Founded in 1925, Pella Windows & Doors has been serving homeowners across the country for decades. Our team closely examined Pella Windows based on its product range, affordability, warranty coverage, and energy efficiency to give you a comprehensive overview of the company.
Choosing the best window brand means considering different styles, prices, energy efficiency features, installation options, and much more. Not only do windows directly affect the look of your home, but they can also make or break your energy bills. Learn more about Pella and see if its windows and other products offer the best fit for your home.
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Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- Fiberglass, vinyl, and wood options
- Financing perks
- Availability at home improvement retailers
Keep in Mind
- Poor customer ratings
- No in-house installation team
Window Styles Offered
Pella offers the following types of windows:
- Angle-top windows
- Awning windows
- Bay windows
- Bi-fold windows
- Bow windows
- Casement windows
- Custom windows
- Double-hung windows
- Multi-slide windows
- Picture windows
- Single-hung windows
- Sliding windows
- Specialty windows
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers a large range of window colors, grilles, styles, and blind options to match your home’s aesthetic
- Extends the Pella Care Guarantee, which provides extra protection for 10 years if you buy through a Pella showroom
- Has energy-efficient windows at budget-friendly prices
Cons
- Customer reviews share mixed experiences with installation and customer support
- Lacks accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has a low rating, as of this writing
Our Take on Pella
Since 1925, Pella Windows & Doors has offered homeowners a wide range of products in many customizable colors, shapes, and designs. Pella products have an overall positive reputation for durability, energy efficiency, and affordability.
While we encountered several poor reviews and a D- rating with the BBB during our research, Pella has fewer customer reviews than competitors such as Renewal by Andersen. Compared to Renewal’s over 400 reviews on the BBB, Pella only has nine. Of those reviews, some customers claimed faulty products, poor installation services, and challenges getting ahold of customer service.
Our take: Pella’s extensive experience, competitive pricing, and wide range of customizations and window offerings make it a brand we recommend considering. We suggest gathering at least three quotes from different window companies to ensure you receive the best deal for your home.
We Recommend Pella If You:
- Prefer white-glove service from a provider that handles everything from the quote to installation to clean-up
- Live in a coastal or high-humidity area
- Want Energy Star-certified window options at moderate prices
We Don’t Recommend Pella If You:
- Live in Alaska or Mississippi, where the company has no local showrooms
- Want to purchase garden or glass block window types
- Don’t want to read through detailed warranty information before purchasing
Types of Windows Offered
Pella offers the following types of windows:
- Angle-top windows
- Awning windows
- Bay windows
- Bi-fold windows
- Bow windows
- Casement windows
- Custom windows
- Double-hung windows
- Multi-slide windows
- Picture windows
- Single-hung windows
- Sliding windows
- Specialty windows
Pella’s selection stacks up well against the competition, based on our review, with only garden and glass block windows missing from its list of window types. You can select from many window materials, including wood, wood-clad, vinyl, and fiberglass, which should suit most homeowners’ needs.
Pella Window Cost
On average, most Pella window products cost between $400 and $3,500, based on its website, with substantial price differences due to window size, material type, energy efficiency upgrades, customizations, and more. Vinyl windows are typically the most affordable, but our team found that even Pella’s fiberglass and wood options have competitive prices.
Window replacement is often a significant investment, but upgrading from poorly insulated windows can save you hundreds of dollars yearly on power bills, making this home improvement project worth it in the long run.
Financing Options
Financing options vary based on your local Pella showroom, so contact your local showroom for the most accurate details.
While secret shopping, we came across financing options such as “Pella Now, Pay Later,” which allow you to purchase windows and doors and delay or defer payment with low or no-interest payments based on your credit.
Discounts and Savings
Pella offers a 90-minute free consultation with a company expert who can provide you with a no-obligation quote and discuss different product lines that suit your budget.
During our secret shopping, we received an offer of 10% off a Pella project or a loan with no interest if paid in full within 24 months. Otherwise, you can typically only find window deals and discounts by visiting your local Pella showroom, so we recommend speaking with a local representative for specific savings.
Energy Efficiency
Pella offers multiple energy-efficient window series, notably the Pella Impervia, Pella Lifestyle Series, and Pella 250 Series. These lines provide triple-pane and low emissivity (low-e) glass options and contain Energy Star-rated products.
Triple-pane glass and Energy Star windows improve insulation and slow heat transfer by preventing heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, saving you money on energy bills. Windows account for 25%–30% of heat loss and gain in homes, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Plus, Pella uses certified installers who can ensure better performance through proper installation. If a contractor doesn’t install your windows properly, leaks and drafts can drive up energy costs as your home fights to stay temperate, so we advise working with a window professional for this type of project.
Warranties
Pella warranty coverage varies based on the type of window or door you buy. For example, Pella covers wood windows and patio doors with a limited lifetime warranty and 10 years for defects in hardware, laminated glass, and screen, blind, or shade issues. In contrast, Pella fiberglass windows and patio doors include limited lifetime warranty coverage, but this doesn’t extend to products with a Duracast paint finish. Nonglass components and fiberglass resin materials include coverage for 10 years but come with a transferable warranty, unlike the wood components. This variance in warranty coverage can make figuring out Pella’s warranties feel a bit tricky.
Pella has three possible warranties for windows alone, so you’ll need to spend a good chunk of time reviewing the fine print before purchasing any window products to double-check you have satisfactory coverage.
Windows Series
Pella creates many window series, each with its own pros and cons based on your energy efficiency needs, aesthetic, and budget. Compare Pella window series using the chart below:
| Series | Features | Window Types | Materials | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pella Reserve Traditional | Wide range of customizations available Largest window sizes available for optimizing natural light | Picture, single-hung, double-hung, casement, awning, corner, arched, angle-top, strut awning, and push-out casement | Wood and clad/wood | Homeowners interested in traditional, historical detailing |
| Pella Reserve Contemporary | Aluminum-clad wood for lower maintenance Triple-pane glass for improved energy efficiency | Corner, awning, picture, casement, angle-top, multi-slide, and bi-fold | Clad/wood | Homeowners looking for a wide range of colors to match a modern home aesthetic |
| Pella Lifestyle Series | Integrated blinds or shades Dual-pane glass Many style options available | Picture, double-hung, awning, and casement | Clad/wood | Homeowners mostly looking for energy efficiency and noise reduction |
| Pella Impervia | Easy slide operation Commercial-grade strength and performance Scratch-proof coating | Casement, awning, double-hung, single-hung, sliding, and picture | Fiberglass | Homeowners interested in lasting durability and energy efficiency |
| Pella 250 Series | Durable and low-maintenance vinyl Dual and triple-pane glass for improved energy efficiency Tamper protection system | Casement, awning, double-hung, single-hung, sliding, and picture | Vinyl | Homeowners concerned about security and privacy |
| Encompass by Pella | Tilt-wash feature for easy cleaning (limited to the East region) Options to meet or exceed Energy Star requirements | Single-hung, sliding, and picture | Vinyl | Homeowners interested in low-maintenance windows at a competitive price point |
| Pella Hurricane Shield Series | Thick vinyl frames for added security Shatter-resistant impact glass | Awning, single-hung, sliding, and casement | Coastal vinyl | Homeowners living in coastal areas |
| Pella Defender Series | Single-sash movement for easy opening Single titling sash for seamless cleaning | Single-hung | Coastal vinyl | Homeowners looking for storm and ultraviolet (UV) ray protection, particularly in humid climates |
Quote and Installation Process
Unlike some window brands we’ve reviewed, Pella allows you to order directly through its website if you’re interested in a do-it-yourself (DIY) window installation. Or, you can schedule a consultation with a Pella expert for a white-glove experience. You can also visit a local showroom or shop at Lowe’s for Pella windows, providing plenty of options for ordering and installing the company’s window products.
Once you’ve decided whether you want to work with a professional or tackle your project yourself, you can purchase your windows through your local showroom, Lowe’s, or Pella’s website. If you work with a Pella expert, the company will provide you with a free 90-minute appointment at your home and a no-obligation quote after measuring your current windows for sizing.
After you accept the quote, you can proceed with your window installation. If no unexpected delays occur, Pella’s installation team estimates the process can take a few hours or up to two days, depending on the complexity.
One of the biggest advantages of working with a Pella expert is the Pella Care Guarantee—which protects you financially if your replacement windows encounter any issues, including labor-related problems, for up to 10 years. This option is only available if you buy through a Pella showroom and use a company expert for installation.
Remember, some window types, such as specialty, custom, and bay and bow windows, are available by appointment only.
Customer Reviews
Pella Windows has received mixed yet limited customer reviews, based on our research. While Pella isn’t accredited by the BBB and has a D- rating, it has nine customer reviews on the platform, along with over 70 reviews on Trustpilot as of this writing. Renewal by Andersen, a competing company, has more than double this amount.
Positive customer reviews on Trustpilot talked about professional, detail-oriented, and timely service from Pella experts. Many customers also expressed complete satisfaction with the quality of the company’s windows and doors and prompt service if they encountered any issues post-installation.
At the same time, Pella has received several critiques, with common themes centering around window installation issues, such as leaking and subpar cleanup and issues with drywall and stucco.
How Pella Compares to the Competition
Here’s a quick view of how Pella stacks up against our other top-ranked window providers.
| Company | Logo | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Average Price | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Renewal by AndersenGet Quote |  | B+ | $612 | Limited transferable | |
ChampionGet Quote |  | Not Rated | $660 | Limited lifetime transferable | |
Castle |  | A+ | $412 | Lifetime transferable | |
PellaRead Our Review | | A+ | $577 | Limited lifetime transferable | |
Window WorldRead Our Review |  | A+ | $421 | Limited lifetime transferable | |
Window Nation |  | A+ | $550–$849 | Lifetime transferable |
FAQs About Pella Windows
Is Pella Windows as good as Renewal by Andersen?
Pella Windows is as good as Renewal by Andersen in many ways, but the right provider for you will depend on your project needs. Both providers offer a wide range of window styles, types, and energy-efficient models. However, our team prefers Renewal by Andersen’s warranty policy, which is always transferable if you sell your home. We also found Renewal’s warranty policies more straightforward and easy to understand—although Renewal’s warranty is shorter at 2 years versus Pella’s typical 10-year protection.
Another notable difference is customer reviews, as Andersen stands out for having a higher volume of reviews and better ratings with the BBB.
What do customers say about the durability of Pella Windows?
Customers have mixed feelings about the durability of Pella Windows, based on our review. Some customer reviews have reported issues with leaks, faulty seals, and poor installation, which could suggest issues with durability. However, other customers have praised Pella’s product for its durability, high-quality materials, and longevity once installed properly.
What are common problems with Pella Windows?
Common problems with Pella Windows include air leaks, damaged screens, and messy window installation, according to our analysis of customer reviews. Some customers have also reported issues with reaching customer service or receiving timely support.
How We Evaluated Window Brands
Our team backs up our window ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each provider. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, browsing product selections, analyzing window line specifications, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys. We then score each provider against our review standards for window variety, value, trustworthiness and transparency, window features, and customer service to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.
