Andersen 400 Series
Real wood interiors you can stain to match your home. A vinyl-clad exterior that never needs painting. Andersen’s all-time bestselling window line — installed by McHenry County’s only Elite Certified Contractor.
Andersen’s #1 Bestseller • McHenry County’s Only Elite Contractor • Family-Owned Since 2005
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Your Home Deserves More Than a Composite Window
You spent years building a home with real wood trim, stained cabinetry, and details that matter. Then your windows went in — vinyl frames or composite that couldn’t be stained, couldn’t be matched, and stuck out like something from a different house. Every time you looked at them, you knew.
The Andersen 400 Series fixes that. Real pine wood interiors you can stain to match your existing trim. A Perma-Shield vinyl-clad exterior that handles McHenry County winters without a single coat of paint. It’s Andersen’s all-time bestselling window line for a reason — and it’s in our Crystal Lake showroom right now.
Why We Recommend the 400 Series for Homes That Want Real Wood
I’ve installed every Andersen line there is. When a homeowner wants the warmth and beauty of real wood without babysitting the exterior, the 400 Series is the window I reach for first.
Solid Pine Interior — Stain It, Paint It, Make It Yours
The 400 Series is built with a solid pine wood interior that you can stain to match your existing trim, cabinetry, and hardwood floors. No composite material on the market replicates the look and feel of real wood grain. Choose natural unfinished pine and take it to any stain you want, or pick from prefinished white, black, or dark bronze. The Woodwright double-hung model adds maple and oak options for homes that demand something beyond pine.
When I walk into a home with stained oak trim and see white vinyl windows, it’s obvious something doesn’t belong. The 400 Series is the fix. Stain the pine to match the oak — now everything flows.
Perma-Shield Exterior — 60 Years of Never Needing Paint
Andersen developed Perma-Shield technology in 1966. It’s a rigid vinyl cladding that wraps the wood frame on the outside — protecting it from moisture, UV, freeze-thaw cycles, and everything McHenry County throws at it. The color is integral to the material, not painted on. It won’t peel, blister, flake, or corrode. Seven exterior colors — White, Canvas, Sandtone, Terratone, Forest Green, Dark Bronze, and Black — and you never touch a paintbrush.
Old wood windows look beautiful until the exterior finish fails. Then you’re scraping and repainting every three years or watching rot set in. Perma-Shield killed that problem 60 years ago. The technology is proven.
Tilt-Wash Design — Clean Your Windows Without a Ladder
The 400 Series Tilt-Wash double-hung lets both sashes tilt inward so you can clean the exterior glass from inside your house. No ladder, no climbing, no hiring a window washer. The sashes slide up and down for ventilation and tilt in for maintenance. It’s one of those features you don’t think about until you have it — then you wonder how you lived without it.
I can’t tell you how many homeowners mention the tilt-wash feature six months after installation. It’s the kind of quality-of-life upgrade that doesn’t show up in a spec sheet but makes a real difference day-to-day.
8 Window Styles — Including Bay, Bow, and Specialty Shapes
The 400 Series offers more window types than any other Andersen line in the core lineup: Tilt-Wash double-hung, Woodwright double-hung, casement, awning, gliding, picture, bay and bow, and specialty shapes (arches, circles, and 20+ custom configurations). Bay and bow windows are exclusive to the 400 Series and above — you won’t find them in the 100 Series. Every style is custom-manufactured in 1/8-inch increments to fit your exact openings.
When a homeowner wants a bay window or a custom arched unit, I’m pulling the 400 Series catalog. It handles the styles the 100 Series can’t — and does it with real wood inside.
See It Installed — Real IHC Projects
These are actual Andersen window installations by our crews in McHenry County and surrounding areas. No stock photos.
Wood interior double-hung — Crystal Lake, IL
Specialty arched window — Crystal Lake, IL
Bay window — Huntley, IL
Front exterior — Crystal Lake, IL
Sliding patio door — Huntley, IL
Rear exterior — McHenry County, IL
7 Exterior Colors, 4 Interior Finishes — Plus Stainable Pine
The 400 Series gives you more color and finish options than the 100 Series. The exterior color is integral to the Perma-Shield vinyl — it won’t peel or fade. The pine interior can be left natural and stained to match anything in your home.
Exterior Colors (Perma-Shield Vinyl)
White
Canvas
Sandtone
Terratone
Forest Green
Dark Bronze
Black
Interior Finishes (Solid Pine Wood)
Natural Pine
Stainable
White
Prefinished
Dark Bronze
Prefinished
Black
Prefinished
Most popular in McHenry County: Natural pine interior stained to match existing trim, with Black or Dark Bronze exterior. The contrast of warm wood inside and dark frames outside is the combination our homeowners request most. See all options in person at our Crystal Lake showroom.
See the 400 Series in Action
Watch the Andersen 400 Series Double-Hung overview to see the Tilt-Wash feature, Perma-Shield exterior, and wood interior up close.
Want to see the difference between Tilt-Wash and Woodwright models? Watch the comparison video →
Andersen Window Comparison — Find Your Fit
Andersen makes windows at every level. Here’s how the four main series compare so you can see exactly where the 400 Series sits — and why it’s the sweet spot for homeowners who want real wood with real protection.
| Feature | 100 Series | 400 Series IHC Recommends | A-Series | E-Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frame Material | Fibrex composite | Wood + Perma-Shield vinyl exterior | Wood + Fibrex exterior | Wood + aluminum-clad exterior |
| Interior | Fibrex (4 colors, not stainable) | Solid pine wood (stainable) + 3 prefinished | Multiple wood species & finishes | 10+ wood species — fully custom |
| Best For | Upgrading from vinyl — zero maintenance | Wood interior warmth + low-exterior maintenance | High-end remodels with architectural detail | Architect-specified — unlimited flexibility |
| Exterior Colors | 5 | 7 | Broadest standard palette | 50+ and custom color matching |
| Window Styles | 7 types | 8 types (includes bay/bow & Woodwright) | Full lineup + custom configs | Any shape, size, or config |
| Hardware Finishes | Limited options | Up to 9 finishes (incl. PVD & living finishes) | Extensive hardware selection | Full custom hardware |
| Energy (U-Factor) | 0.27–0.30 (dual); 0.15 (triple) | 0.27–0.30 (dual); 0.21 w/ HeatLock | Top-tier across configurations | Highest available — custom glass |
| Maintenance | Zero — color built in | Exterior: zero. Interior wood: refinish as desired | Interior wood needs periodic care | Interior wood needs periodic care |
| Warranty | 20-yr glass / 10-yr non-glass + IHC 2-yr install | 20-yr glass / 10-yr non-glass + IHC 2-yr install | 20-yr limited + IHC 2-yr install | 20-yr limited + IHC 2-yr install |
Not sure which series is right for your home? That’s exactly what the in-home consultation is for. We look at your house, your windows, and your goals — then recommend the right product. Learn more about all Andersen products →
Why Buy Andersen Through IHC
McHenry County’s Only Andersen Elite Certified Contractor
That certification isn’t a sticker on a truck. It means our crews are trained directly by Andersen, we follow their installation guidelines to the letter, and your project comes with an exclusive 2-year installation warranty that is NOT available through uncertified installers or big-box stores. You can buy an Andersen 400 Series window at Home Depot — same product. But you can’t buy the installation warranty there.
That installation warranty covers the work itself — separate from Andersen’s 20-year glass and 10-year non-glass product warranty. Both warranties transfer automatically if you ever sell your home through Andersen’s Owner-to-Owner program. No paperwork, no fee.
21+
Years in McHenry County
380+
Google Reviews at 4.6 Stars
A+
BBB Rating
Family
Women-Led, Locally Owned
You can see the 400 Series at our Crystal Lake showroom. But the real value is us coming to your house — we see the actual condition of your windows, measure every opening, and give you options that fit your home and your goals. That’s something a showroom visit alone can’t do.
Notes From the Field — What We Actually Install
I’ve been installing the 400 Series since Andersen’s Elite Certified program launched. It’s the bestseller for a reason: solid pine wood interior that stains to match existing trim, Perma-Shield vinyl exterior with 60 years of proven field performance, and 8 window styles including specialty bay and bow assemblies. Our most common 400 Series order is Tilt-Wash double-hung in 30 by 52 openings with White or Terratone Perma-Shield exterior. We’ve put those on everything from Victorian restorations in Woodstock to 1990s colonials in Cary.
Here’s what matters about the 400 Series that doesn’t show up in the spec sheet: it’s the Andersen product line where the most service calls happen 20 years in, because it’s the line with the most units in the field. I’ve serviced 400 Series units that were installed in 1998 and they’re still operating the same as day one. That’s the wood sash in a Perma-Shield jacket doing the heavy lifting. The Tilt-Wash operation is rock solid. Woodwright (the historic-profile sibling) is a different jamb liner system and we’ll recommend it when the home is pre-1940.
For McHenry County homes built 1980-2010 where the homeowner wants real wood without going A-Series, the 400 is my answer. It’s not glamorous. It’s just good.
Explore the Rest of the Andersen Lineup
Most Andersen projects combine a window series with matching doors or pair series tiers. Here’s everything else we carry — all installed by McHenry County’s only Andersen Elite Certified Contractor.
Andersen
100 Series
Fibrex / no maintenance
Explore →
Andersen
A-Series
Premium / triple-pane
Explore →
Andersen
E-Series
Architectural / custom
Explore →
Andersen
Patio Doors
Gliding / French / multi-panel
Explore →
Andersen
Entry Doors
Solid wood / aluminum-clad
Explore →
Andersen
Storm Doors
6/8/10 Series tiers
Explore →
More About Andersen at IHC
Ready to See What Real Wood Windows Look Like in Your Home?
We come to your house, look at your windows, measure everything, and walk you through your options — no pressure, no obligation. That’s how it should work.
Visit Our Crystal Lake Showroom
4410 IL-176, Suite 1, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Mon–Fri 9AM–4PM | Appointments available 24/7 via AI receptionist
380+ Google Reviews · 4.6 Stars · Family-Owned Since 2005
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the 400 Series different from the 100 Series?
The biggest difference is the interior material. The 100 Series uses Fibrex composite inside and out — it’s tough and maintenance-free, but you can’t stain it. The 400 Series has a solid pine wood interior that you can stain or paint to match your existing trim, cabinetry, and architectural details. The 400 Series also offers 7 exterior colors (vs. 5), up to 9 hardware finishes, bay and bow window options, and the Woodwright double-hung with maple and oak interior choices. If the look and warmth of real wood matters to you, the 400 Series is the step up.
What is Perma-Shield and why does it matter?
Perma-Shield is Andersen’s vinyl cladding technology, developed in 1966, that wraps the wood exterior of the 400 Series. It protects the wood from moisture, UV damage, and weather without ever needing paint. The color is integrated into the material during manufacturing — it’s not a coating that can peel or fade. After 60 years of proven performance, it’s the reason you get the beauty of real wood inside without the maintenance headache of exposed wood outside.
What warranty comes with the 400 Series when installed by IHC?
You get Andersen’s 20-year limited warranty on glass (covering seal failure and vision defects) and 10-year limited warranty on non-glass components (operators, locks, hinges, weatherstripping), plus a 10-year exterior finish warranty. Because IHC is an Andersen Elite Certified Contractor, you also get an exclusive 2-year installation warranty that covers the installation work itself — not available through uncertified installers or big-box store installation services. Both warranties are fully transferable to the next homeowner through Andersen’s Owner-to-Owner program.
Do 400 Series windows meet Illinois energy code?
Yes. Illinois requires a U-Factor of 0.30 or better for McHenry County (Climate Zone 5A). Most 400 Series configurations with standard Low-E4 glass meet or approach that threshold. With the HeatLock upgrade, all configurations comfortably exceed code at 0.21. SmartSun glass with HeatLock meets Energy Star across all U.S. climate zones. We’ll recommend the right glass package for each window in your home during the consultation.
What is the Tilt-Wash feature?
The 400 Series Tilt-Wash double-hung lets both sashes tilt inward so you can clean the exterior glass from inside your home. No ladders, no hiring a window washer. The sashes slide up and down normally for ventilation, then tilt in when you need to clean. It’s standard on the Tilt-Wash model — one of the most practical features homeowners mention after installation.
What window styles are available in the 400 Series?
The 400 Series includes eight window styles: Tilt-Wash double-hung, Woodwright double-hung (with premium wood jamb liners and maple/oak options), casement, awning, gliding, picture, bay and bow, and specialty shapes (arches, circles, and 20+ custom configurations). All styles are available in 7 exterior colors and 4 interior finishes, custom-manufactured in 1/8-inch increments to fit your exact openings. Installation options include insert, full-frame, and new construction.
