Let’s showcase one of our high-end window manufacturers today! A family-owned business, Pella is headquartered in Pella, Iowa and has more than 17 manufacturing facilities around the United States.
We love that they are 100% made in America, and you might be surprised how many locations they have! Pella products are made in:
- Murray, Kentucky
- Portland, Oregon
- Macomb, Illinois
- Sioux Center, Carroll, Shenandoah and Pella, Iowa
- Reidsville, North Carolina
- Troy, Ohio
- Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
They also have other divisions and corporate acquisitions that manufacture product in names other than Pella in the following locations:
- Phoenix, Tucson and Glendale, Arizona
- Fresno, California
- Jacksonville and Ocala, Florida
- Vassalboro, Maine
- Henderson, Nevada
- Calverton, New York
- Wylie, Texas
Interesting, right?
If you’re wondering where specific product lines are made, here’s a breakdown:
- Fiberglass products are made in Murray, KY;
- Wood and custom wood products are made in the Iowa locations, and
- All others produce vinyl.
They’re not just an enormous company with a popular product, they have an interesting story, too. They were founded in 1925 by Pete and Lucille Kuyper, when they purchased a window screen company, launching their first window product twelve years later, with a host of innovative product launches along the way. The company has remained true to their Dutch roots, but embraced the communities they’re in with … (See their corporate timeline here.)
They offer a robust warranty on their products, which shows faith in their product’s quality and durability, and in our experience, stand behind them when issues crop up.
We especially like their focus on environmental stewardship and community. Did you know one of the original owners, Pete, was a founding member of the NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council), one of the first non-profit associations to provide energy performance ratings? (Read the interesting story here.) The NFRC was created long before the Energy Star® program launched in 1997, which requires manufacturers to first obtain NFRC ratings before participating in Energy Star.
If you thought this article was interesting, you might like one on how vinyl windows are made!
Back to Pella…
Just this year, Pella launched the ability for homeowners to purchase product directly, a tidy solution for DIY’ers who want to manage the install themselves. How do we feel about it? Not threatened, since transparency is at the heart of what DunRite offers. “Our pricing is highly competitive and always fair,” says owner Sal Sucato. “Giving homeowners the ability to view consumer pricing online will help weed out the unethical dealers who add ridiculous markups to their product, taking advantage of homeowners who pay too much.”
Pella’s transparency is fantastic for homeowners who don’t want to purchase from a home improvement store or don’t have one in their area. It also adds a layer of protection, since it pushes dealers to be up front about their wholesale prices and the costs of labor and installation.”
“Homeowners deserve to have information at their fingertips, so they can make an educated decision.”
Windows cost more from a dealer, but it shouldn’t be about the product price, it should be about the labor required to do the job right. After all, homeowners buy from window and door companies because they aren’t interested in DIY, and don’t want the hassle of measuring, ordering and installing product. They expect to pay for that professional service, and the experience that comes with it.
DunRite is proud to be a Pella dealer, along with Andersen, Anlin, Milgard, Thermatru, Arcadia and other brands known for their quality and solid warranties. Ask us which products fit your home and budget today by scheduling an in-home appointment!
