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Home » Window Reviews » 400 Series
Anderson 400 Series Reviews
Read Anderson 400 series reviews from contractors, consumers and homeowners.
Do you have a question about Anderson window costs, features, warranties, options, etc. Email your questions to our site editor Bill and get the answers you need to make the best choice for your Anderson window project.
Bill - AWP Editor - Page Updated In November, 2023
Andersen 400 Series Reviews
Bill, we are replacing 17 double hungs, one horizontal sliding window, and two patio doors.
Sunrise Restoration Bid: $22.1K
Soft Lite Imperial LS Bid: $23.3K
Sunrise (Normal, Not Restorations): $25.3K
Provia Endure Bid: $21.5K
Polaris ThermalWeld Bid: $25,150
Polaris UltraWeld Bid: $27.9K
Andersen 400 Bid: - $33.7K
Morlin - Homeowner - from 2023
[Site Editor's Answer]
Morlin, I would say the Soft Lite Imperial LS would be my number one pick, followed closely with the ProVia Endure, then the Sunrise Restoration. That Andersen 400 series price is way too high.
Bill - Site Editor - from 2023
Andersen 400 Series vs. Viwinco OceanView Series
The builder I'm working with really likes Viwinco OceanView impact windows for our home in North Carolina on the coast. I really want to upgrade to the Andersen 400 window, which everyone says is an amazing window. We have around 24 windows and 3 sliding doors to redo in total. The Andersen just seem like a much nicer window. The cost to upgrade to the Andersen from the Viwinco is $24K, which seems like a lot. I was wondering what you thought about this upgrade cost.
Teddy - Homeowner - from 2017
Site Editor's Reply
Teddy, those two windows are very different, it's hard to even compare them. The Viwinco OceanView impact series is a lower end to mid range impact window, while the Andersen 400 series is a wood clad non impact window. If you want to go the wood clad direction, then the Andersen 400 series is an excellent option. However, I have to say that those windows in that salty humid climate is a really tough call. If it were me, I would go with an impact window (or a high quality vinyl window and board up your windows once a decade when the hurricane is heading your way). I'm not sure I would gro with the Viwinco however. I would prefer the Sunrise Coastal, the Soft-Lite Armor, or the Simonton Stormbreaker Plus. Stanek also makes a tough impact window as well.
Bill - Site Editor - from 2017
Anderson 400 vs A Vinyl Window
The contractor who we met last night was all about Andersen 400 series wood windows. He didn't have anything good to say about vinyl. I showed him the list of your recommended vinyl window manufacturers- he said he had never heard of any of the companies. Wow...
When I told him I wasn't interested in Silverline, he said they had used Ellison before- checked your site for those...not good. He tried to tell me that vinyl and wood cost about the same and wood is a much better product. We will be getting more bids...
Thanks again for helping to educate the consumer, because I'm finding the contracting companies don't- actually this process may be worse that buying a car.! :)
Site Editor's Answer
Contractors who don't do lots of windows often don't know many of the top tier vinyl companies. Andersen 400 is a good wood window, but wood won't last like a good vinyl window (just look at the warranty for wood, normally 20 years as compared to lifetime).
Honestly, the premium models from sunrise and soft-lite (restorations and elements respectively) are the best windows performance wise you could get — only the Okna 800 can compare. If you can get either of these models, you will pay less than the Andersen 400 for sure and will be getting windows that have an air infiltration of .02 — truly outstanding windows performance wise and overall construction and strength.
Bill - Site Editor - from October, 2017
Anderson 400 Complaint
The majority of homes use vinyl windows (mostly found in replacement windows). The Anderson 400 is a popular vinyl clad window with a wood frame and wrapped sash - read our Anderson 400 series reviews. Andersons were so well known and could be found everywhere, so many people used the name as a generic choice for windows. The majority of people don't realise that these are wood windows due to the fact that they look so much like vinyl. They would not be my recommendation, if you could see the windows on display prior to ordering, I doubt anyone would consider these as their first choice.
Don - Window Installer - 2011
Contractor Rating: 6 out of 10
Anderson 400 Woodwright Recommendation
If you take time to explore the Anderson Woodwright range, you'll find it's a high quality with a wood interior and vinyl exterior. Marvin also makes a fiberglass composite called the Integrity that can be ordered with a wood finish on the interior.
Todd - Installer - 2011
Contractor Rating: 8 out of 10
Pocket Inserts
I have just completed a large project using the Anderson pocket inserts. I found them really easy when it comes to installation and have not experienced any problems with them, in fact I have really enjoyed working with them. They are good windows for the affordable price and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. I do have one complaint, a small one, and that is that I would consider some of their lines as pricy.
Mike - Installer - 2010
Contractor Rating: 8 out of 10
Anderson 400 Series Advice
We are in the process of replacing around twenty windows and four doors in our home in Queens. I have a number of options when it comes to the Anderson 400 series, but found the Eagles and the A Series don't come in the colors that we want. While the A Series seems to be the more expensive, I think it fails when it comes to quality. Eagle seems a good choice; the problem is there is a long wait for installation.
Any advice would be appreciated as we are not sure which way to go with this. I believe vinyl is a good choice, but not sure about them. The Anderson 400 is a vinyl window on the exterior, while the A series is fibrex and the Eagle is aluminum. Which is the better option in terms of price and quality? I am looking for windows that will offer good energy efficiency, durability and noise reduction. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.
Shawnee - Homeowner - 2012
Homeowner Rating: NA
[Contractor Response]
I can't say I am a fan of any of the windows you have mentioned. If these were the only three I could choose from in my area, then I would go with the 400 series, purely because it appears the better window in my personal opinion. Without knowing your budget, it's difficult to make a recommendation.
Daniel - Contractor - 2012
Contractor Rating: 8 out of 10
[Contractor Response]
If you can go with Kolbe, they are much better than any of the Anderson windows I have come across.
David - Contractor - 2012
Contractor Rating: 7 out of 10
[Contractor Response]
I noticed that Eagle has made some changes to their design; they have created a thermal break which is found between the wood interior and the aluminum clad. They have used a fibrex material for this. I believe they have also made some changes to their weather stripping, ensuring the sash has full contact on the fibrex. This has offered a lower U value and a much tighter seal. I am interested as to why some people don't believe the Eagle windows are a decent quality. My parents have had these windows for over fifteen years and have never had a day's problem.
When looking for a high quality wooden window, then I would recommend Marvin windows. They are more expensive, but they are excellent windows with superior durability and performance. The Marvin's will cost you about forty percent more than Anderson and around thirty percent more than Eagles.
Jerry - Contractor - 2012
Contractor Rating: NA
[Contractor Response]
Everyone will agree that Marvin is a much better option than the Anderson 400 series. Your budget will play an important role, because you will pay considerably more for the Marvin windows. Eagle isn't far off the Marvin's, especially the new ones, and they are cheaper than Marvin.
Randall - Installer - 2012
Contractor Rating: 7 out of 10
Poor Customer Service
We just had twelve custom Anderson 400 windows installed and are thrilled with the overall window. Unfortunately their customer service is exceptionally poor. We had a small problem where the screens didn't fit the windows properly and only then found out that Anderson apparently subcontracts out to a screen manufacturer. Therefore Anderson doesn't feel this is their problem. I had good experiences with Marvin in the past and wish I had used them again this time.
Marcia - Homeowner - 2011
Homeowner Rating: 9 out of 10
Anderson 200 vs. Anderson 400
Personally I feel the Anderson 200 series is just as good as the Anderson 400 if you don't want all the bells and whistles. The Anderson 400 series is more expensive than their 200 series because you get a load of extras you will probably never want or need, such as self-cleaning glass, screens and storm proof glass. I have never had any problems with the 200 series I have installed, though I haven't had the opportunity of installing the 400's as of yet, I have done extensive online research on them.
Henry - Howeowner - 2009
Homeowner Rating: 7 out of 10
Anderson 400 or Anderson 200
I recently took a drive down to Home Depot to have a look at the two different Anderson windows. The one thing I did notice was that the 200 series is limited when it comes to the colors available. Another noticeable difference was the tilt mechanisms, the 400 has a tilt assist, while the 200 has slides which are placed on the top of each sash.
I also noticed that the 400 appears to have a thicker sash, though there are two options available, the TiltWash and the Woodright. The Woodright is the one that has a much thicker sash, but it's also around $100 more than the other option. Then I noticed something interesting. Both the 200 and 400 have a low E glass package available, both of which have exactly the same efficiency and performance ratings.
The only time there seems to be a significant difference is when not choosing low e glass. There are additional charges for any features required such as colors, grills, sizes, streak free glass and any other options. This difference can quickly mount up to around $150 per window. When looking at the 400, there was an additional $50 for satin nickel.
Terry - Homeowner - 2007
Homeowner Rating: 9 out of 10