Andersen Windows – Still a gold standard?
25 years ago I used to work for a guy who built his own house and was a finish carpenter by trade. He was a great appreciator and practitioner of fine craftsmanship. He regarded Andersen Windows as the standard for high quality windows. He passed away way too young a few years ago and I haven’t worked in the trade since the 1980’s with him. Today though I’m living in a house built ~1890. It still has the original double hung windows – lead weights, ropes, pulleys, and plenty of (undoubtedly lead) paint and putty chipping off. In a perfect world I’d revel in painstakingly disassembling, stripping, rehabbing and refinishing each window, then maintain them properly over the coming decades. I’d love to keep the character of the house as original as possible.
The reality is I’m never going to be able to make time for that. I’m trying to educate myself on what’s available today for replacement windows. I’d like to learn what people in the trade regard as the best product nowadays. Is Andersen still a favorite? Have others come along that are equal or better? What are the specific technical and asthetic details that make for the best windows? If cost sensitivity is an issue (it is, in my case), are there any things that can be traded off for lower priced models that will still get you an attractive, reliable, well performing, long-life product?
Thanks for all/any info anyone might have to share.
-John
Replies
That would be Andersen
Andersen is a great line of windows and a great company. I've had a lot of good experiences with them.
But they have never been a Gold standard in my book. That would be Marvin, which are probably more appropriate to keeping the character of your house. For instance, with regard to divided lites. The muntin strips Andersen uses are applied to the exterior only and in one stock pattern only. Marvin can make windos with a more authentic muntin interior and exterior. If you want wood exteriors to paint, Marvin can do that as well as clad. If budget is not a concern, Marvin will make your windows in any size you want.
In a more economical vein, Marvin's Integrity lineup are good too. They are made with composites that will not rot and are better by far than vinyl.
Marvin!
Wow I just took a look at Marvin's website and I agree with your take on them! The replacement double hung windows look like an interesting product. I like the idea of not having to rip apart the inside or outside trim. Any idea if that's too good to be true, or do you know anyone who has went with those? I didn't immediately see the Integrity product but I'll dig around a little more.
Many companies make replacement windows, you keep existing inside and outside trim, that's what "replacement " means. You remove the existing sash, parting bead, remove the weights and fill the cavity with insulation. Then install the necessary tracks and new sash. These typically come as a complete unit. The new window unit plugs into the existing opening. Careful and accurate measurements are the key as is installation.
The replacement window business is a high pressure, sign now, save $ type of business. All kinds of promises by aggressive sales people. You have to watch your step. Some are trying to make quotas, have no control over piece work installers and lots of folks are dissappointed, end up with crummy windows, bad installations, huge bills and no customer service. You really need to do your homework and that isn't easy. Check out reviews on this site.
http://www.replacement-windows.com/consumer-ratings/
Two main downsides to replacement windows, other than the issue of window quality:
1) If proper prep for the installation is not done (which may involve removing interior trim to foam the spaces, and at the very least involves removing sash weights and filling cavities) then the windows may leak as badly as the originals.
2) With a "classic" home a knowledgeable person can tell from 100 feet away that replacement windows were installed, due to the increased width of the window frame.