Pella vs. Andersen (2024 Guide)
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Pella and Andersen are two window brands with long-standing histories and generally favorable reputations. We researched each brand’s products, services, customer reviews, costs, and more and rated Andersen as the better overall company. This is due to its more comprehensive warranty coverage, window material selection, and longer customer service hours.
See how the two companies compare, plus our picks for the industry’s best window brands in our guide.
What’s Our Take on Pella vs. Andersen Windows?
Pella is named after its headquarters of Pella, Iowa. It’s served generations of window and door customers since 1925. We scored Pella 80 out of 100 for its window selection, energy-efficient options, and nationwide availability. The company lost points for its shorter, nontransferable warranties, lack of maintenance education for customers, and minimal cleanup and disposal after window installation.
Andersen is headquartered in Bayport, Minnesota, and has more than a century of window and patio door experience. We scored the company at 94 out of 100. We liked its vast window selection, energy-efficient options, and 20-year transferable warranty for new windows. Though its prices aren’t that different from Pella’s, we deducted points for Andersen typically being the more expensive brand on average.
| Factor | Pella | Andersen |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 4/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Founded | 1925 | 1903 |
| State availability | 50 | 50 |
| Window types offered | Awning, bay, bow, casement, custom, double-hung, picture, single-hung, sliding, specialty | Awning, bay, bow, casement, double-hung, gliding, pass-through, picture, single-hung, specialty |
| Average price range* | $400–$2,000 | $300–$1,800 |
| Warranties | 10-year warranty on materials and workmanship, plus a limited nontransferable lifetime warranty for nonglass materials. | 20-year warranty for new windows, a 10-year warranty for parts, two-year warranty for workmanship. All warranties are transferable. |
| BBB rating** | A+ | A+ |
**BBB rating is accurate as of April 2024.
What Window Types Do Pella vs. Andersen Offer?
Both companies offer the following types of windows:
- Awning
- Bay and bow
- Casement
- Double-hung
- Picture
- Single-hung
- Specialty
Andersen also offers gliding and pass-through windows, while Pella offers sliding and custom windows.
Pella and Andersen both offer these window frame materials:
- Aluminum-clad frames
- Fiberglass frames
- Vinyl frames
- Wood frames
Andersen also offers aluminum and composite window framing. Both companies prioritize energy efficiency and will add high-efficiency glass and low-e coatings to any window.
How Much Does Pella vs. Andersen Cost?
There isn’t much difference between Pella and Andersen’s pricing. Both companies charge around $300–$2,000 per window, though Pella’s products often start at a slightly higher price. Neither company is the most expensive in the industry, but their prices are slightly higher than other brands. See how Pella and Andersen compare to other leading window manufacturers in the table below.*
| Brand | Average Cost Per Window | Average Cost Range* |
|---|---|---|
| Andersen | $1,174 | $300–$1,800 |
| Castle | $1,210 | $300–$2,325 |
| Champion | $1,141 | $300–$1,700 |
| Harvey | $1,597 | $500–$2,350 |
| Jeld-Wen | $1,436 | $500–$2,300 |
| Larson | $1,561 | $400–$2,800 |
| Loewen | $1,513 | $600–$2,300 |
| Marvin | $1,288 | $400–$1,925 |
| Milgard | $1,105 | $300–$1,700 |
| Pella | $1261 | $400–$2,000 |
| Ply Gem | $1,323 | $250–$2,050 |
| Renewal by Andersen | $1,194 | $400–$1,850 |
| Simonton | $1,497 | $400–$2,625 |
What Warranty Options are Available From Pella vs. Andersen?
Both Pella and Andersen offer slightly higher-than-average warranties. When we surveyed 1,000 homeowners, the majority (37%) said they received window warranties between two and five years.
Pella’s warranties are included with every window, so you don’t need to request or pay for warranties separately. The manufacturer offers two warranty types:
- A 10-year material and workmanship warranty
- A lifetime limited warranty for nonglass materials that isn’t transferable to a new homeowner if you sell your house
The terms of these warranties vary based on window type and frame materials. You can read more about the specifics of Pella’s window warranties on its website.
Andersen also includes warranties with every window, though its warranties are transferable to new homeowners if you sell your house. The company offers the following three warranty types:
- A 20-year all-inclusive warranty for new windows
- A 10-year warranty for parts
- A two-year warranty for workmanship
Only 21.2% of homeowners we surveyed said they received warranties of more than 10 years, making Andersen’s warranties strong. Read more about Andersen’s window warranties on its website.
What Are Customer Reviews of Pella vs. Andersen?
Both Pella and Andersen have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We read more than 100 customer reviews on the BBB and Trustpilot to gauge customers’ experiences with each brand. The most common complaints for both Pella and Andersen were difficulty reaching customer support representatives and claims of not honoring warranty terms. Both companies have positive reviews of their windows’ quality.
Here’s what customers had to say.
Pella Customer Reviews
“I replaced my windows this year for the first [time] and was surprised how it made the exterior look great and now I don’t feel the draft. Very happy with the process as a whole.”
W. Gray, Trustpilot
“The product itself is great. They truly make a great product. They just have abysmal customer service. You cannot get a return call. No one will EVER get back to you.”
GG Patter, Trustpilot
Andersen Customer Reviews
“I have had Renewal by Andersen windows for years. They hold up, look beautiful inside and out. Make my home feel snug and complete the exterior safety and security of my home.”
Joe Tut, Trustpilot
“The service was awful. From their start date to completion date, it took 4 months. A constant barrage of problems. They told me it would take 1 day to complete and it took them 4 appointments. Something was always broken or missing so they had to go back and reschedule.”
D.I., BBB
What is the Shopping Experience of Pella vs. Andersen?
Pella Shopping Experience
Pella makes it easy to shop on their site. You can shop by window type, window line, or window material. Shopping by window type may be the simplest, since you’re likely either looking to replace the same type of window you already have or have a specific type in mind. For example, you can filter for standard new construction window options such as single- and double-hung windows or look for casement windows, which are popular for kitchens and bathrooms.
You can also sort by product line if you want a specific feature. For example, the Reserve Traditional, Receive Contemporary, and Architect Series all feature clad and wood windows. The Encompass, Hurricane Shield, Defender, and 250 series feature vinyl windows, innovative screens, and storm protection. You can also shop by material if you know you want wood, vinyl, or fiberglass windows.
Andersen Shopping Experience
Andersen’s site also allows you to shop by window type and line. The Andersen 100 Series features budget-friendly, eco-conscious windows made of Fibrex composite materials that are said to be twice as strong as vinyl. The 400 Series focuses on wood windows, and the E-Series has the highly customizable and energy-efficient window styles the Andersen corporation is known for.
Are Pella Windows as Good as Andersen?
Both Pella and Andersen offer some of the best replacement windows in the industry as far as window selection and quality. We recommend Andersen over Pella for its more comprehensive warranty options since its pricing isn’t much more expensive for the coverage you’re getting.
If neither of these window companies are the right fit for you, we suggest carefully researching other companies’ offerings and getting a quote before moving forward. We recommend our guide to cheap window replacement companies for customers looking to save.
FAQ About Pella and Andersen
How does Pella compare to Anderson?
Andersen focuses solely on new construction windows, whereas Pella offers replacement windows. Andersen has longer warranty coverage than Pella, but Pella products are available in many home improvement stores.
Is Pella or Renewal by Andersen cheaper?
Pella and Andersen are comparable in price according to our survey of 1,500 recent window buyers. Pella’s pricing is slightly higher on average, reportedly being between $400–$2,000 typically. Andersen’s pricing averages $300–$1,800.
What windows are as good as Andersen?
Pella, Marvin, Window World, Simonton, Milgard, Champion, and Castle are all leading window brands known for high-quality windows comparable to Andersen.
Our Rating Methodology
We back 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.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
