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Integrity Wood-Ultrex vs Anderson 400 or E-series??

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Deciding between Marvin Integrity Wood-Ultrex windows and Andersen 400’s on a new build. I’d previously decided on the Integrity’s because the Andersen bid came in much higher, but our builder just gave us a bid from Home Depot and they came in $20K (!?!) less than the exclusive Andersen dealer (putting it about $10K less than
the Integrity’s), so they’re back in the game now. I appreciate the expertise and service of the exclusive Andersen dealer (but not enough to pay 20K more!), but our builder says he only orders Andersen windows out of Home Depot b/c they crush the price of the local dealer and they’re the exact same window.

So any opinion on the Integrity Wood-Ultrex vs the Andersen 400 in terms of longevity (I like the looks of both; will be painting white so I don’t care about variety of wood grades; don’t want malfunctioning operating parts in the future)? Also, we may be able to afford the Andersen E-series on many areas of the house with how much cheaper the Home Depot bid is—any informed opinions re. how the E-series (wood interior/extruded aluminum exterior) stacks up against the 400’s (wood interior/Permshield vinyl exterior) or the Integrity’s (wood interior/fiberglass exterior)? We live in very cold, windy Idaho. Thank you!!

Featured Answer

quasiexpert

6 years ago

I would be surprised to see the 400 Series TW have more air infiltration than almost any other tilting window. It has a jambliner that actively pushes against the sash, vs relying on passive weatherstrip for the sash to slide along.

In fact, that is a selling point of the TW for me. Being on the service side of it for the past 15+ years, I really appreciate a well-installed TW. The downside for me is less wood showing on the interior vs the vinyl jambliner.

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Comments (6)

PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
400 series is fine in this case. If there is any real spread in price, I can't see a legitimization for running with the Integrity over the 400. I have heard some complaints about the TW, but I don't know how much merit there is to that.
kawerkamp
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you for weighing in, WOW. So you think the Woodwright are superior to the Tilt-Wash on the 400's (I've heard that elsewhere, but not the details as to why)? Also, do you think there is a significant difference between the performance and longevity we should expect out of the 400's vs. E series (enough to warrant $10K higher price for the E-series)?
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Has anyone recently compared or used the Andersen 100 or 200 series windows? Since I do not care about double hung or need a painted wood interior, we initially decided on the 100 series. After some time I am starting to questions my decision and thankfully still have time before we need to place the order. The 100 series should be a little cheaper than the 200 series, but I guess it boils down to Fibrex which claims to be the best blend of wood and vinyl verses wood interior and vinyl exterior in the 200 and 400 series. Andersen claims Fibrex is more stiff than vinyl, has half the thermal expansion of vinyl and has nearly the same thermal conductivity as vinyl. Someone with knowledge please inform me of the downsides to the 100 series. http://www.andersenwindows.com/-/media/aw/files/brochures/product-guide-100-series-window-door-9045491.pdf
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I did not mean to insinuate that the Andersen does not have a wood interior, just that the Integrity is a nice option that DOES have a wood interior considering other choices comparatively. Andersen recently changed their nomenclature (ie: Eagle windows are now E-series, etc). In the Andersen line, that (e-series) is the choice that I prefer. I do like higher end vinyl windows, but I'm not a huge fan of wood-vinyl combos. I believe that fiberglass-wood, or extruded aluminum (clad) wood are superior options.
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"Its all about distance. If you are doing it for the look from the street, don't bother. If you are doing it for your own view (i.e. interior) go for it." Appreciate all your comments! So many choices . I like the interior look of the Ultimate, but then I think of the problems we had with our previous wood windows, and think the all fiberglass exterior would virtually eliminate any chance of wood rot versus a wood clad product.
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PRO
toddinmn
6 years ago
The biggest advantage of Woodwright is appearance and ease of tilting. If these differences are not that important go with the tilt wash. Performance wise these Windows are very close.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
6 years ago
They are probably both fine. I seem to have read more complaints about the TW being a bit draftier, but I don't know that there is a legitimate reason for that or just folks on the internet claiming it as such.
PRO
toddinmn
6 years ago
The do have or at least did have an air infiltration number of 0.03 . With the Andersen being one of the largest companies and 400 being produced for such a long time and the fact that anyone and everyone installs these I could see there problems popping up more often than others.

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