Andersen A-Series vs 400 Series Windows

Andersen is the largest manufacturer of windows in North America. Many homeowners begin their research with this popular brand. We'll compare features of two of their best-selling product lines in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex; the A-Series and 400 Series. The A-Series was designed with architectural style in mind. The 400 series, Andersen’s most favored of their longest-standing products, provides the best overall blend of performance and style to satisfy a variety of window needs. Both are available as construction or replacement windows. Read on to learn more about the differences between these two window collections.

Use these links to skip ahead:

• Styles Available for Andersen A-Series and 400 Series
• Materials for Andersen A-Series and 400 Series Windows
• Hardware Options for Andersen A-Series and 400 Series
• Window Finish Options for Andersen A-Series and 400 Series
• Glass Options for Andersen A-Series and 400 Series
• Grilles for Andersen A-Series and 400 Series
• Lead time and warranty for Andersen A-Series and 400 Series
• Pricing for Andersen A-Series and 400 Series

Styles Available for Andersen A-Series and 400 Series

A-Series:

• Awning
• Casement
• Double-Hung
• Picture
• 34 Specialty Shapes

400 Series:

• Awning
• Casement
• Double-Hunt
• Gliding
• Picture
• 20 Specialty Shapes

Materials for Andersen A-Series and 400 Series Windows

A-Series:

Interior- Wood

Exterior- Fiberglass and Fibrex

The A-Series interior window sash and frames are constructed of solid wood. Fiberglass and Fibrex material are used for the exterior frame and sash. Fibrex is a combination of reclaimed wood fiber and PVC polymer, a type of plastic. It’s twice as strong as vinyl, environmentally friendly, and energy-efficient. Wood windows that aren’t properly cared for can deteriorate over time. Regular cleaning can help extend the life of the window.

400 Series 

Interior- Wood

Exterior: - Vinyl

The 400 Series are vinyl-clad windows,  a material made from PVC. The vinyl exterior protects the frame, resists dents, and repels water. Additionally, Perma-Shield technology used in the exteriors means they’ll never need to be repainted and won’t peel, blister, flake, or corrode. Although vinyl windows are often marketed as maintenance-free, it is a good idea to give them a good cleaning once or twice a year beyond the glass to extend their life.

Hardware Options for Andersen A-Series and 400 Series

Hardware for Casement Windows

The hardware for A-Series awning and casement windows includes Traditional and Contemporary folding rotators and latches. The 400 Series offers additional Estate and Classic Series styles. 

Hardware for Hung Windows

The standard option for a double-hung window is a Lock and Keeper style latch on both A-Series and 400 Series windows. The 400 Series also offers the Estate Lock & Keeper style.

Hardware Finishes

The finishes available for hardware vary. Andersen offers a few more color options for A-Series window hardware but also limits availability on hardware styles. Below are examples of hardware colors. 

Window Finish Options

A-Series 

The A-Series offers 12 different finish options for the hardware. There are 11 exterior finishes with the ability to mix and match different colors on the sash, frame and trim. Additionally, you can choose from seven interior colors, six wood species, and six different stain options. Stain is not available on Douglas fir.

A-Series Finish Options

400 Series

The 400 Series offers the same hardware finish options as the A-Series.  There are  seven exterior and three interior color choices. The only wood option available is pine. 

 400 Series Finish Options 

Glass Options for Andersen A-Series and 400 Series

Energy Efficiency

New and well-installed replacement windows should always be more energy efficient than those being replaced, but the glass also affects energy efficiency. In fact, glass can affect energy efficiency more than any other part of a window or patio door. Not all glass insulates the same. Andersen offers one of the industry’s widest array of glass options, so you’re sure to find the right choice for your climate and your home.

Low-E4↗ glass is ideal for all climates and an ideal choice for homes that have to worry about hot summers and cold winters. This energy-efficient glass reflects heat in the summer and helps hold it in during the colder months. HeatLock coating is an additional step for keeping your home warm in the winter and designed to reflect heat back inside to keep it from escaping.  PassiveSun is another option for more northern climates to keep the heat indoors in the winter. SmartSun glass offers the benefits of Low-E glass while shielding your home from the sun’s heat. It filters out 95% of harmful UV rays while allowing light in.  Sun Glass is ideal for southern climates with a subtle tint that blocks out even more of the sun’s heat. Triple pane glass offers a third pane of glass and is the most energy-efficient. It is ideal for climates where it gets colder for extended periods of time.

The A-Series is Andersen’s best performing energy-efficient window. The windows in this series have been recognized by ENERGY STAR as some of the most efficient residential window models available in the U.S. and Canada. Insulated glass packages are a contributing factor in efficiency ratings. Below are the glass packages available in A-Series and 400 Series windows. 

Grilles for Andersen A-Series and 400 Series

Grilles, often called Grids,  are narrow strips that are used to divide windows into panes or lites. They give the visual effect of the window being made up into a series of smaller windows or used to create a decorative pattern.  They can be made from wood, vinyl, metals, or other materials. Learn more about Window Grids. 

Both the A-Series and 400 Series offer four standard grille designs. Custom patterns are also available. Finelight grilles are sandwiched between the inner and outer panes of glass allowing for easy cleaning and are not removable. Full divided lights are external grilles on both the interior and exterior of the glass with a divider between the panes creating the illusion of individual panes. Removable interior grilles are exactly what they sound like, they are mounted over the glass on the interior side of the window and can be removed for cleaning. A simulated divided light grille has no interior divider, but there are grilles on both sides of the glass. In some cases, the interior grille is removable. 

• Finelight
• Full divided 
• Removable interior 
• Simulated divided light

Lead Time and Warranty for Andersen A-Series and 400 Series

Lead time refers to how long it takes for your windows to be delivered from the time they are ordered. There are a variety of factors that can affect how long it will take you to receive your windows including the availability of materials, distance from the manufacturing facility, assembly time, the time of year, and special or custom requests. In general, A-Series windows take five to six weeks of turnaround time.  The 400 Series typically takes four to six weeks.

Lead time

• A-Series: 5-6 weeks
• 400 Series 4-6 weeks

Andersen’s Owner-2-Owner warranty allows transfer from one owner to the next in the event you sell your home before it expires. In general, the limited warranty covers most Andersen windows, doors, hardware, glass, and accessories and applies to both the A-Series and 400 series. 

It guarantees the glass in your windows will be free from defects for 20 years and will not fail. All other parts of the window such as hardware and insect screens are covered for a period of 10 years. The windows are not covered by things such as poor or improper installation, modification, or the addition of third-party parts such as locks or other components.  Some exclusions do apply, so it is important that you read the warranty documents fully and check for exclusions for your particular products. 

Warranty

• 20 year limited  on glass 
• 10 year limited on all other parts

Pricing for Andersen A-Series and 400 Series

The A-Series is considered a luxury line and the more expensive of the two product lines. Although a variety of factors help determine the final price such as style, options, size, and finish, you can expect to pay from $799-$1000+ per window*.

The 400 Series are high quality, but not as pricey. Like the A-Series, there are a variety of factors that contribute to the final price per unit. On average, you can expect to $579-$1000+ per window*.

We hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful. If you are considering new windows and are outside the Dallas-Fort Worth area, check with your local Andersen vendor for a specific quote. Brennan sells both the Andersen A-Series and 400 Series as well as their other lines. If you live in North Texas, please fill out the contact form below and our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be happy to help you find the perfect windows for your home at an affordable price. 

 _{*Prices based on 2018, contact your local Andersen vendor for an exact quote. Brennan customers have access to full product details and pricing on bids for Andersen windows.}