Andersen and Renewal by Andersen are sold differently
| Andersen-branded products | Renewal by Andersen | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Andersen product series (for example the 100 Series) | Andersen's full-service window replacement division |
| How it is sold | Through dealers and retailers | Direct to homeowners, sale plus install |
| Who installs | Independent contractors | Renewal by Andersen's own process |
| Main replacement product | Varies by series | Custom Fibrex windows made to fit existing openings |
That means two Andersen quotes for the same house can come from very different businesses with different pricing, warranties and installers. Compare them line by line.
What Fibrex is
Fibrex is Andersen's own composite, made of wood fiber and thermoplastic polymer. You will find it in the 100 Series and in the windows Renewal by Andersen sells. Andersen's own claims: double the strength of vinyl, a lower price than fiberglass, and no painting, ever. In a humid climate like Knoxville's, a frame that does not need paint and does not absorb water is the main draw.
Comparing an Andersen quote
- Get the exact product series and the U-factor and SHGC for the glass package. In Knox County's climate zone, the 2018 IRC floor is U-0.32 and SHGC 0.40; see energy-efficient windows.
- Ask whether the window is an insert or full-frame and what happens to interior trim and exterior brick mold.
- Separate the product warranty from the installation warranty, and note who stands behind each.
- Confirm the contractor's Tennessee license. In Knox County a job of $3,000 to $24,999 needs a Home Improvement license; $25,000 or more needs a contractor license.
- Price the same openings in a different brand or material, such as vinyl windows, so you have a reference point.
If you are in a historic district
Composite frames do not always meet the design guidelines in Knoxville's historic overlays, which favor repairing original wood windows. Get a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Zoning Commission before ordering exterior changes in an H-1 district.
Back to the main guide: window replacement in Knoxville.