Yeah, totally agree on the install crew making or breaking it. I went with pros for my Simontons—no way I trust my own caulking skills in January. Didn’t notice any drafts after the first winter, but I did have to tweak one sash that settled a bit. Worth keeping an eye on, especially if your house isn’t perfectly square (mine definitely isn’t).
Yeah, I hear you on the house not being square... mine’s more like a parallelogram at this point. When I did my Simontons, the installer had to shim one window like crazy, but it still works fine. If you ever need to tweak a sash, I found just loosening the screws a bit and nudging it back into place worked. Not glamorous, but got the job done—definitely beats trying to recaulk in freezing temps.
I get the appeal of Andersen—everyone says they’re top tier—but honestly, I’m not convinced the extra cash is justified unless you’re super picky or planning to stay in the house forever. My Simontons have held up just fine, even with a not-so-square frame and a less-than-perfect install. Sure, they’re not fancy, but for the price, I’d rather deal with a little shimming than drop double the money. Maybe if you’ve got a historic place or care about resale, it’s different, but for most folks? Simonton gets the job done.
My Simontons have held up just fine, even with a not-so-square frame and a less-than-perfect install.
That’s actually been my experience on a few jobs—Simontons are pretty forgiving if your opening isn’t perfect, and you can usually get them squared up without too much headache. The price point definitely makes them tempting when you’re staring down a whole-house replacement.
But I’ve also noticed Andersen’s hardware and weatherstripping seem to hold up better in the long run, especially in places with wild temperature swings. Had a client who went with Andersen in their 1930s colonial, mostly for the wood interior, and after five years, the seals are still tight as a drum. Not sure Simonton would look right in that house anyway.
Curious—have you noticed any draft issues over time with your Simontons? Or is it mostly aesthetics and budget for you? Sometimes I wonder if folks factor in how often they’ll actually open those windows or if it’s more about curb appeal...
Honestly, I’ve seen Simontons do alright for a few years, but after maybe 6-7 winters here in the Midwest, I’ve had a couple clients call me about little drafts creeping in, especially around the sashes. Nothing major, just enough to notice on a windy day. Andersen’s weatherstripping does seem to hold up better if you’re in a spot with big temp swings. For folks who barely open their windows and just want decent looks on a budget, Simonton’s fine... but if you care about longevity and tight seals, Andersen usually wins out.
I get what you’re saying about the drafts. I actually did a thermal camera check on my Simontons after our third winter, and there were some cold spots right at the sash corners. Not huge, but enough that I had to add some extra weatherstripping myself. If you’re handy, it’s fixable, but I can see why folks lean toward Andersen if they want less maintenance. For me, the initial savings were worth it, but I do wish I’d factored in the long-term hassle.
That’s actually reassuring to hear you managed to fix the cold spots yourself. I’m on the fence with Simonton for my place—price is tempting, but stuff like hidden drafts just bugs me. I don’t mind a bit of DIY, but I get what you mean about the long-term hassle adding up. Sometimes it feels like you save money upfront, then end up paying in time and energy. Still, not everyone wants to shell out for Andersen either... tough call.
I totally get the hesitation around Simonton. When I bought my place last year, I was in the same boat—Simonton’s price tag was really tempting, but I kept second-guessing whether I’d regret it every winter. I ended up going with them for my upstairs bedrooms because, honestly, my budget was already stretched thin after the down payment and all the other “surprise” costs that come with a first house.
I’ll admit, there were a couple of small drafts near the corners in one window, but nothing wild. It took a Saturday, a tube of caulk, and a little patience to sort it out. For me, that tradeoff felt worth it since I could handle the fix myself. I know not everyone wants to mess with that stuff, though.
One thing I noticed—my neighbor went all-in with Andersen on his renovation. His windows are gorgeous and super solid, but he had to wait forever for installation, and the price was honestly more than my whole kitchen redo. He swears by them, but sometimes I wonder if he just likes to brag about it at block parties.
I guess what I’m saying is, if you’re okay with a bit of tinkering and you don’t mind checking for drafts now and then, Simonton isn’t as risky as it might feel. The energy savings haven’t been dramatic for me, but my heating bill didn’t spike either. If you’re the type who wants zero maintenance and peace of mind, Andersen probably makes sense—just be ready for the sticker shock.
Sometimes I think there’s no perfect answer. You either pay with money or you pay with your time. For now, I’m happy saving a little cash and rolling up my sleeves once in a while... at least until I win the lottery.
That’s pretty much been my experience too. I put Simonton in the back of my house a couple years ago because I just couldn’t justify the cost of Andersen for rooms we barely use. There were a couple little issues—one sash was a bit sticky, and I had to adjust the lock on another—but nothing major. Like you said, if you’re willing to do a bit of tweaking, it’s not a big deal.
Andersen does look amazing, but I keep asking myself if it’s really worth double or triple the price unless you’re in your “forever” home or super picky about aesthetics. My buddy went with Andersen and honestly, his utility bills aren’t that much different from mine. Maybe it’s more about peace of mind and less hassle down the road.
Sometimes I wonder if window companies just bank on us being scared of a little DIY. If you’re comfortable with a caulking gun and don’t mind checking seals every now and then, Simonton seems like a solid middle ground. That said, if you hate maintenance or plan to sell soon, maybe Andersen is less stress.
- I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had a different experience with Simonton. A couple of my upstairs units started fogging up after just three years—turns out the seals failed. It wasn’t a nightmare to replace, but it was still a hassle and cost me some time.
- Andersen’s upfront cost stings, but in my last house, those windows held up perfectly for over a decade. No drafts, no seal failures, and the hardware felt sturdier.
- Utility bills are one thing, but I think long-term reliability and fewer repairs can tip the scale, especially if you hate fiddling with stuff. Not saying Simonton’s junk, but sometimes “middle ground” means more maintenance in the long run… at least in my experience.