Andersen 400 Windows from Home Depot - Are they equal?

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

A trusted contractor recently told me that Andersen windows from Home Depot, at least the 400 series, aren't the same as those bought from other resellers. He also said that replacement parts for Andersen windows bought from Home Depot can only be purchased from there.

I recently got a quote for a house full of 400 series casements from both a lumber yard and Home Depot, and the 'depot quote was substantially lower. So I'd like to buy from there if all is equal.

Thoughts?

Featured Answer

res2architect

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Home Depot often sells the same Andersen window for less. For that reason my independent Andersen dealer (who has saved my bacon many times over 50 years) no longer sells Andersen windows so I no longer specify them. I don't know where Andersen intends to go with this policy but I wouldn't be surprised if Home Depot eventually becomes the only supplier of their windows.

The disadvantages are a lack of knowlege of Andersen's products and windows in general; inaccurate orders; unreliable delivery scheduling and poor customer service.

IMO, Andersen has now joined Pella.

However, I've yet to find a lumberyard that was more reliable than Home Depot. Are there no independent dealers in your area?

Wherever you go for windows, carefully check the order yourself for safety glass, dimensions, bedroom and basement emergency escape & rescue opening sizes, fall protection devices, mullion types and configurations, door swing and slide directions, screens and hardware.

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Comments (11)

oberon476
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Your contractor is incorrect.

There is absolutely no difference between AW from Home Depot and any other source.
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Bradley Beck
Original Author
2 years ago
oberon476 - thanks.

RES2 - thanks. There are certainly independent lumber yards in my area, but for $4k I can't see myself buying windows from them instead of Home Depot if the product is identical.
J Sk
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I echo what Res said. Check or have someone who you trust and is knowledgeable to go trough your order many times before signing anything. Talking about my on experience.
oberon476
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I would agree with the above comments.

It's very unlikely that Andersen is going to mess up your order, but not as uncommon as you would hope for HD not to mess up the order.

Make sure that the order is EXACTLY what you want and don't accept it until you are 100% comfortable with all aspects of the order.
Shannon_WI
2 years ago
I would like some clarity on the order-of-things in this situation. Would the OP be buying the windows directly from HD himself? Who measures the windows to see what to order? Who installs the windows in that situation? An HD subcontractor? If it is an HD subcontractor, I would not do that. Too many stories about problems with HD subcontractors - after all, their name is not on the job, HD's is, and try taking any complaints to an enormous multinational company where you are just a speck to them.

If the OP is ordering the windows from HD, but not having an HD subcontractor measure and install, then how would it work? Would the OP buy the windows from HD, and then hire his own contractor to do the installation? Maybe it's regional, but in my area no independent windows contractor would agree to this.
Bradley Beck
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks all for the comments.

J Sk - I've actually ordered windows from Home Depot before, and agree that the sales people generally just hand over a sheet of paper and ask you to sign, instead of thoughtfully reviewing it with you.

Shannon_WI - This is for a new house, and an architect specified the rough openings for the windows. My framer will install them for me. I've also heard the horror stories about Home Depot contractors and would never use them.
PRO
HomeSealed Exteriors, LLC
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
All good advice above.

Same window? Yes.

With that said, I'd pay a little more to deal with a more helpful and professional supplier both to ensure that the orginal order is correct, and also for dealing with future service. Sure HD isn't going anywhere, but the person that helped you probably will and his pimple-faced replacement may order the new warranty parts wrong twice before getting it right.

Certainly everything can and does goes smoothly sometimes as well, it just decreases the odds when you are dealing with less qualified people and you are essentially just a number.

$4k is a signigicant chunk of change (must be a lot of windows), but it can also get burned up quickly when the order was entered wrong and you missed it when signing off....

Just speaking from what I've seen and experienced, take it for whatever its worth to you.
J Sk
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
In our case, we had to provide blue prints of the house with spec for the windows in Home Depot and based on that the "Regional Designer" from Andersen who was working with Home Depot was responsible to prepare the order. Unfortunately there were mistakes which we didn't catch before signing. In second order we were smarter and check the order many times and this time we caught the mistake made by person responsible to prepare the order. Windows were installed by our framers.
just_janni
2 years ago
Specifying and correctly ordering the windows is a SKILL. With an experienced window professional, you are much less likely to have issues with things mentioned above - incorrect sizes, sizes that are slightly off standard and thus signifcantly more expensive, incorrect / mismatched swings, glass specifications for different directions of the house (different SHGCs for example) and the details that make things "work".

With Home Depot - you are on your own for that - so review, review, review and then review again.

You may get close or exactly what you order - but it may or may not be what you NEED.
M Miller
2 years ago
"There are certainly independent lumber yards in my area, but for $4k I can't see myself buying windows from them instead of Home Depot if the product is identical."

Depending on the size of the home and the number of casement windows, a $4,000 difference may not be much savings at all for an entire home's worth of windows. Especially with recent jumps in windows pricing. We'd need more information as to what is budgeted for the windows and how many windows. Also, is the homeowner including any sliding glass doors in his decision?