Vinyl-clad wood windows and doors

Yes, we have found vinyl-clad windows to be better performing than windows made primarily of vinyl, especially low-quality vinyl. This is because wood provides strength and insulation while vinyl provides low-maintenance weather protection. This means you get the best of both materials when you choose a vinyl-clad window. Windows made primarily of vinyl are more susceptible to warping, which degrades functionality over time and can eventually lead to seal failure. When vinyl is paired with wood, however, wood provides the structure that vinyl lacks on its own, and vinyl provides toughness that protects the wood.

As noted above, lower-quality, all-vinyl windows are susceptible to warping, which can lead to seal failure. Seal failure can only be remedied by window replacement. So, while vinyl windows appear to be an affordable option, their thermal instability can result in a shorter serviceable life. And this is the enduring truth that inspired an Andersen ad campaign of old, “Only the rich can afford poor windows.” 

It all depends. As we’ve noted, there are differences in the quality of manufactured materials, including the quality of vinyl. So, while a low-quality all-vinyl window will be especially vulnerable to warping and the resulting problems that can lead to a shorter lifespan, a higher-quality vinyl window might last longer, but it will still be vulnerable to the fundamental problems associated with vinyl. At the end of the day, it’s safe to assume that the thermal instability of all-vinyl windows will result in a shorter lifespan, especially when you compare an all-vinyl window to our competitive 100 Series product line, which is made of Fibrex composite material. 

With a similar price but higher quality, our Fibrex material windows offer a longer service life. In fact, a study of six window units made of Fibrex material windows installed 30 years ago and exposed to the extreme temperature swings of Minnesota’s sub-zero winters and hot, humid summers, revealed the Fibrex material was just as strong as Fibrex material made today.*

*Six Renewal by Andersen windows were tested in a Minnesota home 30 years after installation. Visit andersenwindows.com for warranty information.

The cost of a vinyl window will depend on factors like size, selections, and more. Generally though, vinyl is the most affordable material for making windows. However, the initial upfront savings that vinyl offers can be undermined by its shorter lifespan. 

Compared to our 100 Series windows made with Fibrex material or any of our vinyl-clad 200 Series or 400 Series windows, vinyl windows typically have a shorter service life. This is because vinyl is a thermally unstable material when used on its own to make a window or door. It will heat up in the sun and contract in the cold. Over time, all that expansion and contraction can lead to seal failure. When a window’s seal fails, the window must be replaced. 

So, vinyl’s affordability is questionable if you think about long-term value. It’s more likely that a vinyl window will need to be replaced sooner. If you must buy windows twice during your time in the home, it’s clear why higher quality windows, like the ones we sell, typically come with a higher upfront cost than vinyl windows. 

Our windows are made to last for decades, and our 100 Series product line is priced competitively to all-vinyl windows but meets our much higher standard of quality.

Our 200 Series and 400 Series products have Perma-Shield® cladding.  

Nope! That’s one of the benefits of this cladding material. Our 200 Series and 400 Series windows and doors will never need painting. 

Our 200 Series and 400 Series product lines are both made of wood cores with our Perma-Shield vinyl cladding on the exterior. The 200 Series is our most accessibly priced clad-wood product line. It offers a streamlined selection of sizes and window types, including double-hung, gliding, and picture windows. Because of its more limited offerings, it might not suit every project. In those cases, the 400 Series product line is a great option with expansive sizes, greater selection of window types, and more options to choose from — there’s a reason it’s so legendary!