I know this is an old thread. If anyone is still reading, I'm looking for advice on replacing our windows and sliding glass doors at our beach house. We have 8 casement windows and 3 sliding doors. We were going to go with vinyl new construction windows and doors until we started hearing negative information about the durability of vinyl. We are doing this once so want to do it right. The sliders also face south and get hot afternoon sun. Also we are undecided between white or black exterior trim (white inside) but that's a whole other decision to make! We will be visiting both Pella and Andersen this week. We are looking at possibly the Pella Impervia fiberglass line, or the Andersen 100 Series Fibrex. We need to make a decision quickly to get the product ordered. This will be done in tandem with a deck replacement and siding replacement with Certainteed vinyl white board and batten. Any advice and recommendations are appreciated. Thanks!

Pella windows are superior than Andersen and I'll tell you why. Andersone uses a vinyl cladding that uses fusion welds at the corners. Now these welds are extremely stong but ther problem is that vinyl (plastic) has a large expansion and contraction rate. With temps. ranging from 100 deg. to minus 0 your vinyl cladding will try to move but the fusion welds will not allow it. Whats happens?? The vinyl has to go somewhere so it either bows and buckles or it pulls away from the glazing. Ghink about it, take for example vinyl siding. When installing vinyl sididng you don't nail it directly to the house, you hang it. The reason is because you have to allow for the expansion and contraction. Secondly, vinyl fades over time, no if ands or buts about it.It will also chalk. Rub your hands across vinyl siding tha is a year or more old and you will notice that it chalks all over your hand, the same thing will happen with the window and will make it utterly a pain in the keaster to clean --- Now, in terms of Pellas aluminum cladded windows your are one getting a solid wood window but also a durable high gaged alauminum that does not fade or chalk. It does not use welds or other agents at the joints either, instead it miters its' joints and overlaps them in a watershed technique, just as roofing, siding, and all other H20 proofing does. Moreover, Pellas windows match the historic look of older homes much better then the rest which is one of the many reasons I use them. I have never had a problem getting historic approval in all of New England with Pella which I can't say for Andersen nor many others. Pella windows are constructed so much better its really not even funny. I messed aroun d for many years using different windows on my projects but for the last six to seven years I have only used/recommended Pella and have created a solid and satisfied base of people I ve built homes for that love their windows. Lastly, their service is truly been second to none in my book. They really stand by their product from my experience. So, in my 20 years of building homes on both coasts I have to say Pella is going to provide you with a better looking and more durable window.

Alexsis, seriously? What about your shower waterproofing, HVAC system, vapor barrier - every single thing in your house has to be installed according to the manufacturer's specifications. Otherwise the warranty is void, at a minimum. If you're really unlucky your home insurance could be called into question. Be upset with your contractor, not Andersen.

I am not someone who posts reviews on the internet, particularly negative feedback. But, given how much false information and untrue ads are out there for the “high quality” of Marvin, I have decided to do what is right and post my experience with them on a few websites, such as Houzz. Four months after we placed the order, Marvin delivered the windows. Some of the windows had obviously been dropped before delivery. Scratches on the outer frames and bumps on the inner side clearly showed that. We noted the issues as they were unloading the windows and took pictures on their truck. They may claim that they have good quality windows, but when they are dropped it basically does not matter anymore as the structure of the windows is certainly compromised. As for customer service, the windows were delivered in April and we notified the vendor and Marvin of the issues immediately as they were still unloading the windows. Four months later, we are still nowhere and nothing has been fixed. They just delivered one wrong frame for a window which we never asked for a fix and they are not even coming to remove it from my property. No word on when they are going to fix the windows. Total mess on their side and non-existing post-sale support. === Update of October 2021 I got an email from Marvin regional manager today; and it's the middle of OCTOBER -- 6 months after installation date. They plan to replace the broken sashes -- get ready -- in JANUARY NEXT YEAR. This joke is not even funny. Stay away from this company at all cost. They couldn't care less about you once they have your money. Go with anyone but Marvin. I mean, the worst thing that can happen is that you get broken windows and they never fix it --- well, that's Marvin.