Renewal by Andersen

I recently had all of my windows replaced by Renewal and I couldn’t be more pleased with my decision. From start to finish they are by far the most professional home improvement company I have every worked with and would not hesitate recommending them to all my friends. I am definitely getting what I paid for! Thank you to everyone involved.

This is the most professional home improvement company I have ever dealt with. I browsed the market and have spoken with many other companies including Pella, Champion, and Sears. I have read many reviews and was very disheartened to see how little there was about Renewal by Andersen on Unilocal and that the one review posted was far from my own personal experience. I went to the Renewal show room in Greensboro and the sales team was not only helpful but attempted in no way to sell me anything. They had the lead of production come out to speak with me and no question was too elaborate or uninformed for him to give a concise descriptive answer. I have since learned that many of our close friends have Andersen Windows as well. Not one of them had a negative review of the product. I have urged them to come here and review themselves. GET THESE WINDOWS. They are SIMPLY AMAZING.

Needed very custom doors for my living room and Renewal by Andersen pulled it off! 10′ tall fully opening doors reaching to the top of the arch in the opening. Over 2″ thick and with four locking points. These doors are AWESOME! Followed it up with our windows and couldn’t have been more pleased. Made the choice to go with Truescene Screens instead of the standard fiberglass screens. Truescene screens are almost invisible — can’t repair them myself but if I don’t mistreat them I won’t have too!!! Could if I went with fiberglass screens like everyone else has but didn’t want the black screen covering up my great new windows. Everything has the Sandtone exterior like my trim instead of white vinyl like the inside of a refrigerator. Wife’s best friend in Raleigh has already replaced her door as well and loves it too. Best decision my wife and I ever made!

In 2007 we purchased 4 replacement windows (1−34″ x 33″ & 3−22″ x 57″) from Renewal by Anderson in Greensboro NC for $ 4,600.00. Love the windows but didn’t stand behind their sales rep. The sales rep told me about the Truscene Screens and said that I would have free replacement screens for as long as the windows were in this house. I had them replaced at no cost 2 years ago and when I tried to get them replaced again because of birds flying into the windows (we have removed all feeders from the front yard since) create rips and tears they said I would have to pay approx $ 110 each. $ 110 for one screen! They said that they don’t do free screen replacement for the life of the windows but they would cut me a deal, $ 110 for both. That’s $ 110 more than I am willing to pay. So not only did the sales rep lie to me, I also discovered you can not replace the screen material yourself. These are designed so the average homeowner can’t do this. I should have gone with Window World.

My experience with Renewal by Anderson (RBA) occurred recently during a free in home estimate.
Anderson’s main selling tactic is to slam the competition, predominately vinyl windows, and focus less on their product’s attributes. Fair enough, this is a valid selling strategy, but if RBA thinks for one minute that I’m going to believe everything they’re saying I must look a lot dumber than I really am.
In an attempt to paint vinyl windows in the worst light, RBA has print ads that cite numerous studies (none dated after the year 2000) highlighting all of the problems with vinyl windows. Funny that they couldn’t find anything relevant in the last 11 years to help substantiate their claims. Guess it is time for me to search the trusty internet. And look what I found:

Yeah, that’s a Canadian subsidiary of Anderson and guess what they sell… Vinyl Windows!!! Sorry RBA, but I just don’t like being lied to. Furthermore, RBA’s window frames are constructed of a composite material. Composite… hmmm, so what is it comprised of? Oh about 30% wood and 70% vinyl. Interesting. Good thing I know what the word composite means.
As the salesman and I discussed the price of the windows he asked me what kind of car I drive. I’m thinking, «None of your damn business, but you walked right by it in the driveway dumbass» but I instead provide an honest reply and he gives me a look straight out of the movie Swingers. Obviously he thinks my car is a POS and feels that his pitch is probably going nowhere with me. Fortunately he left 15 minutes later, but not after cutting 30% off the quote plus an additional $ 700 off if I made a decision today. If RBA is willing to make those sort of concessions I wonder what the real cost of the windows is and what the quote would be if you don’t question the price.
Don’t get me wrong, RBA’s windows are attractive and the frames feel durable. Their energy efficiency qualifies for the 2009 – 2010 tax credit but they are not as efficient as other windows on the market that cost half as much. As with a lot of home improvement stuff, the product is only as good as the installation. That’s the only reason for two stars, I didn’t have RBA windows, so who knows how the whole thing would turn out, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. Their windows are probably a-​okay but are they worth twice the price and the snarky sales pitch? Absolutely not!