Simonton vs. Andersen windows - worth the extra cash?

Funny, I had the same concern about drafts after my window swap. My house is a ‘62 split-level and I went with a mix - Simonton in the back, Andersen up front. Honestly, noise-wise, I didn’t notice a huge difference between the two brands, but the Andersen did seem to muffle street sounds a bit better. Could be placebo, though, since it cost more. The drafts? Had one in the living room after install, even though everything looked tight. Turned out the foam insulation around the frame wasn’t packed in enough - installer came back and fixed it, no more cold spots. If you’re worried about noise, I’d say check if you can get thicker glass or laminated panes before splurging on the fanciest brand.

The drafts? Had one in the living room after install, even though everything looked tight. Turned out the foam insulation around the frame wasn’t packed in enough - installer came back and fixed it, no more cold spots.

That’s wild - I had the same thing with my kitchen window. Looked perfect, but I could feel a breeze strong enough to ruffle the dog’s ears. Installer swore it was “settling,” but a little extra insulation did the trick. I’ve got Simontons throughout and honestly, can’t say I notice much difference noise-wise from my neighbor’s Andersens. Curious if anyone actually hears a big upgrade, or if it’s mostly peace of mind for the price tag...

Funny, I had a similar situation - brand new windows, but still felt like I was living in a wind tunnel until the installer came back and added more insulation. As for noise, I honestly can’t tell much difference either. My neighbor has Andersens and their house isn’t any quieter than mine, at least not that I can tell from inside. Makes me wonder if the price jump is more about brand than actual performance, especially if you’re not right on a busy street. Anyone else notice a real difference with noise or drafts?

Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing - swapped out my old single panes for Simonton double-hungs last winter and honestly, the draft situation was way more about the install than the window itself. The gaps around the frame were like little wind highways until they came back with some spray foam. Once that was sorted, it felt way better, but I can’t say it turned my place into a soundproof bunker or anything.

I did a bunch of research before buying, and from what I could tell, unless you’re going for triple glazing or some specialty acoustic glass, most standard double-pane windows are pretty similar in terms of noise reduction. The big difference seems to be in hardware and finish - Andersen does look a bit fancier up close, but I couldn’t justify the extra cost for just that. Maybe if I lived on a busy avenue or had a barking dog next door I'd care more... but for my suburban street, the difference is almost impossible to notice.

For me, making sure the install was airtight made more of an impact than the brand stamped on the glass.

For me, making sure the install was airtight made more of an impact than the brand stamped on the glass.

I get where you're coming from, but I’d push back a bit on the “brand stamped on the glass” part. In my experience, the brand does matter - at least in the long run. Here’s what I’ve noticed after living with both Simonton and Andersen in two different houses:

1. Hardware: You mentioned, “the big difference seems to be in hardware and finish.” That’s not just about looks. The Andersen locks and balances on my current place still feel tight after 8 years. My Simontons from before started to loosen up after year 5, and I had two latches break.

2. Weatherstripping: The quality here actually made a difference for drafts over time. My Andersens still seal well, even after a few winters with wild temperature swings. Simonton’s were fine at first, but I started noticing more air movement around the sashes as they aged.

3. Warranty/Service: When the Simonton latch broke, getting a replacement was a hassle. Andersen sent me a part for free, no questions.

I agree install is huge - bad install ruins any window. But if you plan to stay put for a decade or more, I’d say the extra cash for Andersen can be worth it, especially if you don’t want to mess around with repairs down the line. Just my two cents from having lived with both...

The Andersen locks and balances on my current place still feel tight after 8 years. My Simontons from before started to loosen up after year 5, and I had two latches break.

That’s interesting - I’m just now picking out windows for our first house, so hearing about the hardware holding up (or not) is huge. Did you notice any difference in noise reduction between the two? Our street gets pretty loud at night, and I’m wondering if one brand beats the other there...

I actually had the opposite experience - my Simontons were quieter than the Andersens in my last place.

“Our street gets pretty loud at night, and I’m wondering if one brand beats the other there...”

- Noise blocking’s tricky - lots of variables. Double pane, triple pane, gas fill, install quality… all make a difference.
- I’ve had Simonton in a previous place (1970s ranch). They were decent for sound, but I remember the hardware feeling a bit flimsy too.
- Andersen’s higher-end stuff (400 series) felt sturdier to me, but honestly didn’t notice a huge gap in noise reduction compared to mid-range Simonton. Maybe installer skill matters more than brand here?
- Energy efficiency-wise, both brands do well if you get the right glass package. Sometimes it’s worth paying extra for better U-factor/SHGC ratings rather than just the name on the window.
- If you care most about quiet, I’d ask about laminated glass options or look into how well they seal after install. That made a bigger difference for us than brand alone.
- Price jumps fast with Andersen, not always justified unless you want wood interiors or are super picky about hardware feel. For pure function - Simonton can hold up fine if installed right.

Kind of wish I’d focused less on the label and more on who was putting them in…

- Had Simonton put in during a reno a few years back - installer was a local guy who really took his time, and honestly, they’re still super solid.
- Lived with original Andersen windows in my last place (mid-90s build). They felt beefier, but after a few winters, I started noticing drafts around the frames.
- Agree on the install quality being huge. My neighbor had the same Simontons, different contractor, and he’s always complaining about rattling when it’s windy.
- For me, the “brand premium” didn’t translate to a quieter or warmer house - just a lighter wallet.
- Hardware feel is nice, but I’d rather have a solid seal and good glass package.
- If I did it again, I’d probably spend more time picking the right installer than agonizing over which logo is on the lock.

Couldn’t agree more with the “installer over brand” point.

If I did it again, I’d probably spend more time picking the right installer than agonizing over which logo is on the lock.

I get where you’re coming from - people obsess over window brands but barely check who’s actually putting them in. I’ve swapped out windows in two houses now, and honestly, the biggest screw-ups I’ve seen were from rushed or sloppy installs, not cheap windows. Doesn’t matter if you drop big bucks on Andersen or stick with Simonton; a bad install will kill your insulation and probably void any warranty anyway.

I did Andersen in my first place because, well, everyone said they were the “Cadillac” option. They looked nice but I still had drafts around the frames in winter. Turns out the crew just didn’t seal things up right. In my current house, I went with Simonton after talking to a few local guys and picking the one who seemed to actually care about doing it right. No leaks, no drafts, and my energy bill dropped more than I expected.

One thing nobody told me: check how installers handle trim and caulking. Some guys rush it and leave gaps that look fine at first but let air in after a season or two. Also, ask if they’ll do a blower door test after install - it’s not standard, but a couple of pros around here offer it for an extra fee and it’s worth knowing if you’re actually sealed up.

Honestly, unless you want real wood interiors or some custom shape that only Andersen does, I don’t see the point in paying double. Simonton’s been solid for me so far. Only thing is their hardware feels a little cheaper, but it works.

Curious - did anyone else notice more noise reduction with one brand over another? My Simontons cut street noise way better than my old Andersens did, but maybe that was just the glass package.

- Totally agree - install is everything. I’ve seen pricey windows botched by lazy crews, and budget ones last years when done right.
- On noise reduction: my Simontons (double-pane, laminated glass) knocked down street noise way better than the old wood Andersens. Could be the glass package, but honestly, my house is way quieter now.
- Only thing I miss from Andersen is the beefier hardware. Simonton’s feels a bit plasticky, but hey, it all works and hasn’t broken yet.
- Pro tip: if you want even more noise control, ask about triple-pane or laminated options. Not cheap, but makes a difference if you’re on a busy road.

Totally hear you on the install - my neighbor dropped serious cash on high-end windows, but the crew left gaps everywhere. Meanwhile, I went with mid-range vinyl (not Simonton, but similar), and my place is way less drafty just because the installer actually cared. Noise-wise, double-pane made a huge difference for me too. I get what you mean about the hardware feeling a bit “meh,” but honestly, if it keeps my heating bill down and blocks out my neighbor’s lawnmower at 7am, I’ll take it. Sometimes the fancy stuff just isn’t worth the upcharge… unless you’re really picky about handles.

That’s interesting - makes me wonder if the installer matters more than the brand half the time. I’ve been looking at both Simonton and Andersen, but honestly, I keep hearing stories like yours where a careful install on a “regular” window beats a sloppy job on a fancy one. Did you notice any difference in condensation or how easy they are to clean? I’m also curious about long-term durability… are mid-range vinyls holding up after a few winters?

“a careful install on a ‘regular’ window beats a sloppy job on a fancy one.”

Honestly, I’ve wondered the same thing. I went with Simonton for the basement and Andersen upstairs, just to see if I could spot a huge difference. Cleaning-wise, Simonton’s tilt-in feature is pretty handy, but the real surprise was how much installer skill affected draftiness. Have you noticed any warping or seal issues over time? Winters here are brutal and I’m always paranoid about vinyl holding up.

“the real surprise was how much installer skill affected draftiness.”

Couldn’t agree more - installer makes or breaks it. I actually replaced a couple of Simonton sashes after just five years because the seals weren’t holding up in our Midwest winters. But honestly, the Andersen upstairs (better install, same harsh weather) are still tight as a drum. Vinyl’s fine for price, but you can’t beat a solid install and composite frames if you’re chasing energy savings. Sometimes I think folks focus too much on the window brand and not enough on air sealing...

Funny how much grief a bad install can cause, huh? I put in some Simontons myself a while back - thought I did a decent job, but one corner was drafty as heck until I redid the foam and flashing. Meanwhile, my neighbor had pros do Andersens and they’re still rock solid, no whistling even in January. I’m starting to think you could put a gold-plated window in crooked and it’d still leak... install really is half the battle.

It’s wild how much the install can make or break it. I see this all the time - folks spend a fortune on high-end windows, but if the opening’s not square or the flashing isn’t right, you’re still going to get cold air sneaking in. Doesn’t matter if it’s Simonton, Andersen, or something even fancier... the window is only as good as the way it’s set.

Between Simonton and Andersen, you’re definitely paying a premium for Andersens, but you do get some upgrades: better hardware, usually more robust frame construction, and sometimes better warranty support. But honestly, I’ve seen Simontons hold up just fine when they’re installed carefully. If you’re in a climate with big swings - hot summers, freezing winters - I’d lean toward whichever manufacturer offers the best performance ratings for your needs, but I wouldn’t shell out extra cash unless the install is going to be top notch.

Funny story - I had a client who insisted on triple-glazed Marvin windows for their sunroom, spent a small fortune. The installer missed a couple spots with the spray foam and didn’t tape the head flashing right. They had condensation and drafts like crazy until we came back and fixed it. Meanwhile, my own house has mid-range windows I put in myself (took my time) and they’re tight as a drum.

If you’re handy and patient, Simontons can be a good value. If you want to set it and forget it - and can trust the installer - Andersen’s not a bad investment. But yeah, crooked gold-plated window still leaks... that’s the truth.

- Install is everything - couldn’t agree more.
- Seen Simontons last 15+ years with zero issues, just because the crew took their time and sealed every detail.
- Andersen’s hardware does feel a step up, but for most folks, that premium isn’t always justified unless you’re after a specific look or plan to stay put for decades.
- Warranty sounds nice on paper, but if the install’s botched, even the best support can only do so much.
- Honestly, I’d rather have a mid-range window installed right than a high-end one slapped in quick.

Not gonna lie, I’ve seen Simontons hold up great too, but I do think folks sometimes underestimate the difference you get with Andersen’s hardware. The crank handles on my buddy’s Andersens feel way sturdier than anything I’ve messed with on mid-range stuff, and in a house full of kids that’s actually worth something. But yeah, if you’re moving in five years or just want basic function, I’d save the cash. Still, for forever homes? That “premium” does start to make sense… at least until your wallet starts yelling.