Andersen’s 400 Series and A-Series represent two of the brand’s top-tier window lines, each offering high performance, long-term durability, and a range of style options. This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you choose the right series for your home’s design and functional needs.
Shared Features of Andersen’s Premium Lines
To begin our comparison, it’s helpful to first understand the features shared by both the 400 Series and A-Series.
- Energy Efficiency: Both lines offer best-in-class glass options and are Energy Star Version 6.0 certified.
- Warranty: Both lines provide the Owner-2-Owner transferable limited warranty that covers glass for 20 years and non-glass components for 10 years from the date of purchase. It’s not prorated, so the coverage offers full benefits for the entire warranty period.
Comparing the 400 Series and A-Series Side by Side
The Andersen 400 Series, their most popular product line, features a classic wood interior with low-maintenance vinyl exterior cladding. The A-Series, designed to help achieve architectural authenticity, offers more customization than the 400 Series. Both the 400 Series and A-Series are available for new construction or replacement windows.
| Andersen 400 vs A-Series | ||
| 400 Series | A-Series | |
| Window Styles | 7 window styles | 5 window styles |
| Interior | Wood | 6 wood species |
| Interior Finish Options | Unstained, 3 colors | Unstained, 6 stains, 7 colors |
| Exterior | Perma-Shield vinyl-clad wood | Fiberglass |
| Exterior Finish Options | 7 colors | 11 colors |
| Exterior Trim | Fibrex composite exterior trim in 11 colors | Fibrex complete exterior trim system |
| Stock Sizing Options | Expanded options | Extensive customization |
| Divided Lites | Between panes, simulated, removable interior grilles, full divided lites | Between panes, simulated, removable interior grilles, full divided lites |
| Door Styles | Hinged and gliding patio doors | Hinged and gliding patio doors, modern profile available |
| Energy Efficiency | Energy Star certified v. 6.0; triple pane patio door option | Energy Star certified v. 6.0, triple pane window and door options |
What to Know About the Andersen 400 Series
The 400 Series is Andersen’s most popular product line, offering an expansive selection of wood windows and doors. There are seven window types including double hung, awning, bay & bow, casement, picture, gliding, specialty, and the Woodwright double hung (we’ll talk more about this special version of the double hung later). Patio door styles include gliding and hinged patio doors.
Interior and Exterior Options in the 400 Series
400 Series windows feature classic wood interiors and vinyl-clad wood exteriors. Perma-Shield vinyl cladding adds durability and weather protection while the solid wood frame provides strength, delivering performance that surpasses typical vinyl windows.
Andersen 400 Series window interiors are available in White, Dark Bronze, and Black. Note that Dark Bronze and Black aren’t available in a split finish, meaning interiors have matching exteriors
Seven exterior color options provide needed flexibility to complement the home’s color palette: White, Canvas, Sandtone, Terratone, Forest Green, Dark Bronze, and Black.
400 Series Frenchwood patio doors can be ordered in White or with unfinished pine, oak, or maple interiors. There are four exterior door colors available: White, Sandtone, Terratone, or Forest Green.
Product Spotlight: 400 Series Woodwright Double-Hung Window
The Woodwright’s design is similar to the 400 Tiltwash double hung window, but the Woodwright has additional features that homeowners love:
Interior wood is available in unfinished maple and oak as well as the standard pine.
The enhanced sash lock is available in an additional 8 finishes for a total of 12 choices.
The interior jam liner functions seamlessly for easier window washing.
This popular upgrade in the 400 Series costs about $200 more per window on average compared with the standard 400 Series double-hung window. Homeowners often ask about the availability of these features in other styles—the double hung is the only window style with the Woodwright extras.
400 Series Hardware, Grilles, and Glass Options
Homeowners can choose between several grille options: placement of grilles between the panes, simulated divided lites, and removable interior grilles. The 400 Series also offers an upgrade called “Full Divided Light” where spacers are placed between the panes to go with simulated divided lites, creating a more authentic look.
The 400 Series double-hung sash lock has an elevated look, and optional styles and upgrades are available for bar lifts, hand lifts, and finger lifts.
Andersen is known for its extensive glass options, and the 400 Series offers several options to enhance energy efficiency, including Low-E4, Low-E4 Sun, Low-E4 Smart Sun, Low-E4 PassiveSun, and HeatLock coating. Patio doors are available with triple-pane glass.
Ring’s End is happy to help customers throughout Connecticut choose the glass options that work best in our New England climate.
Andersen 400 Series windows and doors are among our best sellers because of their quality and multitude of options. Let’s look at why so many of our customers choose them.
Why choose the 400 Series?
Custom Sizes: Custom heights and widths in all window types.
More Window Styles: 7 styles for flexibility to match the home’s design.
Additional Wood Species: Maple and oak interiors available in the Woodwright double-hung window.
Interior and Exterior Colors: 8 exterior colors paired with 6 interior choices.
Hardware Options: 400 Series hardware upgrades are available.
Coastal Climate: Location needs Stormwatch glass for protection from storms.
When to Consider Another Line:
Project requires less customization in terms of sizes, colors, and styles, allowing the 200 Series to meet project needs at a lower project cost.
Enhanced customization is needed for architectural authenticity, which aligns better with the A-Series.
What to Know About the Andersen A-Series
The A-Series features the best-performing and most energy-efficient windows from Andersen, with a warm wood interior protected by a composite and fiberglass exterior to create a truly premium collection.
A-Series windows and doors are designed for architectural authenticity, so Andersen offers extensive customization in this series.
The A-Series window lineup consists of casement, awning, double-hung, picture, and specialty shape windows. Transom windows, a subset of picture windows, can be either fixed or venting. Each window type is engineered with consistent sight lines, making custom configurations seamless.
A-Series doors include gliding and French/hinged patio doors (inswing and outswing) with options to add sidelights and transoms. Andersen recently introduced contemporary panels that have a narrower bottom rail. This more modern look can be supplemented with matching patio door sidelights and transoms.
Let’s take a deep dive into what’s available in this product line.
Interior and Exterior Options in the A-Series
Andersen includes many interior options so that homeowners can create windows that complement the architectural style of the home. Pine, oak, and maple are standard choices, and mahogany, cherry, and vertical-grain Douglas fir can be custom ordered.
A-Series interiors can be ordered unfinished, stained, or painted. There are six stains: Clear Coat, Honey, Cinnamon, Mocha, Russet, and Espresso.
Painted interiors are available on pine and maple. There are seven standard painted colors: White, Birch Bark, Canvas, Sandtone, Dark Bronze, Black, and Primed (for paint). For windows, painted interiors are now available on maple in addition to pine. For doors, painted interiors are available on pine. Additionally, custom ordering to match the interior with any of the exterior colors is possible.
Mix and match up to four interior wood species, stains, and/or colors for your window’s frame, sash, grilles, and extension jambs to achieve the exact look your project demands.
The exterior trim system includes the window frame, trim, and sash. There are multiple profiles available for trim and head trim, as well as specialty trim for selected specialty window shapes such as round top windows. Trim is made of Fibrex, an environmentally smart composite that is very durable and virtually maintenance free.
A-Series Hardware, Grilles, and Glass Options
A-Series window hardware is custom-designed for Andersen and made from forged metal for enhanced strength. Nine different hardware finishes allow for easy coordination with cabinet hardware, faucets, and other interior details.
Patio door hardware is more extensive in the A-series than the 400 Series. Custom orders can also include hardware from elite makers such as FSB, Baldwin, and Yale. Keep in mind that hardware upgrades are not included in the base cost of windows and doors.
Grilles in the A-Series are very similar to those offered in the 400 Series, with the addition of the diamond pattern.
Glass options for the A-Series are extensive, including Low-E4, Low-E4 Sun, Low-E4 Smart Sun, and HeatLock coating. Windows and patio doors are available with triple-pane glass.
Dealers, like Ring’s End in Connecticut, work with homeowners to create the combination of styles and colors that best replicates the architectural style of the home.
Why choose the A-Series?
Architectural Authenticity: Extensive options to match architectural details.
Interior and Exterior Design: 4-tone interiors plus the complete exterior trim system.
Glass Options: Extensive options including triple pane glass windows and art glass.
Custom Sizes: Extensive custom heights and widths in all window types.
Additional Wood Species: Six wood species available.
Hardware Options: Hardware upgrades in the A-Series may be preferred.
Coastal Climate: Location needs Stormwatch glass for protection from storms.
When to Consider Another Line:
Project requires less customization in terms of sizes, colors, and styles, allowing the 200 or 400 Series to meet project needs at a lower project cost.
Experience Andersen at a Local Showroom Throughout Connecticut
Customers tell us that seeing Andersen’s collections in person made all the difference. Being able to compare styles side by side, examine the materials up close, and get answers to their questions helped them move forward with confidence.
As an installing dealer of Andersen Windows in New England, Ring’s End offers:
Free consultations at any of our eight showrooms that feature dozens of window and door styles.
Window and door experts to help you plan your project and place the order.
Licensed window installation services for both new construction and window replacement projects, serving Connecticut, Westchester County, NY, and South County, RI.
Stop by a showroom or schedule a consultation ahead of time—we’re here to provide clear answers and support you can trust!