We’ve installed windows and doors in thousands of homes all over the Phoenix metro area, so when we say we know our brands, it’s true. We know which ones have the best customer service, the lowest amount of quality control issues, and minimal warranty claims. We know which ones last. So when we’re asked “Are Andersen® 100 windows good?” our answer is an unequivocal YES. The 100 Series of windows are a wonderful introduction to Andersen products at a moderate price point.
They last.
We consider Andersen 100 Series of composite windows to be a solid step up from vinyl windows, in terms of strength and longevity. They use Andersen’s Fibrex® material, a sturdy blend of a thermoplastic PVC polymer and reclaimed wood fibers collected from their wood window manufacturing processes. More than 200% stronger than vinyl, they are guaranteed not to warp in Arizona sun, no matter how scorching our summers become. They can tolerate temperatures up to 150 degrees without blistering, fading, flaking or peeling, and have fewer issues than vinyl when it comes to expanding and contracting from weather.
The materials used in the window frame and sashes are much stronger and thicker than vinyl, giving them a distinct appearance. They can also be used in larger window openings than vinyl.
The PVC prevents the wood from rotting or decaying, and bypasses the high maintenance requirements of a wood window.
How do Andersen 100 windows compare to other Andersen products?
Andersen’s 100 series of windows are the only fully composite product offered by Andersen. All of their other product lines are a mix of wood interiors and composite, vinyl or aluminum exteriors.
These double-pane windows include the same high-quality glass all other Andersen products use, with the same glass coating and low-e options, and the same warranty included in their premium, high end products. The 10-year hardware, 20-year glass warranty is nothing to sneeze at.
The 100 Series is available in six types of windows: awning, casement, single-hung, gliding, picture and some custom/specialty shapes.
The next step up in the Andersen product line is their 200 Series line, which is a wood window protected by vinyl on the outside of the home. Considered a premium product, they’re less expensive than the full wood product lines, but only available in two colors and a limited variety of window types (double-hung, gliding and picture windows).
How do Andersen 100 windows compare to other windows that are comparable in price?
The cost of this line is a slight upgrade from higher end vinyl windows, but a much, much better product and value for a homeowner’s budget.
”The Andersen 100 windows are an especially good product. From their smooth appearance and clean, modern lines to their ease of operation, they’re a superior window. The durability of their finish is outstanding and we’ve had zero problems with this product. It’s an excellent choice,” says Sal Sucato, owner of DunRite Windows & Doors.
What colors are available for the Andersen 100 windows?
Aesthetics are very important to homeowners: they want windows that complement the look and color palette of their home. And one of the best features of the Andersen 100 window is something that simply isn’t available in vinyl windows—the ability to order them with an exterior color that is different from the interior.
Want a black exterior and a white interior? You can do it.
Black interior and exterior? They’ve got that, too.
In addition to black or white, they also have several shades of neutrals that complement the colors of the desert: sandtone and terratone, which we’d compare to a light and dark taupe, and they have a dark bronze color (non-metallic). You can order windows in any combination of these colors for the interior and exterior. The only exception would be terratone, which is only available on the exterior, not the interior.
All colors have a matte finish, never need to be painted, and are guaranteed never to fade, flake, blister or peel since the color is mixed into the composite during manufacturing.
When it comes to color choices for the window hardware, it depends on the type of window and how it operates. Typically it coordinates with the color of the window’s interior frame, but some products also offer hardware in several different metal finishes, such as antique brass or satin nickel.
Specific colors for the frame’s interior and exterior, and its hardware, are determined by the specific window you choose.
What about the glass?
Glass is the most important part of a window, when it comes to energy efficiency, since it has the most exposure to the elements. Andersen 100 windows come standard with low-E glass, which is very important, but they also have several other options to improve efficiency even more.
Their HeatLock® coating reflects heat back into the home, which is useful for homes in Northern Arizona, but perhaps not so much in the Valley. The SmartSun™ upgrade, on the other hand, helps block direct sunlight and UV rays even more than low-E coatings alone can do. You can order both the HeatLock and SmartSun upgrades to get the best of both seasons, winter and summer, but you’ll want to skip their PassiveSun® upgrade, which helps the glass absorb heat and bring it into the home; something that’s not so helpful in the only useful in cold climates, not hot.
Learn more about the Andersen 100 line here, and call or fill out the form below if you’d like a free in-home estimate. We’ll talk through all of your product options, and how each choice is different. Our prices are highly competitive, and our five-star reputation for great service is hopefully reassuring.
DunRite Windows & Doors has made homeowners in the Phoenix metro area happy since 2001. We install Andersen, Pella, Thermatru, Milgard, Anlin and Masonite brands of windows and doors.
