Replacing or installing new windows can be a costly and time-consuming process, so you want to make sure you’re getting the best windows possible. Pella windows are a popular and well-established brand of windows that often comes up, but are they actually worth it?
Pella is a well-respected window brand established in 1925 that focuses on affordability, energy efficiency, and aesthetics. Their window materials and design make them a strong option that is worth the price. Pella offers a selection of wood, vinyl, and fiberglass windows in many configurations.
Getting the right windows can save you a lot of headache and money in the long run, so it’s important to get it right the first time around. In this article, I’ll take a more in-depth look at Pella windows to see if they are truly worth it and priced reasonably.
Are Pella Windows Worth It?
Pella windows are worth it because of their quality. Home and business owners often spend a lot of money on their buildings because they value these buildings’ quality. A good example is the Pella windows that are worth it. They will give you a quality product, and they come at an affordable price.
In the following few sections, I’ll go over some of the significant characteristics and information about Pella windows so you can analyze them for yourself to decide whether they are worth it.
Pella History and Reputation
Pella has a long and interesting history in the window business. It all began in 1925 when Pete and Lucille Kuyper founded the company to produce a window screen that rolls up and out of the way.
After the moderate success of the Rolscreen, Pella slowly began to introduce a more comprehensive selection of products like Venetian blinds, sliding glass doors, and windows.
Named after Pella, Iowa, Pella has merged with the Kuyper family lumber business and Grabill Windows and Doors to become one of the U.S’s largest window brands. They employ over 8,000 people, have 17 window manufacturing locations all over the nation, and do nearly 2 billion dollars in annual revenue.
Pella has maintained a consistent and positive reputation in the industry and among its customers throughout its history. The brand is well known for its consistent quality products and a slew of revolutionary ideas and unique designs.
What’s So Great About Pella Windows?
Pella windows are popular because of their other benefits aside from their good looks. It is a fact that their products are very well-made. Their windows insulate heat and cold better than other brands, which is why they are more efficient when it comes to energy savings in your home or office.
Additionally, Pella window frames have a longer lifespan compared to the ones from other companies. These details make it reason enough to consider installing this brand of windows in your home or office.
Here is what you should look forward to your Pella Windows:
Window Life Expectancy
Many factors can influence a window’s life expectancy. There’s often no singular moment where a window becomes unusable and must be replaced (except when it literally shatters due to being hit with an object).
Below are all factors that can impact how long a window will last:
- The material used to make the window
- The quality and craftsmanship of the window
- Local weather and climate
- Window installation
- Upkeep and window care
- Frequency and severity of window usage
As you can see, there are so many factors, some of them entirely out of your control, that can influence a window’s life expectancy.
Going through the list of potential factors, you can begin to see that Pella windows have an excellent life expectancy. Pella uses high-quality materials to construct their windows, and their craftsmanship is exceptional. So, as long as you do general window upkeep, install them correctly, and use them a regular amount, your Pella windows should last for a very long time.
Below are a few general life expectancy numbers for different types of windows:
| Window Material | Estimated Life Expectancy |
| Wood | 30+ years |
| Fiberglass | 50+ years |
| Vinyl | 20 to 40 years |
Window Quality
To figure out a window’s quality, you must look at a host of factors such as materials, design, craftsmanship, durability, and many more.
In the following sections, I’ll take a more in-depth look at the materials and design characteristics of Pella windows so you can better understand their quality.
Materials
All of the materials that Pella uses are very high quality. The company takes extra steps to ensure all materials are durable, resilient, and will last as long as possible. Currently, Pella offers windows in three different primary materials:
- Wood
- Fiberglass
- Vinyl
When unfinished, wood is highly porous and rots easily. However, Pella thoroughly seals their wood windows and clads them in aluminum for extra protection. The sealant they use helps prevent mildew, mold, decay, stains, termites, and other undesired degradation. The aluminum covering protects the wood from the elements and offers extra customization to the windows.
Fiberglass is another sturdy and extremely resistant material that Pella offers as a window material. The material can withstand pretty harsh weather, is nearly maintenance-free, doesn’t become brittle, and doesn’t noticeably expand or contract.
Another material that Pella uses to make some of their windows is vinyl. While many people don’t regard vinyl as the best window material, Pella’s formula focuses on durability, color retention, and resiliency.
Design
Pella windows have two main qualities when it comes to their design: simplicity and innovativeness.
Initially, the company began to sell a new rolling blind, and since then, they have continued to innovate window, door, and blind design. On the flip side, Pella windows don’t take experimental design to the extreme and remain very simple and practical.
Another significant focus of Pella window design is energy efficiency. Pella uses low emission glass that has a thin coating to help block UV rays and heat. Pella also designs their windows using multiple panes of glass and insulating gas to slow conduction, which keeps the air temperature inside more stable.
Pella window design is cutting edge, and the brand is not afraid to try out new designs to increase durability, ease of use, and energy efficiency. There is a lot of thought and testing that goes into window design, and Pella is a leading window manufacturer for a reason because they put in the time and effort to get it right.
Window Selection and Variety
Pella offers an extensive lineup of windows in nearly any shape and size you may need. Their window product lines include:
- Pella Reserve – This line of windows is modern with expansive glass and clean lines. They are wood with aluminum cladding that comes in various colors to match your home’s aesthetic.
- Architect Series – Designed by architects, this line of windows is extremely customizable and thoughtfully designed. They have contemporary designs with expansive glass and modern finishes.
- Pella Lifestyle Series – This line of windows is perfect for most residences due to its attention to detail, energy efficiency, noise reduction, and expansive style options.
- Pella Impervia – These fiberglass windows are incredibly durable and resistant to harsh weather. They are also very energy efficient, rot-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and have a sleek modern design.
- Pella 250 Series – These are high-quality and durable vinyl windows that are sturdy and reliable while saving you a little money in price and energy efficiency. They are also excellent at reducing noises, minimizing drafts, and not warping like other vinyl alternatives.
- Encompass by Pella – This line of windows is perfect for people that want high-quality windows that don’t break the bank. These quality vinyl windows are budget-friendly, warp-resistant, have good energy efficiency, and are great for most residential homes.
- Pella Hurricane Shield Series – Pella designed these windows to stand up to hurricanes and tropical storms. They are highly durable, impact-resistant, energy-efficient, and stylish.
- Pella Defender Series – This line of windows are some of the sturdiest and most durable windows that you can find. They have good UV protection, noise reduction, and energy efficiency. Pella built these windows to withstand harsh weather and anything else that comes along.
Customer Satisfaction
Pella is one of those companies that gets glowing reviews from customers because of its brilliant effect brought to their homes. However, there is an excellent reason for this discrepancy.
Whether you have a good experience or not with Pella often comes down to the local Pella branch that sells and installs the windows for you. Some Pella branches are extremely good to their customers, while others are not as good about pleasing their clients.
As a whole, Pella has a good reputation and is very credible. According to the Better Business Bureau, Pella Corporation has an A+ rating and accreditation. Most online reviews of Pella boil down to a simple formula, the products are good, but the customer service is sub-par.
If installed correctly, Pella windows are high quality and will last for a very long time, but the road to getting to that point can be winding and frustrating for some.
Is Pella Expensive?
Most Pella windows are relatively cheaper than other window company brands. The exact price you pay can vary quite drastically depending on the specifics of your project, how many windows you’re purchasing, your negotiation skills, the type of windows you’re buying, installation rates, and many other factors.
Pella windows typically cost between $700 and $1,100 per window, including installation.
With the previous analysis of Pella that I did above in mind, it’s pretty clear that Pella windows are worth the money considering the excellent quality windows you’re getting. If Pella windows are the right fit for your project and can provide what you need, the price is often worth it.
Additionally, Pella is pretty good about standing behind its products. They offer some pretty good warranties for their windows and doors that cover repairs and replacements for the first two years, and then you only have to pay the labor costs for the remainder of the warranty if you need a repair or replacement.
Are Pella Windows Cheaper Than Andersen?
While Pella windows have a name brand backing them with a good reputation in the industry, they are generally not overpriced. Pella windows are usually 20% cheaper than similar competitors like Andersen.
Just because they are more affordable doesn’t mean they sacrifice quality, though. Pella manages to continue their exceptional quality and make their windows using inexpensive materials, which make their windows some of the most affordable in the industry.
Pells windows are incredibly high quality and offer many customization options, and their price reflects that. Pella window pricing is very accurate for the quality products they provide, and with some negotiation, you can often get an outstanding rate even lower than what they advertise.
Does Pella Make Good Windows?
Every window company has a select few characteristics and qualities that they excel at providing for their customers. Pella is no exception, with many desirable focuses and traits that make their windows an excellent option for many people.
Here are reasons why Pella will make a good window for you:
Affordable Quality
Pella windows use a variety of materials that are both affordable and extremely high quality. Vinyl windows are typically not ideal because they warp and don’t last very long, but Pella uses a unique vinyl formula that addresses the material’s typical flaws. Pella does similar things to wood and other materials to provide their customers with affordable quality windows.
Energy Efficiency
Window energy efficiency is not only great for the environment, but it can also save you money on heating and air conditioning bills by maintaining the temperature in your home. Pella has spent decades refining their techniques and technologies to prevent conduction better, air infiltration, block UV rays, and repel heat.
Variety and Options
Pella also excels at providing what you need for your particular project and situation. They offer a vast number of product lines with many additional customization options. Pella offers window lines designed to survive hurricanes, maximize glass area, and everything in between. If you need a unique shape or size, they also offer made-to-order custom windows for your particular project.
Wrapping Up
Choosing a window brand to go with can be an extensive and tiresome process with all available options. And while no one company can be the best fit for every project, Pella is a very reputable and good brand that offers high quality and customizable windows at a reasonable price.
If Pella fits your needs and offers what you need for your particular project, Pella windows are worth the price. Their windows are well thought out, sleek, energy-efficient, affordable, and overall good quality that is sure to look great in your home.
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