Are Pella windows worth it?

Published: Jan. 21, 2020

Are Pella Windows worth the cost? Many homeowners looking for high-end windows are loyal to the Pella brand, and stick with it for any window and door purchase. They wouldn’t go with any other brand. Perhaps their home has older Pella windows that have lasted for decades with zero issues or they’ve had a positive installation experience in the past, or a friend recommended Pella as a trusted, reputable brand.

Whether it’s a loyal fan of the Pella brand or homeowners purchasing high-end windows for the very first time, we respond the same way if they ask, “Are Pella windows worth it?”

Our answer is, “It depends on your specific home and the features you’re looking for.”

All product lines within one brand may not reflect the same quality or warranty

We never recommend one specific brand as the “best choice for windows,” because there is so much variation among the product lines of an individual brand.

Quality and warranties are commensurate with the price you pay. Even within a single brand, such as Pella or Andersen, all product lines—and even different products within the same line—don’t necessarily have the same quality, performance or warranty specs. It’s never universal across an entire brand. Instead, quality and warranties tend to vary based on materials used, the type of window, and optional features.

Click here to review the warranty for brands we install.

Therefore, it’s important to look closely at the product, not just the brand.

We can say this, however; more expensive windows tend to have better insulation, sturdier quality and a longer warranty than budget windows. The added costs are reflected in the materials used, the quality of the window, manufacturer testing and customer service.

Therefore, you can trust Pella windows would be better than something comparable in a budget product.

Pella product from a big box store, or discounted Pella product from unauthorized dealers may also vary in quality and warranty, and should not be considered apples-to-apples with Pella product installed by authorized dealers.

For example, warranty resolution may be a prorated credit voucher for self-installed Pella product from Lowe’s, not the same warranty offered on the installed product.

Evaluating if a specific brand is worth the cost should never be a decision made on brand name alone. Look closely at the specific product in four key areas: quality, cost, features and warranty.

Pella is a solid choice… with one caveat

Pella is a highly organized company with a solid backbone, according to DunRite Owner Sal Sucato. They do a robust amount of testing to ensure high performance and quality. They have great customer service, and go out of their way to make what the customer is looking for, as long as it fits within their manufacturing limitations.

They care about their customers.

Pella’s warranty includes free parts and labor for repair or replacement for the first two years. After that, parts are still free, but the costs of labor is an out-of-pocket expense for the homeowner. For those who purchased Pella’s extended warranty, parts and labor are typically free for the life of the warranty, but includes a $75 service fee.

In our experience, instead of pointing fingers and looking for reasons to decline in-warranty coverage, blaming a lack of maintenance or improper installation as the issue, Pella stands behind their product. It’s a safe, comfortable brand you can trust with an expensive purchase.

If the extended warranty service plan is not purchased, the cost of labor for repairs or replacement after the two-year coverage period is completed by Pella personnel at an hourly rate determined by Pella, not the original installer. Therefore, if you’re considering the Pella brand, be aware that the window itself may be covered for a much longer time period than the labor and the costs can be significant.

It’s something to think about before you make a purchase.

Does DunRite Windows & Doors recommend Pella as its high-end window of choice?

We like the Pella brand, and often recommend certain Pella products when it’s the best alternative for a specific situation. However, as an experienced company that installs multiple brands and products, we have a solution-driven approach that compares suitable products from multiple brands, instead of a single brand preference approach.

We prefer to first consider the specific features a homeowner wants, and any performance or design requirements the home itself has, then recommend the ideal product for that specific installation.

Even if a homeowner requests Pella, it may or may not be the best choice in certain circumstances, depending on the type of material a homeowner prefers or can afford, and needs of the home. We might quote Pella plus the options we recommend, so the homeowner can make an educated decision.

Are you considering a window purchase? You can rely on straight answers, solid recommendations and highly competitive pricing from DunRite, no matter which brand you end up purchasing.

DunRite Windows & Doors is a local, family-owned business located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and servicing the Phoenix metro area. We carry leading brands tested for quality, service and warranty, and have a strong five-star reputation. Learn more by scheduling your in-home appointment today!