Andersen Windows vs Ply Gem windows: a comparison guide

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Every day that you keep your old drafty windows, you lose money on your heating and cooling bills. Replacing those old windows is easy. Before you start shopping, compare Andersen Windows vs Ply Gem windows. Both companies make a number of products you can use to eliminate leaks and drafts.

Andersen Windows

A comparison of Andersen Windows vs Ply Gem windows should begin with a look at the types of windows available. Andersen makes seven types of windows: gliding, awning, picture, bow and bay, double-hung, casement and specialty.

Specialty windows come in unique sizes and shapes to fit the frames and openings in your home. Bow, bay and picture windows feature fixed panes of glass that don't move. Awning and casement windows swing out. Double-hung windows move up and down. And gliding windows slide along a bottom and top track.

Depending on the style you choose, you can pick from more than 10 interior finishes and 10 exterior finishes for your new windows.

Get Andersen Windows vs Ply Gem windows price quotes now!

Ply Gem windows

Ply Gem offers several of the same window types, including double-hung, casement and sliding. The company also manufactures single-hung windows that come in the same shape and size as double-hung windows. The only difference is that with double-hung windows, both pieces of glass move. While in single-hung windows, only the top or bottom pane of glass moves.

You can also buy fixed garden windows from Ply Gem and jalousie windows, which feature individual pieces of louvered glass inside a frame. With jalousie windows, you can move the glass panes up and down to let in fresh air and natural light.

Not all of the ratings are on all windows, but this will help you to make your choice.

Tax credit and warranty options

When comparing Andersen windows vs Ply Gem windows, you'll find that both companies offer products that help you take advantage of tax credits that can lower your windows price.

Before you install new windows, you might look at the warranty. Andersen offers a limited warranty on all of its windows, and the warranty transfers when you sell your home. You'll need to register your windows after installing them in your home.

Ply Gem also offers a limited warranty on its products, but the warranty varies significantly depending on the brand and type that you choose. This warranty covers the hardware for up to two years, other materials for one year, and the insulated glass for 20 years. Since a good warranty will drastically reduce the maintenance and windows cost, you'll want to ask your contractor about the best warranty when you get a windows estimate.  

No matter how much money you have in your budget for new windows, you can find a company that offers products in your price range. Compare some of the leading brands, the prices on different products, and the cost of installation at Reply! You can even use Reply! to make your own Andersen Windows vs Ply Gem windows comparison before you request an estimate or start replacing your windows.

 

On the labels of new windows, you’ll see a bunch of different numbers from the National Fenestration Rating Council. Here’s an idea of what they mean to you.

• U-factor - Refers to how well the window keeps heat from escaping - Range: 0.15 to 1.20. Lower is better

• Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) - Measures how much heat from the sun is blocked - Range: 0 to 1. Lower is better.

• Visible Transmittance (VT) - This is a measure of how much light gets through the window - Range: 0 to 1. A higher number means more light gets in.

• Air leakage - This is how much air gets in through closed window - Range: 0.1 to 0.3. Lower is better.

• Condensation Resistance - how well the product resists condensation - Range: 0 to 100. Higher is better with less condensation.

First photo: Andersen Windows. Second photo: Ply Gem.