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Pattern Books from Andersen Windows

I saw my first pattern book while visiting the Huntington Library Rare Books department in 1992 or 93. The book was Designs by Inigo Jones, written by William Kent and published in 1727. By the time I opened that book, I’d been working as a carpenter for more than fifteen years and specializing in finish carpentry for nearly ten years. Looking back, it’s amazing that I was able to survive without any understanding of architectural design, in a profession dependent upon architectural design.

A Note from the Publisher:

WARNING: POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST!

If you are sensitive about articles that seem to favor a particular manufacturer, then DON’T read this one! It’s written about a new Andersen Windows project! After years of experience, I’ve found that some manufacturers know more about their products than anyone else; if a carpenter wants to learn the best way to install a product, sometimes the best source of information is the manufacturer. In the future, look for more carefully-screened articles from manufacturers.

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Since the early 1990s, I’ve haunted historic homes, read countless books on architecture, and collected my own small library of pattern books—references I turn to repeatedly whenever I have a design decision to make, whether it’s the style of casing on a home, a mantelpiece plan, a coffered ceiling layout, or window and door designs.

Like getting started as a carpenter, digging into architectural history and design can be dry, hard ground. It’s important to take small steps. Probably the most helpful books I’ve found are The Elements of Style by Stephen Calloway, Asher Benjamin’s The Country Builders Assistant, Illustrated Dictionary of Historic Architecture by Cyril Harris, A Field Guide to American Houses by Virginia Savage McAlester (look for a review of McAlester’s latest edition in TiC soon!), and of course, Get Your House Right by Marianne Cusato.  

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(Note: Click any image to enlarge)

But like a lot of carpenters, when I first started studying architecture, I wanted to find the perfect book—the one single resource that answered every question: what style of mantelpiece to use on a particular home; what type of casing and baseboard; what crown molding size and profile; what windows and doors; what stair design….

I’ve given up looking for that single resource. Instead, I’ve found that design is not a black and white issue, a question of right or wrong. But there are rules.

I remember back in 2008 I visited Andersen Windows to look at a new window. It was a brand new design they were preparing to market—the A Series Window. The remarkable thing about the new window was that Andersen had figured out how to mathematically control the height of the window rails so that casement windows, double hung windows, sliding windows, and picture windows could be installed side-by-side and you’d never know the difference between the styles—all the muntin bars dividing the lights would align perfectly. For the first time, without ordering custom units, we could easily achieve level sight lines between windows and doors! From my experience as a custom finish contractor, that was a real breakthrough.

But during the visit to Minneapolis, the folks at Andersen showed me something else that was also a monumental breakthrough—a pattern book, in folio size (BIG), that a team of architects, photographers, and artists were painstakingly putting together after traveling the country visiting historic homes of every style and recording details on windows, doors, exterior and interior moldings, hardware, and even paint colors.

The pattern book was divided into architectural styles, and each style, from farmhouses to colonial mansions, was covered exquisitely in beautiful drawings, both in charcoal and ink, watercolors, pastels, and of course photographs. Adobe Photoshop PDF

There was only one copy of the hand-bound book—all the artwork was original. There was no way I could fit that folio into my shirt. In fact, they wouldn’t even let me take a photograph of it!

But now you can get a taste of that folio by visiting Andersen’s website and viewing their Home Style Library. They’ve distilled much of the work from that hand-printed book into this brief online resource. AW13_922_Laptop_StyleLibrary_s-2

Andersen has also printed a collection of individual “pattern books.” Of course, these wire-bound booklets aren’t a single resource, but they do provide a broad view of each primary architectural style found in America, and they can definitely help contractors and architects choose the right windows and doors.

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What’s more, the pattern books are available for free in iTunes and Google Play, which means they’re iPad and Android-friendly! AW13_920_Get154832249_20RF.jpg

And while you’re on the Andersen site, check out their new Installation Materials Calculator—one way to be sure you have all the materials you’ll need for installing windows on your next job, from flashing to drain pans to drip cap.

Comments/Discussion

11 Responses to “Pattern Books from Andersen Windows”

  1. Dan Miller

    I love the Audell’s Carpenters and Builders Guide which was written in 1923. It is a four volume set with an incredible amount of info. I bought them on Amazon for $25.

    Reply
  2. kevin zale

    Gary, the photo of your books, dog-eared and pages marked resonates with me. You can find a pattern book in similar, well referenced condition in almost any room in my house. Thanks for the heads-up on the Andersen books.

    kevin

    Reply
  3. Ken - the OldHouseGuy

    That’s a great resource for Anderson to have. Sadly, no one uses it or the Anderson employees are poorly trained. I have yet to see a good Anderson window that looks architecturally correct on a house.

    The profiles and the casings installed just shout “bad window”. Additionally, plastic windows are plastic windows. In 15 years these windows will end up in the landfill and the homeowner will be given another chance. If the original windows were restored, there would be no issue.

    Reply
    • Gary Katz

      Ken,
      You probably haven’t seen the A series window. You probably haven’t seen the 400 series either. In fact, I suspect you haven’t seen the 100 series, which is the least expensive Andersen window, I think. Because none of Andersen’s windows are made out of plastic. No doubt, there isn’t a window made today that can truly replicate an old wood sash double hung or steel casement, especially the glass. Fortunately, there are talented carpenters around–like you must be–who specialize in restoring old windows (rehabilitating??…I’m frightened of using the wrong vocabulary what with so many experts around!). But not every home, and not every window–especially windows in post-war homes, shouts for ‘restoration’. I guess it’s a good example of how one solution doesn’t solve every problem.
      Gary

      Reply
    • Megan

      Hi David,
      I work for Andersen and saw your comment about our app. I’m sorry you’re experiencing difficulties with it, and we’re looking into any issues but can’t seem to find anything. I downloaded the new Spanish Colonial Revival book just now, and I’m able to use the app on my iPad with no problem. Any details you could provide would be helpful. Thanks!
      Megan

      Reply
  4. Lanya LaPunta

    I am curious as to whether there is a site offering this download that is Windows compatible.

    Is there? And, if so, where may I take advantage of such?

    Many thanks, for any reply, whether it is in the positive or negative.

    Reply
  5. Art Wehnert

    The apps work just fine, I just downloaded all 10 currently available. The trick is not jumping too fast to the next booklet before the current on is loading on you iPad. It does not disappear, just partially loads. If you go back to the iPad app and click on it, the app will continue loading. Just scroll through to the last page and wait for all the pages to load.
    Hope this helps

    Art

    Reply
  6. Maurice

    Thanks for the info Gary, helpful as always! I wish Andersen would have included a English Tudor booklet….with casement windows.

    Reply

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