That’s pretty much my experience too. Kolbes look sharp, but getting them into my 1994 framing took a lot more persuasion than I expected—like, break out the planer and hope for the best. Andersen’s glass is wild for noise though. The wallet pain is real...
Funny, my experience was kind of the opposite. I actually found Kolbes went in easier than I expected—maybe just luck with my framing being a bit oversized? Andersen’s glass is killer for blocking out street noise, but I swear the install took twice as long with all the shimming. The price tag made me wince too, but at least you get some serious performance for it.
Totally get where you're coming from on the Andersen install. That shimming can be a pain. But I gotta say,
—that's a huge plus if you’re anywhere near traffic. The price tag's rough, but honestly, I think of it as an investment in comfort (and probably lower energy bills down the line). Funny how Kolbe fit easier for you, though. My neighbor had the opposite and had to trim a bunch just to get them to sit right... guess every house is its own adventure.Andersen’s glass is killer for blocking out street noise
Andersen’s glass is killer for blocking out street noise
Yeah, that’s definitely true—Andersen’s glass is no joke for noise reduction. I’ve seen it make a night-and-day difference on busy streets. But man, you nailed it about every house being its own adventure. I had a Kolbe install go super smooth on a 70s ranch, but then the same model was a bear to fit in a newer build. Sometimes it feels like the framing gremlins are out to get you. Price-wise, Andersen stings, but I do think you feel it in comfort (and your utility bill) over time.
Totally get what you mean about the framing gremlins—my place is a 90s two-story and nothing is square, so every window swap turns into a mini-adventure. I do like how Andersen keeps things quieter, but honestly, Kolbe’s finish options looked a bit nicer to me. The price tag on Andersen made me wince, though. Did you notice any big difference in drafts or energy bills after the swap, or was it mostly the noise?
Funny you mention drafts—I swapped out a few old Andersen units for Kolbe last fall, and honestly, the biggest difference was noise. Energy bills didn’t budge much, but I’m not freezing in the living room anymore. Kolbe’s finish is definitely a step up, but the install on my crooked frames took some creative shimming. If your 90s place is anything like mine, expect a little extra cussing during install... but the end result’s worth it.
- Totally get the crooked frame struggle—my 90s place had zero right angles, I swear.
- I did Andersen for the bedrooms and Kolbe in the kitchen. Kolbe’s finish is noticeably nicer, but Andersen was a bit easier to fit.
- Didn’t see much change on my bills either, but it’s way less drafty now.
- If you’re picky about looks, Kolbe’s worth the hassle. Otherwise, Andersen’s not a bad call for tricky installs.
Yeah, crooked frames are the worst—my living room window took three tries to get level. I’ll agree Kolbe’s finish is slick, but I found their lead times dragged out way longer than Andersen’s. Did anyone else deal with that, or was I just unlucky? For draftiness, swapping out my old windows made a bigger difference than I expected, but my bills barely budged too. Wonder if that’s just the 90s insulation showing its age...
Funny you mention the insulation—I’ve started wondering if my 1994 walls are just letting all the new windows’ hard work slip away. When I swapped to Andersen in the kitchen, the drafts vanished, but my winter gas bill didn’t really budge either. I’m curious if anyone’s tackled adding insulation to an older home and actually seen a difference, or is it just wishful thinking? Sometimes I think it’s a losing battle with these 90s builds...
I get where you’re coming from—my place is a ’92 and I swear those walls are basically tissue paper. I blew in cellulose insulation a couple winters ago, hoping for a miracle. Honestly? The house felt less drafty, but my gas bill only dropped a little. I think the windows helped more with comfort than actual savings. Sometimes I wonder if these old walls just hit their limit, no matter what you do...