Hey everyone! My partner and I are looking to replace 4 windows in our house and received quotes from two companies. Both offered prices around $2,300 per window. One is "Renewal by Andersen", which offered their Fibrex composite windows with double-pane glass filled with Argon. The other company quoted us "virgin vinyl" windows with triple-pane glass also filled with Argon. We were leaning toward Andersen, but I'd love to hear your thoughts! Is the price for Fibrex justified compared to vinyl, or is vinyl sufficient even if it's cheaper? We're not planning to stay in this house forever, and the exterior is stucco. Thanks in advance for any insights!
3 Answers
Vinyl windows are solid—they're made from rigid PVC, which is tough, but they can fade over time or yellow if exposed to a lot of sun. Fibrex, however, is a composite made of wood fiber mixed with thermoplastic. It's kind of in a different league compared to traditional vinyl. Ultimately, if you're looking for something that includes some recycled materials and has some high-tech properties, Fibrex might be interesting to consider, but you'd have to weigh how much that matters for your temporary home situation.
Honestly, I've come across a lot of complaints about Renewal by Andersen being overpriced. Sure, they make decent windows, but a lot of folks think you're paying way too much due to their marketing and commissions. You could save a ton—like up to $1,500 per window—if you went with a good local installer instead. If you're not rolling in cash, I'd definitely look into other options before choosing Andersen. They're not exactly popular here!
I totally get what you're saying! It's super frustrating when the quotes come back that high. Thanks for the warning!
Not exactly what you asked, but if your original windows are older, check out the Andersen Narroline Sash Conversion Kit. It lets you update your existing windows to the 400 series without all the hassle of ripping out trim and siding. It could save you major time and money!
That's really helpful info! I had no idea about the differences in materials.