Pella Windows & Doors has been serving homeowners since 1925. You’ve likely seen the company’s recognizable yellow logo in your local Lowe’s home improvement store or on one of its many showroom buildings. We recently researched what the best window brands in the country have to offer customers in product quality, warranty coverage, customer service, and more to see how they compare. Here’s what we learned about Pella that makes it stand out. 

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Our Take on Pella

There’s much to love about Pella. It’s moderately priced, has ENERGY STAR-certified window options, and does new construction window installation and window replacement. The company holds 150 patents for window technology and innovation. You can choose from more affordable vinyl window options or more luxury, architectural window types. Pella’s inventory not only includes a wide range of window styles but doors as well. We like that the company handles cleanup after installs, has a team of certified installers, and offers free consultations. 

We also found some downsides. We don’t like that Pella varies its warranties across its product lines. It’s also not transparent about its window prices on its website, but this is common among window companies. Our biggest concern is that Pella has many poor customer reviews across multiple review sites.

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Pros and Cons

Here are some of the company’s pros and cons based on what customers say online and what competitors offer:

Customer Reviews

Pella boasts an A+* Better Business Bureau (BBB) score and positive feedback across review sites like Best Company and Trustpilot. However, many of the customer reviews we found online are negative. Most negative customer reviews refer to faulty parts, confusing warranty coverage, and difficulty getting the company to respond to or repair issues.

Here’s a mix of what we found on the BBB, Best Company, and Trustpilot:

“We put in Pella replacement windows in our home about eight years ago. They are very good. The price was reasonable compared to competitors with the added advantage of Pella quality. Highly recommend using Pella windows for your home.” —Allan F., July 2023, on Best Company

“As others have said, we had so many problems including defective windows and door parts that were not replaced even when under warranty, some items ordered that came in different colours that they did not replace, one door that broke within a week, etc. The Victoria office owner is incredibly rude and they don’t respond, they have yet to fix broken handles and windows that are still under warranty.”  —Sandra F., April 17, 2023, on Trustpilot

“We invested in new windows and French doors while we were remodeling our house. Researching windows, we found that Pella is THE top of the line window company in the country. The windows are wood framed double pane windows and are a step above the other window companies. Yes, they are a little higher than their competitor, but the quality that you are getting and the longevity of the product, all adds up to never having to replace windows again. They are the BEST.”  —Michael W., September 2022, on Best Company

“I have Pella Windows on my house. I noticed some rotting on one of the windows. When I had someone come take a look, he indicated that I had rotting on almost every wood window I had and that they would need replacement. The aluminum casement over the wood failed at the corners and that allowed water to get in and that water was trapped. Given that this appears to have happened on nearly every window I have, it appears to be a defect in the product. I contacted the company and they will not stand behind their product. Online, I found a class action lawsuit for one of their windows where wood rotted in the windows too. I would avoid this company.”  —David W., January 27, 2022, on BBB

*BBB rating accurate as of September 2023

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What Services Does Pella Offer?

Pella sells and installs windows and doors. It provides ENERGY STAR-certified window options with low-emissivity glass coatings to help your windows perform better. Some things we learned on the Pella website about its services include the following:

• Thorough product testing: The company opens and closes window designs 6,000+ times. Technicians also open and close doors 100,000 times.
• Dedicated team through its showrooms: Going through a Pella showroom gets you a project management team and a certified installation team to install your windows and clean up the job site. You don’t get this if you go through a local retailer.
• More accurate customization: Pella’s thorough in-home consultations allow for precise measurements that lead to higher-quality customizations and a more secure fit. 

Window material options are fiberglass, vinyl, and wood. Pella has several distinct product lines to choose from, such as:

• Pella 250 series: This is a cost-effective line of low-maintenance vinyl windows made with more durable window frames than typical vinyl. These windows are highly energy-efficient.
• Pella Architect series: This luxury line is made to last and is for buyers who want a timeless, beautiful look.
• Pella Defender series: These windows provide better storm protection and noise reduction and block out 100% of UV rays. 
• Pella Encompass series: The Encompass series is another budget-friendly line of easy-care vinyl window options.
• Pella Hurricane series: These vinyl windows are even stronger than those in the Defender series and can withstand High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ). 
• Pella Impervia series: These windows boast proprietary fiberglass proven to be highly durable and long-lasting. They’re also exceptionally energy-efficient. 
• Pella Lifestyle series: This is a wooden window series designed for energy efficiency and soundproofing.
• Pella Reserve Contemporary series: This series of wood windows is only available through showrooms and includes tailor-made designs and architectural hardware.
• Pella Reserve Traditional series: This wood line features historical detailing and allows unlimited customization. 

Door Selection

Pella also sells high-quality fiberglass, wood, and vinyl doors categorized by the same series. The company’s inventory of patio and sliding glass doors includes:

• Bifold patio doors
• Hinged doors
• Multi-slide doors
• Sliding patio doors

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State Availability

Pella showrooms are available in 47 states except Alaska, Mississippi, and Nevada. You can get started with Pella by visiting one of its 200 showrooms, hiring an independent contractor, or purchasing through Lowe’s and installing yourself. 

Hiring an independent contractor can void some or all of your window warranty if the contractor isn’t fully licensed and insured. You can find a showroom near you using the company’s showroom directory.

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Warranty Options

Warranty coverage varies greatly by series and product. Many of Pella’s warranties aren’t transferable. Make sure to read the fine print on warranties before you buy. Here’s how coverage breaks down by product line:

• 250 series: Nontransferable limited lifetime warranty for non-glass materials and workmanship, 20-year transferable warranty for non-laminated glass, 10-year transferable warranty on laminated glass
• Architect series: Limited lifetime warranty
• Defender series: Nontransferable limited lifetime warranty for non-glass materials and workmanship, 20-year transferable warranty for non-laminated glass, 10-year transferable warranty on laminated glass
• Encompass series: Nontransferable limited lifetime warranty for non-glass materials and workmanship, 20-year transferable warranty for non-laminated glass, 10-year transferable warranty on laminated glass
• Hurricane series: Nontransferable limited lifetime warranty for non-glass materials and workmanship, 20-year transferable warranty for non-laminated glass, 10-year transferable warranty on laminated glass
• Impervia series: 10-year warranty on non-glass, 20-year warranty on glass
• Lifestyle series: Limited lifetime warranty
• Reserve Contemporary series: Limited lifetime warranty
• Reserve Traditional series: Limited lifetime warranty

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How Much Do Pella Windows Cost?

Pella doesn’t have pricing for all of its products online. You have to go through the consultation process to get a personalized estimate. However, it has pricing for some of its pre-built windows. We looked at these figures plus Pella’s prices on the Lowe’s website and found that most window options cost between $250 and $3,000. 

Here’s how prices vary by product line. Pricing is per window unit.

• Awning: $800–$1,000
• Bay and bow: $1,000–$1,700
• Casement: $700–$3,000
• Custom: Varies by order
• Double-hung: $450–$3,250
• Picture: $250–$700
• Single-hung: $400–$3,000
• Sliding: $450–$1,000
• Specialty: Varies by order

Vinyl material options typically cost the least, followed by fiberglass and wood.

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How Does Scheduling With Pella Work?

You can easily schedule a consultation appointment with Pella on its website. You can also call via the listed number. A Pella representative will do the following during your consultation:

• Show you product samples
• Talk through your installation options
• Take measurements of your window or door casing
• Give you a free, no-obligation quote
• Answer any questions you have

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Compare Pella to Other Top Window Brands

See how Pella compares to other leading window brands on cost, warranty coverage, and more.

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Our Conclusion

Pella’s many years in business and a clear commitment to window quality make it stand out compared to competitors. We appreciate the rigorous testing products go through and the many awards Pella has earned, such as the 2022 Most Innovative Design Company award from Fast Company and the 2019 Move Innovative Window win at the Window+Door awards. 

We’re concerned about the customer reviews claiming faulty products and difficulty getting a resolution from the company. We still recommend Pella overall, but we encourage reading customer reviews for any company or product you’re interested in and checking out warranty coverage before purchasing. We also suggest getting a quote from at least three companies before deciding.

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FAQ About Pella Windows

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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.