When I built my home 23 years ago the contractor would only install Weathershield products. I asked him to switch to Pella but he refused. He stated that the weathershield products were far superior to all other brands. I should have "FIRED" that builder. I allowed him to build my house and use the best wood and exterior clad doors and windows that they had at that time The Weathershield windows and especially the 4 section sliding patio door have been a disaster. We had numerous problems and the factory people and their REPS were a joke. We have lived with our bad decision since our house was built. I can't attest to the quality of their products today but when we bought them 23 years ago it was our biggest mistake.

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.

400 series casements are NOT vinyl per se, they are a vinyl clad (they call it Permashield) wood window. What exactly are you referring to as your concern? And what is that large brass colored screw doing there? The caulk in the corners is just that caulk, as far as other issues, not certain what you are speaking of but the installation is obviously not complete. Back up a little bit and take more pictures.

I think the question is whether or not the 400 has any advantages over the 100 if you base it on where they fall in the Andersen line up. The 100 series is a "Fibrex" material which is ultimately a combination of vinyl resins and recycled wood. It will not stain like a 400 series with a wood interior so if that is a requirement, you are married to the 400.