If you’re in the market for new windows, you’re likely considering some of the top brands like Simonton and Andersen. Both companies make high-quality windows, but there are some key differences between their products to consider.
In this article, we’ll compare the Simonton 6500 and Andersen 100 series windows to help you decide which is best for your home.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Simonton 6500 | Andersen 100 Series |
| Frame Material | Vinyl | Fibrex Composite |
| Glass | Double-pane, clear, obscure, tinted | Clear double-pane with Low-E coating |
| Energy Efficiency | U-factor 0.27-0.31 | U-factor 0.27 |
| Visible Light Transmittance | 21%-65% | 62% |
| Air Leakage | 0.18 cfm/ft2 | 0.01 cfm/ft2 |
| Exterior Colors | White, tan, clay, black | 15 standard colors, custom colors |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime | 20-year on glass, 10-year limited |
| Price | $$ Mid-range | $$$ Premium |
| Styles | Mainly double hung and sliding | Many styles like casement, awning, gliding |
Simonton 6500 Windows Overview
Simonton Windows is known for making affordable, energy efficient replacement windows. The Simonton 6500 series is one of their most popular model lines. Here are some of the key features and benefits of these windows:
- Double-pane glass – The 6500 series has double-pane insulated glass units, which improves energy efficiency and noise reduction compared to single pane windows.
- Fusion-welded frames – The vinyl window frames are fused together for added strength and structural integrity. This helps prevent sagging or warping.
- Advanced Super Spacer® – This spacer between the glass panes contains no metal to conduct cold, enhancing thermal performance.
- Several glazing options – Choose between clear, obscure, and tinted glass to meet your needs. Obscure glass provides privacy while tinted glass reduces glare.
- DuraBrite® exterior coating – The special coating helps the exterior vinyl retain its color longer against UV rays and extreme weather.
- Variety of colors – Simonton 6500 windows come in different exterior color options like white, tan, clay, and black. Interior is white.
- Limited lifetime warranty – The windows are backed by a transferable limited lifetime warranty, including the glass.
Overall, the 6500 series offers an affordable, energy efficient, and customizable window with decent durability from a trusted brand.
Andersen 100 Series Windows Overview
Andersen is a reputable, high-end window manufacturer that offers greater material quality, durability, and customization in their 100 series line:
- Fibrex® composite frames – The patented Fibrex material is 2x stronger than vinyl, dent-resistant, and provides thermal efficiency.
- Moderate price point – While still considered a premium window, Andersen 100 series is more affordable than their wood window lines.
- High visible light transmittance – Lets in more natural daylight compared to tinted or coated glass.
- Various exterior colors – Choose from 15 standard exterior color options, with custom colors also available.
- Wide range of styles – Many different styles like double hung, casement, awning, and sliding windows. More limited with Simonton.
- Better air tightness – Improved weatherstripping and construction allows less air leakage for better energy efficiency.
- 20/10 limited warranty – Backed by a 20-year coverage on glass, 10 years on manufacturing materials and workmanship.
The 100 series line represents Andersen’s signature technologies in a versatile, attractive, and energy efficient composite window.
Comparing Key Features and Performance
Now that we’ve covered the basics of each window line, let’s do a detailed comparison of their main features and performance specs:
Frame Materials
- Simonton – Vinyl frame construction, fusion-welded corners
- Andersen – Fibrex composite material (40% vinyl, 60% reclaimed wood fiber)
The Fibrex frames give Andersen an advantage in strength, dent-resistance, and insulation. Vinyl is more prone to expansion and contraction.
Glass Options
- Simonton – Clear, obscure, and tinted double-pane glass units available
- Andersen – Clear double-pane units with High-PerformanceTM Low-E coating
Both offer energy efficient double-pane glass. Simonton has more glazing options while Andersen glass maximizes visibility and natural light transmittance.
Energy Efficiency
- Simonton – U-factor ranges from 0.27 to 0.31 depending on glass chosen
- Andersen – U-factor of 0.27 standard across all units
Lower U-factors indicate better thermal insulation. Andersen wins slightly on energy efficiency specifications.
Visible Light Transmittance
- Simonton – VLT ranges from 21% to 65% depending on glazing
- Andersen – High VLT of 62% standard for clear glass
The High-PerformanceTM Low-E glass gives Andersen very high visible light transmittance for maximum daylight and solar heat gain.
Air Leakage
- Simonton – Air infiltration rating around 0.18 cfm/ft2
- Andersen – Air leakage rating as low as 0.01 cfm/ft2
Significant advantage for Andersen here. The Fibrex material and tighter construction results in less air flow for improved efficiency.
Exterior Color Options
- Simonton – White, tan, clay, black standard colors
- Andersen – 15 exterior color options, custom colors also available
Both offer flexibility in exterior colors to match your home’s aesthetics. Andersen has a wider selection of standard color choices.
Warranties
- Simonton – Limited lifetime warranty on vinyl and glass
- Andersen – 20-year coverage on glass, 10 years parts and labor
The lifetime vinyl and glass warranty from Simonton is strong but Andersen still provides lengthy 20 and 10-year warranties.
Pricing
- Simonton – Moderately priced, affordable mid-range option
- Andersen – Higher-end pricing but still lower cost composite line for the brand
Simonton 6500 series windows will be the less expensive option. But Andersen 100 series offers good value compared to other composites.
Style and Design Options
- Simonton – Mainly double hung and sliding window styles
- Andersen – Many styles like awning, casement, double hung, gliding, etc.
Andersen will have many more window design options to fit the needs of different rooms in your house.
Pros and Cons Comparison
Based on the evaluations above, here is a quick pros and cons recap of the key differences between the Simonton 6500 and Andersen 100 Series:
Simonton 6500 Pros:
- More affordable price point
- Wide range of glazing options
- Limited lifetime warranty on glass and vinyl
Simonton 6500 Cons:
- Vinyl frames prone to expansion and contraction
- Lower visible light transmittance
- Less tight construction and higher air leakage
- Limited styles mainly to double hung and sliding
Andersen 100 Series Pros:
- Stronger Fibrex composite frames
- Excellent visible light transmittance
- Very low air infiltration for efficiency
- Many style options beyond just double hung
- 20-year glass and 10-year limited warranty
Andersen 100 Series Cons:
- More expensive than vinyl counterparts
- Less glazing customization options
- Shorter warranties compared to other Andersen lines
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Overall, Andersen windows are considered higher-end and better performing than Simonton but also come at a higher price. Andersen offers stronger frames, tighter construction, and better warranties. However, Simonton is still an excellent mid-range option known for energy efficiency and customization.
Yes, the 100 series is a very good composite window line from Andersen. The Fibrex material is highly durable and energy efficient. And the 100 series pricing is more affordable than other Andersen collections with similar performance.
Simonton is definitely a good window brand. They have built a reputation for quality, energy efficiency, and value. While not at the Andersen level, Simonton competes well with other mid-range vinyl window brands. The 6500 series is their best selling model line.
The Simonton 6500 is an upgraded version of the 5500 model. The 6500 has sturdier construction with fusion-welded frames rather than mechanically joined corners. It also has more glass options available like obscure and tinted. Overall, the 6500 tests better for things like air leakage. But the 5500 is still a good quality, affordable Simonton model line.
Conclusion
When choosing between Simonton 6500 and Andersen 100 series windows, it mainly comes down to your budget and material preferences. Simonton 6500 is the more affordable mid-range vinyl window offering great energy savings and customization.
For those willing to pay more, the Andersen 100 series provides stronger composite construction, very good visibility, tighter air sealing, and wide style selection. Overall you can’t go wrong with either brand, but the advanced Fibrex material and technologies used by Andersen make their 100 series the higher performing window.
Just be prepared to pay more for the upgrades over a quality vinyl product like Simonton 6500. Hopefully this detailed comparison gives you confidence to choose the right replacement windows from these two excellent brands.
