i love andersen double hungs 400 series. where are you in south dakota? i dont like casements because the screens are on the inside.i like andersen sliders because the screens are on the outside.if your patio door screens are on the inside when you go to close the door you let a few bugs in every time. bugs are a big problem in south dakota.

We looked at many different types of windows. In all cases, we were looking for a mix of casement, fixed and awning windows with a simulated checkrail so that they look double hung but do not require screens on the outside. In the end, the front runners where Andersen 400 Series and Marvin (not Integrity). We ended up going with Marvin's but I think that both are great windows. We are in the Midwest also and believe they will be energy efficient and beautiful. Good luck. Jaymie

We are in Wisconsin and have Andersen 400 series casement windows--Low E and UV protection. We have several very tall casement window and the opening mechanism has worked great. We had not so nice casement windows in our old house, and we made sure we had nicer windows in this house.

I haven't operated the new double-hungs, but we're very pleased with our Pella casements. When you close that hasp they seal up like something on a Star Trek entrance hatch.

I regret that our overhangs are not deep enough over every casement.

I seem to think it is really cold there. Any reason to not use triple pane?

1. Do your homework. Here is a good place to start. http://www.efficientwindows.org/manu_products.cfm?mid=2716&cid=65&pid=32&new=N

2. Brand makes no difference (unless you are buying it as a status symbol). Go by specifications. You can learn about them in the above site.

3. The major brand names charge a LOT for their names. You can purchase windows with just as good ratings as the famous (heavily advertised) brands for much less money. I paid prox 8,000 for 43 very high quality windows. Simonton. VEry happy with them. There are many others.

Specifcations don't tell you everything like quality of construction, fit and finish. If you go with a lesser known brand, be sure to talk to people in your area (same climate and heating/cooling cycles) who have actually owned the windows for several years (I'd say at least 5 so that they will have had them for several seasons). Low E windows don't do you any good if the seal breaks on the windows, and it is my understanding that the quality of the assembly of the window can affect that as well as the quality of the installation in your new house. The seal on every pane of glass in our old house broke--I don't know if it was due to the installation or to a manufacturing defect, or both, but I do know that we weren't happy! A window construction expert used to frequent this forum and hopefully he will see your post and tell you have to pick out good windows. I think brand does make a difference in the sense that a well known brand has a widely known reputation, track record and service record which makes it is easier to know what you are getting.

We have Anderson - an assortment of double hung and casement/awning. I like them. If doing it again, I might have opted for more casements and awnings rather than the double hung. The casements are so easy to crank open. The awning type is particularly nice. We moved in during winter and now that spring is here, I'm taking more interest in using the windows. Our house is only a few months old so they'd better be performing well at this stage. We recently rented a house that had many problems with the windows. I won't mention the brand name. My feeling was that the problem was really with the construction of the house. It felt like the windows were not installed properly and therefore could not work as they were supposed to. The house was only six years old yet many casement windows did not shut properly. There was also a problem with handles breaking. At any rate, I would check the warranties for any product you buy and make sure the company will stand behind the product. And, as mentioned, talk to people who have owned the product. As far as other brands, my mom replaced all her windows with Jen-weld and I think they are nice. (granted, the house is 115 years old and the old windows were the type with the rope inside so anything new is a big improvement!)

We replaced an old slider with a Pella and what a difference! Eight years later it still glides shut. Has the automatic spring-type of screen on it that closes by itself. But my favorite feature is the blinds between the glass. Even with dogs and kids those blinds are straight and have never seen a spec of dust. We are in Minnesota.