Had a similar experience with a client's home last year—he was convinced the windows were junk, but after beefing up insulation and adding some roof vents, the condensation cleared right up. Honestly, between Andersen 100 and Pella 250, the difference in humidity handling isn't huge if your insulation and ventilation are dialed in. I'd say focus on getting those basics right first... good airflow and proper sealing can make even mid-tier windows perform like champs.
"Honestly, between Andersen 100 and Pella 250, the difference in humidity handling isn't huge if your insulation and ventilation are dialed in."
Yeah, that's pretty spot-on from my experience too. I spent way too long obsessing over window specs last summer, thinking new windows would magically solve all my humidity problems. Spoiler alert: they didn't. Turns out my attic was basically a rainforest thanks to lousy ventilation and insulation that probably dated back to the Jurassic era.
But here's a question—if you guys had to pick strictly on ease of maintenance or general durability between Andersen 100 and Pella 250, does one tend to hold up better over time? I mean, I get that proper airflow and sealing are key (learned that lesson the hard way), but if I'm shelling out cash anyway, might as well pick something that'll survive my kids' backyard baseball phase...right?
But here's a question—if you guys had to pick strictly on ease of maintenance or general durability between Andersen 100 and Pella 250, does one tend to hold up better over time?
Honestly, durability-wise, I'd lean slightly toward Andersen 100. Had a neighbor whose Pella 250 frames got pretty beat up after just a couple seasons of kids and soccer balls. But yeah, windows alone won't fix humidity—learned that one myself...
Yeah, Andersen 100 seems pretty solid overall. My brother-in-law installed them a few years back, and they're still looking good. Curious though, anyone notice if color fading's an issue with either brand over time?
I've had Andersen 100s for about six years now—haven't noticed any significant fading yet. They're south-facing too, so they get hammered by sun all day. Might depend on the color though...mine are white, maybe darker shades fade quicker? Heard from a neighbor that their darker Pellas faded a bit after a few years, but nothing major. Anyone with darker Andersen frames notice anything similar?
I've installed quite a few Andersen 100s over the years, and honestly, fading hasn't been a big issue—even with darker colors. Sure, darker shades might show slight fading sooner than white, but Andersen's Fibrex material holds up pretty well against UV rays. Pellas aren't bad either, but I've noticed their darker vinyl frames can fade a bit quicker. Curious though...has anyone compared how these two brands handle extreme temperature swings? Seems like that could affect longevity too.
Yeah, I've noticed the same thing about Andersen's Fibrex holding up pretty well color-wise. Installed a few darker Andersen 100s a couple years back on a south-facing wall, and they're still looking pretty sharp. Pellas aren't bad either, but I did see some noticeable fading on a client's dark brown vinyl frames after just three summers—nothing terrible, but enough to catch your eye.
As for temperature swings, that's an interesting point. I've seen vinyl frames (including Pella's) expand and contract quite a bit in extreme cold and heat. Over time, that can lead to seal issues or even warping if the installation isn't spot-on. Fibrex seems more stable in my experience...haven't had callbacks related to temperature shifts yet. But honestly, I'd love to hear if anyone else has had different experiences with Andersen in harsher climates—maybe I've just been lucky so far?
I've had similar experiences with Andersen 100s. Put a few Fibrex windows in our cabin up north about five years ago, and they've handled the brutal winters and hot summers surprisingly well. No noticeable fading yet, and no issues with seals or warping either. Had vinyl windows before that, and while they weren't terrible, we did see some gaps forming after a couple harsh winters. Seems Fibrex just handles the extremes better...at least from what I've seen.
Glad to hear your Andersen 100s have held up so well. I've installed quite a few Fibrex windows over the years, and your experience matches what I've seen in the field. Fibrex really does seem to handle temperature swings better than typical vinyl alternatives—probably due to its composite nature and lower expansion rates. Vinyl windows aren't necessarily bad, but I've had to replace more than a few that warped or developed seal issues after a couple harsh winters.
I recently worked on a project where the homeowner debated between Andersen 100s and Pella 250s too. Ultimately, they went with Andersen because of the Fibrex material, and so far, they're pleased with their choice. The windows are holding strong, even on the south-facing side that takes a beating from the sun.
Sounds like you've made a solid choice, especially given your cabin's challenging conditions. Always good to see real-world feedback matching up with manufacturer claims.
I've had Andersen 100s installed for about 7 years now, and they've held up impressively well. No warping or seal issues yet, even on the west side where the afternoon sun really cooks them. I considered vinyl at first (budget was tight), but after seeing neighbors replace theirs after just a few winters, I'm glad I went Fibrex. Sometimes spending a bit more upfront saves you headaches down the road...