I am replacing windows in our cottage in western PA. So far I have put in 2 Pella Thermal Star new construction, solid vinyl, double hungs with internal grids and Argon gas. Size was standard 39 1/4 x 49 1/2. Puchased from Lowes for $262.08 each. Called Home Depot this time just for the heck of it and they have Anderson 400 series Engery Star with same features as the Pellas for $168.18 each. HD is running 20% off on windows till Jan 18th.
Only difference I can see is Anderson standard size is 38 1/4 x 49 1/4. Are the Pella’s worth the extra $100?
I am not a contractor and I am having installation done by relatives.
Thanks for your input, this is a great forum.
Gary
Replies
some Pella units have nicer detailing, butr probably not on the vinyl
Andersen is by far a better company - which will be important ten years from now if you have a problem. BTW, when speaking of Andersen, I say IF you have trouble, but when speaking of Pella, I say WHEN you have trouble
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our company uses anderson. WE have on several occasions used pella and i have found no differance in qualty,operation, or ease of install. my 2 cents says buy the anderson, but not from home despot.
andersens from HD are the same as from elsewhere. They just don't have all the sizes that Andersen makes. HD tries to beat up all manufacturers for better prices. Andersen's reply is sure, we'll cut the price for you but you can only buy these certain sizes and you will have to tqke X # of them every month.
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cooper, why not from the big box? Service? What do you have to pay for "this service"?
for some reason the hd's around here just arent that good. I orded some bath vanities once from them. my root canal went easier. As for the windows, i really couldnt tell you. I was going to order some andersons from them for a side job and they didnt even have any brochuers! I just wanted some info on the 400 series to show the customer but they had none .the guy called 2 other stores and they had none either. I called our companies rep at the supplier we normally use and got the info the next day.
Around here the Anderson preferred (high-volume) dealer will beat HD price and they deliver for free. Niantic, CT
The Andersens are fine. The quality of installation is much more important, especially when doing a retrofit with "new construction" windows. Make sure your installer is really good with flashing details, etc.
Also be aware that Andersen will probably not guarantee those windows. I have had several Andersen reps tell me over the last few years that the only windows they guarantee for retrofit are Renewal by Andersen, which only they sell and install at a very steep price. Putting new construction windows in a retrofit is considered a deliberate mis-application and voids the warranty. I believe Pella does the same exact thing, but I haven't checked. Perhaps someone else can advise.
DG/Builder
The pella distributor here has never even suggested no warranty in retrofit, while helping in the sizing of the custom builts. They know where they are going and how. Warranty items have been taken care of quickly. If the install is according to their approved methods, the warranty is good. I would question Andersen direct on the same thing. I can't understand them not sticking behind their product if the install is according to their specs. A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Well, apparently that is exactly the rub. Their (Andersen) specs for "new construction" do not have any provision for using as retrofit, therefore a retrofit does not meet their spec.
I had several customers who wanted Andersen in remodels and that is how I came to ask the question. The answer each time was the same. Use Renewal. The customers did not want to pay for Renewal.
I would be curious if anyone has obtained warranty coverage (actual service or reimbursement) for an Anderson "new" used in a retrofit.
DG/Builder
You forced me to think back a ways. Andersen frenchwood sliders. One the door panel weatherstrip/end plate that interlock with the fixed unit..........and a couple locking mechanisms for same. 1 door 10 yo at the time of warranty req. and the other a couple y.o.
DBL HNG sash-latching mechanism, plastic div. lites, and tensioning mech. 8 yo.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
I can think of four times that I have used Andersens in renovatyions and was never warned off using the 400 series. If the renew series is higher priced, it is likely the policy of the sales force tyo upgrade your window and their profit
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Paul, He got my interest up. I read the warranty and called Andersen. Both support the thinking we have about their product. Warranty is good for wherever you put your andersen as long as you install in an andersen approved method. You can put them on a boat perhaps?
So dg had better contact these reps that are passing misinformation, and probably should have questioned Andersen Hdqtrs in this matter b/4 providing the information given above.
They are right on the higher price of the Renewal Series.
Maybe they were Renewal reps.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
You got houseboats in Ohio?;)
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Sure.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Great discussion fellows. Thank you all. Mike you are correct in assuming we removed the siding and installing as new construction. We also tore out the old sheetrock walls and are redoing 1 room at a time from the frame in.
Due to your overwhelming response in favor of Anderson I will go with them.Gary
3 pieces of advice:
Read the installation instructions carefully.
Follow them.
relax.
Andersen has had it's problems but they take care of them... by far complaints that result from poor installation and building practices outweigh defective product. If you could see what I've seen....
Gary,
My mistake. Since you are essentially doing a new install, by all means use Andersen. We use them and are very happy with them. I would use them even at even price, let alone a price advantage.
DG/Builder
dg....you are assuming something not stated.. that they are going to use this window as a "replacement" window and install it like a " replacement " window..
i think it more likely they are going to install it as a new construction window just like in new construction... ( strip the siding , flash the opening, install the nail fins ......)
also... even if they install it wrong... Andersen is still going to warrant the window..
if it is square and on-plane, not hour glassed... they will warrant it not to leak..
if it leaks AROUND the window... that was never part of anyone's warranty anyways
my choice... the Andersen.... but don't expect any hand-holding from Home Depot...
if you want hand holding... go to a "circle of excellence " Andersen Dealer
and on the Renewals..... hah... i can install those if i want... Andersen has a program to encourage me to do it... they will see that i am qualified for the installationMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Not true on the Andersens. They warrant the product, not the installation.Now - who is it that you refer to as Andersen reps?the only reps I have seen from Andersen were at the factory and from the stocking dealer in my area. That means the local 'rep' is the salesman at the lumberyard. If your rep is the same, do as always with any salesman - take the words with a grain of salt.It was at the Andersen factory that I saw the product being packaged and labeled for shipment and learned what I know if their processes. I have heard dozens of stories of them standing behind their product many years after the original warrantee was gone.
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Another vote for Andersen. I don't like Pella products, especially their prices.
I like to use Marvin or Anderson. I've use Pella before and they were allright but one thing I found annoying was that they have these cords attached to the sash that prevents you from removing them from the frame. I like to remove the sash so it is easier to finish them. It saves a lot of time and I can do a better job.
Don't want to Hi-jack the this message , but........
I was following your thread about your house being built in Brazil , lost trac about March of 2005 . Thought it was very interesting, especially liked your pictures , and comments . How is it going , any new pictures ?
DAVE
I left Brazil for the States to work again in April 2005. I got back down to Brazil at the end of October but haven't posted anything yet. I had to wait for this light gauge steel that I'm using but things are going full bore right now(well, as full bore as one guy can do in 100+ degrees). I'll probably post something soon in the Photo Gallery under Cheesehead building in Brazil Part 2, unless I can come up with a more creative title. I'm glad you liked the photos.
GREAT !
I'll be looking for it.
DAVE
Ifyou could send me an E-MAIL .
Edited 1/15/2006 12:24 pm ET by DPR9
Pellas I have used - the cord stys with the frame and sash comes out. Check your instructions. Way I remember it, you lift the sah four inchs, tilt it in, the with sash parrallel to floor, lift quick on one side.
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I vote Andersen, and I have had equal luck working with local HD and local yards. HD may not stock every product that Andersen makes, but they order from the same distributer (Brosco) that every other lumberyard in this area gets them from. I have gotten quotes from HD and local yards on the same Andersen units and the prices are nearly always identical (or close enough) so I actually have no preference where I get them. The only big difference is that HD seems to get more regular deliveries (I think 2x/week) from Brosco so units that need to be shipped usually arrive sooner at HD. If I need an in-store item, it's HD all the way since my local yards do not stock anything (other than building materials of course). If it's an order that I need delivered to a site, I usually go with the local yard as I have more confidence in their delivery service (HD seems to have a new driver every month).
Furthermore, as others have mentioned, I have had/or heard of Andersen standing behind door/window units that were in excess of 20-30 years old, and the parts are always available.