Which Andersen Windows Product Is the Best for Your Home?
Planning to remodel an existing home or build a new one from the ground up? The windows you choose matter. The right ones can keep your home dry, comfortable and even energy-efficient, while the wrong ones can achieve the opposite effect. That’s why it pays to go with a company that’s been around for more than 115 years. Andersen windows are synonymous with quality and performance, beloved by homeowners around the world for decades. With a wide product inventory, it can be difficult to know which Andersen product is the best for your home. Read on for a quick guide on how to shop this impressive selection.
Choosing By Style
You want a window that performs well and will stand the test of time. Yet, before you can assess those qualities, you need one that fits your design.
When it comes to styles of Andersen windows, you’ll have eight main categories to choose from.
If you’re renovating, the existing windows might dictate the kind of new ones you need. Or, if you’re building, your plans and line drawings will show the style of windows in each room. Let’s briefly review each type to understand how it works.
Awning Windows
These hinge at the top, opening outward at the bottom. You’ll often find them higher on the wall or placed around large stationary windows to expand the view. Their design allows awning windows to provide excellent ventilation and rain protection.
Pass-Through Windows
As their name implies, these windows merge two spaces, allowing you to pass objects through from one side to the next. You can use them to connect your outdoor area, such as a patio, to the rest of your home. These unique and functional room dividers bring in natural light, improve ventilation and take up less space than a traditional door.
Bay and Bow Windows
Nothing complements a kitchen quite like a breakfast nook with a bay window. Bay and bow windows are created by joining at least three windows together, making a design that protrudes past the house wall, creating more space in your room. Depending on your design and preference, these can be double-hung, casement or picture units.
Picture Windows
Picture windows do not open. You’ll place them in areas where you want to maximize light and enjoy a view, but they are not operable. Because they aren’t limited by function, picture windows can be much larger than other styles.
Casement Windows
Casement windows hinge on the side and crank open to the outside. As they swing either left or right, they enable full top-to-bottom ventilation.
You’ll often find these in kitchens, bathrooms or other areas where natural air is a desired touch. They’re especially attractive grouped with other window styles.
Single & Double-Hung Windows
Homeowners adore both of these windows for their easy accessibility. Both kinds feature a tilt-in design that allows you to clean them from inside your house! The difference between the two? With a double-hung window, both sashes in the frame are operable, able to move up or down for ventilation. A single-hung window has a fixed top sash with an operable bottom sash.
Gliding Windows
Similar to a casement window, gliding models also allow top-to-bottom ventilation. However, instead of a hinge opening, these open with the top window gliding horizontally on top of the bottom window. As they do not open to the outside, these are ideal for high-traffic exteriors, including decks and patios. You can enjoy the breeze and the view without obstructing anyone’s path.
Specialty Windows
Sometimes, a standard window style won’t do. If you’re looking for a custom designer piece, Andersen delivers.
From arcs and angles to arches and curves, no style is too outrageous, so let your imagination be your guide!
Choosing By Material
Once you select your preferred style of window, you’ll also need to determine which kind of material you prefer for the frames and sash. Andersen has a vast range to choose from, including Wood, Composite, Aluminum, Vinyl, & Fiberglass. Not sure which one to go with? Let’s review the features and benefits of each:
Fiberglass Windows
Like vinyl windows, Andersen’s fiberglass windows also feature wood interiors. The exterior material is lightweight, rugged and tough, offering weather-resistant and minimal maintenance.
Wooden Windows
Wooden Andersen windows are more than just picturesque. They’re also the brand’s most time-honored and traditional style.
These products are designed to be weather-resistant and low-maintenance. They’re also durable, sturdy and long-lasting, so you never have to worry about painting or replacing them.
Composite Windows
Andersen’s composite windows are made with a material called Fibrex®. Twice as strong as vinyl, it won’t fade, flake, peel or blister, no matter how extreme the weather becomes.
The material, which is comprised of reclaimed wood fiber and thermoplastic polymer, is specially fused together only for Andersen.
Aluminum Windows
Want a window that you can customize to your heart’s content but hardly ever have to maintain?
Andersen’s aluminum windows fit the bill. You can transform these into any color or shape you prefer, resting assured that the style will last. Along the way, you’ll never sacrifice quality for style. Andersen extrudes the aluminum in these windows, resulting in a cladding that’s more durable than most on the market.
Vinyl Windows
Andersen’s vinyl windows aren’t like most on the market. Instead of using a purely vinyl material, these feature a protective vinyl cladding over a wood core window. This gives homeowners the best of both worlds: a weather-resistant vinyl exterior, a sturdy wood frame, and an attractive wood interior.
Far from a flash-in-the-pan trend, this product has been part of the Andersen line for more than 50 years.
Notice the Andersen Difference
As an official Andersen installer, we’re proud to bring these top-shelf products to your home.
Known worldwide for its product innovation, commitment to quality, and industry-leading expertise, Andersen is a top choice for elite contractors and DIY homeowners alike. Investing in this brand means adding value to your home for years to come, making it one of the smartest moves you can make.
Ready to see how they look in your Orange County home? Contact us today for a consultation and let’s get started.