Anyone recently do Andersen 200 series double hungs? Review?

9 years ago

So we are building a new home and we are looking at the Andersen windows.. Talking with the builder he suggested the Andersen 200 series window with low e.. I asked what the price difference would be if we went to Andersen 400 series and he said it would be a $4200 jump.. Nothing that will "break the bank" but we were towards the top end of the budget already.. The builder's opinion is that the 400 series is more of an option opener.. He says you have more color and option choices with the 400 series and that is really the only difference.. He mentioned there was some design differences with the sill but said that we would never notice it and with proper install the 200 series will perform equally to the 400 series.. We plan to be in the house for a long time so I am inclined to just upgrade to the 400 series for the 4200 just for piece of mind, however I wanted to see if anyone on here has recently done the 200 series and can provide some first hand input.. I went to the local home depot and looked at a 200 series window and found it to be very nice.. But again I would love to hear from people who have had them in the house for a while.. We would love to use the 4200 in other areas, but if its truly worth the upgrade then we figure do it now while the cost is minimal..

By the way.. The 4200 would be the upgrade cost for approximately 29 windows.. Roughly 24 double hungs, 2 picture windows, 2 arch windows, 1 casement window..

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

mmarse1
9 years ago
The Andersen 200 is garbage. It looks cheap , has a high air leakage rate, and poor energy efficiency numbers. The andersen woodwrite looks better and is more solid, although not nearly as energy efficient as higher end vinyl offerings such as okna, soft lite, sunrise, or kensington.
njbuilding143
Original Author
9 years ago
Interesting info.. I was told that the energy efficiency of the 200 was pretty much the same as the 400 when you get the option of low e on the 200 series.. Unless you mean that all Andersen windows have crappy energy efficiency.. Will have to look into this more.. As far as looks go we were happy with the way the 200 series looked when we saw it in person.. They had the American Craftsmen on display at home depot as well and we saw the windows that had the vinyl interior which we found to look extremely cheap.. We definitely want a wood interior...
Related Discussions
Andersen 200 vs. 400 series
Q
Comments (42)
I can't compare Andersen with Pella or any others, or the 200 series v. the 400 series, but I bought Anderson double hung windows and a sliding door, and I am sorely disappointed in them. I paid a LOT, esp. or the door. I had no choice but to get the top of the line because I had to get the bronze exterior color. The screens on the windows are flimsy. The hangers for the screen sliding door are plastic and break all the time. I've had problems with a new lock I installed on the sliding doors in December since December…. I would not buy Andersen again. But for all I know, the others are the same. I and so anti-corporate America right now. The greed is out of control; the mentality of cutting on quality in order to increase profits is anathema to me, but that's what they're doing, everywhere.
...See More
Marvin Ultimate Double Hung vs Andersen Woodwright
Q
Comments (3)
I'm a homeowner doing the same research you're doing on DHs. My Ultimate was priced about $470 and the Woodwright was under $350. I couldn't justify the cost of the Marvin window. Plus, with Marvin, I couldn't choose the contractor. Just recently I found the Andersen A-series. It's a line above the Woodwright and in my opinion it is a nicer window. It even has the slick tilt mechanism you're talking about. It is a little more expensive than the Woodwright but still much less than the Marvin Ultimate. We'll be placing our A-series order within the week. I think the A-series has only been out on the market for less than a year and it is only in certain parts of the country so far. I'm in NY and both builders supply companies and Home Depots have them. Good luck with your decision.
...See More
Andersen A Series, Loewen, or Marvin?
Q
Comments (13)
I have worked with Marvin for several years and am very familiar with their products, so I hope I can offer some helpful info. Marvin's aluminum cladding is superior to others. It's extruded rather than roll form -- it's much thicker than the competition. Think of the thickness of a quarter vs. the thickness of a soda can. Marvin also uses a DuPont Kynar finish on its aluminum, which is extremely durable -- you should really have no problems with pitting. I don't know why someone told you that. If you were talking about the very old, 1960s style bare aluminum windows, then I could see pitting develop, but not with a finished aluminum surface. The previous posters are also correct about the difference between Ultrex and Fibrex. Ultrex is a pultruded fiberglass that's stronger than steel and also has a superior finish that's 3 times thicker than the finish on most competing composite products. Since Ultrex is made of glass fibers, it doesn't expand or contract with heat or cold, so the odds are better that the seal between the glass and frame will remain intact. One thing to clarify: Ultrex fiberglass is offered in Marvin's Integrity and Infinity lines of windows. The Marvin brand window is a wood window that comes either as all-wood or wood with aluminum clad exterior. Integrity (which is probably what you're considering) is available either in all-Ultrex or Wood-Ultrex, with fiberglass on the outside and wood on the interior. Over the last few years, I have replaced most of the windows in my house (in Minnesota) with both Marvin wood windows and all-Ultrex Integrity windows. I've been extremely happy with the performance of both.
...See More
Andersen 200 question
Q
Comments (21)
We just had 200 series installed and they are correct regarding the pitch of the sill, water does splash inside when it rains if you leave it cracked a little for air. Maybe that won't matter to you but I find it really annoying. I like to keep the window open a tiny bit when it rains especially in the warmer months when a good storm brings cooler air through. This is the same when it starts to rain hard and the window is open because you haven't gotten to it yet, the inside gets soaked, worse than my old 'sill pitched' window. i could always bring the top sash down a bit for air when it rains but I think that will be a pain with blinds and curtains etc. I'm disappointed with them. Also the screens are flimsy. Hope this helps
...See More
HomeSealed_WI
9 years ago
The American Crafstman is about the worst example of a vinyl window that you can find. Not wise to assess vinyl as an option based on that.

What is your list of priorities for the project? Color int and ext? Every material has different pros and cons, it is recommended to first establish what you want/need from a window and then figure out a material, followed by product choice.
njbuilding143
Original Author
9 years ago
I know that the American Craftsman may be one of the lower quality windows, however I was simply referring to the appearance.. The vinyl appearance, in my opinion, is very cheap looking.. Does not matter if it is a Craftsman window or top brand name vinyl maker.. It is not something I would want on the interior of my home.. I know that going based of looks is not always the best way to shop, but I would definately want a wood interior on the windows..
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
9 years ago
I tend to think the Integrity is one of the nicer wood interior window out there.

I think that is an option worth taking a peak at.

Anyone recently do Andersen 200 series double hungs? Review?

Comments (5)

mmarse1

njbuilding143
Original Author

Related Discussions

HomeSealed_WI

njbuilding143
Original Author

Windows on Washington Ltd

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Anyone recently do Andersen 200 series double hungs? Review?

Comments (5)

mmarse1

njbuilding143Original Author

Related Discussions

HomeSealed_WI

njbuilding143Original Author

Windows on Washington Ltd

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

njbuilding143
Original Author

njbuilding143
Original Author