There are many options when it comes to getting new windows or replacing old ones in your home, so you’re likely looking around at all your options to find the best fit for you. Andersen is a top-rated windows company that is likely to come up, but are they actually worth it and a good deal for the price?
Andersen Windows is a well-respected company founded in 1903 by Hans Andersen and his family. They offer a wide selection of wood, composite, vinyl, aluminum, and fiberglass windows with plenty of customization options. While sometimes expensive, Andersen windows are high quality and of good value.
To better understand Andersen Windows and see if they’re a good fit for your project, let’s take a more in-depth look at the company and its products.
Are Anderson Windows Good Windows?
Anderson windows are considered good windows because they are of high quality and generally a good value. If you’re looking for windows, especially wood windows, then Andersen is likely one of the better options on the market.
There are many things to consider. While I can’t cover every possible situation, I can provide the necessary information for you to decide whether Andersen windows are worth it for you.
Brief History of Andersen Windows
Andersen Windows has been at the forefront of the window industry for many decades. Founded in Hudson, Wisconsin, in 1903 by Hans Andersen and his family, Andersen Windows has evolved and grown a lot since then. Currently, the company has its headquarters in Bayport, Minnesota.
The company was one of the foremost proponents and early adopters to standardize window size and make preassembled windows that were easy to install. Throughout their history, Andersen has continued to make innovations and lead the window industry.
Employing over 10,000 people and doing about $3 billion in annual revenue, Andersen Windows is one of the U.S’s leading window manufacturers. The company has manufacturing facilities in both the U.S. and in Europe.
Energy Star recognized and awarded Andersen Corporation with the 2021 Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Award for the company’s continual commitment to producing sustainable, environmentally conscious, and energy-efficient windows.
Andersen Window Selection
One of the great things about Andersen Windows is the wide selection of windows that are perfect for various situations and projects. Below are the primary window series offered by Andersen:
- E-Series – These wood windows with aluminum exteriors are great for residential windows. They are very flexible, thoughtfully designed, energy-efficient, sleek, and have modern and durable hardware.
- A-Series – Available in various configurations, this series is one of the most energy-efficient that Andersen has to offer. Constructed with fiberglass or composite exteriors and wooden interiors, they are incredibly sturdy and durable.
- 400 Series – This series is one of Andersen’s most popular, and for good reasons. They have a long lifespan, are durable, weather-resistant, energy-efficient, and are super easy to maintain.
- 200 Series – These wood windows with vinyl exteriors for extra weather protection are incredibly stylish and durable. While not as extensive as other series, the 200 Series still offers plenty of choices and a long list of energy, usefulness, and design benefits.
- 100 Series – One of Andersen’s more innovative series, this collection of windows is energy-efficient, sleek, and sustainable. Constructed of a composite called Fibrex, this series of windows are twice as strong as standard vinyl windows.
Window Materials
Materials are a large portion of whether a window is good quality and will last a long time. Generally, the sturdier and more durable the material, the more expensive it typically is.
Andersen offers a wide selection of materials for nearly every need that you might have. Below is a list of the materials that Andersen offers:
- Wood
- Fibrex Composite
- Vinyl
- Aluminum
- Fiberglass
Vinyl and wood are both excellent materials, plus they are a little more budget-friendly than some of the other options. Window manufacturers used to make windows from pure vinyl, but they weren’t as durable and robust as they should be. As a solution to this problem, vinyl Andersen windows are wooden with a vinyl coating to get the strength of wood with the texture and look of vinyl. The best of both worlds.
While more on the pricier side of things, fiberglass and aluminum windows are incredibly durable and require minimal maintenance. Aluminum is very light and is excellent for large windows with expansive glass. Both of these materials result in a worry-free and easy-to-use window experience.
Another great material that Andersen offers is their unique Fibrex composite. Fibrex is 40% wood fiber and 60% thermoplastic polymer by weight, which results in an extraordinarily resilient and energy-efficient material. It’s twice as strong as vinyl and resistant to rot, decay, flaking, harsh weather, and nearly everything else.
Overall, Andersen constructs their windows using some of the best materials for the job. They offer a wide selection of materials, ranging from affordable to more expensive and nearly unbreakable.
Window Design
Since its founding, Andersen has been at the front of new window innovations and designs. The designers at Anderen carefully design all of their window series to provide the best user experience and look possible.
As a general trend, most modern windows are becoming larger with more expansive glass without the interruption of muntins or mullions (the horizontal and vertical bars on a window that are sometimes structurally necessary but often just for decorative purposes). Andersen also offers older-looking window styles if that is the look you’re after for your project.
Andersen window design also takes energy efficiency into careful consideration. When designing a window, the engineers can design the primary parts (the frame and the glass) to be as efficient as possible.
Andersen optimizes the window frames and makes them as efficient as possible by using high-quality materials, like the ones discussed above. Double-paned windows with gases between the glass are another standard design to help insulate the window. Andersen commonly uses Low-E glass on their windows which helps to block UV rays as well.
Lots of time and effort goes into designing Andersen windows, resulting in the top-of-the-line energy efficiency, quality, and visual appeal that is a part of the brand’s reputation.
Window Life Expectancy
Many different factors play a role in determining the life span of a window. While factors like window material and maintenance are entirely within your control, others, like weather, aren’t up to you. Here are a few of the factors that can influence window life expectancy:
- Window material
- Climate and weather
- Window quality and craftsmanship
- Installation quality
- Window maintenance and care
- Wear and tear from usage
With the many factors that can influence window life expectancy in mind, here are a few rough numbers for how long each type of window typically lasts:
- Wood – 30+ years
- Fibrex Composite – 40+ years
- Vinyl – 20 to 40 years
- Aluminum – 20 to 25 years
- Fiberglass – 50+ years
Of course, these numbers will vary depending on the location, material, care, and a million other factors. In some situations, the expected life of a particular type of window may be double, while in others, they may last half as long.
Saltier environments near coastlines typically have the shortest window lifespan because salt is a very destructive corrosive. Extreme weather, wet climates, and extreme temperature changes are significant factors that usually decrease window life expectancy.
Andersen Window Customer Satisfaction
Andersen Windows is one of those businesses that receive stellar reviews from some and nightmare stories from others. According to the Better Business Bureau, Andersen Corporation has an A+ rating and accreditation score, so how does this add up?
The large discrepancy is primarily due to the consumer service of local Andersen branches and retailers. While privately owned, Andersen Windows has many local showrooms and branches that sell its windows.
Some local Andersen showrooms are better than others, which leads to the splatter of conflicting reviews online. Surprisingly enough, there are actually very few complaints about Andersen products and more about the service and helpfulness of local experts and branches.
How Much Do Andersen Windows Cost Installed?
Andersen window prices are pretty volatile because they are often at the discretion of the local distributor, and they vary according to seasonality. The price you pay is also greatly influenced by your negotiation skills, the material you want, the number of windows you buy, and a host of other factors.
Including installation, Andersen windows typically cost between $1,000 and $1,500, often staying closer to the 1k mark.
If you have the money to spend over a thousand dollars per window, going ahead and getting Andersen windows is often worth it because of their excellent qualities and warranties. However, they are on the more expensive side of things, and going to a different manufacturer could save you up to 20% in some cases.
Andersen Windows is a well-known and respected window brand, allowing them to charge a premium price. While they’re far from being not worth it, they are on the more expensive side of things which can be a significant factor to consider.
The craftsmanship and quality of Andersen windows are exceptional, so beyond the price, there are very few reasons for them not to be the go-to for nearly every project.
Do Andersen Windows Increase Home Value?
Andersen windows do increase home value. While they are a bit more expensive than some other options, they are good quality and well-built. If you’re looking for attractive windows that will last a long time, then Andersen is likely the best option out there.
Putting new windows into a house can increase its resale value, curb appeal, and let more light into a home which is a selling point for many new buyers. The decision to install new windows largely depends on your particular house and situation, but if you’re going to do it, Andersen windows are a great high-quality option.
Qualities that Make Andersen Windows Stand Out
Whether it’s a window manufacturing company or otherwise, most brands have particular product characteristics and values that they put above the rest. Andersen windows are exceptional in many areas, but the ones listed below are especially notable.
Material Quality
Andersen puts a lot of emphasis on the materials that make up their windows, which directly results in more durable and long-lasting windows. In addition to the regular wood, fiberglass, and vinyl materials that other companies offer, Andersen offers Fibrex composite windows.
Fibrex material composite is one of those materials that sets Andersen apart from a lot of competing brands. It’s super reliable, hardy, weather-resistant, energy-efficient, and has many other attributes that other materials have trouble comparing to at a similar price.
Window Selection
The sheer number of different styles, materials, series, and designs that Andersen offers is exceptional. The chances of you finding the perfect window for your project are pretty good, and you’ll often be able to find the right size window with all the bells and whistles that you want without an issue.
Whether you’re putting a new window in your home, replacing a window, building a new structure, or anything in between, you’re sure to find an Andersen window that fits your needs among their fast catalog of offerings.
Renewal By Andersen
Renewal by Andersen is a branch of Andersen Windows that focuses only on replacing windows in older homes. They offer in-home consultations where they’ll look at your existing windows before making custom new ones for your home.
This subsidiary of the parent company Andersen Corporation is one of the largest replacement window companies in the U.S. and has been in operations since 1995.
Final Thoughts
No matter your project, choosing the right window company for the job can be a tiresome and challenging process. There are so many options out there, and each has its unique advantages and disadvantages that you should consider.
Andersen Windows is by far not the best option for every situation, but they do cater to a broad audience and have a vast selection of windows available. While they are a little bit on the pricier end of things, if you have the budget, Andersen windows are a great choice due to their excellent design, construction, and warranty.
Sources:
