Good call on the screens—I missed that too at first. One more quick tip: check the locks and latches carefully. I had one window that seemed fine until I realized the latch wasn't fully engaging. Just needed a slight adjustment with a screwdriver, but better to catch it early than find out later when you're trying to lock up for vacation...
"Just needed a slight adjustment with a screwdriver, but better to catch it early than find out later when you're trying to lock up for vacation..."
Ha, learned that lesson the hard way myself. Thought everything was good after our install until we had a windy night and heard this weird tapping noise. Turned out one latch wasn't fully catching, and the window was rattling just enough to drive me nuts. Quick fix, but man, wish I'd double-checked earlier—would've saved me from a midnight screwdriver hunt in pajamas...
Haha, midnight screwdriver hunts are practically a homeowner rite of passage... Been there myself more times than I'd like to admit. One thing I've started doing after installs or repairs is giving everything a quick "shake test"—just gently wiggle the window or door frame to see if anything rattles or feels loose. Usually catches little issues before they become big annoyances. Did you notice any difference in noise levels or drafts after switching to Andersen? Curious how noticeable the upgrade is day-to-day.
I've had Andersen windows for about five years now, and the noise reduction was immediately noticeable—especially during heavy storms or windy nights. Drafts improved too, though proper installation makes a big difference there. Good call on the shake test; wish I'd thought of that earlier...
Totally agree about the noise reduction—noticed the same thing when we replaced ours a few years back. Before that, every storm felt like we were camping outside, haha. One thing I'd add is how much easier cleaning got with the tilt-in feature. Didn't think much of it at first, but now it's a lifesaver, especially upstairs. And yeah, installation matters big-time... learned that the hard way with our first set of windows.
Same here on the tilt-in feature—didn't even realize how much I'd appreciate it until I tried cleaning the upstairs windows without needing a ladder (my balance isn't exactly Olympic-level, haha). Noise reduction has been great too, though honestly, I was more surprised by the improvement in insulation. Our old windows leaked air like crazy; felt like we were heating the neighborhood last winter. Installation definitely matters...thankfully, we lucked out with a solid crew first try.
Totally agree on the insulation part—it's amazing how much difference good windows make. Last year, I went around sealing gaps with weather stripping and caulk, step-by-step, thinking it'd be enough. Helped a bit, but honestly wasn't enough until we upgraded the windows. Did you notice if your heating bill dropped noticeably after installation? We're still waiting on our first full winter bill to see if it makes a big dent...
Windows definitely help, but don't underestimate the sealing you did earlier. I've seen clients who upgraded windows without proper sealing and still had drafts. Ideally, it's a combo of both—good windows plus thorough sealing around frames—that really cuts down heating bills noticeably.
Did you notice any difference in drafts right away, or is it too soon to tell? I've heard mixed things about Renewal by Andersen—some swear by them, others say they're overpriced. Curious if you felt the sealing was thorough enough during installation... installers can be hit or miss, honestly. Did they do any extra sealing around the frames, or just pop in the windows and call it a day?
I get why people are skeptical about Renewal by Andersen—price-wise, they're definitely on the higher end. But honestly, sometimes you do get what you pay for. My neighbor went with a cheaper local company last year, and while the windows looked fine initially, he started noticing drafts again within months. Turns out they skimped on sealing around the frames.
That said, even with Andersen, installation quality can vary depending on the crew you get. Did your installers use spray foam or caulk around the edges? I've heard some crews are thorough and others just rush through it. If you're unsure, might be worth checking yourself—just run your hand around the edges on a windy day and see if you feel anything. Better to catch it early than deal with issues down the road...