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| Can someone give me the rundown on the difference between the Andersen 200 series, 400 series and architectural series windows? I've looked at their website and clearly the architectural series offers the most options but beyond the options for hardware, colors, etc. what are the differences? I'm trying to educate myself on the energy efficiency of windows so I'm guessing that is also part of the differences. Also, are there other alternatives to Andersen that you'd recommend? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by mydreamhome (My Page) on Thu, Aug 23, 12 at 21:46
| I'm a Marvin Integrity Marvin Ultimate girl, myself when it comes to a clad window. The Andersen windows are beautiful, however, they have a reputation for failing in a myriad number of ways. That's the bad news. The good news is that they do stand behind their windows and will correct the problem. You may want to post on the Windows Forum. I've also posted a link to a post on windows where I listed out what my research had uncovered including the Andersens. Hope this helps! |
Here is a link that might be useful: Window Research Thread
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- Posted by Renovator8 (My Page) on Thu, Aug 23, 12 at 23:14
| First, to properly compare windows you must specify the type of operation because there is little in common between them. To make it simple I will assume you are talking about double hungs. The Andersen Architectural series is a monumental aluminum clad wood window that is about 8 time more expensive than the 200 series model so it would serve no purpose to compare them. The rest of the Andersens you mentioned have wood frames with vinyl cladding and there are very few colors. The sill of the 200 series doesn't slope enough or overhang enough to keep water out of the building and has a wood sash painted with PPG Flexicron instead of a cladding although Andersen likes to call it a cladding. This is a builder/developer window that can be bought at great discount from professional supply houses. The 400 series "Tilt-Wash" has the same painted sash as the 200 but the frame is vinyl clad and has a proper sill. The 400 series (yes, it is confusing) "Woodwright" has the same frame and sill as the Tilt Wash but the sash is clad with a plastic and sawdust composite called "Fibrex". Marvin makes an extruded aluminum clad wood window in endless colors that would be difficult to compare to the Andersen windows. It's only drawback is that it has a poorly designed sill and needs to have a PVC sub-sill added below it but this is usually needed with any high end window. Skimpy sill nosings are "in". |
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- Posted by EngineerChic (My Page) on Fri, Aug 24, 12 at 7:41
| You really want to go to a showroom and look at the windows from the inside and outside in order to make your decision. If you are near Boston I suggest JB Window & Sash in Chelsea. I think this is one of those things you can't figure out from pictures and pamphlets online. Then again, I'm a bit of a nut about windows. |
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- Posted by Renovator8 (My Page) on Fri, Aug 24, 12 at 9:56
| JB Sash & Door gives the same commercial supplier price to homeowners, builders and architects but they are justifiably suspicious of homeowners who are trying to get a quote so they can ask Home Depot to beat it. Another good source is J&C Adams in Cambridge who are even more paranoid about being "shopped" by consumers. Both of these companies will give you good advice, a fair price and deliver when they say they will because they have special dealership status with the window companies and Home Depot, Lowes, etc. do not. |
Here is a link that might be useful: JB Sash & Door Inc
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| Thanks for the replies. We're in the early stages of planning and pricing. The builder that we met with suggested Andersen 200 windows and I was a bit surprised. I haven't gotten to the point of researching windows but in the few threads I've followed, the 400 and architectural series were mentioned. Our build isn't completely high end but it's definitely higher-end. In other words, we're not expecting anything "builder-grade" in this home. I really thought he knew that from some of the finishes and features I described. He didn't ask for a budget from us so I know he's not trying to fit within a number. We haven't selected him yet but he was on our short list based on recommendations. Guess I need to make sure we're all on the same page. |
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| Our plan currently calls for Andersen 200 tilt+wash double hungs, but I'm having a little reservation due to this: "The sill of the 200 series doesn't slope enough or overhang enough to keep water out of the building and has a wood sash painted with PPG Flexicron instead of a cladding although Andersen likes to call it a cladding. This is a builder/developer window that can be bought at great discount from professional supply houses." Is the water issue something that can be addressed or "fixed" during installation?? Should I be avoiding this window? |
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| Go for the 400's. Many contractors will steer you towards the 200's but they really are slightly better than a "builders grade" window. Go to the showroom and feel the difference. They open better, they feel much sturdier, worth the money IMHO. Our contractor has been very upfront and honest with us and he was one of the only ones when we were receiving bids to suggest that we do not downgrade to the 200's to save money. It's a significant number, but then again think about it why would there be such a big difference in price if they were virtually the same product? |
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- Posted by Renovator8 (My Page) on Tue, Aug 28, 12 at 17:52
| The first thing to look at in a window design is the sill detail. If the window manufacturer is serious about the window the sill will have a downward and outward slope and there will be a drip groove under the nose of the sill and a groove to receive the top of the exterior cladding material. This is the way windows have been successfully designed for hundreds of years because water still runs over a sill nose and tries to travel back against the cladding and if it is successful water will get behind your siding and possibly inside your wall cavity. Here is the Andersen 200 TW sill detail: Here is the Andersen 400 TW sill detail. Both windows are competitively priced because they have a tough paint coating instead of a cladding. But for weather resistance gravity is your friend if you use it properly. The 200 can be detailed so it doesn't leak under the flat sill by adding a properly sloped and grooved sub-sill just below the flat sill or using sill flashing that comes out between the next lower courses of siding but I would start with a window designed to shed water. |
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