Hi all…we are preparing to build a new home for the second time in five years. In our current home we installed the top of the line Anderson windows. We are very pleased with them, but they were expensive. I was wanting to know if anyone out there uses another brand that is comparable in efficiency, but cheaper in price?? Thanks!!
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Andersen is known for consistant stocking of parts for future repairs.
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Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
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I think Anderson 400's are a very good window for the money.
How do the 200's an 400's differ?Ed
The construction of the window is very different. I looked on their website to get the cut away of each windows construction but they did not show it. Stop by a dealer or HD (is a dealer) and get the full window book they have and it will show the construction. The 400's are available in many more sizes but that isn't the additional price, they are much better quality.
I would not go cheap on the windows, get good ones that you like. If the budget is tight, see if you can save on lower priced tile, appliances, etc.
Throwing this out for all.
These threads continue to come up about which WOOD window to buy. But I like to house shop and snoop around construction of new houses and I rarely see wood windows, even in WELL above average priced homes.
Is this the case for the pros in this forum? ARe you all building million dollar homes with wood windows? Who are buying wood windows?
It depends on the builder. I've seen nice houses with decent wood windows used (a regional new england brand) because the builder likes the look. Most of the higher end houses that use wood, will use kolbe and kolbe. There is a $25m place in the next town over and all the windows are huge 4'x6' k&k. I've also seen the k&k's on above averages house in the $1.5m price range.
Does anyone know where kolbe and kolbe stack pricewise with andersen, pella, marvin, etc.
I've seen nice houses with decent wood windows used (a regional new england brand)Are you talking about Parrot Windows?
Rivco (riverside millwork) out of NH. I think they have 8 store fronts around MA, ME, and NH and sales reps that cover most of New England.
The next place we have built for DW & I will have the new Loewen copper clad windows.
Sweet!
Frankly, I won't be very concerned about the price.
Willmar's been doing copper clad windows for a long time.
Most windows areound here are wood or clad wood
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HD is not a full line stocking dealer. There are a number of styles and sizes they cannot sell. The sizes they do sell they can sell cheap and the window is the same quality, but they make no attempt to provide the full service that a full line stocking dealer will do for you.
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consider Andersen 200 series windows. They are less expensive than the 400 series. Limited in sizes, but in new construction that usually doesn't pse a problem
95% of what I know about windows is just from reading this forum. But I think if you go to a cheaper window, you will find you got....a cheaper window.
There are several windows of comparable or better quality, but they would not likely be any cheaper.
How soon are you building? Seems like some of the yards around here would sometimes run truckload sales. If you know what windows you want far enough ahead of time, maybe you can luck out and find one of those.
But then it's been awhile since I've seen that.
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
You say go out and stock up on the truck laod sales in advance of your build? Most mfg'r say to finish your windows immediately. How do you deal with this?
"You say go out and stock up on the truck laod sales in advance of your build? Most mfg'r say to finish your windows immediately. How do you deal with this?"LOL!!!Ahhh, but I ALSO said:"95% of what I know about windows is just from reading this forum."I've only installed a few windows.I guess storage of the windows would be an issue, but maybe the original poster has a place to put them.....Rich BeckmanAnother day, another tool.
Paid about $30 each for the following w/screens. 22 of them fit real nice under my basement stairs. I think what ever Rez has I caught!
View Image
"Paid about $30 each for the following w/screens. 22 of them fit real nice under my basement stairs. I think what ever Rez has I caught!"LOL!!!If I had any place to put anything, I'd catch it too!But I've got so much junk, there's no room for merchandise!Rich BeckmanAnother day, another tool.
Maybe it was my post you were thinking about. I suggested that, if Andersens were what was wanted, buying the windows on their truckload sale could lower the cost considerably. The contractor would place an order for the truckload that arrived at the right time in the construction schedule so the windows could go in quickly.
For example, if the construction schedule said the home would be ready for windows on August 15, then you'd order so they arrive on the truck nearest the 15th. If the truck arrived a week or two before that you'd just not have the lumberyard deliver them for a week or two. If the truck arrived afterwards, you'd just work on some other part of the job for a week.
Not in advance of your built. you work up a construction scedule and order the windows the right amt of delivery time in advance to allow for arrival at approximtely the right time.
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ck your local want ads, some times theres new andersons for sale,also local lumber yards have discounted items due to a screw up this could help off set the cost of remaining windows.
Pella ProLine windows are of comparable quality to the AW 400s, but the choice of sizes and colors is limited.
Check out their website for availability of both.
Not being a builder I've only built one house -- my own. The GC did most of the work, actually. As for windows, I used Andersen. They are available on truckload sales throughout the summer for 35% off. The dealers have these sales about once a month. You have to order well in advance to get in on the sale, but it's a good deal. Plus, if you are ordering an entire house worth a dealer should take a little more off on top of the 35%.
I can't answer your direct question about comparable windows.
I am an Andersen fan too but my next choice in lower price is the Marvin Integerty which now has fibertex cladding which is less likely to fade and can be painted
I really like anderson's one peice flange around the outside of the window- instead of flaky foam stickers at the corners or other solutions. a one piece flange ensures that long after tape and caulk fail, the window will still shed water. Not very impressed with integrity by marvin.
I agree with most everyone so far it looks like; the 400 is a good window, even if qualified by "in that price range". I also like the Marvin Integritys, and like even better, the Ultimate line. But more money.
I've installed hoops of windows. And I've developed a lot of opinions and bias regarding them. I think Kolbe & Kolbe, from the windows I've seen, has got to be one of the top mfr's quality wise. And you pay for those too. Some of the detailings on the Marv Ultimates I really like, the wood widths in the sashes. You'll find narrower on most everyone elses.
Pella. Wow. If I were buying a used house, I wouldn't even consider one with Pellas in it unless my purchase price accounted for a full window replacement. Enough said.
Budget drives everything. If you already know you like the Andersons, and you can afford them, your decision is easy. If you have to cut somewhere and windows is the cut, the best thing you can do for you is go look. Suppliers typically have not only nice pictures but actual units, even cutaway units so you can look at the details in cross section. Those tend to be educational in showing things you wouldn't otherwise see - the thickness of the cladding, or of the glass.
If you have to look at a lower price point, 200's are one option. I have not been unhappy with the handful of Eagle windows I've installed. They're certainly less expensive, but for the price, really a pretty good bang for the buck.
"Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things, I am tempted to think -- there are no little things" - Bruce Barton
I once received a whole house of Pella windows with factory applied extension jambs. The staples used were too long and pinned all the windows shut.View Image
That happened to me too.
On the sliding glass doors the staples went through the face of the extension jambs. Quality contol must have been sleeping that day. What's wrong with me? I could ask you the exact same thing.
From my recollection, Pella's distributors do the extension work in their shops, so you have the jobber to blame, and not Pella.
The question is, did the jobber provide quick and excellent service? Here where I am, Pella outshines every other brand, hands down, when it comes to getting someone on site with parts and tools, to do a fix.
You're right about who's boo boo that was. And I think you've already hit the nail on the head....
Here where I am, Pella outshines every other brand, hands down, when it comes to getting someone on site with parts and tools, to do a fix.
Where I am located, it's Anderson that fits that shoe. So I usually recommend Anderson. Nothing personal. View Image
Wait a minute! Pella makes a nbig deal in their sales info that they are totally responsible for the whole she-bang! Nobody but Pella toucches their product from sales order right on through to trucker delivering. They have a regional distribution center in NH for new England. There may be some seet up work done at that location, but it is still strictly a Pella operation, according to them.
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Things change in millwork, as you know, and I am probably way out of date. Mea culpa.
When I was in the biz, we lived in NE Indiana, and Pella absolutely owned the market there. Their distributer, Irmscher's Supply (in small letters under the big "Pella Windows") of Fort Wayne, had a warehouse and shop, and in the shop did such things as window extension applications, making up bay units, and so forth.
I presumed things were the same in New England, but they might not even still be the same in Fort Wayne. One thought, though. All of Pella's distributors are (or were!) called "Pella." Not "Brosco," or "Huttig," or some other name. Buying from "Pella" is sorta like getting a Big Mac.
But . . . I still don't like that strip of PVC color you see from the inside, on those AW casement and awning units. They slip something in your soft drink when you took that factory tour in Bayport? They've been known to do that! ;-)
FWIW, the guys that do the great camp weekend palaces here for the rich and famous, either use Pella, or something really expensive. Not that Pella is all that superior, but those Pella salesman and techs out of the local office bend over backward to please. No one can touch them for service, before, during, or after the sale, and as you know, that means just about everything.
Their service is great up 'till the time I fill out the survey card giving a decent review. Anything after that and I'm getting kicjked in the teeth. They already have teir bonus by then.My latest conversation with Pella cust service went like this...Pella - "We aren't coming all the way to the island just for something as small as that"me - " You know what you are telling me about deciding to buy Pella again in the future, don't you?"Pella - "I can't help that, I'm just telling you that if you want the screens resized to fit the windows, You'll have to get them back to us"They had sent the wrong screens
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What is the reason that people here do not like Pella windows? I have a new house full of them that I choose on my own but I'm a big boy and can take the truth.
The problem for me is that the Anderson's have the full vinyl wrap on the glass and it takes away from the all wood appearance on the inside of the building.
I've seen a few Hurd installations which look as good as the Pella ones, and I'm told they're a bit cheaper (though have never looked at the numbers).
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I don't dislike them Rob. I was just sharing one incident I had with them. I just think that there are better windows out there for the money. And if you're in New England, Anderson's availability, pricing, and customer service is just really hard to beat. View Image
Does Brosco (Brockway-Smith) still do the distribution for Anderson?
yes... Andersen consolidated their dealers about two years ago.. now Brosco is exclusive for ( ? ) New EnglandMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
The problem for me is that the Anderson's have the full vinyl wrap on the glass and it takes away from the all wood appearance on the inside of the building.
I'm looking at my Andersen 400 series DH right now trying to see what you mean.
I can see the tracks the windows slide in - vinyl - not sure how to avoid this reliably.
I can see the aluminum between the two panes of glass - also unavoidable?
But otherwise all I see is wood, right up to the glass.
The casements and fixed glass units have some terratone colored material inside the glass, however, if that is the issue you bring up.
Pella are sold by Lowes here, and Andersen by nearly everyone else.
Treat every person you meet like you will know them the rest of your life - you just might!
When we were window shopping the Anderson's had a vinyl wrap around the glazing. This wrap was the same color as the outside color. (white, green, champagne ect) This meant that though I had stained woodwork on the inside of the house I would be looking at a (in my case) a green strip around the glazing. Perhaps the window books were not clear? It was 2 years ago.
Anyway, All the window lines were sold by my local yard in Maine. Availability of parts I'm told is good for both Pella and Anderson. As it is, Truth makes them for both. Correct?
I'm proud to say that their pricing was as good if not better than the big box nit wits. Pricing is better when I get the 10% discount paying w/in 10 days. The service and delivery is always first class. Not bad when the nearest real town is 45 mins away. Bangor or Waterville is 1.5 hours away
I would still like to know why people here don't like Pella?
Rob, you're gonna have to get specific here.
Both of Andersen's casement and awning window product lines, the 200 and 400 series, have the sash assembly frame fully wrapped in vacuum-molded PVC, and thus when looking from the inside, the visible perimeter material from the glass, and inward about one inch, will be that same PVC.
So whatever color you have the outside, let's say it is the dark Terratone, you will see a band of that color on the inside.
I consider this a fault. An unacceptable detail, because I want to see nothing but wood in my sash and frame interior surfaces.
This strip of exterior-color vinyl is not there in any of their double-hung product lines, and that is what I think others are commenting on here.
Those that are saying AWs are best are probably living and working in regions where AW dominates distribution, but don't let that sway your decision. Pella and Marvin are both good companies, with well-designed product lines.
You nailed it on the head! No pun intended.
I did not want to see that color strip on the inside of my windows looking out. Call me anal. Everyone else does.
We did take apart every window and apply the full finish treatment. Once installed the final poly coat was done.
less than high quality and hard to get followup service. Poor fit closing DH. Poor screens.
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You found that out before installation, right?
No, not really. The pellas came with a band holding the sashes that read "do not cut until window has been shimmed and interior casing is applied" When we see those, we don't cut them. But the GC came on site when we were about halfway finished installing them (about 50 windows and doors in this house IIRC). He cut one of the bands because he wanted to check our reveals and the action of the windows. That's when we found out.
He called Pella. They told him to have us continue installing them and they would send someone out to fix them in place. I honestly don't know how the story ends, because that was our last day on site. This "gentleman" also needed to be chased to get my last check, so when we finally did cross paths again I really couldn't care less how his window dilemna had turned out. :)View Image
Sounds like he was one of those guys who's got one of those what goes around comes around things going.
His window problems were just a payback from some past transgression.
But that would be an interesting situation to see resolved.
Glad you got paid, finally.
and stupid mistakes like that are not uncommmon for them
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Which are we really talking about -- AndersOn or AndersEn?
I've been using Loewen fir/clad windows for a while and am very satisfied with them. Don't know about Andersen but they're a little lower than the high-end Marvins.
We found a very small ding in the cladding of an Andersen - don't know who did it but they replaced it. Even shipped it special. Had to use the original sash but that was easy to figure out.
There are some products where you pay a premium for "The Name" and get little for it.
The are others where the NAME is everything.
IMO. Andersen has eaarned the reputation they have for quality.
When you buy a set of windows, You not only buy the product, but you buy the company standing behind it. Andersen has a long history of value in their products and of helping their customers maintain that value through the life of the home.
IMO, there are better windows, at higher prices. There are even worse windows - at higher and at lower prices.
There are quite a few windows that are approximately the same or similar quality and price as Andersens, but without the long term reputation to stand on.
I work primarily on historical homes so Andersens are not often a design fit for me, but on a new home, it is hard to make an argument for buying another brand.
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where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Andersen used to be number one in windows. Look at Marvin very carefully. Their profiles are beefier and they use a top grade of white pine. Most of the houses that I have built used Andersen, but several problems have occurred with the Andersen double hung in my own house. Two sashes have come apart at the corners, one sash has rotted, and one sill has turned spongy. When I called Andersen to inquire on warranty work they asked for the glass date which I gave them and told me they were out of warranty. My family used to own a lumber yard and Andersen always stood behind their product regardless of the glass date.
Wow, a customer service story like yours with Anderson is about impossible to find where I am. I once broke a 15 year old window....in the house across the street from the one I was framing.... and Anderson replaced the sash for me for free! View Image