We went with the Andersen 400 (casements, sliders and fixed pane). Because of the grid design we wanted, we had to do the 400's, especially in the custom sized windows. We have had good customer service (large custom arch window arrived with loose grids and they replaced/installed the entire window and also sent out some defective slider window hardware.) Overall we have been happy with our window choice. In MN we have some extreme temperatures and they have performed well. One tip, initially we got a bid from Home Depot, but the wait time on them was quite long. We took the HD bid to our local lumber yard where they matched the price and the windows came in sooner. My understanding is that HD sends their orders into a central office and they are held there until they get enough orders for a volume discount. The local lumber yard order went directly in to Andersen. Something to think about if you are on a tight time frame. Also, if you sign up at the Andersen web site they will send you offers for rebates and incentives. Unfortunately our windows were received just after the offer ended so we couldn't take advantage of it. But you might want to check it out. Jill

I strongly recommend that you avoid Marvin Windows. In 2011 I spent thousands installing what I believed to be high-end durable Marvin windows: 6 casements and 3 double hung. The casements are not durable and wear poorly. Within the first year, the hardware was broken and on several occasions I was unable to close one window (an "utlimate" casement with transom). The casement hardware is cheap and poorly designed. Here are specifics: 1 - Antique brass hardware on three casements is not solid and the finish peels and bubbles. Screws rusted, loosened and now protrude from the handles. In addition, the hardware is loose -- it jiggles when turning the handle. 2- The locking mechanism on the "ultimate" casement gets stuck on occasion. My contractor had to come open my window this week because it was cold -- there was a 1/4 inch gap between the two panels. In addition, the bottom sill is loose. 3 - Second floor casement windows have plastic hardware that are also loose. The tongue into which the lock slides keeps falling out. No problems with the double hung windows, which have solid metal hardware. To be clear, the problem is with the manufacturing, not with the distributor (Super Enterprises) which has been responsive. BOTTOM LINE: If you NEVER OPEN your windows, consider Marvin. Otherwise, look elsewhere.

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

The original post makes no sense. First, the company is Andersen; Anderson went out of business long ago. The Andersen 400 series is made in 2 versions, the Wainwright and the Tilt-Wash. Both have vinyl clad wood frames but the former has a fibrex (PVC & wood fiber composite) clad wood sash and the latter has a PPG Flexicron epoxy painted sash. The 200 series has a vinyl wrapped wood frame and a painted sash. In the regular and Tilt-Wash versions its inferior in every way to the 400 series. Renewal by Andersen is a separate division that sells and installs all-Fibrex replacement windows directly to homeowners so builders and architects rarely sue them. I would say the recent post is SPAM if it weren't for the misspelling of the company name.