Are Andersen windows @ HomeDepot inferior quality?

[Inspector507]

Hey I have awning windows in my house and would like to replace them. I've looked at new awning style windows and man are they pricey.
Yes you can leave them open in the rain /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[snmhanson]

JDGreen - I think the extension jamb issue I was talking about is only on the 200 series, not the 400 series. We have both and the 400 series casements took an extension jamb that went all the way to the window frame eliminating the seam. The 200 series are all made initially for 2x4 walls and then the extension jamb is butted to the window jamb midway between the window frame and edge of the wall. Maybe the seam is just something I notice being the homeowner and around them all the time. I took a picture of our 200 series to show what I'm talking about. I also took a picture of our 400 series casement windows but I'm not sure if I can attach multiple picutres in this post. If not I'll attach it to another post immediately after this one. The pictures came out a little fuzzy but show what I'm talking about. I don't know if anyone cares to see them but here they are if you do.

Awning windows - We have one in our toilet room in the master bathroom and I really like it. We put it in for precisely that reason - it could be left open if it rains. I am also getting an awning window for my dogs' house (shed) that I'm building for that same reason. I think I may add a few to our house in the future also.

I think Anderson is good quality for the money. If you want the absolute best then pay the extra and go with something else. However, we get nothing but compliments on our windows.

Matt

 

[snmhanson]

Here is the picture of the casements from the post above.

Matt

 

[Golfgar4]

Well, there's always another side to every discussion, right?

We had Anderson windows installed in our home when we built it in '89. Sorry, but I do not recall the model number.

It was, without a doubt, the absolute worse decision we made in building the home. The windows came from the largest lumberyard in our area, and were spec'd by the builder.

Almost without exception, every window had air seepage problems when the wind was blowing to the extent that it sounded like we had train whistles blowing all over the house at the same time! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif And I'm not talking about those infrequent days of wind gusts of 40 or 50 mph. I'm talking about fairly frequent days of 15 - 20 mph winds.

We literally spent the first 4 years in the house battling with Anderson, who said it was our builders fault, and our builder, who said it was Anderson's fault. Finally, after a lot of very heated discussions and the involvement of a couple of attorneys, we got both Anderson and our builder to work out a deal and we got new windows.

And no, we did not re-install Anderson windows. We went with Pella, and have never regretted it.

Now, in all fairness, I do want to say that my wife is involved in new home design and construction (she wasn't back in '89), and many of her clients have Anderson windows and are very happy with them. Maybe what someone mentioned earlier about a change in Anderson policies/procedures is accurate, and they put together very good units now.

But from my perspective, Anderson will still be a bit farther down my list of vendors that I would select from. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Junkman]

Golfgar...... windows like car doors, if not properly installed will always leak air. The key is that they have to be properly aligned in the opening and the opening must be true in all directions for the window to seal properly. If the window opening isn't square or one corner is not parallel with the other three corners, then the window is going to be racked and it will cause the problems that you refer to in your post. Pella makes a good window, but even the least expensive or the most expensive window must be properly installed if it is to work properly. This goes for any product. You can purchase the best tools in the world, but that isn't going to make a mechanic out of you and the best tractor that money can buy isn't going to make you any better a operator. Installing windows properly sometimes requires more than a carpenter, it requires a craftsman. My problem with Andersen is the tri-pane glazing failure and it has nothing to do with the installation. It has everything to do with the manufacturing process of the glass itself, which Andersen is well aware of, but chooses not to replace all at once. They just replace what fails one at a time. I will be stuck with the problem after the 20 year warranty even though they have been failing for the past 19 years, a few every year. I only wish that I could accelerate the process on the remaining few that haven't failed. I am not pleased that I have a home that has a variety of glazing that is a smattering of all that has been offered in the last 19 years. They replace what fails with current production product, which is constantly different from previous years in little ways.

 

[PineRidge]

Our place is 4 years old and we have Anderson windows throughout, and French doors in the living room and master bedroom. The only problem that I have experienced is one window in my office when opened makes a loud pop when a spring retracts. Not sure what to do about it though. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[JJT]

We went with Anderson's on the first house, they were good quality for a fair price.

When we built the 2nd house we did a little more home work and went with Pella, excellent quality for a fair price.

That was 10 years ago, we have 37 Pella windows in this house and have never had a problem. I'd go with Pella again in a heart beat.

 

[bebster]

I'm with you on the awning window idea. In fact, I've got awnings above and double hungs below as my standard window design. I like the idea of just leaving the awnings open in the summer and not having to worry about rain getting in. I've attached a sketch of this combination, where these two windows go in an opening cut into my structural insulating panel.

Thanks to everyone for all the input on this HD quality question.

 

[Junkman]

You can simplify the installation and framing by having the unit built as a single piece by Andersen. I have a similiar design in my home. A awning over a picture window and a double awning over a picture window. You might have to go to a lumber yard to get the order done correctly, but it won't cost you any more and it will be easier for framing and for finish work inside. I suggest that you contact Andersen customer service for more details.

 

[snmhanson]

We have several places where three double hung windows are all next to each other and to get them ganged by the lumber yard would have cost us a couple hundred more per set. Maybe that varies depending on where you get them. I think it would have made them easier to install, but it also limits your flexibility in terms of spacing between the windows. For me it was hard to tell how far apart I wanted the windows spaced until we had them here. Also, if you are going to install alarm sensors it would probably be easier to run the wires and install the sensors if the windows are installed seperately. However, if it didn't increase the cost I may have had them ganged together anyway for simplicity. I guess it just would have taken a little forethought. Just my two cents.

Matt