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.
Might depend on the model or maybe just luck with installation, but noise-wise, Simonton surprised me. Hardware did feel cheaper though.“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.
I stressed way too much about which window to pick, but in hindsight, the crew I hired made all the difference. My neighbor did Andersen and paid a premium, but honestly, his living room still gets chilly near the frames. I went with Simonton—no regrets so far. If anything, I’d say spend your time vetting installers, not just reading window reviews.If I did it again, I’d probably spend more time picking the right installer than agonizing over which logo is on the lock.