Caught a news bit last week about a surge in demand for Andersen and Truth hardware after some big supply chain improvements. Got me thinking—are these brands actually better, or is it just good PR? I swapped out some old cranks on my 90s casement windows last fall (went with Prime-Line 'cause that’s what Home Depot had), but honestly, they feel kinda flimsy. Is it worth hunting down the higher-end brands, or are they all pretty much the same in the long run? Curious if anyone’s noticed a real difference.
Honestly, I’m not convinced the price jump for Andersen or Truth is always justified. I swapped to Truth on one window and, yeah, it feels sturdier than the off-the-shelf stuff, but is it night and day? Not really. If you’re after real energy savings, better seals and insulation matter way more than hardware brands. Sometimes I think the hype is just that... hype.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I swapped out some old crank handles for “premium” Truth ones last year, and honestly, the biggest difference was just how they looked—not a massive leap in function. Like you said, better weatherstripping made a way bigger dent in drafts and bills. Sometimes I think we get caught up in the branding more than the real-world impact.