Pella Windows Review 2024 (2024)

The Pella Corporation sets itself apart from some of the best window companies in the industry for a few reasons. It’s well-awarded and patented for its innovative features and advanced technology that allow you to enhance your windows’ performance.

The company also offers various window styles and materials to suit different price points. However, its warranty coverage is inconsistent, and you may not like the number of negative customer reviews it has online compared to other affordable window brands.

Our Pella windows review examines the company’s warranty coverage, customer reviews, cost and more to help you decide whether it’s the right brand for you.

Our thoughts on Pella

We used our windows methodology to give Pella a total score, rating it in categories such as window options, energy-saving features, customer service and warranty coverage. Overall, Pella earned 4.2 out of 5 stars.

The company offers a selection of nine window styles and three frame materials. It also has lines of patio doors, sliding glass doors and French doors. While the number of window style options is on par for the industry, not many top brands offer three material options. According to customer reviews, however, despite Pella’s selection, the products fall short of expectations.

What we like

We like that Pella has many window options and builds advanced performance into every style. Pella doesn’t stick to the basics when it comes to performance. In addition to rigorous testing for energy efficiency, Pella designs windows to be impact-, sound- and weather-resistant. You can add optional smart-home integration to increase security and convenience, such as remote locking and blind-lowering.

We also like how user-friendly Pella’s website is. There’s a wealth of information, and everything is easy to read and find. It even has pages dedicated to what it offers that competitors don’t. For example, it includes stats on how much stronger and dent-resistant its fiberglass is compared to the brand Marvin.

What we don’t like

We don’t like how much warranty coverage varies across window lines and parts. Although this isn’t uncommon in the window industry, it signifies that the brand may not stand behind some aspects of its windows as much as it does others.

Our main issue with Pella is the number of negative customer reviews we found online. We can find plenty of selling points for the company on its website, but if customer feedback says otherwise, we can’t ignore what actual product buyers have to say.

Compare top window brands

Pella ranks neck and neck with many top competitors based on its offerings. It scores points for window variety but loses just as many for lesser warranty coverage.

Customer thoughts

Unfortunately, Pella’s customer reviews are largely negative despite having an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Sixty-four customers rate it an average of 1.28 out of 5 stars on the site. Most of the negative feedback cites product quality issues, such as window parts that easily break or degrade or windows that don’t perform as promised.

An issue customers say comes with this is poor communication. Many, like Sandra, report on Trustpilot and the BBB of trying to get help with their faulty windows only to speak with a representative who’s rude or unhelpful.

Others, however, say they had an overwhelmingly positive experience with the brand. Kathy’s review on Trustpilot speaks of being a longtime, repeat customer who has exclusively bought Pella windows and doors. She notes a dramatic change in her home’s energy efficiency and comfort and exceptional service from her salesperson and installation team.

What windows does Pella sell?

Pella offers nine window styles and eight window lines, all with their own selling points.

Window lines

The company’s product lines vary in material and function.

• Pella 250 series: This is a vinyl window series designed to be durable and energy-efficient.
• Pella Architect series: This wood window line features handcrafted designs for a luxury look, complete with exclusive hardware.
• Pella Defender series: The Defender series consists of vinyl windows made for ultimate protection against UV rays, intruders, harsh weather and noise.
• Pella Encompass series: These vinyl windows are budget-friendly and easy to maintain. They’re also warp-resistant.
• Pella Impervia series: The Impervia series is made of durable fiberglass that holds up well in extreme temperatures and won’t degrade under direct sun.
• Pella Hurricane Shield series: This vinyl series is designed to withstand hurricanes and coastal conditions.
• Pella Lifestyle series: The stylish wood windows in this series are made to be energy-efficient and lessen noise pollution.
• Pella Reserve series: These wood and aluminum-clad wood windows are for those who want classic window styles.

Window styles

Pella makes many popular window styles. You can choose from the following:

• Awning: Awning windows feature one panel of glass that opens up and outward.
• Bay and bow: Bay and bow windows jut out from the wall line, creating interior space where you can install a shelf or bench seat.
• Casem*nt: Casem*nt windows are great for areas where you want ventilation. They open by pushing one side outward and are incredibly energy-efficient.
• Custom: Pella takes made-to-order window requests.
• Double-hung: These are your standard home windows that raise upward and tilt inward for easy cleaning.
• Picture: Picture windows maximize natural light, but they’re not operable.
• Sliding: Sliding windows allow you to take in the view while also opening side to side.
• Single-hung: Single-hung windows have one moveable sash that raises and tilts inward.
• Specialty: Pella makes specialty window shapes as well, including arched, circle and pentagon.

What materials does Pella use?

Pella is one of the few leading brands that offers a variety of window materials — vinyl, wood and fiberglass — so you have more options for the look and price point of your windows.

Window frames

Four of Pella’s window series are made from vinyl. Vinyl is budget-friendly, long-lasting and highly durable. It’s also energy-efficient and easy to maintain. The multi-chambered frames in vinyl windows help reduce thermal transfer and add reinforcement to the window.

Pella’s wood windows come at a higher price point, but they’re a warmer, more attractive option if you want a classic look. Wood is a strong and energy-efficient material, and it’s easy to customize.

The company’s fiberglass window options are heavy-duty, with powder-coating that resists chipping and fading, so your finish never diminishes. Fiberglass resists dents, bends and breaks. It’s tested to hold up to varying temperatures and elements and made to not rot or corrode.

Window panels

You can get double- and triple-pane windows from Pella. Triple-pane windows are available in the 250, Architect, Impervia, Lifestyle and Reserve series. Investing in triple-pane windows improves energy efficiency and noise reduction. According to a study from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, upgrading from double-pane to triple-pane windows can improve a home’s energy efficiency by 40% or more.

Energy efficiency

Pella’s windows are Energy Star-certified, and those in the 250, Architect and Lifestyle series were voted Most Efficient by Energy Star in 2023. Holding an Energy Star certification means the company’s windows have undergone rigorous testing for performance and energy efficiency.

Pella offers several energy-saving features, including the following:

• Low-emissivity (low-e) glass: Low-e glass has an invisible coating optimized for your climate that helps block UV rays and control your home’s temperature.
• Insulated glass and frames: Argon gas injected between window panels acts as an insulating blanket to reduce heat transfer. Some Pella product lines have foam insulation in the frame for a tighter seal.
• Triple-pane glass: The more layers of glass in your window unit, the more air and noise are kept out.

Pella also claims to prioritize proper installation. Windows that are installed properly are better able to control air leaks.

How much do Pella’s windows cost?

We surveyed 1,500 window customers in October 2023 and learned that those who bought Pella windows spent between $8,664 and $20,644 on their window replacement project. This price varies by the project size. Here’s a look at customers’ average investment based on how many windows they purchased:

An FAQ on Pella’s website states that a standard window typically costs between $200 and $900. Expect to pay more for a series with extra storm protection, impact resistance, energy-saving features and other performance enhancements. Also, expect to pay more for larger styles with more complex designs, such as bay and picture windows.

We recommend getting a quote once you know which type of windows you want. Or if you don’t know which windows you want, Pella offers a free consultation. You can schedule an in-home appointment or speak with someone over the phone, and a Pella representative will advise you on the best windows for your home and give you a price estimate for the job.

Does Pella offer financing options?

Pella offers financing options, but it’s not upfront about them. Its website has a dedicated financing page where you can enter your ZIP code to see options in your area, but it directs you to schedule a consultation to discuss them. Pella advertises the opportunity of $750 qualifying projects and a no-payments, no-interest program if you pay in full within 12 months.

What is the installation process with Pella?

Pella makes selecting and ordering the windows you want easy. If you plan to install the windows yourself, which we don’t recommend, you can order straight from the website. If you want professional installation, you can have an in-home consultation or visit a showroom.

During a consultation, a Pella expert will measure, order and then schedule the installation for you. If you want to see the windows first, you can also visit a Pella showroom or retailer that sells Pella products, such as Lowe’s or ABC Supply. A showroom representative can schedule your installation date.

On your installation date, your Pella team will prepare the area to protect your floors and furniture. The crew will then remove your old windows, make any necessary repairs, and install your new windows. They’ll seal them as tightly as possible and perform a quality assurance check to ensure all aspects of the window perform as they should, as well as let you examine their craftsmanship for any issues. They’ll then clean up the site and properly dispose of your old windows for you.

What are Pella’s warranty options?

Pella’s warranties vary by window material.

• Vinyl warranty: 10 years for laminated glass, 20 years for nonlaminated glass, 10 years for nonglass materials, 10 years for workmanship, 10 years for exterior paint
• Fiberglass warranty: 20 years for glass, 10 years for nonglass materials, 10 years for workmanship, 10 years for exterior powder coating
• Wood warranty: 10 years for glass, 10 years for hardware, two years for labor

Most of Pella’s warranty coverage is transferable for a certain time frame. We suggest reading warranties carefully to understand what can void your warranty.

Final take: Pella offers many window options, but the majority of customers writing reviews aren’t happy

There’s a lot to like about Pella, including energy-saving features and advanced technology that makes its windows resistant to weather, impact and noise. But no matter how innovative and passionate about window performance Pella appears on its site, we can’t ignore that most customer reviews point to negative experiences with window quality and customer service.

We recommend speaking with a Pella sales rep and reading testimonials to better understand what you can expect for the type of project you’re interested in. It’s also a good idea to get quotes from a few companies before deciding which to hire for your window installation.

Our rating methodology for window companies

Our aim is to provide you with the information you need to assess and choose a window company when updating or replacing your windows. We conducted research to thoroughly understand the window industry from both a consumer and company perspective.

Our in-depth methodology compares window companies based on various attributes, including window options, energy efficiency, warranties, reputation, reviews, customer service, communication, installation and other services. Each attribute is worth points that add up to a possible total of 100. We then translate that score into our 5-star rating we feature in our reviews.

BBB and Trustpilot scores are accurate as of March 2024.