Andersen A-Series
Real wood interiors. Six species. Triple-pane glass that exceeds ENERGY STAR 7.0. The premium window for homeowners who refuse to compromise.
Andersen’s Best-Performing Series • McHenry County’s Only Elite Contractor • Family-Owned Since 2005
Wood Species
U-Factor (Triple-Pane)
Andersen Certified
Specialty Shapes
Your Home Deserves More Than a Mass-Produced Window
You built or bought a home with real character. Craftsman trim. Arched transoms. Wood interiors that warm up a room the second you walk in. So why would you replace those windows with something that looks and feels like plastic?
The Andersen A-Series is the premium tier in Andersen’s Architectural Collection — real wood interiors in six species, three exterior cladding options that never need painting, and triple-pane glass that hits U-Factors as low as 0.17. It’s the window that gives you 80 to 90 percent of Andersen’s top-of-line E-Series customization without going to the full architectural tier. And it’s sitting in our Crystal Lake showroom right now.
Why the A-Series Is What We Recommend for Premium McHenry County Projects
I’ve installed thousands of Andersen windows across every series they make. When a homeowner tells me they want real wood, serious energy performance, and the kind of customization that makes their house look like it was designed by an architect — the A-Series is where I land every time.
Six Wood Species — Pine, Maple, Oak, Cherry, Mahogany, Douglas Fir
The A-Series interior is solid wood — not composite, not veneer, not laminate. You choose from six species: Pine, Maple, Oak, Vertical Grain Douglas Fir, Cherry, and Mahogany. Leave it natural. Stain it to match your existing trim. Or choose from 13 factory-applied paint colors and 6 stain options. You can even mix and match up to four different species, stains, and colors across the frame, sash, grilles, and extension jambs.
When a homeowner runs their hand across a Cherry or Mahogany A-Series sash in our showroom, the conversation changes. This is the window they pictured when they started thinking about their remodel.
Three Exterior Cladding Options — Wood Protection That Never Needs Painting
No other Andersen series gives you this choice. The A-Series offers three exterior cladding materials: Fiberglass for maximum strength in extreme conditions. Fibrex composite with color blended through the material — it won’t fade, flake, or peel. And Perma-Shield vinyl, Andersen’s proven exterior since 1966. All three protect the solid wood structure from McHenry County’s constant freeze-thaw cycling — snow, ice melt, rain, freeze, repeat — while requiring zero exterior maintenance.
The fiberglass exterior is what I recommend for most A-Series projects here. It handles the temperature swings from -6°F to 95°F without expanding or contracting. That means tight seals and no drafts, January through August.
Triple-Pane Glass — U-Factor 0.17. ENERGY STAR 7.0 Exceeded.
Andersen calls the A-Series their best-performing, most energy-efficient window series ever made. With triple-pane glass and HeatLock technology, the A-Series achieves U-Factors as low as 0.17 — far below the ENERGY STAR 7.0 Northern Zone requirement of 0.22 and well under Illinois building code. The PassiveSun glass captures solar heat through low-angle winter sun while HeatLock reflects interior heat back inside. For McHenry County’s Climate Zone 5A winters, this is the ideal glass combination.
ENERGY STAR 7.0 is the most stringent standard ever set. The A-Series with triple-pane doesn’t just meet it — it exceeds it by a significant margin. That’s not marketing. That’s NFRC-certified performance data.
34+ Specialty Shapes — Arches, Trapezoids, Custom Geometrics
This is where the A-Series separates from the 100 and 400. Need an arched transom above a front door? A trapezoid gable window? A pentagon or custom geometric shape that matches the original 1920s design? The A-Series offers 34+ specialty configurations with custom grille patterns, divided lites, and 12 hardware finishes. Custom sizing in 1/8-inch increments means every window fits your exact opening — no filler strips, no compromise.
When the project calls for architectural detail — bay windows, transoms, curved shapes — the A-Series handles it without going to the E-Series. That matters for the investment level.
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
Front exterior — Crystal Lake, IL
Bay window installation — Huntley, IL
Arched specialty window — Crystal Lake, IL
Rear exterior — McHenry County, IL
A-Series patio door — Huntley, IL
The Most Extensive Color Palette in the Andersen Lineup
11 exterior colors. 13 interior colors. 6 stain options. Natural unfinished wood. 12 hardware finishes. The A-Series gives you more combinations than any other Andersen series except the fully custom E-Series.
Exterior Colors (11 Options)
White
Canvas
Sandtone
Prairie Grass
Terratone
Forest Green
Dove Gray
Red Rock
Cocoa Bean
Dark Bronze
Black
Interior Wood Species (6 Options)
Pine
Maple
Oak
Cherry
Mahogany
VG Douglas Fir
Most popular in McHenry County: Oak or Maple interior with Black or Dark Bronze fiberglass exterior. Classic warmth inside, clean modern lines outside. Mix and match up to 4 species and finishes in a single window. See all combinations in person at our Crystal Lake showroom.
See How the A-Series Is Built and Installed
Watch professional A-Series installation from Andersen — real wood interiors with fiberglass exterior cladding, custom-fit for high-performance homes.
Video: Andersen Corporation — A-Series installation with Sweenor Builders
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 A-Series sits — and why it’s the premium choice for homeowners who want the best without going fully custom.
| Feature | 100 Series | 400 Series | A-Series Premium | E-Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frame Material | Fibrex composite | Wood + Perma-Shield vinyl exterior | Wood + fiberglass, Fibrex, or Perma-Shield | Wood + extruded aluminum clad |
| Interior | Fibrex (4 colors) | Wood (limited species) | Wood — 6 species, mix-and-match | Wood — 10+ species |
| Best For | Upgrading from vinyl — zero maintenance | Solid wood with Andersen’s bestselling value | High-end remodels, custom homes, historic renovations | Architect-specified custom — unlimited flexibility |
| Exterior Colors | 5 | Limited | 11 — broadest standard palette | 50+ — any custom color |
| Interior Colors | 4 | Limited + stainable wood | 13 colors + 6 stains + natural | Extensive |
| Hardware Finishes | Limited | Limited | 12 finishes | Extensive |
| Specialty Shapes | Limited | Limited | 34+ shapes | Maximum flexibility |
| Energy (Triple-Pane) | U-Factor 0.15 | Available on select configs | U-Factor 0.17 — exceeds ES 7.0 | Custom glass packages |
| Maintenance | None — color built in | Interior wood may need refinishing | Interior wood needs periodic care | Interior wood needs periodic care |
| Warranty | 20-yr glass / 10-yr non-glass + IHC 2-yr | 20-yr limited + IHC 2-yr | 20-yr limited + IHC 2-yr | 20-yr limited + IHC 2-yr |
| Window Types | SH, DH, casement, awning, gliding, picture, specialty | DH, casement, awning, gliding, picture, specialty | Full lineup + 34+ custom shapes + patio doors | Virtually any shape, size, or config |
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 A-Series 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 A-Series 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 window elsewhere — same product. But you can’t buy the installation warranty without an Elite Certified Contractor.
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. No paperwork, no fee. That adds real resale value.
21+
Years in McHenry County
380+
Google Reviews at 4.6 Stars
A+
BBB Rating
Family
Women-Led, Locally Owned
You can see the A-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 A-Series on McHenry County premium remodels for years. Our most common A-Series order is a Pine interior with Dark Bronze fiberglass exterior — that combo has run away with 2025 and 2026 on high-end projects in Crystal Lake, Barrington, and Lake Zurich. The 34-plus specialty shape options are where this line separates from the 400 Series. We’ve built custom assemblies with arched transoms, bay and bow combinations, and full-wall casement banks that wouldn’t have been possible in Andersen’s other series.
Triple-pane glass on the A-Series hits U-Factor 0.17, which exceeds ENERGY STAR 7.0 for the Northern Zone by a real margin. I’m recommending triple-pane on nearly every A-Series project now because the comfort difference in a McHenry County January is noticeable — you feel it standing next to the window at 5:30 AM on a zero-degree morning. The PassiveSun glass option adds solar heat gain on south and west exposures, which works well with HeatLock on the north-facing units for heat retention.
The A-Series isn’t the right call for a straight replacement on a 1970s ranch. It’s the right call when the home’s architecture deserves real wood, the homeowner wants custom configuration, and the project warrants the investment. For most McHenry County premium remodels, it’s my answer.
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
400 Series
Wood / bestseller
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 the A-Series Looks Like in Your Home?
We come to your house, look at your windows, measure everything, and walk you through your options — real wood species in hand, glass samples, color swatches. No pressure, no obligation. That’s how premium 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 A-Series different from the 400 Series?
The 400 Series is Andersen’s bestseller — a solid wood window with a Perma-Shield vinyl exterior. The A-Series takes everything good about the 400 and adds more. You get 6 wood species instead of limited options. Three exterior cladding choices (fiberglass, Fibrex, Perma-Shield) instead of one. 11 exterior colors, 13 interior colors, 12 hardware finishes, and 34+ specialty shapes. The triple-pane option hits a U-Factor of 0.17 — that’s where you start feeling a real difference in comfort during a McHenry County January.
Does the wood interior require maintenance?
Yes — and we’re upfront about that. The A-Series interior is real wood, and real wood needs the same care as any wood trim in your home. If you stain or finish it, periodic maintenance keeps it looking its best. If you want zero interior maintenance, the 100 Series with its Fibrex interior is the right call. But most homeowners who choose the A-Series choose it specifically because they want real wood — the look, the warmth, the feel. The exterior cladding requires no maintenance regardless of which option you choose.
What warranty comes with the Andersen A-Series?
The A-Series comes with Andersen’s 20-year limited warranty on glass and 10-year limited warranty on non-glass components (hardware, screens, weatherstripping, sash, and frame). Because IHC is an Andersen Elite Certified Contractor, you also get an exclusive 2-year installation warranty that covers the installation work itself — separate from the product warranty. Both warranties are transferable to the next homeowner if you sell your home, adding real resale value.
Does the A-Series meet ENERGY STAR 7.0 requirements?
It exceeds them. ENERGY STAR 7.0 is the most stringent standard ever set, requiring a U-Factor of 0.22 or lower for the Northern Zone. The A-Series with triple-pane glass achieves U-Factors as low as 0.17 — well below the requirement. With the PassiveSun and HeatLock glass combination, the A-Series captures solar heat gain in winter while preventing interior heat from escaping. For McHenry County’s Climate Zone 5A, this is the ideal glass package.
What window styles are available in the A-Series?
The A-Series includes double-hung, casement, awning, picture, gliding, transom, bay and bow, and 34+ specialty shape configurations including arches, trapezoids, pentagons, and custom geometric shapes. Frenchwood hinged and gliding patio doors are also available. All styles come with custom sizing in 1/8-inch increments, 11 exterior colors, 13 interior colors plus stains and natural wood, and 12 hardware finishes.
Should I choose the A-Series or the E-Series?
The E-Series is Andersen’s architectural flagship — 50+ exterior colors, 10+ wood species, extruded aluminum cladding, and anodized finishes. For custom new construction where every window may have unique specifications, it’s the right call. But for replacement and remodeling projects, the A-Series gives you 80 to 90 percent of that customization — 6 species, 11 colors, 34+ specialty shapes, and triple-pane performance that matches or exceeds the E-Series. Most homeowners who compare both land on the A-Series because they get everything they need without going to the full architectural tier.
