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(910) 378-3835
(910) 378-3835

Andersen Windows Installation

Andersen has been making windows since 1903, and it’s one of the brands homeowners ask for by name. If you’re comparing options for a coastal home in the Cape Fear region, here’s what you actually need to know before you sign a contract.

Why Andersen Comes Up So Often in Coastal Projects

Salt air is hard on window frames. Vinyl can warp over time, and untreated wood needs constant upkeep near the water.

Andersen’s Fibrex material (a composite of reclaimed wood fiber and polymer) resists moisture and expansion better than standard vinyl, which is one reason it shows up so often in quotes for homes closer to the river and the beaches.

That said, Andersen isn’t the only name worth knowing. Pella and Marvin both make strong composite and wood clad options, and Simonton is a common budget friendly vinyl choice for homeowners who don’t need the coastal-grade upgrades.

We install several brands, but Andersen tends to be the one clients gravitate toward once they see the warranty terms and the fit and finish in person.

Andersen Product Lines, Compared

SeriesMaterialBest For
100 SeriesFibrex compositeCoastal homes, budget-conscious replacement
400 SeriesWood, exterior cladHistoric and traditional homes
A-SeriesWood, premium cladCustom shapes, larger openings
E-SeriesAluminum-clad woodHigh-end architectural projects

The 400 Series is the one we quote most often for the historic districts around downtown, since it holds up well against inspection requirements for older neighborhoods while still giving homeowners a clad exterior that doesn’t need repainting every few years.

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Local Building Code, Plain and Simple

New Hanover County sits in a high wind load zone under the North Carolina building code. Homes within a mile of the coastline are typically required to use impact rated glass or approved shutter protection on new window installations. This isn’t optional paperwork. It affects which Andersen glass package you’re allowed to install, and it changes the price.

  • Impact rated glass adds cost but removes the need for storm shutters
  • Non impact windows may still be permitted further inland, depending on your zone
  • Permits are typically pulled by the contractor, not the homeowner
  • Older homes may require additional structural checks before installation

We pull the permit, confirm your zone, and build the quote around what’s actually allowed at your address. Skipping this step is how homeowners end up with windows that fail inspection.

What Installation Actually Involves

Most single window replacements take a few hours. A full-home project with 12 to 20 windows usually runs two to four days, depending on whether we’re doing a full frame replacement or an insert installation. Full frame replacement is slower but necessary when the original frame has water damage, which is common in homes over 30 years old near the water.

Here’s roughly how a whole-home project moves:

  1. On site measurement and code review
  2. Glass package and frame color selection
  3. Manufacturing lead time (Andersen typically runs several weeks depending on the series and season)
  4. Removal of old windows, one room at a time
  5. Frame installation, sealing, and flashing
  6. Final walkthrough and warranty paperwork

Andersen backs most of its products with a limited warranty that covers glass and material defects, with specific terms varying by series. We walk through the exact coverage for your selected windows before you commit to anything, since warranty terms are one of the more overlooked details in a window quote.

Getting a Quote

Every home in this region deals with the same basic problem: humidity, salt exposure, and storm season. What changes is your exact wind zone, the age of your existing frames, and which Andersen series fits your architecture and your budget. We measure on-site and give you a written quote that accou