Pella vs. Andersen: How Do They Compare?
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Pella and Andersen are window manufacturers with long-standing histories of building residential and commercial windows. Each company offers multiple window frame materials and over 10 window types to choose from, making them solid choices for your window replacement project.
Our team compared each brand’s products, warranty terms, customer reviews, and price. We found that Andersen is the better choice overall due to its comprehensive warranty coverage, nationwide availability via retail partners, lower prices, and window material selection. You can check out our list of the best window brands if you find that neither Pella nor Andersen suits your needs.
Our Take on Andersen
Andersen is headquartered in Bayport, Minnesota, and has over a century of experience building and installing windows and doors. We gave the window brand a score of 4.88 out of 5 because of its impressive window selection. It is one of the few window brands that offers vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum, wood, and composite window frames, which means it likely offers a window type that matches your home’s unique look.
Andersen also scored well in the performance category of our review standards. It builds its windows to meet or exceed the energy efficiency standards of Energy Star and the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC).
However, Andersen lost points in the reputation category due to poor customer ratings across several review sites we checked, such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. It also lacks 24/7 customer support lines.
Pros and Cons of Andersen
Pros
- Holds awards with Energy Star for energy-efficient products
- Is available nationwide at big-box retailers such as Home Depot
- Offers five window frame material options
Cons
- Has limited customer support hours
- Holds poor customer ratings across several review sites
Our Take on Pella Windows
Pella is based in the city of Pella, Iowa, where it gets its name from. The company first opened its doors in 1925, making it one of the longest-serving window brands we’ve reviewed. Pella earned 4.23 out of 5 stars in our review standards.
Like Andersen, Pella offers multiple material options, such as fiberglass, wood, and vinyl windows. Both Andersen and Pella offer 14 window styles. Pella is available nationwide through its online retail catalog. We like that you can order premade windows directly from Pella and have them shipped to your door. In addition, Pella also meets Energy Star and NFRC certification requirements.
Pella lost points in our review standards’ materials category—Andersen slightly edged Pella by offering two more frame materials. Pella also has limited customer service support hours and unfavorable reviews from existing customers.
Pros and Cons of Pella
Pros
- Offers windows with smart-home technology integration for added security and convenience
- Provides a wide variety of window styles and material options
- Sells windows nationwide via its online store
Cons
- Has poor customer ratings, citing quality and service issues
- Has a shorter glass and hardware warranty compared to some competitors
Types of Windows Offered
As mentioned above, both Andersen and Pella offer an extensive selection of window styles. They each have multiple window lines to accommodate your specific budget and design preferences. Pella has seven window series, including a Reserve series that suits contemporary and traditional homes.
Andersen has six window series, one of which is its Renewal by Andersen replacement window line. Like Pella, Andersen has a window series for every budget, such as its value-based 200 Series and high-end E-Series.
The table below shows the available window styles each brand offers.
| Window Type | Andersen | Pella |
|---|---|---|
| Awning | ✔ | ✔ |
| Bay | ✔ | ✔ |
| Bow | ✔ | ✔ |
| Casement | ✔ | ✔ |
| Custom | ✔ | ✔ |
| Double-hung | ✔ | ✔ |
| Hopper | ✘ | ✔ |
| Hurricane | ✔ | ✔ |
| Pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
| Picture | ✔ | ✔ |
| Single-hung | ✔ | ✔ |
| Skylight | ✘ | ✘ |
| Sliding | ✔ | ✔ |
| Specialty | ✔ | ✔ |
| Storm | ✔ | ✘ |
| Transom | ✔ | ✔ |
Cost Comparison
While researching both companies, we found that each provides online pricing for their windows. However, Andersen doesn’t list its window prices on its site. Rather, you can find prices for Andersen windows on Home Depot’s website.
Note that Pella’s online store only offers wood casement and double-hung window styles. You’ll have to place an order with an authorized dealer if you want Pella’s other window materials and styles. However, upon further digging, we found that you can choose from additional Pella window styles and material options on the Lowe’s website.
The table below shows the cost ranges each brand charges for several popular window types.
| Window Type | Andersen Cost Range | Pella Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Awning | $318–$378 | N/A |
| Casement | $438–$768 | $594–$1,586 |
| Double-hung | $249–$638 | $304–$1,270 |
| Sliding | $217–$709 | $349–$1,149 |
| Single-hung | $293–$606 | $305–$1,058 |
*Andersen window prices are from Home Depot. Pella window prices are from Lowe’s. Pricing figures are accurate as of the time of writing this article.
We also collected additional Pella and Andersen pricing data by surveying 1,000 homeowners who replaced their windows within the last five years. Respondents reported paying between $300 and $1,800 per Andersen window on average and $400–$2,000 per Pella window on average.
Because both brands offer similar window styles and frame materials, we believe Andersen is a better choice overall due to its lower replacement window costs.
Warranty Options Offered
Like most reputable window brands, both Pella and Andersen provide a window warranty for each of their window lines, styles, and frame materials. We like that each company displays its warranty documents online for easy access. We provide further details of each brand’s window warranties below.
Andersen Warranty
Andersen’s window warranty website lists the terms and conditions for each door and window it offers. Andersen’s warranties are transferable, meaning that the warranty will remain in effect if you sell your home to someone else. The company offers the following four warranty types:
- A 20-year glass warranty
- A 20-year exterior color finish warranty
- A 10-year hardware and nonglass warranty
- A 2-year labor warranty
Note that the warranties for each window series and type may vary.
Pella Warranty
Like Andersen, Pella’s window warranties are on its dedicated warranty page. Below are the warranty types Pella offers:
- A 20-year glass warranty
- A 10-year exterior powder coat finish warranty
- A 10-year fiberglass frame warranty
- A 10-year hardware and nonglass warranty
- A 2-year interior factory finish
- A 2-year labor warranty
Pella’s warranties are also transferable, which is an industry standard most reputable window brands follow. Note that the warranties for each window series and type may vary.
Customer Reviews
Of the two window brands, Andersen has a better BBB rating. It currently holds an A+ rating. Pella has a D- rating. Although their BBB ratings differ, both companies have generally poor customer reviews on the site: Andersen has 1.3 out of 5 stars with more than 100 reviews, while Pella has 2 out of 5 stars with only nine reviews. We also checked Trustpilot to better understand how customers feel about each company. Similarly, reviews on Trustpilot are poor for Andersen and Pella at 1.8 and 1.7 stars, respectively.
Common customer complaint themes include delayed communication and after-sale service from customer service representatives. Below are some reviews we found for both brands.
Pella Customer Reviews
“Windows arrived and installed sooner than expected. The install went great, and Andersen’s installers were very professional!” —Dave G. via BBB, July 2024
“Called Pella to order a Pella storm door multi-point mortise lock replacement part. The automated process said I had a 44-minute wait, but they would call me back in 44 minutes. That was 5 days ago, and I have not heard from Pella yet, nor do I expect to hear from them. I spent over $20,000 on Pella windows and doors, so you’d think they would respond to a former customer. Pella in my book now rates a zero.” —Peter I. via Trustpilot, October 2024
Andersen Customer Reviews
“I installed my sliding patio doors in 2017, and through MY mistake in giving them the wrong information, it looked like they were not under warranty, even though it turns out they were under the 10-year warranty. My doors have built-in blinds between the glass panes. The problem was that the mechanism to raise the blinds was failing. At first, they diagnosed the problem and said I needed a part that, counting tax and shipping, was $50. The part was a 3-inch piece of plastic, which I could have printed on my 3D printer for $0.15. It also was not the solution to my problem. Once I figured out that I was actually under warranty and proved with a video link that the mechanism was failing, they were happy to send me a new door for free. They also issued a full refund on the $50 part. Their customer service people are really friendly, and they stand behind their warranty, but after 10 years, expect to pay an absurd amount for repair parts. If it weren’t for the $50 price tag on a 3-inch piece of plastic, I would have given them five stars.” —Ken via Trustpilot, November 2024
“I’m beyond frustrated with Andersen Windows. Two of the larger windows were defective and bowed when delivered, and they’ve been dragging the issue out for months. While they did order a new panel for one of the large windows due to the bow, they are now completely unresponsive. To make matters worse, two more windows won’t shut properly. On top of that, the technicians who came out were condescending and insulted us by treating us like we were stupid. Despite repeated attempts to contact Andersen, we received no help. Their warranty is worthless, and they just blame everything on installation. Save yourself the headache and choose another manufacturer. This has been a nightmare.” —Brandy J. via BBB, October 2024
FAQs About Pella vs. Andersen
What is the difference between Andersen and Pella?
The main difference between Andersen and Pella is their available window frame materials. Andersen offers up to five frame materials (vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum, wood, and composite), while Pella provides up to three (fiberglass, wood, and vinyl). Also, Andersen provides in-house installation services via its Renewal by Andersen line. Pella requires you to find an authorized contractor to install their windows.
Are Pella windows considered high-end?
Pella offers high-end window models, such as its fiberglass Impervia and wood Reserve lines. It is one of the few window brands that integrates smart-home technology into some models. In addition to its high-end window lines, Pella offers solid vinyl windows for those with limited budgets.
What installation services do Andersen and Pella provide for their windows?
Andersen has several window installation service options: full-service installation via its in-house Renewal by Andersen brand, authorized dealer installation, and certified contractor installation. Pella offers similar installation services except for full-service installation.
Is Pella or Andersen cheaper?
Pella and Andersen are comparable in price according to our survey of 1,000 recent window buyers. Pella’s pricing is slightly higher on average, reportedly between $400 and $2,000 per window. Andersen’s pricing averages between $300 and $1,800 per window.
Our Rating Methodology
We research, review, and rate window brands to help you pick a company that meets your needs and fits your budget for your next window installation. Our research involves interviewing window industry experts, collecting customer insights and pricing data through proprietary surveys, reading hundreds of customer reviews on third-party websites, and reviewing each window company’s website to learn about its services, products, and warranties.
We assess each window brand in six key areas:
- Value
- Performance
- Reputation
- Selection
- Services
- Customer support
Check out our full window methodology for more details and information on how we determined the best window brands.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
