Castle Windows Vs. Andersen Windows For Your Home

When it comes time to replace the windows in your home, you want to make sure you choose the very best. Windows play a crucial role in the comfort and energy efficiency of your home.

The two big names in windows are Castle and Andersen.

They both make high-quality windows, but have some key differences. This article will compare Castle and Andersen windows to help you decide which is the better choice for your home renovation or new construction project.

A Brief Comparison Table

Feature	Castle Windows	Andersen Windows
Frame Materials	Vinyl, wood, fiberglass	Vinyl, wood, fiberglass, composite
Window Styles	All major styles plus custom	All major styles plus more curved options
Frame Colors	White standard, almond, sand, bronze, black, wood interior, custom colors	White, sandtone, brown exterior, custom color matching
Glass Types	LowE366, tinted, tempered, laminated	High Performance Low-E4, tempered, laminated, tinted, triple pane
Energy Efficiency	ENERGY STAR rated in all climates, U-Factor down to 0.27, SHGC down to 0.21	ENERGY STAR rated in all climates, U-Factor down to 0.22, SHGC down to 0.18
Warranties	Forever Warranty on vinyl and fiberglass	Limited lifetime on most windows
Prices	Mid-range to high-end, vinyl ~$350-$850 installed, fiberglass ~$1100-$1700 installed	Entry to luxury range, vinyl ~$400-$1200 installed, fiberglass ~$1200-$2500 installed
Reviews	Very positive, customers rave about quality and performance	Also very positive, known for exceptional quality and durability

Overview of Castle Windows

Castle Windows is a respected brand that has been manufacturing windows since 1947. They offer a full line of window styles including double hung, casement, awning, sliding, picture, bay, bow, garden, and specialty windows. Here are a few key facts about Castle Windows:

Based in Minnesota and family-owned.
Focus on innovation – introduced the first vinyl window in 1961.
Offer mid-range to high-end vinyl, wood, and fiberglass windows.
Known for good energy efficiency and weather-tight construction.
Provide a “Forever Warranty” on vinyl and fibrex windows.
Windows rated ENERGY STAR® certified in all 50 states.
Custom windows available made to your exact specifications.

Overview of Andersen Windows

Andersen Windows has even longer history, founded in 1903. They are one of the most recognized and trusted window brands among homeowners. Here are some Andersen Window basics:

Headquarters in Minnesota with manufacturing plants nationwide.
Publicly owned company and one of the largest window manufacturers.
Offer entry-level to high-end windows in vinyl, wood, fiberglass, and composite frame materials.
Known for excellent quality, durability, and energy efficiency.
Provide limited lifetime warranties on vinyl and Fibrex windows, 10 years on wood windows.
Windows rated ENERGY STAR® certified in all climate zones.
Can get custom windows in a huge variety of styles, colors, and sizes.

Key Differences Between Castle And Andersen Windows

Now that we’ve covered the basics about each brand, let’s do a detailed comparison of their window offerings.

Window Frame Materials

An important differentiator between window brands is the frame materials they offer. Both Castle and Andersen provide windows in vinyl, wood, and fiberglass frames.

Vinyl

Castle: Mainly use premium vinyl called Elevate for resistance to weathering. It has insulating chambers and reinforcement for strength.
Andersen: Utilize their patented Fibrex material for most vinyl windows. It has the low maintenance of vinyl but is more durable.
Comparison: Andersen Fibrex beats out Castle’s solid vinyl in terms of strength and thermal performance. But Castle vinyl is highly weather-resistant.

Wood

Castle: Offer pine, alder, oak, cherry, and maple wood species. Have robust wood preservative treatments.
Andersen: Also offer a variety of interior and exterior wood species. Use a thick, factory-applied exterior coating called Perma-Shield®.
Comparison: The wood window construction quality is similar between the two brands. Overall durability depends on the specific species selected.

Fiberglass

Castle: Their KirbeX fiberglass is considered very strong and long-lasting. Has an acrylic layer for low-maintenance.
Andersen: Their Fibrex material adds strength and stability to fiberglass. Has excellent thermal insulation properties.
Comparison: Both companies make fiberglass windows with excellent durability and energy efficiency. Andersen Fibrex has a slight performance edge.

Also Read: Is Weather Shield Signature Series Windows Worth It?

Window Styles and Options

When selecting new windows, you’ll want to consider which styles you need and the available options. Here is how Castle and Andersen compare:

Styles Offered

Castle: Provide all the main styles – double hung, single hung, casement, awning, sliding, bay, bow, garden, picture windows, and specialty shapes.
Andersen: Also offer the full gamut of styles including double hung, casement, awning, gliding, picture, bay, bow, circle top and more.
Comparison: Both brands provide all the essential window styles for any home. Andersen has more curved and custom specialty shape options.

Frame Colors

Castle: White is their standard color but also have almond, desert sand, bronze, black, antique bronze, and wood interior options. Unlimited custom colors available.
Andersen: Offer white, sandtone, brown exterior colors. Custom color matching for interior and exterior.
Comparison: More standard color choices with Castle but Andersen can match any custom color. Both brands offer unlimited color options.

Glass Types

Castle: Utilize double-pane LowE366 glass from Cardinal Glass Industries for excellent thermal efficiency. Also offer tinted, tempered, laminated glass.
Andersen: Use their own High Performance Low-E4® double-pane glass for blocking UV rays while letting light in. Also provide options like tempered, laminated, tinted, patterned, and triple pane.
Comparison: Excellent glass options from both companies. Slight advantage to Andersen for also offering triple pane glass.

Additional Options

Castle: Offer internal blinds, decorative glass, screens, security sensors, and mixed unit sizes for more customization.
Andersen: Provide retractable insect screens, removable interior grilles, built-in blinds, and mixed unit sizes for design flexibility.
Comparison: Wide range of custom options available from both brands for increased functionality, security, and aesthetics.

Energy Efficiency

A major factor to compare is the energy efficiency of Castle versus Andersen windows. Efficiency greatly impacts your energy bills and home comfort.

Castle: Rated ENERGY STAR certified in all 50 states. Have thermal break technology to resist heat and cold transfer. U-Factors as low as 0.27 and SHGC as low as 0.21.
Andersen: Also achieve ENERGY STAR certification in all climate zones. Use multi-chamber frame design for thermal efficiency. U-Factors as low as 0.22 and SHGC as low as 0.18.
Comparison: Both brands offer superb energy efficiency levels through effective insulation, multi-layer weatherstripping, insulating glass units and other innovations. Andersen rates slightly better on extreme climate U-Factors and SHGC numbers.

Warranties

It’s important to consider the warranties each company provides on their windows:

Castle: Offer an exclusive “Forever Warranty” on their vinyl and fiberglass windows. This covers your windows for as long as you own your home.
Andersen: Provide a limited lifetime warranty on Fibrex and wood-clad Fibrex windows. A 20-year warranty on many other window lines.
Comparison: Castle offers a true lifetime warranty while Andersen warranties are primarily limited lifetime. Both cover defects, but Castle extends to original owner.

Prices

Pricing is another key differentiator between the two brands. Both offer windows at varying price points:

Castle: Mid-range to higher end windows. Vinyl double hung between $350 – $850 per window installed. Fiberglass casements $1,100 – $1,700 installed.
Andersen: Entry level to luxury windows. Vinyl double hung $400 – $1,200 installed. Fiberglass casements around $1,200 – $2,500 installed.
Comparison: There is major overlap in pricing between Castle and Andersen. Generally, Andersen has more premium-priced offerings for high-end homes. Castle is better value for more budget-conscious projects.

Customer Reviews

Looking at customer feedback for each brand is helpful for getting a real-world sense of their windows:

Castle: Reviews indicate customers are very satisfied with quality, appearance, installation, and performance of their Castle windows. Negative feedback is minimal.
Andersen: Reviews are also overwhelmingly positive. Customers rave about the durability, quality, appearance and comfort of Andersen windows. Most negative comments relate to higher prices.
Comparison: Both Castle and Andersen receive stellar reviews from the vast majority of customers. In terms of quality, appearance, and performance, most homeowners say you can’t go wrong with either brand.

Also Read: Pros And Cons of Atrium 450 Series Windows.

FAQ: Castle And Andersen Windows

Still trying to decide between Castle or Andersen windows? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

What windows are comparable to Andersen?

Some brands with offerings comparable to Andersen in terms of quality are Pella, Marvin, Milgard, Simonton, and Jeld-Wen. Castle is very comparable as well if you are looking for impressive quality at more affordable price points.

Who is Andersen Windows biggest competitor?

Andersen’s biggest competitors in the window manufacturing industry are Pella and Marvin. These three are among the largest and most recognized window brands. Each offers a wide range of vinyl, wood, fiberglass, and composite windows.

Who is the best window company?

It’s hard to single out one company as the undisputed “best.” Andersen, Pella, Marvin, and several others are all excellent window manufacturers. Homeowners report high satisfaction with each of the major brands. Castle is another great option that offers amazing quality for the price.

Who makes best house windows?

Andersen, Pella, Marvin, Jeld-Wen, Simonton, Milgard, and Castle are all regarded as making some of the best house windows on the market today. Key considerations are material quality, craftsmanship, durability, energy efficiency, aesthetics, features, and warranties.

Final Thoughts

For most homeowners, choosing between reputable brands like Andersen and Castle comes down to window types/features needed and budget.

With either brand, you can feel confident you are getting an exceptionally crafted, energy-efficient, and durable window for your home. Reach out to local installation pros to learn more about both companies.