I went with Andersen for windows and doors... loved the look (and cost) of their traditional line in the sandy color
I recently replaced an entire house with new windows. As much as I would have LOVED to have read an article like this (frank opinions and real advice), there were none to be found. Ahhh but lucky you… read no further… for yes, this is it. The big, old, article on which window brand is best.
Things I considered in buying windows:
- Cost
- Quality (in a different market this might have come first but seeing as how I am the last known shareholder of CitiBank Stock besides the Federal Gov’t … cost is a biggy),
- Appearance: In the end, looks are everything!
Things I didn’t really give a hoot about:
- Ease of installation (I had a contractor doing the work),
- Availability of product (in other words, we weren’t buying off the floor and had some time to get the order filled).
THE FINDINGS:
Pella
Great windows, beautiful showrooms and on-site design and build options but really, really, really expensive. Whether I used their contractor or ours; bought from the showroom in our neighborhood or through a distributor. These guys were hands down the most expensive and therefore not the ones I selected.
- Cost: 40-50% higher than the rest
- Quality: very high quality although not superior to any of the others. Their window sales people were the best dressed though… if that counts?
- Appearance Options: the best. If you must have hot pink windows to match your fuchsia home, these are your windows.
Eagle
Eagle claims they are the middle of the road option between Andersen windows and Pella windows so I actually went to Eagle with a bias thinking they would be the ones I would choose. In fact, I was not any more impressed with their product than I was with Andersen’s however the cost is higher. Interestingly enough, Eagle is owned by Andersen.
- Cost: 10% higher than my Andersen quote
- Quality: Top Notch… my neighbor went with Eagle on his new build and the windows are great.
- Appearance Options: A few more options to customize than Andersen but less than Pella. Good option if you need some customization and definitely cheaper than our little Pella Friends.
Andersen
For vinyl clad wood windows, I could not be happier. Andersen offered a couple of different color choices for the windows and in my case, one of the colors was perfect for the house. The styles were numerous and configurable and the quote beat the rest. Interestingly enough… I negotiated a bulk deal on all the windows with a local window supplier. His quote was also cheaper than the big box stores (Lowes & Home Depot) as they don’t have the flexibility to do the big bulk discounts.
- Cost: lowest of all my quotes
- Quality: Excellent. I was as impressed with the quality of Andersen’s windows as I was with the others.
- Appearance: If the standard colors that Andersen offers work with your remodel you are set. If you are looking for anything other than their standard offering of taupes, neutrals, black, white, greys and greens… then Andersen won’t work.
What are the folks saying?