Renewal by Andersen Review
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Renewal by Andersen is a popular name in the window industry. It’s a subsidiary of the Andersen Corporation, one of the country’s longest-running and most awarded window and door manufacturers. Renewal stands out for its high-performing products and white-glove installation services, but it has a less comprehensive warranty than we’d like to see.
To help you decide if Renewal by Andersen is right for you, we reviewed key factors like its product specifications, energy efficiency, and overall reputation. We compared our findings to 14 other leading window companies, such as Castle, Champion, and Pella. For us, Renewal by Andersen’s craftsmanship, energy performance, and window selection come out on top. Learn more about the brand below.
Window Replacement
Window replacement typically costs $300–$2,000 per window, depending on the window type.
Window Repair
Window repair typically costs $177–$623, but it can vary based on the type of repair.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Uses a composite frame, which is more energy-efficient than other window materials
- Has a certified in-house installation team, so you don’t have to hire a contractor
- Has a line of impact-resistant windows certified for high velocity hurricane zones
Cons
- Caps warranty at 20 years, whereas some competitors cover them for life
- Has a pattern of unhelpful sales representatives, according to reviews
What You Should Know
Our rating: 4.8
Price range: $600–$1,850
Warranty: Limited
State availability: 49
Our Take on Renewal by Andersen
There’s a lot to like about Renewal by Andersen. For starters, all of its products are made from its proprietary Fibrex composite material that no other company has. This material is a good balance of durability and cost—it performs better than vinyl but won’t break the bank like fiberglass.
We also like how many options you have with Renewal by Andersen. It offers all the popular window styles—double-hung, casement, picture, and more—plus 49 customization options for color, grid layout, hardware, etc. It even has an impact-resistent collection certified for high-velocity hurricane zones.
Another plus is the company’s in-house installation team. Many other brands manufacture their windows but don’t install them, leaving you to hire a contractor. Renewal having its own installers means your project will be handled under one roof, which should help prevent any miscommunication that can arise when dealing with multiple parties.
The only thing we really dock Renewal for is its limited warranty. It’s not a bad warranty, but it doesn’t give us the same assurance as lifetime coverage. We’ll explain this in more detail later in the article.
We Recommend Renewal by Andersen If You:
- Want a more energy-efficient and durable material than vinyl but cheaper than fiberglass
- Want impact-resistant windows
- Want to handle your entire project with one company
We Don’t Recommend Renewal by Andersen If You:
- Want cheaper windows
- Want vinyl, fiberglass, or wood windows
- Plan to stay in your home for more than 20 years, since its warranty will expire after that
Window Types Available
Renewal by Andersen makes seven standard window types along with a collection of custom specialty shapes. Here’s what you can choose from:
- Awning windows: Awning windows open outward from the bottom, letting in fresh air while keeping rain out.
- Bay and bow windows: These rival picture windows as the biggest units you can install, so they’re ideal if you have a great outdoor view or just want a lot of natural light. Bay windows consist of three window panels that jut out from your home’s exterior. Bow windows consist of four or more panels for a larger extension.
- Casement windows: Casements open outward from the side using a crank.
- Double-hung windows: Double-hung windows are popular because, unlike single-hung windows, both the top and bottom sash can open. You can raise the lower sash and lower the top sash. You can also tilt them inward for easy cleaning.
- Picture windows: Picture windows are for those who want maximum views of the outdoors. They don’t open, but they let in a ton of light.
- Sliding windows: Sliding windows are as they sound—they’re made to slide side-to-side on a track.
- Specialty windows: Renewal’s specialty window collection includes lesser-used, more architectural shapes. Think circles, ovals, arches, octagons, and other custom shapes.
The only option we’re surprised not to see is single-hung windows, which are what’s found in most homes. However, double-hung windows look the same but have more functionality, so you’re not really missing anything.
Renewal by Andersen Window Cost
According to our 2024 survey of 1,500 homeowners, a Renewal by Andersen window costs $1,194 on average. We noticed from reading customer review sites and forums such as Reddit that Renewal by Andersen has a reputation for being expensive, but we found its pricing is comparable to other brands. Actually, its average is slightly below the overall average we found of $1,227, which is based on pricing for 17 companies that we received survey responses about.
What you end up paying will vary based on a few factors—namely window size, style, material, and customizations. The larger and more customized the window, the more it will cost. Don’t forget that you’ll also have to pay for installation, too. Even though Renewal uses an in-house team, this is still an additional cost for labor, just like there would be for an external contractor. According to data Angi collected from real homeowners, window installation costs an average of $100–$300 per window.
Financing Options
Many window manufacturers provide financing options to help you upgrade your windows without having to wait until you have a large sum saved. They often partner with a bank to offer special financing perks. You can go this route, or you can get a loan separately through your own bank. Renewal’s financing program includes a line of credit up to $55,000, subject to credit approval. There are no upfront fees, and you have the option to defer payments. Renewal isn’t clear about how long you can defer payments, but many brands that offer this option allow you to put off payments for 12–18 months.
Discounts
Discounts change throughout the year and by location. At the time of this writing, Renewal is advertising a buy-one, get-one-40%-off deal. You must buy at least four windows to qualify for this discount, though.
Warranty Coverage
Renewal by Andersen provides a fully transferable limited warranty. Transferable means that you can transfer the policy to the next homeowner if you sell your house, which is attractive for buyers. Limited means that not all aspects of the window are covered for life. Renewal by Andersen has the following window warranty terms:
- 20 years for glass and frame material
- 10 years for locks, hinges, and other hardware
- 2 years for professional installation
These are common coverage lengths for what we see in the industry, but our preference is a lifetime warranty. These warranties cover the window for as long as you own the home it’s installed in. They’re less common but not rare. Castle and Window Nation are two manufacturers that provide lifetime coverage.
Materials
Frame material plays a big role in a window’s durability, longevity, maintenance requirements, weather resistance, and energy efficiency. Renewal by Andersen stands out because it uses a proprietary composite blend called Fibrex. Of the 15 window companies we’ve reviewed, it’s one of only two brands that uses a composite material—the other being Jeld-Wen.
You can think of composite as a solid middle-ground material. It’s more durable and energy-efficient than vinyl and aluminum. It’s also more weather-resistant and low-maintenance than wood, though you miss out on the traditional aesthetic of wood windows. The only material we’d choose over composite is fiberglass, which is stronger and more energy-efficient but more expensive.
Energy Efficiency
Renewal by Andersen has been named an Energy Star Partner of the Year for the last 10 consecutive years. It’s also certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council. These are two of the highest stamps of approval for a window brand. Certification from these organizations means Renewal’s products have undergone rigorous independent testing and meet strict energy performance standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Renewal’s Fibrex frame material is highly efficient, but it’s the windows’ glass that makes the biggest difference in lowering your energy bills. There are three primary factors that make a window energy efficient:
- Argon gas filling: This involves adding a nontoxic, colorless, odorless gas between window panes to increase insulation.
- Low-emissivity (low-e) coating: This is a coating applied to the glass to prevent heat transfer. It keeps the sun from heating your home in summer but allows it inside during winter. It also keeps the sun’s rays from fading your furniture, walls, and floors.
- Multiple panes: Double-pane windows are now the standard over single-pane options. Triple-pane windows are even better, especially if you live in a cold climate. The more panes, the more insulation the window offers.
Renewal by Andersen provides all of these features. It actually offers four types of low-e glass, each with variances made for certain climates.
Renewal by Andersen Customer Reviews: Reddit, BBB, Yelp, and More
Renewal by Andersen’s customer feedback is pretty comparable to what we see for other companies. Customers complain that their new window is already broken, that they can’t get anyone to come make a repair, and that the brand is overpriced. We see these complaints for every company, so we take them with a grain of salt unless the comments are so pervasive that it seems like a consistent issue with the company.
The main negative theme we noticed was pushy and unhelpful salespeople. Many reviewers wrote that the Renewal sales rep who came for their consultation was more focused on making a sale than listening to their goals and helping them make an informed decision. On the flip side, many customers said they liked Renewal’s window quality and the installers’ professionalism.
“We had 24 windows installed in our house and had a great experience from beginning to end. Ramon and his crew installed the windows and did a wonderful job. They were professional, polite, and kind throughout the two-day installation. The windows are high quality, and we already notice our air conditioning doesn’t turn on as often as before. Yes, they are expensive, but are worth every penny. I look forward to having these windows for decades to come.” —Christine via Trustpilot, May 2024
“I have never had a worse experience with outside salespeople than this. Couldn’t get any pricing because the guy (Zach) was more interested in asking me unrelated questions about anything except windows. I finally asked him to leave when I realized this was going to be a long wait for nothing.” —Never Again via Trustpilot, August 2024
Window Lines
Renewal has two window lines: Acclaim and Coastal Impact. The Acclaim line is its standard windows. It includes all the window types, materials, and features mentioned above.
Coastal Impact is the company’s impact-resistance line. The windows are similarly made from the brand’s Fibrex composite material, but the glass is certified through the Florida Product Approval program for High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ) and broader coastal areas. This means it’s built to handle hurricane winds and flying debris. It’s also designed and tested to meet the highest standard of forced entry resistance, so this line is both for those who live in storm-prone areas as well as those who want added security from break-ins.
Other Services Offered
Renewal by Andersen makes doors in addition to windows, which are also divided into the standard Acclaim line and Coastal Impact line. Styles include sliding, patio, and single- and double-entry doors. If you’re doing a big renovation and want to upgrade many features at the same time, you may want to go with a window brand that offers more services under one roof than Renewal does. For example, Window World installs windows, doors (including garage doors), siding, and shutters.
Quote and Installation Process
You can easily request a quote online by phone or through the website. To get detailed information, you’ll likely have to agree to a consultation. This is where a representative will come to your home at a scheduled time to look at your existing windows and talk to you about your goals and options. During this appointment, you can get an official quote in writing and place your window order.
Expect it to take at least a couple of months before your order is ready. Once it arrives at your local dealer, a representative will contact you to schedule installation. Renewal prides itself on the customer service its in-house installers provide. They begin by prepping the area and laying dropcloths over your flooring and furniture to protect them. They then install, inspect, and clean the windows. After, they clean up the area and dispose of your old windows for you.
One of our team members shadowed a Renewal by Andersen crew for a day to learn what window installation is like and saw these practices being implemented firsthand.
How Renewal by Andersen Compares to Other Top Window Companies
Despite a reputation for being expensive, you can see in the table below that Renewal by Andersen’s pricing is comparable to other reputable brands. According to our survey data, it’s actually cheaper on average than Castle, a company that only makes windows from vinyl, which isn’t as good of a material as composite.
Renewal’s product selection and customer reviews are pretty similar to these other leading companies. What makes it score higher is its durable, energy-efficient composite framing. Where it falls short compared to some of these other options is its warranty. Again, we prefer a lifetime warranty, as offered by Castle and Window Nation.
| Company | Logo | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Price Range | Warranty | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | $1,200+ | Limited transferable | Get Quote | ||
 | A+ | $550–$849 | Lifetime transferable | Get Quote | ||
 | A+ | $550–$850 | Limited lifetime transferable | Read Our Review | ||
 | Not Rated | $600–$900 | Limited lifetime transferable | Get Quote | ||
 | A+ | $550–$849 | Lifetime transferable |
*The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a third-party organization that evaluates businesses’ reputations and responsiveness to customers. Ratings are accurate as of November 2024.
**“Not rated” means the BBB is currently reevaluating the company’s score.
Advice from a Homeowner
We spoke with Bradford C. in North Carolina, who recently replaced five of his home’s windows. If he could do the experience over, he said he would have asked his installer more questions.
“It would have been nice to actually get more insight into which window options I had. The installer] basically just said, ‘You’ll be getting [this kind of window]. They’re great on energy, durable, and long-lasting.’ But he most likely just said that because that’s what his main distributor offers. It would have been great to probe him on that so I could have made the decision for myself.”
While we hope most representatives have the homeowner’s best interest in mind, some may take advantage and push the most expensive product. “I would advise homeowners to ask for more details about which options are available versus just trusting whichever ones they decide to order for you,” Bradford said.
Before having a consultation, we suggest researching the following:
- How energy performance is measured and why ratings matter for your energy bills
- What you want from your windows, such as noise reduction or impact resistance
- What customer reviews say about the brand
- Window styles and customization options
- Window warranty types and common terms
Being at least somewhat versed in industry terms and options will help you ask questions and make a more knowledgeable decision.
How We Evaluated Window Brands
To determine the best window brands, we surveyed 1,500 homeowners to learn which factors mattered most to them when buying windows, as well as what they like and dislike about the windows they chose. We also spoke with window experts to learn what to expect when buying and installing windows, and we carefully reviewed company websites and sample warranties. Finally, we read over 1,000 customer reviews to spot themes about each brand’s product and service quality.
Our Rating System
We evaluated companies on six factors: value, performance, selection, services, customer support, and reputation. Here’s how we approached scoring for each company using these categories:
- Value (20%): We evaluated cost and financing offers to assess your investment versus return. We gave more points to companies with below-market pricing of $1,400 or lower. If you’re buying several windows at once, you’ll likely consider financing them and paying the purchase off monthly. Some window manufacturers leave you to figure out financing on your own with your bank. Others have in-house financing options that come with incentives, such as 0% interest rates, no money down, or no payments for the first year. We rated companies with these benefits higher.
- Performance (25%): We looked at energy efficiency and warranty coverage to score performance. We gave the most points to companies with Energy Star-certified windows and lifetime warranties, as we feel these give buyers the best return on investment.
- Selection (20%): To rate product selection, we looked at available materials, window types, and customization options. Window brands typically score similarly in this category because they offer many of the same things.
- Services (10%): We awarded more points to companies that offer in-house window installation because this reduces scheduling hassles, miscommunication, and warranty disputes. We also awarded points to companies that offer products beyond windows, such as doors, siding, and gutters. We think this is more convenient and cost-effective for customers doing big home improvement projects.
- Customer Support (10%): We looked at brands’ support hours and website features to score this category. We awarded points for 24/7 customer support, a website chat feature, an online service request form, and online maintenance and how-to guides for convenient answers to common questions.
- Reputation (15%): Lastly, we assessed how companies fared on review sites. We looked at ratings on the BBB and Trustpilot, giving more points for a higher BBB letter rating and customer scores.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.