Frequently Asked Questions

Andersen Windows and Renewal by Andersen are related, but they serve different purposes. Retail lines like the Andersen 100 Series (which also happens to use Fibrex material) are standard-sized units built for new construction or builder specs. Renewal by Andersen focuses on custom-manufactured replacement windows and doors built to your exact opening, backed by our full-service Signature Service: design, Technical Measure, manufacturing, installation by our own Certified Master Installers, and warranty service, all under one roof. It's not something you'd install yourself.

The biggest difference isn't really the glass. Most premium manufacturers, Marvin included, source raw glass from the same supplier. It comes down to the business model. Marvin sells through independent dealer and distributor networks, so if something goes wrong, you're coordinating with separate sellers, distributors, and installers. Our Signature Service keeps design, manufacturing, measuring, installation, and warranty service under one company, so there's a single point of accountability. On materials, Marvin's Ultrex® is a fiberglass composite that needs periodic repainting and finish care to hold up over time, kind of like maintaining a fiberglass boat hull. Fibrex material doesn't ask that of you.

It really depends on what matters most to you. If lowest upfront cost is the deciding factor, commodity vinyl windows will be cheaper today. But vinyl expands and contracts at a rate several times higher than Fibrex material, and that's the mechanical reason vinyl frames warp, crack at the corners, and lose their seal, often within an average of 12 years but as little as 8 in hot, high-sun climates. If long-term durability and a warranty backed by a single company matter more to you than the sticker price, Fibrex-based windows usually end up costing less over a 20 to 30 year horizon, even with the higher price today. We'd rather walk you through that trade-off honestly than just assume a lower number wins.

Doing it all at once is generally more efficient: one installation visit, one warranty timeline, and often better pricing overall than tackling it in smaller pieces. That said, we get that it's not always realistic financially. If you need to phase it, we'd recommend starting with the windows in the worst shape or the rooms where you're losing the most energy, and we can help you map out a phased plan that still makes sense in the long run.

If you're renovating an existing home and keeping the surrounding wall structure intact, you need replacement windows, which are built to fit into your existing opening without much disruption to siding and trim. New construction windows have a nailing fin and are meant for new framing or additions where the exterior wall is already open. Using the wrong type just means more demolition and cost than you actually need, so we'll confirm which one your project calls for.

Generally, a mid-range 10 window replacement project runs somewhere between $20,000 and $23,000, or about $2,000 to $2,300 per window installed, before we adjust for your market and material choices (2025 Cost vs. Value Report). A smaller job, say a single room with 4 to 6 windows, usually lands between $8,000 and $13,000. Your actual number will depend on window style, glass package, hardware finish, and how complex the install is. That's why we do a free in-home consultation and hand you an exact, all inclusive quote (good for a full year) instead of a rough guess.

It comes down to material, manufacturing, and service. Our windows are built from Fibrex® composite material, a blend of 40% reclaimed wood fiber and 60% thermoplastic polymer, which is twice as strong as vinyl and insulates better than aluminum. Renewal by Anderson® windows are custom made to fit your home’s exact measurements. We also handle the design, custom manufacturing, permitting, installation, and warranty service ourselves through our Signature Service model, so you're not stuck coordinating separate suppliers and installers. You're really paying for a product that lasts longer and one company that stands behind the whole job, not just a window.

Yes. Operable styles like casement and awning windows tend to cost more than fixed picture windows simply because of the hardware. Larger openings, specialty shapes, and upgraded glass packages (impact-resistant glass, higher-efficiency Low-E4® SmartSun™ glass, grille patterns) will add cost too. We'll go through exactly how these choices affect your price during your consultation, so you know where it's worth spending more and where you can save.

If your existing frames are still in good shape structurally, a pocket install (fitting a new window into your existing frame) is usually cheaper than a full-frame replacement, which means removing everything down to the studs. Full-frame costs more, but it's typically the better long-term call when there's rot, water damage, or you want to change the window's size or shape. We'll tell you honestly which one fits your home rather than pushing you toward the pricier option.

Yes. Every project starts with a no-cost, no-obligation in-home consultation. A Project Consultant measures your windows or doors, walks you through material and glass options, and gives you a firm, all-inclusive price before you commit to anything. Our comprehensive estimates are good for one year and are designed to provide clear, upfront pricing with no hidden fees or unexpected charges for the scope of work we’ve identified.

We typically offer a No Money Down, No Payments, No Interest promotional plan through our third-party lending partner, typically for 12 to 18 months, with a minimum purchase requirement. Longer-term fixed-rate financing is also available. Renewal by Andersen isn't a lender or broker; financing comes through our lending partners, and approval and terms depend on your creditworthiness. Your Project Consultant can walk you through the current offers during your free consultation, and if you decide to pay it off early, there's no prepayment penalty.

A Project Consultant comes to your home, takes a look at the relevant window or door openings, asks about your goals (energy efficiency, style, noise reduction, whatever's driving the project), and shows you material, glass, and hardware options in person, often with physical samples and design tools. By the time they leave, you'll have a firm, all-inclusive price quote, not a rough estimate, and no obligation to decide that day.

Some common signs: drafts near the glass or frame, windows that stick or won't stay open, condensation between panes of insulated glass (a sign the seal has failed), a noticeable jump in your energy bills, or wood rot around the frame. If you're seeing more than one of these, it's worth getting an assessment, even if you're not sure you're ready to actually start a project.

Sometimes, yes. If the frame is still structurally sound and it's just the glass unit that's failed (fogging, cracking), a glass-only replacement can be a lower-cost fix. But if the frame itself is warped or rotted, or the window is just outdated in performance and style, replacing the whole unit is usually the better long-term move. We'll give you an honest read on which situation applies to you instead of automatically pushing the bigger job.

We think getting at least two or three quotes is smart, and we're not worried about the comparison. Just make sure you're comparing full scope and not only price. Ask what material each quote uses, whether installation is done in-house or subcontracted, what the warranty actually covers, and whether permits and inspections are included in the number.

Ask who actually does the installation (an in-house Certified Master Installer or subcontracted hired help), whether the warranty covers labor or just the product, whether that warranty is non-prorated and automatically transferable at resale, whether the quoted price is truly all-inclusive, and how long the company has actually been operating in your area. The answers to those questions usually tell you more about long-term reliability than the sales pitch ever will.

Most home window replacement projects wrap up in one to two days with our own Certified Master Installers. The exact timeline depends on how many windows or doors you're replacing, their styles, and whether the crew runs into any surprises, like wood rot, once the old unit comes out. You'll get a specific schedule as part of your project plan before work ever begins.

In most cities and counties, yes. Window, door, and patio door replacement usually requires a permit, and the specific requirements vary by jurisdiction. You don't need to sort that out yourself, though. As part of our full-service process, we handle the entire permitting and inspection process on your behalf, so your project stays fully compliant with local codes without any extra legwork on your end.

Before your windows are manufactured, one of our trained installation professionals performs a Technical Measure of every opening, taking precise measurements down to a fraction of an inch. Off-the-shelf windows are usually sized to a gap tolerance of a quarter-inch or more, which then gets filled in with expanding foam, and that foam fill is a common point of seal failure down the road. Since our windows are custom-manufactured to match the Technical Measure, they fit tightly against your actual opening instead of relying on foam to close the gap. It's one of the biggest differences between a standard install and ours.

Our installers take precautions like drop cloths, protective coverings, and careful removal to minimize impact on your interior walls, trim, and flooring, plus any landscaping near exterior work areas. Some minor touch-up to interior trim or exterior caulking is normal after a window replacement. We'll walk you through what to expect for your specific project during your consultation.

Our installations are handled by Certified Master Installers, who are trained and certified specifically on Renewal by Andersen products and installation standards. That's a different bar than a general contractor license, which requires insurance and a background check but no product-specific training. We don't hand your project off to a third-party crew with no accountability back to us. The same company that sold you the windows stands behind the installation.

While our design consultants conduct a thorough assessment and provide a comprehensive estimate, some conditions can't be seen until the existing window is removed. In some homes, hidden wood rot, water damage, or framing issues may be uncovered during installation.

If that happens, your installer will explain what was found, why repairs are needed, and the cost of any additional work before proceeding. We won't install a new window into a damaged opening or move forward without discussing your options first.

Our limited warranty covers 20 years on glass and Fibrex® material and 10 years on hardware, and it's non-prorated, meaning the coverage doesn't shrink in value over time the way a lot of prorated warranties do. It covers defects in materials and workmanship for the original purchaser in an owner-occupied home. Exact terms and exclusions vary by product and glass package, so we'll walk you through the specific written warranty for your project, not just a marketing summary, before you sign anything.

Yes. Since we handle both manufacturing and installation as one company, our warranty covers installation workmanship along with the product itself. That's a real advantage of working with a company that isn't splitting responsibility between a manufacturer and some unaffiliated installer. As an added benefit for homeowners, installation is also covered for 2 years.

Fogging or moisture showing up between panes of glass usually points to a seal failure, and that's a covered defect under our warranty. Contact our customer service team and we'll schedule an inspection, then repair or replace the glass at no cost to you if it turns out to be a covered issue.

Call our local customer service line at 833-919-2310, and our team will get an inspection on the calendar. Since we're the same company that sold and installed your windows, you're not stuck guessing whether it's a manufacturer problem or an installer problem. We just handle it.

Yes. Our limited warranty is fully and automatically transferable to the next owner. There's no paperwork to file, no waiting period, no re-registration, and no transfer fee. If you own the property where the windows were installed, you're covered, and that can actually be a genuine selling point when it's time to list your home.

Fibrex® is our proprietary composite material, made from 40% reclaimed wood fiber and 60% thermoplastic polymer. It's twice as strong as vinyl, won't rot, crack, or peel like wood can, and doesn't need repainting***. It also expands and contracts far less than vinyl through extreme heat and cold, which is exactly what causes vinyl frames to warp, bow, or pull away from their seals over time. That stability is also what lets our frames stay narrower without losing strength, so you end up with more glass and more natural light.

We offer casement, double-hung, awning, sliding, picture, bay, and bow windows, plus specialty shapes for unusual openings. Each style comes in multiple Fibrex colors and finishes, so you can match your home's existing look or change it up entirely. We can also help you pick the right style based on how you'll actually use the window, whether that's ventilation, an unobstructed view, or easy cleaning.

Yes. Our High-Performance Low-E4® SmartSun™ glass is engineered to be up to 70% more energy-efficient in summer than ordinary dual-pane glass. It blocks solar heat gain while still letting natural light in, and it also blocks 95% of the UV rays that fade furniture and flooring over time. On top of that, Fibrex material resists the heat-driven warping that causes vinyl frames to bow and lose their seal under intense, sustained sun.

(Values are based on comparison of Renewal by Andersen® double-hung window U-factor to the U-factor for clear dual-pane glass non-metal frame default values from the 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2018 International Energy Conservation Code “Glazed Fenestration” Default Tables).

Yes. In colder, four-season climates, our SmartSun glass options are engineered to be up to 49% more energy-efficient in winter than ordinary dual-pane glass, which helps retain heat and cut down on drafts. Fibrex material's low rate of thermal expansion means it holds its shape through freeze-thaw cycles instead of contracting and pulling away from seals like vinyl can. That same rigidity matters in open, high-wind landscapes too, like the Great Plains or high desert, since it keeps frames from flexing under sustained wind pressure, which is what keeps weatherstripping compressed and drafts out.

(Values are based on comparison of Renewal by Andersen® double-hung window U-factor to the U-factor for clear dual-pane glass non-metal frame default values from the 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2018 International Energy Conservation Code “Glazed Fenestration” Default Tables.)

Double-pane windows have two layers of glass with an insulating, gas-filled space in between. Triple-pane adds a third layer and a second gas space. Triple-pane generally improves energy efficiency and sound dampening a bit further, but it also adds weight and cost, and depending on your climate and home, it isn't always necessary. We'll tell you honestly whether the upgrade is worth it for your specific situation instead of just steering you toward the pricier option.

In most cases, yes. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that inefficient windows are responsible for 25% to 30% of residential heating and cooling energy use, and a single failed window seal alone can waste $15 to $40 a year. How much you personally save depends on your current windows' condition, your insulation, and your climate, so we won't promise you an exact dollar figure. What we can say is that our Low-E4® SmartSun glass is built to reduce the specific type of heat transfer that matters most where you live.