and they’re almost all transferable.

      So, the time is defined and it’s for as long as you own the house. That’s pretty long and often times longer than the more limited warranty you get from some wood or composite window manufacturers.

      That doesn’t mean the wood or composite windows are inherently bad, but it does mean that if you’re going around telling people that a lifetime warranty is only 7 years that you’re lying to people. Step one to understanding these things is just reading them.

      Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help out.

  129. I just had a renewal by Andersen salesman in my house who told me that the laminated glass is bullet resistant. Really?
    I keep laughing about it every time I think of it. I know for a fact that salespeople will lie just to make a sale.

  130. RBA came out and quoted me $12,000 for 3 windows. After home show discount (20%), buy now discount (5%), and repeat customer discount (3%)(not actual repeat, but was trying very hard for the sake), price came down to $9,300. Two bedroom double hung and a 3 section slider in the living room. They did require tempering.

    Second quote was by an Amerimax installer, quoted $3,800 for the same. He said glass all comes from the same manufacturer and was the same. He also talked about the pvc/vinyl mix and said his was 85% vinyl which makes it a superior vinyl product.
    I can’t verify this, but I did like his presentation and price. Any feedback before I pull the trigger?
    Also, I told him RBA was coming next week, not that he had already been, he guessed RBA would quote me $7,000. I respect that he was trying to earn my trust.
    I self committed to three quotes before buying, RBA had my wife sold and I would have said yes if he dropped below 9k, he walked over $400, but my wife asked if I would resent the windows every time I walked past and if she would have to hear about it. That’s how I knew I made the right decision to walk away. Happy wife, happy life…windows can wait a bit longer!

  131. Max Jones says:

    I live in denver and yesterday I bought 4 RBA windows to replace 4 of my south facing windows . The total was just over 5K. these are double hung with the new bug screen that you can hardly see. I have two other south facing windows i replaced with RBA in 2006 and have absolutely no issues with them. and i paid 850 each for them back in 2006. I did get a quote for replacing my sliding glass door and I was quoted 7K. in my experience the process and purchase was good.

  132. Hello Dog, Ive spent hours reading your whole site and found it very informative. You are a gentleman and honest and very nice to some idiots that don’t bother to read anything in detail. I am a homeowner and do not sell windows install windows or for that fact like windows, I do look through them occasionally. I have a rep from RBA coming over in 2 days and im going to cancel due to price only….. I did see the windows at a RBA sponsered show and I must say I am very impressed with the looks and quality of the product! however with that said I think only a moron would spend big bucks on there house unless it would increase their return value if they then sold the house. Could the reality sales agent help you get another 10k for all new windows hmmmm maybe, maybe he can but 20-30k or more ahhhh I dont htink so. How many people stay in the same home for the rest of their live Ill bet the % is very low. My dad was a builder his whole live and he alway told me to make sure that any work you put into your home is going to increase the value a fair amount should you sell it. With that said if your looking for a new home how much more $$ would you spend over fair market value to have those RBA windows already in the home, 20-30K or more and would the bank approve the loan because there are new RBA windows installed. I am passing on these windows for my home and I would tell someone that is going to get them to make sure you plan on passing away in your home so you can recoup so of the value. Just my opinion!

  133. michael schmidt says:

    “Lifetime warranties are pretty much a sham as they all have verbiage in them that excludes installation, normal use and natural weathering (which is the main cause of window failure)”

    So what exactly does the warranty cover? What else is there?

    1. thewindowdog says:

      I don’t agree with the idea that lifetime warranties are a sham. They typically cover the windows for as long as you own the house. That’s a pretty good deal and the only people who don’t tend to agree are people who don’t offer them. The labor is covered by the company that did the labor which is also pretty standard.

      If you’re sure read through the warranty for a product you’re considering and ask the company any questions. It’s definitely a good idea to understand what you’re buying.

      1. Gunnar Snyder says:

        I am about to replace 7 vinyl windows that were in the house since 1990 when we bought our home. I have 6 Pella Proline windows that have rotted out. I put them in in 1999. I scraped off the serial number stickers years ago and don’t have the receipt from Home Depot where I purchased them. So I’m out of luck with the class action lawsuit against Pella. I also have a 24 x 24 octagon window I have to replace as well. Budget is a huge concern for me as I just installed a new roof and will be siding the house as soon as I replace the 14 windows. It’s a very important decision on selecting a window that will last and at the price point of RBA is totally out of the question. I have a friend here in Southern NJ that installs windows and doors and he said he will be over to look at my current windows to give me an idea of what to buy. His family owns a window and door sales company and that he could order custom made windows to fit my current openings. Hoping it will be budget friendly. He is very emphatic about not going cheap and about the importance of choosing a good quality window that will last us for years to come.

        1. What did you end up going with?

  134. the other day went through a 60 – 90 minute sales pitch that pushed out almost 3 hours. The horrible vinyl window pitch that they are junk in 3-5 years and such old technology. Told him upfront we had been quoted on triple pane Pella windows and told him the price. He said Andersen would be more but not by much. 8 windows and a slider, his first pitch was we could expect to pay around $60 grand for inferior wood product but their amazing product would only cost $42,000 and he could give then to us that day only for $32,000 after all the great discounts. We said no thank you and he came back with, its only double what Pella will cost you. No you idiot, its almost 5 times more. He then said he wasn’t allowed but because he could see how badly we needed new windows he could give an addition discount to $28,000. Reminds me of the tv ads, “but wait – if you order in the next 10 minutes”. We again said no, it is too large of a purchase to make a decision right then. So he finally did leave. One funny thing is he was telling us how our slider was a cheap product and so unsafe because you can grab the handle and pull the door creating a air gap and way to easy to break the latch. Nope, got up and pulled on the door handle. Tight as a drum.
    I did like their product and some of the features but not at the price they charge.

    Found your site and read every post, feel we did the right thing and will be checking a few more brands for comparison and make a purchase.

    Thank you for helping inform home owners

  135. I love my Trex deck. Thanks David for explaining that the RBA is essentially the same.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      I don’t know if the Renewal by Andersen marketing department would like being the same as a Trex deck, but they are both composite products.

  136. Victor Vergra says:

    I just had RBA stop by and give me a quote for a sliding glass door and we were looking at the base model (wood with a clad on it) and because the door is not a standard size (frame is larger than what I could purchase at the local store), RBA originally quoted $6100 but if we used their financing, the cost would be reduced to $4700. Kind of pricey for a sliding glass door.

  137. I am planning my next project and had a Renewal by Andersen salesman throw his pitch and had to share a piece of the experience. I own a 2400 sq.ft. colonial and was given a price to replace 3 sliding patio doors, 1 36″x36″ slider window, and 16 double hung windows varying sizes up to 36″x55″. I was given a quote on their top of the line replacement windows. Before the promotional discount was applied, the price quoted came to $93,000. No typo and the window frames were not made of a precious metal. They will not be returning.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      I don’t know where you’re located but just for fun I typed that order into our system and came up with a cost for our most popular model at around $15k. A savings of over $75,000 dollars. You could buy a pretty nice boat with savings like that!

  138. Wanted to thank you for your website as it helped me helped my parents not get swindled. My 70 year old parents in chicago got roped into signing a contract to install 6 replacement windows by Renewal by Andersen…at 3k a piece…almost 15k (with a today now discount) for 6 typical sized windows…when my parents sent me the quote there was no actual or technical information on the windows or the glazing etc.. and they gave them 3 days to commit to this sham. The red alarm rang and my eyes bugged out at the cost. Thank goodness they called me and asked the architect in the family…I’m now looking into other options for them, your site and the comments herein are invaluable.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Glad we could help!

  139. I’m surprised that no one has reported RBA to the NYS Attorney General for falsely stating that their windows are being installed by actual employees of Andersen, Inc.

    Deceptive sales practices in NYS are frowned upon and these local guys in Rochester push that envelope past the bursting point.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      I’m surprised a lot of companies get away with the claims they make. People email me all the time to ask if something they were told is true and it’s often not. It’s a challenging industry for people to sort through, that’s for sure.

  140. kris willis says:

    A salesperson from Anderson just was here to give me an estimate. I live in an older neighborhood and my house is older. He bragged about the ‘composite’ frames of the windows and then told me it costs $2000.oo dollars per window and my door replacement would be $5000.00; coming to a total of $11,000.00 for 3 windows and a door. When he was examining my current older replacement windows he forced one open and broke off the plastic lock. It flew across the room. He picked it up and put it back in the hole and told me “I just put it back in there; it’s not broken”. I looked and there was a broken piece and the other part he put back in fell out on the floor. So he broke my current window on top of all this. What kind of people are they that they would do damage to your property and then lie and give a ridiculous ‘ballpark’ quote?? This is no way to get contracts or any ‘stars”.

  141. I purchased Renewal By Andersen windows back in June 2016. I just want to inform you how the warranty reads. Limited warranty for units purchased after May 1,2016- For Corporate owned retail locations: All Renewal By Andersen products are warranted under a fully transferable limited warranty covering parts, Labor, and original installation services. 20 years on glass, 5 years installation on your doors and windows. 10 years on components other than glass. There is no service fee or other charges for coming out and inspecting any warranty problems like other companies charge. The Company- owned retail locations are located in: Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Pittsburgh, and Washington/Northern VA. All franchised locations have 2 years on installation, the rest of the warranties are the same. Our salesman went through his pitch, was very informative and did not pressure us in any way to make a purchase, he even informed us on what options we really didn’t need for our home. I have had them to replace a screen that started to separate a little and while staining the overhang on my porch, I noticed some stain splashed on the capping, they replaced the capping no questions asked. I have been very happy with their service.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Sounds great, thanks for sharing your experience.

  142. Matt Hendridge says:

    RBA practices bad sales practices in Tempe. They send a nice canvasser around that asks if you’re interested in an appointment to measure and provide a free quote for your windows. I agree, I’ve been curious, and they call a switchboard to book the appointment. They hand the phone to the customer and the first words out of the appointment bookers mouth are that they are recording the call (for an appointment?!). They then proceed to ask you to confirm the date and time of the appointment and that it will be between 60-90 minutes. I told them I would not confirm the length of the appointment. It was by invite only, but I would allow them to visit for some amount of time. They ask me to hand the phone back to the canvasser who they then berate for not getting me to agree to 60-90 minutes. I ask the canvasser if its canceled and they say No, they’re just mad! Huh?

    So, then I research RBA and find this helpful site. Not really looking forward to my appointment in two days. I’ve seen these sales practices before and they’re uncalled for.

    Next morning RBA calls and acts like they are signing me up for an appointment all over again, just mumbo jumbo type stuff. Then they ask you to confirm that the appointment will last for 60 – 90 minutes if it takes that long or not. !! if it takes that long or not ?, I protest, I say, you are being invited into my home, I will ask you to leave any time I please. Please cancel the appointment. But sir, blah, blah blah. I tell them to cancel the appointment again and hang up.

    4 hours later a phone from out of state calls and immediately redials as soon as I don’t accept the call or it rings out. 5 times! Ringing off the hook. I look at my caller id app and its RBA. Forget these jerks.

    Thanks to those sharing their stories on this comment page. I feel so bad for folks who suffered through many hour appointments and aggressive sales tactics.

    1. Bonnie Lundgren says:

      If I received those calls from you, I’d definitely feel like you were trying to waste my time. That doesn’t justify getting mad with you over the phone, but if their time is being invested in promoting to a single customer, there needs to be a reasonable possibility you are actually interested in hearing them out!

  143. Unfortunately I signed a contract for 2 windows that are costing me $6500!! I always do my reasearch and this time I blew it!! I want to fight for what’s right on this, i’m just not sure where to begin. It’s price gauging and there HAS to be a way to fight back. My dad has owned his own construction business for more than 40 years with multiple awards and high ratings, etc. Unfortunately I misunderstood and thought dad said he couldn’t get the windows I wanted and Andersen could so…here I am regretting EVER trusting anyone. I’m in direct sales myself and I wouldn’t EVER and i mean EVER lie to my customers like this. I’m really mad, at myself for trusting them and at them for taking advantage of people. Mark my words, I won’t let this rest, I’ll figure out a way. lol

  144. Kermit Blum says:

    Our house is low tier; we bought it new 18 years ago and it was recently assessed at $205,600. We agreed to a 60-90 minute visit from a RBA sales rep.

    He was pleasant enough. Spent a few minutes looking at the windows and asking what we wanted. His spiel was well-practiced and seemed informative (but followed the party line as described in these comments these past few years). I did note that I had no way to immediately verify his claims. Two hours. It was over two and a quarter hours before he declared the price. His talk was very practiced, so why did he express surprise that it went over 90 minutes? I suspect because folks would more readily agree to 60-90 minutes than 2 or more hours.

    So… after two hours, for 8 windows and a simple patio sliding door (which he reasonably suggested equaled two windows as far as price), and a couple of discounts for buying right away (now! now!), he gave us a quote of $25,275. That’s over $2500 per window. After looking around at other folks and their expenses, it still seems rather… high.

    An RBA advocate upthread said shopping for RBA windows was like going to a Mercedes Benz dealer because you want the best. Well, when I was still working and needed a car in 2010, I went to the Toyota dealer, and I eventually put 300,000 miles on it and it still runs fine. But I don’t dispute there are better cars out there. I would dispute that the Toyota was a bad choice.

    A couple of comments. One: the salesman was polite enough, but my wife and I are …not extremely social. He may have thought we were bonding, but after that first hour we were just suffering a guest who was taking his time leaving. Two: this week I will be asking Lowes Hardware and a couple of windows installers in town who have good yelp reviews for quotes. I might even go for the mid-level Anderssen hardware. But we’ll not accept even half the price offered by the RBA “employee” we talked to. Three: yes, there are frauds, conmen, and crappy products out there. But the solution to that is not spending money you can’t afford; it’s do your homework and cross your fingers.

    1. Seriously, do you live in Connecticut because we had the exact same experience today. RBA rep came to our 1825 square foot house (9 standard windows, 4 smaller bath and kitchen windows and 1 picture window) and ran through a two hour spiel about his Fibrex windows. Our house is a very standard colonial appraised at over $300K, but not by much. Every single window was quoted a$2200 to $2400! The total came to over $29K and we could not get rid of him fast enough. I just wanted a ballpark replacement number so we could budget. Instead I felt like he was trying to completely hose us. No one is going to pay 10% of the value of their house for replacement windows. We will continue to research but costs are hard to find online. I did find one independent web site which quoted RBA windows at $800 to $1700 each (the site was comparing Pella and Andersen windows) so where that $2400 per window quote came from is beyond me.

      1. thewindowdog says:

        Hi Karen, I think that’s just what they do for everyone. It does seem like a strange business model. Check this page for info on my company. We might be able to help out.

      2. Kermit Blum says:

        I live in Washington State. Evidence, I think, that this is standard throughout the US and presumably Canada.

  145. Live in northern Maryland [Rising Sun area] and just got a quote from RbA with the following: legal Name: Renewal by Andersen, LLC., dba, Renewal by Andersen of the Capital Region. We were advised that they employ all of their own installers, craftsmen etc., and do not employ Subcontractors..

    We have a lot of construction work to do [mostly headers and transome removals] in connection with three sliding doors that are part of the replacement window project. We are concerned about the veracity of that statement, since we have learned that most RbA offices are franchises.

    Can anyone share true info on that. A writer above suggested that only some offices are owned by corporate Andersen Windows.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      As far as I’m aware they’re franchises, but it’s possible that something has changed. I know several years ago we interviewed an installer in VA who had worked for the franchise in MD as a contractor. Not sure if some of the other installers were employees. It’s also completely possible that things have changed with them as that was years ago.

      Perhaps someone will chime in with some additional information.

      1. Hello Window Dog, back on April 10, 2019 I had wrote Renewal By Andersens’ Company owned retail locations are located in: Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Pittsburgh, and Washington/Northern VA. I found this on their career opportunities web page. I know my salesman had told me back in 2016 when I purchased the windows that the Glenview, IL. suburb of Chicago that they were a company owned retail office and not a franchise. Also, another way to tell if it is a company owned location is they give you 5 years on installation, whereas a franchise location gives you 2 years on installation. You can scroll back and re-read my reply and let me know if anything I wrote is not correct. Thank you. Ron D

        1. thewindowdog says:

          Hi Ron, thanks for that. I thought they were all franchises but it can be hard to tell with them. Are you a customer of theirs or do you work there?

          1. To answer your question, I am just a customer who bought RBA windows back in June 2016. After reading so many of these forums about windows and such, every “expert” feels that they are all franchises and none are corporate owned. After my salesman told me that the Glenview IL. office was corporate owned I started looking on the internet to get any information I could get to confirm if he was right or not. I happened to find this information on their career opportunity page (Renewal By Andersen career opportunities) on this site click on (Visit our career opportunities page) scroll all the way down and you will see Company-owned retail locations. I also stated that the Company owned retail locations will have 5 year warranty on installation whereas a franchise retail location will be only 2 years on installation. My contract reads 5 years on installation. I’m just trying to set the record straight on this ongoing question. I hope this helps. Ron D.

          2. thewindowdog says:

            That really is helpful Ron, thanks for writing in. I wouldn’t have expected that the franchise locations would have shorter warranties. Thanks for bringing that up.

    2. Russell Ratuszny says:

      Each Renewal is independently owned, the installers are a sub to the DBA.

      1. thewindowdog says:

        That has been what we’ve seen as well. Funny they think they need to tell people otherwise. Thanks for chiming in.

  146. About 3 weeks ago a salesman came for a window replacement assessment. At the end of the assessment he quoted me $10,000 plus interest for 4 windows. He was very courteous and seemed very knowledgeable and honorable. I asked him about the 30% and 40% coupon. He said Anderson never gives more than 20% discounts. I decided against going forward since he was so persistent that there weren’t any other discount options and I was sure that I seen this promotion and felt like I was being lied too . A few days later I found the coupons for 30% and 40% off.

    Per my calculations it would be over or about $2,500 per window. I live in a simple frame home, I don’t live in a mansion. Although the salesman was very nice I don’t think the price is reasonable and I felt he wasn’t educated on the promotions that are offered. I am not going to state his name however I felt he was trying to take advantage of the fact that I am an elderly single woman and was just looking for a big commission.

  147. I recently got a quote from RBA and was turned off by the comments they made about other companies. I was given a quote for 60k+ and with all the discounts it brought it down to 45k. This was for 7 windows and 2 slider doors. When I told him the quote was too high (this quote didn’t even include all my windows so I could keep the price down) and I will pass, he said that if it was his house he would just keep the old 1980’s aluminum milgard framed windows I have instead of getting new milgard vinyl because it would be a downgrade and that all other companies just rip out the old windows which causes damage to pop a new window in. I then got a quote from an installer for Milgard which was for 10 windows, 2 sliders and a garden window with inside and outside trim for 18k and they said they fit the windows corectly and do not just pull the old ones out from the studs. I took that bid and will be getting my new windows installed next month.

  148. We foolishly agreed to pay a $1,000 deposit on a window replacement by Anderson Renewal. We are having second thoughts on the cost of this project and we were wondering if you could give us some feedback on whether or not we can cancel our contract–the “tech” or final measurements have NOT been taken so the final order has not been placed. Legally can we get our $1000 deposit back?
    Thanks for your help and your helpful website.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      In most states you can cancel any in-home sales type order in 3 business days. They do that specifically to protect people from fast talking door to door salespeople. Some states count Saturday as a business day and some do not. I used to have a list, but that was long ago.

      Since they haven’t measured the windows you know they haven’t started production. Any company that cares about customers would let you cancel it, but the high priced companies will sometimes try to tell you that you can’t cancel after 3 days no matter what.

      So, it’s 12/5 today as long as you bought on 12/2 or later you should be fine. In my experience some companies will have a process for dealing with people who try to cancel and that often involves a discount so be ready for that. Just like when you try to cancel your cable tv.

  149. Michael Sachs says:

    It is possible you got a bad salesperson or that I live in NYC. The salesperson never disparaged any other product, and their product price was comparative to Home Depot and other window providers. What I liked was their guarantee. Anderson even completed the board package for the condo. I would recommend them to anyone. Also, I know they are not going under any time soon. I bought windows from Sears a decade ago, I think my 20-year guarantee may not be worth the paper it is written on in a year.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Thanks for sharing your experience. I’ve heard of many Home Depot quotes being a fair bit less than Renewal quotes. What sort of pricing did you see?

      Regarding your other windows, Sears never manufactured windows so your warranty would likely be from whoever made the windows.

  150. Tom Hartmann says:

    In 2004 I had Renewal by Anderson install 13 double hung windows and and a 90″ wide patio door. When we made our purchase all of the products came with a 20 year “no questions asked” warranty. To the best of my knowledge that warranty has not changed. We live in Wisconsin, today the wind chill is ~ -7 F. In the summer we can see temps of 120 F on the southwest exposure of our home. The Renewal products withstood an EF2 tornado in 2010, a claim that many of out neighbors were not able to make. We have experienced no problems with the performance of any of the windows and did have to replace a seal at the sliding patio door frame.

    I am a retired Industrial Engineer with 45 years experience working in the polymer industry. During investigative stage I looked at a number of different window manufacturers s before signing with Renewal by Anderson. The wood reinforced Fibrex frames are far superior to ANY of the other vinyl window manufacturers that I investigated. I still stand by my decision 16 years later. We plan on relocating to a warmer climate within the next 2 years. If we purchase an existing home vs. building new any window replacement will be done with Renewal by Anderson windows.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Tom, glad to hear you’ve had good luck. The warranty certainly has changed. It was a 10 year warranty on the frames a while back and more recently they changed it to 20 years. There does seem to be some confusion about the warranty from folks writing in. I wonder if they’re not very clear in how they explain it.

      1. Well window dog (lol name is fitting) the fact that you are not very well versed in the RBA warranty cracks me up. It’s Your site so you can make your claims. We have been offering RBA since the inception of the product in a northern climate. I do not have a full time service crew that goes around fixing windows because they don’t outlast their warranty. If you knew anything about Renewal by Andersen seriously anything, besides maybe your personal inadequacy that they didn’t choose your company in your area to represent them. I understand you are butthurt. It’s pretty obvious by your responses. You are the antithesis of what you say RBA does with their sales approach. Your entire website is. I am sure you will take this comment down. Please list the plastic window companies that have come and gone with their so called “Lifetime Warranties” in the last 10 years, why don’t vinyl window companies warrant their products to the next owner? Why don’t they include labor for the life of their warranty? Yes RBA is so afraid their product won’t last they actually put their phone number on their products. You seem to be able to leave out all the inadequacies of the YOUR plastic window when ripping on RBA. I love your comment that new construction vinyl is crap but replacement are gods gift. The staged reviews on your site by butthurt vinyls guys are the best ones! You crack me up thanks for the laugh!

        1. thewindowdog says:

          Hi Gerry, thanks for writing in and I’m happy to leave your comment up. The info we write about the Renewal by Andersen window warranty is info we get from their website. Are you saying the Renewal by Andersen website is wrong? There are quite a few vinyl window manufacturers who offer transferable warranties and have done so for quite a long time.

          We’ve never said that vinyl is the only way to go. I just don’t think Renewal offers a very good value. Just my opinion. Good luck out there.

  151. Had an RBA sales rep in for a visit. Needed about 5 standard windows replaced. He was sociable, and after about 45 minutes we got to the price, with no breakdowns. Nearly $2,000 a window. Then the pressured sale happened, and eventually he noted he could cut $500 off the price if I agreed to the deal within 30 seconds. That is when he lost me. He noted vinyl was junk plastic, and that fibrex was far superior (although it looked like just like plastic with fiberboard material.)

    Installation is only guaranteed for 2 years still to note.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Thanks for sharing your experience.

  152. Hi,

    So between the article and the comments I would like to dispel some of the misinformation, but also give you additional information. Firstly, why should you listen to me? Because I am a former Renewal by Andersen employee, emphasis on ‘former.’ I have spent the last decade in home construction as well, and the short version of this is I DO NOT recommend Renewal by Andersen windows. So let’s dive right in:

    A) Warranty – I have never come into contact with an office that does not guarantee the windows for as long as you own the home and does not include a 20 year transferable warranty. Period. The reason Andersen does not state that on their website is because Andersen isn’t the one who is guaranteeing it. The offices are primarily franchises, with a few exceptions, so the individual franchisees have to warranty the windows, not Andersen. There are literally people from the mid 90’s that are still covered under warranty. As far as “Lifetime Warranty” is concerned, this has been ruled on by multiple courts in the United States and it is definitely 7 years. The reason it is 7 years is because that is the average lifetime of all products across all industries. Remember, it isn’t your lifetime and it isn’t the company’s lifetime. It is the lifetime of the product itself and nothing else.

    B) Installers – No matter what the rep may tell you, the installers do not work for Andersen. Yes, they have exclusivity agreements that legally disallow them from working for someone else, but at the end of the day they are all 1099. That doesn’t necessarily mean they are bad, but they are not employees and because of this there is only so much control Andersen actually has over them.

    C) Material – And here is where the fun stuff begins. So, first off, vinyl isn’t inherently crap. Now, when I was building production homes, those vinyl windows were in fact very much crap. In fact, some of them didn’t even last the duration of the build and I was stuck changing glass packs out the day we were handing the house over to a customer because they had already warped, cracked, and leaked argon. HOWEVER, production homes aren’t exactly par with quality. Anything labeled “builder grade” basically means “scraping the bottom of the barrel.” Here’s the thing they don’t like to talk about with Fibrex: the salesperson is suppose to tell you that it is a proprietary wood polymer composite, which is true albeit misleading. What they’re not suppose to tell you is that the proprietary polymer is a virgin/recycled vinyl mix. Fibrex is just vinyl mixed with wood. Depending on the salesperson, they will either mention that Andersen has a deal with Trex to use the Fibrex closed cell composite for the Trex hand rails or not. Some of them won’t mention this because Trex has been sued a number of times over the material and individual sales managers don’t like their people being caught off guard in a home with a customer who knows how to use Google.

    There’s a second part to the material as well. The sales person will tell you that it doesn’t rot when, what they should say is, it isn’t suppose to rot. The difference here has to do with the vinyl itself. Occasionally, the vinyl doesn’t completely encase the wood fibers the way it’s suppose to and moisture gets to the fibers causing them to rot. The rotting process further breaks down the vinyl and then spreads. That’s rare, but it does happen.

    D) Glass – Long story short, most everyone is using the same or extremely similar glass these days. You will also here from the salesperson that they use a continuous spacer and the idea came from airplanes and blah blah blah. Continuous spacers have been in use in residential windows since at least the 1990’s, they aren’t anything new. Not everyone does them, but most companies have shifted to that. I will state that regardless of who you purchase a window from a continuous spacer is the best way to go as far as keeping glass packs sealed.

    The glass itself does block 95% of the UV rays from the sun, but so do a lot of different companies’ glass. The reality is that Andersen does not hold the patents on the glass process like they have people believe from the sales pitch.

    E) Company – The company overall is actually very good. I think at all levels the employees/contractors generally recognize that these windows are expensive and that a certain level of customer care needs to accompany that or they’ll be out of business. You still have the chance of getting a good sales rep and good crew or a bad sales rep and a bad crew, but overall everyone is genuine in wanting to solve your problems because you are the pay check.

    F) Price – And this is, ultimately, why I don’t think you need their windows. Their average window costs between $1,700-$2,100 a piece. I sold windows that ran as much as $4,000 per window and some that were close to $1,000 however. That aspect depends heavily on options and size. Let’s say that you land smack in the middle at $1,900 per window and you were doing 5 windows. That’s going to be a total of $9,500. There’s no tax so that is the actual total. You could very easily get high quality windows made from regular vinyl as oppose to wood/vinyl for less than half that. Same warranty/guarantees, same installation, same customer care. And, in fact, half that price would still be too much money for a window no matter what a rep tells you. The margins on the windows are what they are, but commission is 10%. You might be flabbergasted by that, but construction sales commissions typically range from 5%-15%, they’re in the middle. So your sales person is not the reason their windows costs so much.

    G) Why do they cost so much? – Because years ago Renewal tried a bunch of different pricing models and the more expensive price worked the best. Believe it or not, but Renewal by Andersen, as compared to other in-home window sales, has the highest closing average industry wide by many percentage points. That’s partly because they can afford to advertise in quantities that most companies can only dream about, but also because they only hire the best sales people they can find and then run them through a very extensive training program. One call close sales are incredibly difficult, it is by far the most difficult type of selling there is. The problem occurs when I start telling you all these features on this brand new car that looks like it could whoop a Ferrari and then you see the price is about as much as a 10 year old used Honda, that doesn’t work out very well for the close rate. Consumers have convinced themselves that more expensive means higher quality. Whether price/quality are actually correlated in all instances is certainly not true, but people continue to buy things like $40 t-shirts and $1,000 cell phones. Why? Because if you see a cheap price your brain says, “I wonder what’s wrong with it?” “It’s too good to be true!” In all seriousness, just coming from a very experienced salesperson, “too good to be true” is the only reason I make money most of the time because if I had sold those windows for less you wouldn’t have wanted them. You wouldn’t have believed they did all they say they can do. People want a “deal” not a price. That’s why you get walked down so hard at the end with the 20% off non-sense.

    H) Why Did I Leave? I cannot stand giving people a price and telling them that as soon as I walk out the door it is no longer good. Hated it. Not because I had a problem with giving the discount and taking it back, but because the way it gets rolled out makes it seem like the discount is only happening because of whatever month/holiday is nearby. The truth is that their windows are ALWAYS 20% off plus an additional 5% same day discount (instant product reward offering). At no point are they ever not that same price. EVER. The discount always exists and there is zero reason the rep won’t/can’t give it to you during a call back. If you need to think about it, then think about it. It’s your money and nobody has the ability to make you say yes, but you.

    Hope you learned something!

  153. Show me a picture of a Renewal By Andersen window with a broken seal. I’ll wait……

    1. thewindowdog says:

      I think you might not like the results of an inquiry like that.

      1. Bonnie Lundgren says:

        You should prove yourself. Seriously. The RBA guy used photo documentation to show me what their windows look like in actual houses, and the issues their installs fix. If you think they create issues, counter with your own photo response!

        1. thewindowdog says:

          You think they’ve never had a window with a seal failure? That’s like saying a certain model car has never had a flat tire. Their corporate office knows what the seal failure percentage is. If that number was remarkable they’d publish it. They don’t publish that (to the best of my knowledge) and I can only assume it’s because they have the same rate of seal failures as any other window. One mistake some salespeople make is getting caught up in unrealistic claims like it. It’s a waste of time.

  154. I am looking to replace approx. 16 windows in my home and love all the color options and bells and whistles of the Anderson windows including color, grill choices, hardware, etc. (Jeld-Wen seemed ot have some nice options also however priced out higher at HD) I understand that RBA offers Fiberex material windows however the Anderson 100 Series seems to be the same materiel. Do you or any of the commenters have insight as to the difference?
    Some of the windows are going to very large casement windows (34″ x 64″), do these size casement windows raise a concern to you? I am concerned about them weighing too much and not holding up over time.
    If looks are not an issue, are the 400 Series windows better quality? Its approx. $100 more per window to upgrade the series which I am happy to pay if the value to cost ratio is there on upgrading from the 100 series to the 400. your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

  155. Hello. I’ve read a good deal of the comments about RBA as well as your replies. There seems to be a lot of opinion as well as a lot of advice to stay away from RBA. Windowdog, you have a strong dislike for these windows and perhaps I have not found the information as to your pedigree but I’ll assume you have enough knowledge on the product to make your claims. What I don’t see is response to any questions as to what manufacturer you recommend. I am in the process of getting quotes and in fact today had a RBA sales person to my house to give me an estimate for replacements. FYI the 13 double hung windows installed, were quoted at $31,700 or about $2,400 each. These run from 24″x48″ on the small side to 24″x78″on the large as well as 48″x48″. That represents only the front of my house and the remaining 3 sides would add another 15 windows at the least so with RBA I’d be looking at $65-70K. Advice?

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Stuart, thanks for writing. I don’t think they’re horrible windows, it’s more the pricing and the sales process they use that turns me off. I don’t think they’re worth $2k per window but your mileage may vary.

      My company uses different windows in different markets. What’s your zip code? We’d be happy to help if we can.

      1. Bonnie Lundgren says:

        So, you are doing exactly what you claim Anderson does – putting down a competitors product because “obviously” you don’t have anything valuable to offer?

        1. thewindowdog says:

          I’m mostly putting down their antiquated sales process and overinflated pricing. The products look nice, and have average efficiency ratings. There’s nothing wrong with that.

  156. Trainwreck says:

    I purchased Renewal by Andersen windows for my home in Houston in the fall of 2016. I fell for their composite construction sales pitch. They were really pricey, but they looked great and the screens were almost invisible. Apparently Andersen was concerned enough about window installation that they decided to only allow their trained representatives to install these windows, and I’m sure that added to the price.

    After 3 years I noticed the caulk applied between the moldings and the window frames had shrunk leaving gaps where water could enter the space between the frames and the rough openings (it can rain in Houston). I also noticed a few locations where it appeared that the frames themselves had warped, also leaving gaps. It made me wonder if they were using cheap caulk.

    This was unacceptable, so I contacted Renewal by Andersen for warranty service (May 2020). They sent their representative out to inspect the windows and determined that the cause of the problem was due to installation. They said the glass is warrantied for 20 years, the frames for 10 years and the installation for 2 years. So they did a poor job of installation and left me with a $400 repair job for problems due to poor installation after less than 4 years.

    Don’t buy these windows.

    1. You are spot on. RBA will tell potential customers that they spun off of the parent company (Anderson) to achieve the following:

      1. One stop shop for superior windows + install.
      2. Guarantee on install (since no one knows how to do it better than them)

      However, as you found out the expensive way- they aren’t there for you when you need them. And that absurdly overpriced bill didnt net you any better window or resale value. Lesson to others is save a massive amount of money and go buy the SAME windows from Anderson (or an authorized retailer), and higher a contractor to install them. Many qualified sales centers offer install or recommendations for installers will offer a 2 or more year install guarantee. The savings along are a no brainer.

  157. Thanks for the review.

    What about Renwal by Andersons guarantee to save energy with their special glass pains that “block” like 80-95 percent of outside heat?

    1. thewindowdog says:

      The efficiency ratings for their windows are perfectly fine, but not any better than you’d find with many companies. They also have air infiltration rates much higher than you’d get from other options. They do not have a more efficient product than you can get from many other places.

      1. Thanks!

        So basically their patented super duper windows aren’t much better than much else on the market?

        1. Bonnie Lundgren says:

          Actually, they are superior in a number of ways. Have a rep out and hear for yourself. Challenge him on everything. You may still decide but to invest, but you will still be better off for it. We spotted a scammer with low quality right away because the RBA guy was so clear and helpful in his explanations and education for us.

          1. thewindowdog says:

            In what ways did they tell you their products are superior?

  158. I’m getting the feeling that approx 2200 per window is sincerely over priced. My least favorite part was the buy now and save 15k. I was quoted approx 46k for 21 windows with the buy now “discount”.

    May you recommend someone and a good window comparable to the RBA composite in the 76548 TX area?

    Thank you, great post here.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Brian, I could help with an order in your area though our store in Austin. Check this section on best window companies and click through to Austin to find us. We tend to avoid composite windows as they’re less efficient too. I bet the friendly salesmen left that part out of his story too.

  159. Stay well clear of Renewal By Anderson. I endured the 3 hour dog and pony show, only to be handed an estimate of $87,000 for 15 windows! Yes you read that right! Oh lets not forget the generous 30K in discounts – because the little things really make a difference. Overall that nets to 3,800 per window. I immediately kicked his ass out of the house…

    No window is worth this. There were three big takeaways from the pitch. 1# they hate Vinyl, which disparages their parent company for offering them. I’m not going to get pedantic over clad vs solid vinyl- not the point. #2 They explained the reason for their existence was that they kept seeing installers who incorrectly installed their windows causing premature issues. #3 for the reasonable price of 3,800 per window, you get…..get this….a two year install warranty!

    If their installers are so superior, they would have a lifetime install- especially at this price. Yeah, the windows look good, and better than some, but they are unequivocally, and unjustifiably overpriced.

  160. Steve Marino says:

    I would like to get the install instructions for Renewal By andersen but cant find anytying. could you help me get them

    1. thewindowdog says:

      I doubt they’d give you the installation instructions for Renewal by Andersen windows. Are you trying to make sure the installers did it right or trying to install yourself? Since they typically don’t sell the windows without labor I would guess they wouldn’t share that info. If you do get it I’m sure we would have other readers interested so send it on over!

  161. Emily Gmitter says:

    Mea culpa!! First and foremost, I owe and give RBA a very sincere apology. After seeing these comments just now, especially those in reply to my post, of course, I asked my husband if our vinyl windows (the ones that won’t close properly) were by RBA and he said no. The only window we have from RBA is a large bay window with a fixed middle window and two angled side crank windows. It’s a beauty and we’ve had NO problems with it. I only remembered the rep from RBA coming in so I mistakenly assumed all our vinyls were from them, too, but they were from a company whose name neither of us can remember but he recalls they were out of Everett MA. Again, my deepest apology to RBA! (And a sincere thanks to all of you who took the time to respond to my comment.)

    1. Emily Gmitter says:

      And I will add–with some trepidation due to my failing memory!–that I recall the rep using the word “composite” when he pitched this window to us. Whatever it is, again, it’s beautiful and we’ve been very happy with it.

    2. thewindowdog says:

      Thanks for writing in about that.

  162. Jim Brion says:

    Hi! I also got a $2,056 per window offer from RBA. This is already the sale price with their Buy One, Get one for 40% off. What other window options do I have? I live in Westchester County, NY.

  163. We are in the Orlando area and received a quote for 8 Renewal by Andersen Fibrex windows for ~$25,000. There was nothing special about the windows, all generally between 36 x 50 and 36 x 70. Seems outrageous but still figuring this all out.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      That seems high even for them. We hear about $2,000 or $2500 per window all the time. They really like those windows…

  164. After reading this article, you clearly have no idea what a lifetime warranty is.

  165. Glenn Robinson says:

    Recently had a nice chat with RBA. Super nice guy, seemed honest and upfront, and no high-pressure sales pitch. I really appreciated that. The 3 windows I needed were at the very top end of the largest casement they could supply. The rep spent a fair amount of time on the phone with his manager to figure the closest combination to the size I needed (36×78). I think they were able to offer me a max size of 34×76. Fantastic product from what I can surmise. As a diy professional, with a penchant for oxymorons, I was concerned about cost. He said I could remove the old windows myself and do the rough frame in which would save me up to $2,000. That’s cool, right? What was not cool, was the three (count ’em: 1, 2, 3) window replacements coming in at $15K. I know they’re big windows but jeez. I also got him to quote it with 2 fixed picture windows and 1 casement (which I couldn’t sacrifice because of egress). Better price, but still over $10K with me doing the demo. I just can’t see the value here. Sure, it would keep the heat inside my home this winter, but reality check; I’ve lived here 3 years and it’s never dropped below 32 degrees. Even that is rare. From an energy savings standpoint, I think these windows would pay for themselves in roughly 2.3 lifetimes. I’d better take my vitamins. From the other end of the spectrum, HD is sending someone out tomorrow. This should be interesting… Soon-to-be-broke in Martinez, CA

  166. An RBA sales rep just left our house a few hours ago. (Conway/Myrtle Beach, SC) We had done our due diligence and had some other companies out as well. His tactic was we had to agree TODAY to get the special pricing of $1,700 per window. IF we waited, pricing would go up. We are not about to spend $16k on windows when several other companies offered vinyl windows for around $3,600. I could replace the vinyl windows 4 times over for the price of the RBA windows.

  167. I was curious about RBA and when I searched online, this article came up.

    A friend of mine got a job as a salesman for RBA awhile back and was telling me about all the big money he was making hustling these windows. He is apparently making HUGE commissions selling this stuff, so that should give you an idea of the markup.

    One thing that bothered me is that he admitted that these windows are insanely overpriced, but he is making so much money in commissions it did not seem to phase him.

    He said in his training that they are told to go out and hard pressure people, and to sell on the first appointment (in fact I noticed the gentlemen above was pressured to buy the same day!). They have this long presentation where they wear people down. And yep, just like you said, he goes out and trashes vinyl windows.

    If recall correctly, he said the RBA offices are independently owned, which probably explains why they operate like boiler rooms.

    If I needed windows, I am not sure now what I would even buy, but I can’t imagine buying any from RBA. The prices are crazy.

  168. David Rosati says:

    I put in RBA windows in my MN home. Big mistake. They are the fibrex with oak veneer. The veneer started to turn black and discolor from condensation after a couple of years. I called RBA and they said you must have too much humidity in your home and sent a guy out to investigate.

    He said that the humidity in my home was fine and was not sure why they were doing that. Fast forward some more years and now the veneer is splitting and pealing off the fibrex. I emailed RBA and was told they are past their warranty now. I could buy new sashes. The price was crazy! Never again will I buy a product from them. When people ask me about windows I share my experience with them.

    Sorry I spent the money.

  169. Robert DeBiasse says:

    Question:
    Why can’t you have a several window companies come out and take outside window measurements, than discuss pricing by email/phone? I’d rather not here there sales pitch, just send me the data.
    Looking for Dade County, FL Certified White Impact windows, double pane, Sliding/Gliding windows, Low-E, that Seals Don’t Leak Over Time. Don’t care if they are AL or Vinyl Frames.
    I prefer AL for strength. Also what window mfg. & model do you recommend here?

  170. Chuck Allen says:

    Too cold to install a 15 foot arced window today, so am reading about windows. Sad. Anyway, I ran across this site, read many of the first posts, and a few of the last. I’m posting only to help people choose the right window option(s), as I’ve seen posts from customers. Will preface by saying that I am a sub-contractor (I work for and bill a contractor) for RBA in Minnesota. I’ve installed many brands of windows, both replacement and new construction (some junk). There should be tighter regulations…:(
    For most of you, you are about to spend a lot of $ on your most valuable asset – your home. If money were no object, you wouldn’t be on this site. Here’s my dope from an installer’s perspective:
    DO YOUR HOMEWORK:. The windows are old, they can wait another day while you self-advocate, like you would before going into surgery. But don’t wait to long, because a rotten sill can turn into a nightmare.
    THE PRODUCT: Where do you live? Siberia? Arizona desert? Ocean-side? Pane thickness, uv ratings, fiber vs vinyl vs wood. What rots in what temp/humidity? How much maintenance are you willing to commit to? Is “looking pretty” the primary concern?
    Do your homework first, because 95% of sales people will tell you ANYTHING to get the sale. It’s their job and they have mouths to feed, or they’re just built that way and want a new Jeep, and have been trained to make you sign. Do some homework before, during, and after you meet with them.
    THE INSTALL: This also varies by location. In Roseville, MN, RBA has great install crews. I’ve seen other crews (from other manufacturers and Home Depot) sign on and not make the cut after several weeks of training. The crews who cut it here are mostly top notch. Again, self-advocate and look at the ratings for install per company and region.
    THE EXPERIENCE: Not as important in the long run, but you will have people in your house for 1 day plus. If it were my house, I would expect clean, safe, courteous, respectful installers willing to work with me. In return, I would give the crew a clutter-free, safe work environment, and the use of my garage to stage windows and tools if needed. Trust me, you will get a better install and foreigners out of house sooner.
    SO: PRODUCT / INSTALLATION / EXPERIENCE & DO YOUR HOMEWORK
    Will finish by saying that this seems like a Renewal By Andersen bashing site. But not entirely without merit; their prices are high. As to the sales pitch, I have no idea.
    I will say that I’ve been on several jobs where Andersen customers brought up a concern – like a 10 year patio door sticking a bit – we looked at it briefly, made a phone call, and a tech was there within a day or two to fix it. RBA is completely RABID about their brand. They want to be the next Apple (ok, a small Apple), and will do what it takes to make their customers happy, despite any details in the warranty.
    I guess that is why you would pay for RBA. At least in Minnesota.
    ALSO: I love wood, but it needs maintenance. Vinyl, fiberglass, fibrex – all fine alternatives for Minnesota.
    Stay away from metal between panes, which condense in cold and fail, causing rot.
    Product: should be consistent, even though manufactured in different locales.
    Install may vary per location. Do your homework.
    Good luck, and thanks for the site Windowdog!
    P.S. David Rosati (latest post) keep hammering RBI. Try Roseville.

  171. Bonnie Lundgren says:

    We just bought Renewal by Anderson windows and are awaiting installation. The warranty as of 2021 is a lifetime transferrable (so, double) warranty-this post is incorrect. This review complains about Renewal’s composite windows without ever mentioning that they do sell “real wood” windows as part of their product line. The writers also fail to address any of the real selling points of the windows (it’s not just about looking pretty, guys!). What about the improved insulation? The dual-edge opening? The ability to clean the outside from inside the home? The increased visibility window screens included? The fact that they refuse to cut corners and do a shoddy job on installation? Etc. In order to show that they are the best, some comparison with other installers is actually appropriate. We didn’t realize one of our windows was put in incorrectly before being educated. That said, Ken, our sales guy, really had integrity, didn’t pressure us, pulled out all the stops to make the process work for us, and answered all our questions. Frankly, we’d love to have him over for dinner. Did you consider that you may have had a bad experience because you were already assuming the worst/obviously not genuinely interested and the reps could tell?

    1. thewindowdog says:

      It’s February 24th 2021 and I just pulled up their warranty on their website again. It still says 2 year labor warranty. That’s not the end of the world, just a little strange that it’s not what they told you. Did they give you anything in writing?

      It’s possible the individual franchise owner that you bought from had some additional warranty, dealers do that all the time. I’d assume that would be a warranty from that individual company rather than from Andersen, but who knows. Here’s the screenshot I saw today.

      Their windows are defininltey not more efficient than other choices. Not trying to hassle you or pick on them, but if you’re a real customer it sounds like Ken might have told you some stories.

  172. Our RBA experience has been the same as others here – they wanted both my wife and I at home, it took longer than the 1.5 hours they set asked us to aside, they bashed vinyl windows as well as the windows that are currently in our house, and the price quote is nuts…

    Retail Price for 10 windows and a French door slider – $52,243
    Less Winter install special (20%) – $10,448
    Less Volume discount (8%) – $4,179
    Less Covid Scheduling Reward (4%) – $2089
    My Price – $35,527

    Taking the French Slider out, the price drops to $27,500. That’s right, a 94″x 94″ door costs $8K and $2700/window!

    Don’t get me wrong, the sales guy is nice enough and he’s just doing his job. But having sat through timeshare sales presentations, RBA basically does the same by trying to wear you down until you sign with them. That said, at least the timeshare salespeople don’t talk crap about other resorts like RBA talks about Pella and other competitors. Even if the price wasn’t outrageous, the sales presentation turns me off.

    1. I just got an estimate from an RBA office. Four windows on a front porch in an old house and a screen door. Total price with installation is $14,000 with their fiber composite windows. That is with a discount. Regular price $20,000. That seems really high. Granted that two windows are large (72 inches long and 48 inches high) and might count for 2 windows in a different house. But right now that’s $3500 per window with installation with lots of metal cladding all over, from what I can tell. We might need some wood replaced. A friend had her entire house done by this RBA office. The estimate seems high. I’m not even living on the coasts, either.

      1. thewindowdog says:

        Their pricing is always going to be about the highest of any company you could possibly order windows from. I think they take pride in that. If you’d like an alternative, just let me know your zip code or check this section and we’ll see if we know anyone to recommend.

  173. I’ve heard good reviews with Andersen products until today. I put time reading the comments and everything is noted. Thanks for your review.

    1. Michael Hileman says:

      Andersen does make good windows. Renewal by Andersen as a service is a total scam. Go with a local guy. Chances are you can still get Andersen windows too if you want them.

  174. Had a quote for my elderly mother’s house where 5 windows were quoted. Unfortunately none of her supporting family was there and the Salesman positioned windows, 24″x31 at $3,100 per window installed.
    Calling my local building supplier who carries Marvin Ultimate, Kolbe, Lowen and others I found that that size in solid wood with an extruded aluminum was in the $600 range. New construction, not replacement. Now I’m all for good carpentry and perhaps a crew of 2 will take a day to install three windows, but at that its hardly $600/window to install.
    The tactics that pressured the sale included the notes above, flyer discount, signing discount, big financing that “no one else” could offer.
    fortunately was able to cancel within the 3-day window.

    And the comments from the Sale guy were that these RBA were superior to these custom-build windows, just incredible.

  175. Steven Graziano says:

    Hello. I truly appreciate your site! I am looking to replace 23 windows in a central Florida home. I had a Renewal Andersen rep come to my home today and tell me about warping vinyl and how great Andersen is. He did some measuring, tabulated some figures based on some laws about having some glass laminated for safety, suggested that many of my windows are taller than average. My HOA requires the windows to have muntins on inside and out. His quote was $70, 642. I told him no chance. Is it possible this is reasonable?

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Prices for new windows can be higher in FL due to the building codes, but the odds are good you’ll be able to find a more competitively priced option. And, there are many thousands of vinyl windows installed in FL every year with no issues.

  176. GreenHazeWhiz says:

    Renewal is also rated number 1 for a reason, Vinyl windows don’t cover the loss of argon glass at all, so what’s the purpose of a warranty if they don’t cover the energy efficiency? Andersen does for 20 years…. you sound like a disgruntled former employee

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi there, thanks for writing in. I believe you’re 100% wrong about that and it’s a great example of the mis-information that a window salesman might give you. If the argon gas were to leak out of a window then the air from outside must leak in. You can’t have a void. If outside air gets in you have a seal failure, you see condensation inside the glass and that is definitely covered by every window warranty I’ve ever read. Most cover that for longer than 20 years, but the more limited Andersen warranty is not bad in that respect. 20 years is a long time.

      Just let us know if there is anything else we can do to help out.

  177. U got a good deal then! I just signed a few days ago; with RBA, 11 windows plus one door 33K
    I’m so sick of windows companies
    They’re all rip offs you just need to choose who you’re going to get ripped off by and hope the product lasts. I’m scared but I’m hoping for the best. I look at my neighbors cheap windows and don’t want that. It’s a scary purchase for sure but I’ve had every company here and they’re all swindlers especially if you’re a woman. Very sketchy business.

  178. Bill Hewston says:

    My wife and I bought a house in 2015 that was built in 2007 and the lower level French doors plus the main level kitchen slider were truly inferior and had clouded up. I wanted Andersen replacement doors and priced them at Home Depot at about $7K for both. They were premium wooden vinyl clad outside doors that included installation. Then I asked RBA to come to my home and give me a bid for the same doors. It was a long night, almost four hours, before I finally said “This has to stop!” and I asked for his bid price. Much to my amazement he said $32,000.00. It was the same exact doors only his doors were made to fit the exact opening. My wife and I were totally shocked. He could tell and he offered an $800.00 discount plus 30 years of financing for two doors. We selected Andersen’s from Home Depot and they are truly great. Truth be known, the kitchen slider from Home Depot fit the exact opening while the Home Depot installer did a wonderful installation adaptation on the French Doors as well as the standard kitchen slider install. I keep getting emails from Renewal by Andersen advertising their product/service and have pledged myself to posting my assessment of their business. Andersen is great. Renewal by Andersen is a scam.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      They are a trip, but that strategy must work for them sometimes. I know a few years ago they were using Provia fiberglass doors and telling people that their doors were “better” than a Provia Signet door. They were charging a huge premium for the exact same door because it had a Renewal by Andersen logo on the brochure. That was a few years ago, but wouldn’t surprise me if that’s still what they do for a nicer fiberglass door. It’s a funny business.

  179. I just spoke to a salesperson from Anderson and the price I was given was so outrageous. I nearly fell out out of the chair. 24k for 7 windows but 19k if I signed right then and there, which I did not. Now who do I call? I feel like you cannot trust anyone.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Amy, I think that’s a pretty common response to their sales pitch. You can check this section for our recommended companies all over the country. If we know someone in your area I’m sure they’ll be able to help out.

      1. Thank you! I’m so glad I found your website!

  180. Andersen came and quoted me $19,000 to replace 4 modest size windows (like 54 x 36-ish). Uhhh…WHAT!? lol. I told him that there was literally NO window I’ve every quoted, regardless of the company or the material, that even came close to $4000 a window for something this size. I thought $1000 to $1200 window was the high end. He packed up and was out of there pretty quick when I ran through the list of different types of windows and their costs…I mean, come on man…

  181. Just received the RBA “pitch” last night. In 2021, sounds like nothing has changed from when this article was first written. Quick executive summary: “every other window is s*** and ours is the best thing ever created. It’s going to be expensive; whatever your expectations are, double them. But, listen to this two hour sales pitch before I give you the details. I will ask you minimal questions about your situation, zero about your budget, and then I’m going to talk at you for over an hour about vinyl and wood windows, which we don’t even offer. At the end I’m going to give you an estimate; but be excited because there is a twist! If you commit to a massive project RIGHT THIS SECOND we can knock off 33% from this quote! And somehow this is still profitable for us!! No, don’t be concerned at all as to why we can so comfortably slash our prices on the spot; you’re definitely not getting ripped off. Oh and this expires the minute I walk out the door. If I have to come back, even if it’s tonight, our profit margins are going to be too tight to honor that discounted price. Trust us, you want to do this!”

  182. It’s typical here vinyl salesmen., bashing RBA because their only company that can sell their window so vinyl guys bash them. My vinyl windows either bow, crack, seals pop under ten years. My HOA makes me replace them everytime there’s visible seal failure. I switched to RBA never been happier. Andersen is a 100 year old company if vinyl was so good they’d probably be selling it. Reality is they don’t want their name on a garbage product like plastic. Bottom line you get what you pay for, vinyl is cheap and ugly and is a nice product for garage, treehouse, shed or maybe an apartment complex. RBA is beautiful window and lasts decades and decades.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Jason, thanks for taking the time to write. I don’t expect you have any information on seal failure rates between different window frame materials because I don’t think there’s any difference. If a seal fails it fails, the frame material has no impact. The Renewal windows do look very nice, there’s no disputing that. I think claims that they’ll have lower rates of seal failures are probably not based in reality, at least I’ve never seen any documentation.

      You’ll also see people here are mostly picking on the sales and pricing strategies used by Renewal by Andersen. It’s always been my opinion that if a product is really as great as this one is cracked up to be then there wouldn’t be any need for manipulative pricing. If’s it’s not actually that green then they’d need to push hard to close sales on the spot which is how they seem to operate based on the comments here. You’re thinking that’s not the case?

  183. Quite a fascinating discussion. We’re just starting to get prices on replacement windows for our circa 1955 house in Connecticut. Had the Renewal guy here last night and had a similar experience to many others. For 23 windows, we were quoted a “one year guaranteed” price of $62,000 (are you kidding me) an “August promotion” price of $50,000 good until the end of the month, and if we buy TODAY the price magically drops to $46,000. That’s still a ton of money – $2,000 per window. In fairness he did tell us we could start with only 3 windows rather than doing the entire house. But he was quite insistent that we had to buy SOMETHING RIGHT NOW or lose out on wonderful discounts. Needless to say we’re going to get other quotes, which he didn’t like. The windows are nice, I knew they were expensive, but jeez…. that’s a ton of money. And just give us a price…. stop with all the “special” discounts and pressure to buy on the spot!

  184. Complaints Central, whine if you must but they’re so horrible that they now have a 3 month wait. Prices are skyrocketing all over USA. Window prices too! Look up the Home Depot $21,000,000 fine 2020, the Pella Lawsuits and BBB F ratings. RBA is your due diligence not some website by a vinyl window salesman claiming to know everything but barley says a word about what to look for during your window shopping. But go ahead make that mistake. Buy vinyl windows. We will still be here when those fail and you decide it’s now worth it to treat yourself to nicer energy efficient windows.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Thanks for writing in Thurston. One day you’ll figure out that everything you were taught in training class might not be exactly true. Good luck with your sales career.

  185. Lori Yelverton says:

    enjoyed you article. Thanks mate.

  186. I had six RBA windows installed November 2019. Three are awning and three are stationary. They replaced original Andersen windows in our 50 year old home.
    1. First of all, shame on me for trusting RBA. I got sucked in by the original windows performing so well and their very effective advertising. I went with them without comparable bids. Totally against how I normally operate.
    2. The cost was $11,959.00. Almost $2,000.00 per window.
    3. The small print reveals the contract is with Birner Kansas LLC. Which is owned by an out of state owner in Texas.
    4. The windows were installed by a sub contractor not employees of RBA.
    5. They say in their advertisement there is no sales pressure. What would call a $1,384.00 discount only if you sign at the time of the sales call.
    6. The installers left after dark and terrible smears and streaks could be seen the next day. The installers were one man and a young helper. It appears in their inexperience they removed the plastic protective film off the window and then smeared silicon caulk over the windows. Three more washing didn’t get it off. The salesman finally came beck and gave us a microfiber cloth for us to clean the windows. I continued to complain and no one got back to me for 2-1/2 months. Nothing was ever resolved. I sent them pictures with my correspondence so they can’t say they didn’t know.
    6. Later I found I could have gotten the same windows provided and installed for $7475.00 from Home Depot.
    7. I have found Andersen Window Co. when trying to get help from them loops you back around to the company you originally dealt with.
    8. The above statements can all be verified by documentation, pictures, and correspondence to RBA and Andersen Window Co.
    9. I was 74 years old when this all started and I let my guard down and went against everything I preached during my business life.

  187. I was quoted 34K for 10 replacement windows all of standard size + a picture window. Pretty sure the guy heard me still laughing as he drove off. Anyone who would pay even a 1/4th of that price is a pure sucker.

  188. You said: “They are sold and installed by independent companies, not by Andersen itself so the prices will vary.”

    That’s categorically false. Renewal by Andersen is only sold and installed by the company. Independent companies don’t sell, nor install those windows.

    Getting such a fundamental fact incorrect casts some doubts on your other claims.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Brian, thanks for taking the time to evaluate my fundamental facts. To my knowledge many or most of the Renewal by Andersen dealers are independent franchises, not the Andersen company itself. Are you saying you think I’m wrong about that?

      I know I’ve interviewed installers who had previously worked as subcontractors for a Renewal by Andersen franchise and were now looking to work for me so I’m pretty confident that is accurate info.

      Where are you getting your information?

      1. Thank you to thewindowdog. All I did was convey my experience with RBA. As I said I trusted them to my demise. I was willing to share my experience that was not one of my proudest moments. I did this so someone else might avoid my situation. That was my only agenda. I can back up everything I said earlier with documents, photographs, etc.
        Brian appears to be a champion for RBA and has an agenda to promote them. Brian probably doesn’t want it known that Home Depot provides and installs the same exact window that RBA does.

  189. Diane Gunnell says:

    Reviewing all of the comments for PGT, Pella, RBA and Andersen windows. We live in Central Florida in a 1982 house. Looking at replacing 11 windows (single hung, vinyl) and a sliding glass door. I’ve had both salesmen from PGT (Weather Tite Windows) and then Lowes (Pella) come out for pricing. Reviewing all of the comments from people about all 4 types and very hard to figure out what to get. Someone has something bad to say about all of them. Any suggestions? Trying to keep the price as low as possible but still get a good window. Only going to be in house maybe 20 yrs given our ages.

  190. Sabrina Krause says:

    Hello,

    We just used RBA in the summer of 2020 for all our windows and have to say we have been extremely disappointed!

    We have multiple issues (especially in the winter). We have had terrible customer service and been given a 1000 excuses. We still have issues to this day but honestly don’t know what else to do. We have exhausted the options of calling and complaining and taking pictures. In a sense we have given up!

    How terrible Is that to say on 20,000 worth of windows.

    We will NEVER use them again and will for sure tell everyone we know the same thing.

  191. Hi! We just signed a contract with Renewal for 4 large double hung windows in our San Antonio, TX home for $10,000 (sales price after 28% off). They are expensive but the product seemed great and a huge upgrade from our 1982 single pane aluminum windows.

    We only have 24 more hours to void the contract. Do you have any recommendations for window companies in San Antonio that provide a great product for heat, good warranty, and are more affordable? Thank you!

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Ashley, my company offers windows in San Antonio and our folks can send you an online quote if you’d like. There’s no reason to feel rushed. If you’re not sure about a contract I tend to suggest canceling it. You can always sign up again later if you want. Find recommended companies here.

  192. I dont know where to begin. I have received quotes from 9 different companies. I was going to go with Power Home Remodeling but after I signed they came out to measure and they couldn’t do what they said they would do. Since this is about Renewal Andersen Windows, I wanted to get a quote from them. I grew up near their plant in Minnesota. But after the sales person spent 4 hours at my house, which as he was asking what I was interested in, I kept saying well my options might change depending on the price. And he just said, the last thing we do is talk price (Each and every time.) But my quote from Andersen came in at $153,000…. I didnt even know how to respond to that. Then he flipped his tablet around and played on it for a while and then he said it would be $132,000. But the kicker was if I was willing to sign that day it would be $117,000. He then goes on to say it is very common for windows to be 1/3 your home cost. Well, I understand my home was built in 1988 and the wood frames are rotten, but it seemed quite odd that they do not even wrap the wood exterior trim. I am in zip 30269. And since I found your website today I have requested info from your window universe form. I am curious to see what you/Don has to offer.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Jason, it seems like that experience with Renewal by Andersen and the magic tablet is pretty common. I expect Don will be able to help out. Let us know how it goes.

  193. Michael Skehan says:

    We replaced all of our windows a few years back and I called Anderson to get a quote from them, the sales would only arrange a time that both my wife and I were home (strike one Anderson as I know this is a sales tactic) so we played along even though my wife only cares about the look and leaves the technical details to me (engineer and avid DIYer). My wife is a teacher and on the day they were to come out she had an issue in her classroom so had to stay not being able to make the appointment. The sales guy was at my house and said had to reschedule when my wife would be there, I explained that I am making the majority of the decision so wanted to move forward with appointment. He was adamant and this point so I told him I have no interest in making another appointment that I was not dealing with a company that operates this way. He kept pushing to reschedule then finally I said (explaining very nicely) that if you want to give me a price now I will consider but I am still getting a proposal from Harvey and Pella. He then proceeded to bad mouth and talk down both companies telling me how poor their products are, I cut him off and asked what is the thermal performance of your compared to the Tribute series and does your have architectural details making them none square edges? Answer no and no then I politely said I received a quote in this range per window on the Tribute series, are yours going to come close to that? Answer no I will not be anywhere near that price much higher. Asked him to leave that Anderson is no longer a consideration for my window replacement. I received a phone call from the local supervisor the next day who proceeded to yell at me like I was her kid, she was so upset that my wife did not show, etc. I asked her nicely if she ever has had any unforeseen issues come up in her life making her to adjust her schedule? No answer so I explained that not only will I never consider Anderson window replacements but I will make it a point to tell my story to anyone who is willing to listen to avoid them at all costs. My experience with Harvey Tribute series windows has been fantastic, not do they look great but they perform as expected. I shot the windows with an infrared camera and was shocked at how well then keep January New England cold outside of my house and have held up great for roughly 12 years so far.
    Fast forward to present day we bought a summer house in July 2016 that had Anderson replacements installed 6 months prior to us buying the house. I shot them with the same infrared camera and to my surprise they did not perform as well as the Harvey’s did. They operate fine, not as smooth as the Harvey’s and as for build quality I cannot see one bit of difference. They look like replacement windows unlike the Harvey’s, the contours added to the Tribute series were worth the added expense! Now for the bad, last weekend we were doing our spring cleaning get the cottage ready for summer so wanted to clean the outside of the Anderson’s. To my surprise the gaskets that seal the windows were all dry rotted and falling apart. There is not doubt that I will replacing these windows sometime in the near future.
    So why did I write this book of a review, please avoid Anderson at all costs! They are expensive and really not that better built than windows 1/2 the price. I may have just had a poor sales team but my god was that the worst experience I have ever had with trying to get a price on the windows. Both Harvey and Pella were a delight to work with. I installed on exterior Pella french door and Pella sliding interior door at my cottage and they were both great quality for the price.

  194. Jill Hanson says:

    1) First they tried to change the interest rate for the loan.
    2) They put a dent in my ceiling and wall. 4/27/2022
    3) They left nails on the ground all around my property
    4) There is a crack in one of my new windows
    5) They have not got back to me to resolve the above issues to date 5/17/2022.
    I would not recommend them.

  195. JUST (like an hour ago) got a quote from RBA for 5 windows. Over 13k !! And that’s AFTER the 26% discount (20% + 5% + 3% = 26%).
    We had windows in our back room replaced, 5 floor to ceiling windows, and one “normal” window, and it was $10k.

    I pretty much cut the guy off on his sales pitch. I told him I am waiting for a yes or no from the bank on a HELOC, and to give me his best price and I’d get back to him once I hear from the bank. He couldn’t really argue with that, he knows if I tried for the credit it would ruin my chance for the HELOC and he would be guaranteed to lose the sale.

    I will be looking for alternatives.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      That sounds like pretty typical pricing for Renewal by Andersen. Did they give you a written quote? If so feel free to email it over. I think the more replacement window pricing we can share with everyone the easier this process will be for folks to navigate.

  196. Richard Allen says:

    1,343 reviews on google and 4.9 star rated. Impossible to fake that. Most (More than 99% of the people reviewing on google) gave RbY five stars. There’s a reason this company has been in business for over 100 years and obviously you guys don’t like their dominance in the market nor the fact that you can’t beat them except by bad mouthing them. This is a very one-sided slander campaign against a quality product and company. Your home/homes are your biggest and most important investment. Choose wisely.

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Richard, thanks for taking the time to write. I don’t think anyone said they were horrible. I think the feeling is that the prices are pretty excessively high and the pushy sales process with the magic iPad that keeps lowering the price is a little silly and old fashioned. In my opinion the windows look very nice, but the sales process alone would be the reason I wouldn’t buy from them.

      How long have you been selling Renewal by Andersen windows?

    2. Hey there Dick, 1400 hundred reviews and how many millions of windows sold. A lot of people just don’t write reviews. So that is likely an inflated number. Also how many 4 & 5 star reviews without a comment? Very likely too many to count. How many reviews by biased employees? RBA windows are over priced. That is coming from someone who has Pella windows which are expensive and a better product.

  197. I called Anderson to replace my windows. They told me their windows are $2000 a piece and I needed to promise a $10,000 order because they had to travel. I also told them I have widow units for air conditioners, then was told I couldn’t do that. They said I would have to cut a hole in my siding for the units,

  198. Gene maglothin says:

    We had windows put in August 2023. They looked great and we enjoyed them very much until winter came. That’s when the trouble started!! We started getting a lot of condensation on the windows and called there service department and they suggested running dehumidifier. We did that and brought humidity levels down to 25% still condensation on the windows. Well the condensation has led to black mold growing on their fibrex material. We are experiencing nose bleeds trying to get the moisture out of the air. Most houses in Minnesota use humidifiers to get moisture in their house during the winter.
    A tech came out and was basically blaming us for their windows not doing what they are supposed to do. We live in Minnesota and according to their chart the tech gave us we should not exceed 25% humidity at temperatures 0 to minus 10.
    This is something the salesman never said anything about. The windows we had in here before were 30 years old and did not have this problem.
    A lot of money for a product and company that doesn’t care about anything then money not their customers.
    The tech said he would have someone call us back and 2 weeks and still no call. A company you can trust DONT TRUST THEM!!!!!!!!

    1. thewindowdog says:

      Hi Gene, you might check with an HVAC company to see what they say. Condensation certainly can be caused by inefficient windows, but it can also be caused by a problem with your HVAC system. It is possible the old windows were draftier than the new windows so moisture was able to get out before and is not able to get out now.

      I don’t know if that’s the case but I’ve definitely seen it before. That’s what I would look at next.

  199. rik johnson says:

    Andersen windows has been sending me junk mail for 10yrs. I don’t read it, it goes right in the trash. How can I get you to stop?

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