If you’re in the market for new windows, two big names you’ll likely come across are Lincoln and Andersen. Both companies have been around for decades and offer a wide selection of window styles and options.
But which brand is better for your home and budget? Here’s an in-depth look at how Lincoln and Andersen windows compare.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Factor | Lincoln Windows | Andersen Windows |
| Frame Materials | Primarily vinyl; some aluminum-clad wood | Wood, fiberglass, vinyl, aluminum-clad wood |
| Styles & Options | All main styles; good custom shapes; 14 exterior colors | Very wide style selection including contemporary; less color options |
| Energy Efficiency | Very good; meet Energy Star standards | Excellent; cutting-edge technologies |
| Glass Options | Standard upgrades like Low-E, argon, tints | SmartSun, self-cleaning, security glass |
| Warranties | Lifetime limited on vinyl; 10-20 yrs other components | 10-20 yrs coverage; 20 yrs vinyl parts |
| Prices | $300 – $700 per window average | $700 – $1500+ per window average |
| Best For | Budget-conscious buyers wanting very good vinyl windows | Premium quality and prestige without budget limitations |
Overview of Lincoln Windows
Founded in 1947, Lincoln Windows is one of the older brands in the window industry. They offer a full line of vinyl and aluminum windows for both new construction and replacement projects.
Vinyl makes up the bulk of their business, but they also have aluminum-clad wood windows and all-aluminum offerings. Based in Merrill, Wisconsin, Lincoln manufactures most of their vinyl windows in their home state.
Some key things to know about Lincoln Windows:
- Focus on vinyl – Lincoln’s expertise is in vinyl window manufacturing. Their vinyl line includes single hung, double hung, sliding, casement, awning, and picture window styles.
- Budget to mid-range pricing – Lincoln vinyl windows are affordably priced, making them a good option for cost-conscious homeowners. Expect to pay $300-$700 per window on average.
- Solid warranties – Vinyl windows come with a lifetime limited warranty. Many components likebalances and weatherstripping have 20-year coverage.
- Energy efficient options – Low-E glass and argon gas filled glazing spaces give Lincoln vinyl windows good thermal performance. Advanced frames enhance efficiency further.
- Wide range of styles – From traditional double hungs to contemporary casements, Lincoln offers all the major window styles and custom shapes.
- Replacement and new construction – Lincoln windows work for both replacing old windows and new home builds. The nailing fin makes installation easy.
Overall, Lincoln hits a nice sweet spot between price and performance. While not luxury-tier, their vinyl windows offer good quality at reasonable price points for most homeowners.
Overview of Andersen Windows
Operating since 1903, Andersen is one of the oldest and best-known window brands on the market. Based in Bayport, Minnesota, Andersen offers wood, vinyl, fiberglass, and aluminum clad wood windows. Andersen is known for innovation and high-end window products.
Here are some key Andersen window traits:
- Premium brand recognition – As a large national brand, Andersen has wide name recognition and perceived quality. Their windows sell at premium prices.
- Many frame materials – Andersen windows come in wood, vinyl, fiberglass, and aluminum-clad wood options. This material variety is wider than many brands.
- Cutting-edge technology – Andersen invests heavily in new window technologies like SmartSun glass, composite frames, and more. They tend to be ahead of the curve.
- Stylish contemporary options – Along with classic styles, Andersen has many modern casement windows and special shapes. Their windows make a design statement.
- Expensive price points – As a premium brand, Andersen windows are priced at the high end of the market. Expect to pay $700-$1500 or more per window.
- Excellent warranty – The applied Limited Warranty is 20 years on vinyl parts and 10 years on glass.
Overall, Andersen offers some of the best-performing and most beautiful windows you can buy. If budget isn’t too much of a concern, they’re a fantastic option. But expect to pay a premium.
Lincoln And Andersen Windows: Key Comparisons
Now that we’ve covered background on both brands, let’s compare Andersen and Lincoln windows across a few key factors:
Frame Materials
Andersen windows come in more frame materials than Lincoln. Andersen offers wood, fiberglass composite, vinyl, and aluminum-clad wood windows. Lincoln focuses on vinyl frames with some aluminum-clad wood options.
Vinyl and composite Andersen windows compete well with Lincoln on performance, quality, and cost. The 100 Series vinyl line is very comparable to Lincoln’s vinyl windows.
Where Andersen pulls ahead is its wood and fiberglass lines, which offer premium construction, beauty, and design flexibility. Of course, they also command higher prices.
Window Styles and Options
Both brands offer all the main window styles and operating types – double hung, single hung, sliding, casement, awning, and more.
They also have good selections of custom shapes like circles, arches, and trapezoids.
Andersen has more contemporary and modern window styles than Lincoln.
So if you want a sleek contemporary look, Andersen will have more on-trend options.
But Lincoln covers all the basics very well.
For customization, Lincoln windows do have more exterior color options. Their vinyl windows come in 14 different exterior vinyl colors. Andersen’s exterior color selection is more limited.
Energy Efficiency
On energy efficiency, Andersen and Lincoln have similarly well-insulated vinyl, aluminum-clad, and composite window lines. Here are some efficiency features they offer:
- Multi-layer Low-E glazing
- Argon and krypton gas filled glass
- Foam-filled vinyl or composite frames
- Warm-edge spacers on glass
- Weatherstripping and tight sealing
Both companies can provide windows rated for most climate zones. Andersen may have a slight performance edge with extra low U-Factors on some products. But both brands meet current Energy Star requirements.
Glass Options
Andersen offers a few high-end glass options you can’t get from Lincoln:
- SmartSunTM glass for dynamic tinting
- Ultra low-maintenance exterior glass
- Impact-resistant glass and laminated security glass
However, Lincoln still provides all the regular glass upgrades like low-E coats, argon fill, obscure, tempered, and tinted glass. So they have everything most homeowners need. Andersen just adds the latest innovations first.
Warranties
The warranties offered by Lincoln and Andersen are similar in length, mostly 10-20 years. Andersen does offer a slightly better 20-year coverage on vinyl parts versus Lincoln’s lifetime limited coverage.
Both brands’ warranties are non-transferable. You need to be the original owner to qualify. Warranty service also requires proof of purchase and proper product registration.
Prices and Costs
Without a doubt, the biggest difference between these two brands is price. Andersen windows sell at a significant premium over Lincoln:
- Lincoln vinyl – Approximately $300 to $700 per window
- Andersen 100 Series vinyl – Approximately $700 to $1,200 per window
- Andersen wood/fiberglass – $1,500+ per window
While Lincoln vinyl competes on cost with many mid-tier brands, Andersen windows are some of the most expensive on the market. Even the 100 Series vinyl line sells for almost double Lincoln’s range. The higher-end wood and fiberglass Andersen windows sell for exponentially more.
Of course, with Andersen you’re also paying for premium materials, engineering, warranties, and brand prestige. But that premium pricing puts them out of reach for buyers on a tight budget.
Lincoln And Andersen: Which Brand Is Best For You?
With the major factors compared, which of these window brands is right for your home and budget?
Here are a few final tips on choosing:
- For affordability, Lincoln can’t be beat. Their vinyl windows offer tremendous value for performance.
- If you prioritize premium quality and brand prestige, go with Andersen windows.
- Those wanting maximum energy savings at a moderate price can get excellent thermal performance from Lincoln.
- For the widest selection of styles and customizations, Andersen is the winner.
- Homeowners wanting versatile mixed-material designs are also better served by Andersen and their material options.
- Both brands work great for replacements. For new construction, Lincoln’s nailing fin and lower cost make them a particularly good fit.
Overall, Lincoln vinyl windows are best for homeowners who want very good quality vinyl windows at an affordable price point. Andersen is ideal for those wanting top-tier prestige and performance with exotic materials and custom designs.
For many buyers, Lincoln hits that sweet spot of offering great windows for a reasonable investment that can significantly upgrade your home’s comfort and beauty. And that makes them our top value recommendation for most homeowners.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, Lincoln windows are very good vinyl windows that offer quality construction and performance at affordable prices. In independent testing, Lincoln vinyl windows achieve excellent ratings for structural integrity, air infiltration, water resistance, wind load resistance, forced entry resistance, and overall durability. While not the most premium windows around, Lincoln makes a quality product that will serve homeowners well for decades.
Some window brands that compete well with Andersen in terms of quality and features include:
1. Pella – Very comparable to Andersen with premium wood, fiberglass, and vinyl windows
2. Marvin – Another prestigious brand making beautiful wood and fiberglass windows
3. Milgard – Well-respected fiberglass and vinyl windows at lower prices
4. Simonton – Budget-friendly vinyl windows with great warranties
5. Okna – Upscale vinyl and aluminum-clad windows with European styling
While not identical, these brands can provide windows on par with Andersen’s quality, performance, and style at different price points.
Renewal by Andersen is the direct sales division of Andersen. Their window prices are often 20-30% higher than what you’d pay for the same Andersen windows through a third-party Andersen dealer. So in that sense, yes Renewal by Andersen is overpriced compared to other Andersen sellers. However, they often offer strong promotions and financing options. And some homeowners appreciate their white-glove sales and installation service.
Overall, Andersen windows are more expensive than Pella on average. However, Pella does have higher-end wood window lines like Architect Series that compete with Andersen’s luxury wood windows on price. But for mainstream lines like vinyl and fiberglass, Andersen still has an edge on pricing. The Andersen brand also carries more prestige and commands higher prices in the luxury category. Both make fantastic windows, but expect to pay more overall when buying Andersen versus Pella windows of similar grades and materials.
Final Thoughts
So in summary, while both are excellent products, Lincoln windows provide the best overall value for most homeowners needing quality vinyl windows at affordable prices. Andersen is better suited for those wanting the utmost in top-tier quality and prestige without concern for budget limitations.
Carefully weigh your needs, style preferences, and budget when deciding between these two impressive window brands. With either choice, you’ll get windows that can beautifully transform your home.