Manufacturer
Profile:
Andersen Windows
Andersen
Windows (it’s spelled Andersen with an “en” not
Anderson) are a very popular brand of replacement windows. Their
vinyl replacement windows are sold at The Home Depot under the American
Craftsman brand. In addition to sliding windows, Anderson offers
double-hung and casement styles. Along with vinyl replacement windows,
Andersen features windows made from other materials. The windows
contain low-E and argon-filled glass, increasing their efficiency.
Anderson makes both replacement and new construction windows.
Andersen’s replacement windows selection
is broad, from standard sizes to many special order and custom choices.
Andersen windows are readily available through numerous outlets,
including home goods retailers, dealers, and The Home Depot. Andersen
also offers a composite line through certified installers known
as “Renewal by Andersen.”
Special Features
Most Andersen replacement windows are made with
Fibrex, which is a composite material featuring 40% pre-consumer
reclaimed wood fiber. The only 100% vinyl window we found with the
Andersen name is the American Craftsman line sold only at Home Depot.
The American Craftsman replacement windows offer a number of features:
Energy Efficiency: There are many
choices for glazing, so you can choose the desired level of comfort
and energy savings. Dual pane insulated glass, created by sealing
two single panes to a spacer, establishing an insulating chamber,
is nearly twice as efficient as a single pane of glass at reducing
heat loss. The optional LoE² (low emissivity) glass uses a
transparent metallic coating which filters out solar radiation,
thereby reducing heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter, for
maximum comfort and energy efficiency. Many of the windows are available
as Energy Star qualified.
Durability: All of the windows are tested
for structural and thermal performance to ensure they hold up under
extreme weather conditions. American Craftsman windows are also
tested and certified to meet American Architectural Manufacturers
Association standards for forced entry resistance.
Convenience: Tilt-in sashes allow for safe
and easy cleaning from within the home with soap and water. The
company claims that the balance system promotes smooth, easy sash
operation for many years, regardless of the outside temperature
or humidity. Color is consistent throughout the vinyl, which can
limit the visibility of scratches and/or the need for painting.
Warranty
Most Andersen window & doors are covered by an “Owner-to-Owner”
limited warranty. The company states that most other window warranties
end when a home is sold, but their coverage is completely transferable
from each owner to the next. The coverage offers 20 years on glass
and ten on non-glass parts. And, because it is not pro-rated, the
coverage offers full benefits, year after year, owner after owner,
so it can add value when you decide to sell your home. Plus, Andersen
claims to have one of the largest service networks in the industry,
so assistance should be available when you need it.
Important Note: For the American
Craftsman vinyl windows, the warranty is different and only applies
to the original purchaser of the windows. This means that, unlike
other Andersen products, the warranty does not transfer to future
owners of your home.
Company History
According to the company’s web site,
Andersen Windows was founded in 1903 by Danish immigrant Hans Andersen
and his family in Hudson, Wisconsin, where logs arrived via the
St. Croix River. Today, Andersen Corporation is an international
enterprise employing over 9,000 people at more than 20 locations
with headquarters in Bayport, Minnesota, a 2.8 million-square-foot
facility that covers 65 acres. Andersen annually manufactures more
than six million wood windows and doors, with sales worldwide.
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