Pella Windows FAQ

Yes. Pella settled a class action lawsuit for $26 million in 2018 relating to leaking windows causing damage to homes. The original settlement was $90 million so it looks like Pella’s lawyers earned their money. This is a pretty substantial settlement which indicates that they may not have wanted to go to trial for fear that it could have been worse.

If the windows were installed within 15 years customers were eligible to receive the an amount equaling the total amount of their costs for the new window, installation, finish, and repairs. If the damage occurred 15 years or more after the windows were installed, consumers will receive compensation worth 25 percent of that amount. That’s a big deal.

Since Pella recently settled a class action lawsuit relating to leaking windows it sounds like Pella windows used to leak. It’s pretty likely that they’ve fixed the issues relating to leaking windows as they certainly don’t want to deal with another lawsuit.

As well as any other new construction window manufacturer. New construction windows are generally sold to builders and builders are cheap. That means manufacturers need to make cheap windows in order to sell them. That pushes quality down and it keeps the replacement window business moving because people will want to replace their cheap windows in 8-10 years. That’s not great for the customers, but it’s really caused by builders not wanting to spend money on quality products. Find more window info here.

Pella makes wood, vinyl and fiberglass windows. They also make both new construction and replacement windows. Pella is one of the largest window manufacturers in the country so they make a lot of options.

Some people do like Pella windows. That sentiment was threatened by the class action lawsuit that Pella settled relating to leaking windows. Overall Pella makes fine products, but their lower end lines will leave a lot to be desired.

No. Both Pella and Andersen make a wide range of options so there isn’t one comparison. A cheap Pella window won’t be as nice as a high end Andersen window and vice versa. To pick a window option it’s helpful to start by defining the scope of your window project. Are you looking for wood or vinyl or something in between? Do you want an fancy and expensive option or a low cost solution or something in between? These questions will help you narrow your focus as there are a lot of window manufacturers out there.

No. Both Pella and Marvin make a wide range of window options. In my experience Marvin is more focused on quality and Pella is more focused on selling new construction windows to builders. This generally means that the Pella windows I’ve dealt with have not been the nicest and I would recommend looking for another option.

Yes, the Pella window warranty is decent for a larger manufacturer. You’ll want to review both the warranty and our review of the Pella window warranty to get a better idea of what you’re in for. There are limitations to be aware of that can come as a surprise to someone who didn’t understand the warranty when they made their original purchase.

You can buy some Pella windows at Lowes stores and others are available through Pella dealers or at lumber yards. Pella makes a wide range of choices and different models will be available through different distribution channels.

Some Pella windows may be in stock at certain locations for immediate pickup. Stock windows and stock sizes are one advantage of new construction windows. If you’re looking for replacement windows it’s almost always better to order custom sizes and they can take many weeks to arrive. Find more info about how long it takes to get windows in 2022 here.

Pella windows will vary quite it bit in price. The lower end vinyl windows can be very cheap, around $300. The higher end wood windows can cost upwards of $3000 each. You’ll want to define the scope of your project so you can narrow down your search before you get too into the weeds on pricing. Find info on replacement window prices in 2022 here.