The Pella Impervia seriers uses a fiberglass frame with clean lines and a thin profile. The Impervia model can be ordered as a double or single hung, casement, awning and as a slider. Performance wise, the Impervia is going to be middle of the road compared to other fiberglass windows. Expect a u-factor of .30 and an air leakage of .18, sort of mediocre numbers. Scroll down to read all of our Pella Impervia reviews.
Overall Rating:Pella Impervia Windows And Doors gets a 3.8 out of 5 stars based on 24Pella Impervia reviews below.
My Take On This Series: Quite a few industry insiders are not fans of the Impervia, citing poor design and somewhat flimsy construction. I would recommend that consumers get their hands on the Impervia and try to compare the look and feel of it to some of the other options out there such as the Marvin Infinity.
(Always Get 3 to 4 Local Price Quotes)
Dane - Site Editor - Original Publish Date - March 15, 2015 Page Last Update: November 12, 2025
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Below are Pella Impervia reviews, homeowner cost bids and consumer price quotes, accolades and/or complaints, kudos, and all other consumer based information.
Dane - Site Editor
Consumer Reports Reviews
I usually stick to whatever Consumer Reports says and the top rated windows on there are spells Impervia and Andersen A-Series. I know nothing about either or how it compares to the windows you recommended below.
Would these dealers sell those windows? Are these windows worth it? Are the other ones the same or better?
I’m looking for double-hungs that I can easily clean the outside of and screens I can actually see through. Beyond that I just want a reasonable warranty that’s transferable and the installers to do a good job.
Thanks.
Lou - Homeowner - from 2022
[Website Editor Reply]
Lou, the Pella Impervia is in my opinion a sub par fiberglass window. The Inline fiberglass, the Marvin Essentials and the Milgard Ultra are all better fiberglass windows. The Andersen A-series is a very good wood clad window, but VERY expensive. You would be better off buying say an Okna 800DX with an upgrade to a wood laminate interior -- the Okna 800 has the best energy efficiency numbers of any window out there and would be roughly half the cost of an Andersen A series window.
Unfortunately, CR only lists windows that are available for direct purchase by consumers, but that's not really how the home window works -- 90% of quality vinyl or fiberglass windows can only be purchased through dealers/window companies.
All of the windows listed in my good and great list blow the doors off the Impervia and A series in terms of energy efficiency -- performance data doesn't lie :)
Dane - Website Editor - from 2022
Pella Impervia Reviews
Hi Dane, we’ve had no luck on the garden window, so we’ve decided to use an awning window above the sink in our kitchen. We are wanting to maximize the amount of light we can get in a 36 1/4” X 37 1/2” rough opening, so don’t wanted heavy framing. Our preference is all fiberglass. I’ve looked at Pella Impervia (12 weeks lead time), Kolbe Forgent (23 weeks lead time), Milgard Ultra (8 weeks);
I’ve also considered Weather Shield aluminum which supposedly has an effective thermal barrier but it doesn’t come in white which is what I need. We are leaning toward the Impervia since our other windows are Pella Architect and we’ve had no problems in 9 years. Reviews on line are disappointing for the Impervia however. Seems half the problems could be due to damage in handling/shipping, careless install, and shifting in structure of new builds.
If you have time to reply, do you have an opinion on any of the fiberglass windows above or on aluminum windows as a whole? Other windows carried locally are Cascade (vinyl only), Sierra Pacific (vinyl only), Alpine (vinyl only), Anderson ( wood interiors only, I believe). Options are limited in our area.
Thank you so much.
Emily - Homeowner - from 2022
[Website Editor Reply]
Emily, I'm not a big fan of the Pella Impervia -- I think it's poorly made. Please take a look at our Pella Impervia reviews page for more information. The Sunrise Restorations is a high quality vinyl/fiberglass window that is quite slender. Aluminum windows are going to be thin, strong, and not very energy efficient. I'm not sure aluminum is the way I would go for residential awning windows. I wish I had some better options for you --
Tim - Site Editor - from 2022
Atlanta Fiberglass Windows
Dane, I have seen your reviews online and your link to a list of preferred window replacement companies directing customers to contact you for help.
I have a home with approximately 40 windows. I have received quotes from Apex, power, North Georgia Windows and doors, and I have scheduled appointments with Davis, and superior.
The NGWD quote for fiberglass window product was $68,000. The quote for Power (Pella) was $52,000. The quote for APEX (insignia from Alside) was $32,000.
Thoughts on product quality of the various windows I have seen and will see ( Davis and superior)? Other windows I should consider?
I appreciate your help and insight into this complex world of windows.
Brian - Homeowner - from 2022
[Website Editor Reply]
Brian, the Pella quote is about what I would expect, which is to say high for the value of the window. The Apex quote is about what I would expect and they make a good window. I would put this bid in my list of maybes.
Davis Windows in Atlanta gets excellent reviews and they sell Marvin windows, ProVia, and the Sunrise Restorations -- all great products. The ProVia Endure is a great window, not quite as good in my opinion as the Sunrise Restorations, but very good nonetheless. SuperiorPro Windows in Atlanta gets okay reviews and I couldn't figure out what windows they sell.
Davis windows is the winner in my book so far. This is probably where I would spend my time -- getting bids on the Endure and Restorations and see how good a bid I could get from them on their window installation.
Tim - Site Editor - from 2022
Pella vs Andersen 100
Dane, I’m currently shopping for replacement windows, and have a variety of quotes. Currently looking at replacing 19 windows, with a possible 9 additional later.
13- 36x84 single hung (2 with tempered glass due to proximity to door)
3- 36x72 single hung
3- 36x60 single hung.
I have quotes from Lowes (Pella), Home Depot (Andersen 100 and Simonton 6200) and Window Depot (Alside Mezzo). There’s quite a range of prices, and I’m having trouble determining which to go with. We plan on being in this house well into the future, no plans to move. The installed quotes are as follow:
Looking at color options, we like the idea of going with a dark (antique bronze or brown) color to provide some accent better, but those are only available in the Pella Impervia and Andersen 100 windows. I don’t think it’s worth an extra $9-10,000 to do that, but from reading some of your reviews and responses, it seems like there’s a quality difference as well. That quality difference is more important to me than accent color. I’m just trying to understand why the pricing varies so much, and what the quality ranking is between these 5 windows.
We are in the Dallas TX area.
Thanks in advance for your input and all of the Pella Impervia reviews that you posted online.
Bruce - Homeowner - from 2022
[Website Editor Reply]
Bruce, to answer your last question first, the variety of costs is due to the fact that window companies can charge whatever they want and lately they are charging high prices. For me, if the darker exterior is important to you, I would go with the Andersen 100 series. The Andersen 100 is a slightly better window over the Simonton 6200 series in my opinion. The Mezzo isn't a good enough quality window, even with that price. Same goes for the Pella -- I think the Impervia is just way overrated. I'd go Andersen first and Simonton second.
Just in case you were interested...here are Texas recommendations. [Contact us for our Texas recommendations.]
Dane - Website Editor - from 2022
[Bruce's reply]
Dane, thanks for your response. I got another quote from Power Restoration, who have a "Power" branded Pella similar to the 350 series. Said they couldn't do 36x84 windows, had to do 36x72 with oriels above. Also said they all had to be tempered, which isn't accurate. Then he quoted $48,000! Cross THEM off the list!
Have a rep from Statewide coming this afternoon. Heard from an OKNA rep - the only one in Texas - who is in Houston so I'm out of his area. He actually suggested talking to Statewide, too.
Your opinion really helps me - thank you very much!
Bruce - Homeowner - from 2022
[Website Editor Reply]
I've heard good things about Statewide. I believe they carry the NT Presidential series, which is one I would strongly consider, although off hand I don't remember whether they have a dark exterior option.
Dane - Website Editor - from 2022
Pella Impervia vs Harvey Tribute
Hi Dane - I live on cape cod on ocean. Got a quote on Pella 250's looking now at going up to the Impervia brand from Pella not much difference in per window cost.
Patty, my own take is that the Pella Impervia isn't all that well made a fiberglass window. Our Pella Impervia reviews page backs this up. I would much prefer the Harvey Tribute, which is a well made vinyl window in my opinion. Here are some additional options if you wanted to continue your search.
[List Redacted -- contact us directly (Dane or Tim) for our good and great windows list.]
Dane - Site Editor - from 2021
Pella Impervia Price Quote
Thank you for the detailed response, and the great suggestions on quality competition to Pella. We did have Renewal by Andersen provide a bid - same day as Pella's, after a long early evening presentation. They came in about 2K above Pella's Lifestyle-line inside, Impervia-line outside bid in extension. Their bid was Renewal inside, Vinyl in extension.
The salesman sensed some hesitancy on our part (inability to deliver in-window blinds, aversion to getting 36-month loan, preference to effectively be a cash on the nail buyer), so he resorted to what my wife (who was in sales before she retired) called a "Mission Impossible" bid - one that would self-destruct unless we took it right there, right then.His bid then became two thousand lower than Pella's, but we declined the invitation from his unneeded pressure tactics.
I also have in hand a bid from Gilkey 4000 series form factor for the casements, 3300 series for the sliding windows in extension, at comparable thermal efficiency to Pella and Andersen they would demand we pony up $14,205 for the extension's nine window spaces, $13676 for inside the house proper. The windows in the house would be pultruded fiberglass, wood look foils inside, coil coated bronze on the outside. In the extension straight-up vinyl, with wood-look foil interior, bronze outside finish. All told a bid of $28181.
We will be seeing the folks from Windows Direct USA early next week, they represent Sunrise Windows in the tri-State area. (Okna, which you clearly think is a very good contender seems to be MIA in the tri-State). I'm hoping to hear quotes from them on Sunrise's Restorations & Vanguard line.
Renee - Homeowner - from 2021
Pella Impervia Reviews
Hi Tim, first off, thank you for providing such a great site! Buying windows is a big deal and something homeowners have to live with for a long time. So making an informed decision is super important.
I live in Santa Clarita, CA. It gets hot here and it's pretty dry, too. I am looking to get seven windows and two sliding patio doors. Retrofit install. I haven't compared warranties for both installs yet so, for now, it's just making sure I'm not getting gouged on window costs.
I first went to Lowes because I was interested in the Pella fiberglass line. They quoted me $15,500. They had offered a discount if I purchased before July 4th but missed that opportunity since the price seemed too high and I started to look elsewhere.
I had next gone to an independent window dealer called American Vision Windows (they have 5 star rating) and the rep suggested I go with Anlin Del Mar vinyl as well as Simonton vinyl. The Simonton offered a choice in the exterior paint color whereas the Anlin was all one color and therefore cheaper. Cost is a major factor for me as I am carrying the financial load for all of the house upgrades. But I don't want to sacrifice quality so I thought to go with Anlin since it gets high reviews.
You'll see in the American Vision quote she has Low-E selected for every window. But not all of my windows get direct sunlight so I feel like that extra cost can be removed. Also, I definitely don't need Low-E on both sliding doors as they're in shade. There is an abbreviation that I'm not sure what that is OBS?
That adds a little extra cost so I'll have to inquire as to what that is exactly. Lastly, she says she is waiving the installation and the tax. But the cost of the windows seems rather high to me. $650 (actually, over $800 if you include the Low-E and OBS) for a 70" x 23" window? I'm wondering if the waived installation is being moved to the window cost.
I've attached both quotes from Lowes and American Vision Windows. I would rather have fiberglass as it's stronger and has a crisper aesthetic but I may have to go with vinyl because it's less expensive.
I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on the quotes!
Michele - Homeowner - from 2020
[Website Editor Reply]
Michele, I think both of the bids are high. I personally don’t think the Pella Impervia fiberglass window is very good. The Marvin Infinity fiberglass series is much better, but again fiberglass is quite a bit more expensive than vinyl, usually around 30%.
The Anlin quote is expensive — $1000 per window for a retrofit or pocket installation is not a good deal. I think you need to get a few more bids.
Look for an Amerimax dealer in your area — google “Amerimax windows in Santa Clarita, Ca” and see what comes up. Their mid range vinyl window is quite good.
Then look for a Milgard dealer on their Tuscany or Trinsic models.
Finally, see if you can get a bid from a Simonton dealer on the Reflections 5500 or 9800 Impressions window.
I think this is where you go to see where the prices come in and how this compares to that Anlin quote. Feel free to send me the bids and I’m happy to weigh in on your bids.
Tim - Site Editor - from 2020
[Michelle's reply]
Boy, am I glad I found you! Thank you for your clear guidance, I very much appreciate it. I will be sure to reach out when I have a few more quotes to review. I know that the local Home Depot carries Milgard but I'm hesitant to go with a big box store as I'm afraid I'll still get a high quote like Lowes. But I welcome your opinion on that.
Thanks again!
Michele - Homeowner - from 2020
[Website Editor Reply]
Michele, I would avoid the big box stores myself, at least until you see if you can find a local dealer. A google search for "Milgard windows in [your city, state]" should bring up local companies.
Tim - Site Editor - from 2020
Pella Impervia vs. Andersen 100
Dane, I’ve gotten bids to replace 16 windows (pocket replacement) from Anderson Fibrex Series 100 ($17,000), Pella Impervia ($10,000) and Pella LifeStyle ($12,000). The Andersen will have Smart Sun coating and the Pella will have their version called Sun Defense. All windows are low e with grids in 8 of the windows on the front of the house (the other 8 windows on the house will have no grids).
The Impervia are double hung and tilt in for cleaning. The Fibrex are single hung. The Pella rep has included and recommended full screens instead of half screens on the windows and included the full screen in their pricing. (Your thoughts on full vs half screens especially on the front of the house?)
I’ve included a picture of my house below with an interior snapshot as well. I like the look of black vinyl windows but think I’m going to get white windows as they are probably “most neutral” for resale and won’t get as “hot” (my backyard faces west with no trees). Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
FYI - $10,000 on 16 Impervia Windows with full screen and Sun Defense seems like an extremely good deal and hard to turn down. Do you agree?
Thank you for your Pella Impervia reviews info!!
Phyllis - Homeowner - from 2020
[Website Editor Reply]
Phyllis, I won’t use your name on the website. So I consider the Pella Impervia an inferior fiberglass window. A Marvin Infinity or Milgard Ultra is the better fiberglass window. Fiberglass is going to run an extra 30% over vinyl.
The Renewal composite window is a good window, but honestly almost always way overpriced. They use the Andersen name and marketing to justify a really high price that doesn’t justify the quality of the product.
If you want to maximize long term value, you should search google “okna windows in [Your city and state]” — in addition to sunrise, soft-lite, Polaris, Kensington, Vytex, and Vinylmax. These are all good brands that sell mostly vinyl windows. All of their mid range and premium series are going to offer better energy efficiency and value than the two options you currently have.
Hopefully I few of these will be available. Feel free to send me the bids and I can give you feedback and a nudge in the right direction.
Dane - Website Editor - from 2020
Pella Impervia vs. Renewal Quote
I’m trying to decide between these two windows (Fibrex vs fiberglass). The Pella is in my budget but the Andersen is really more than I want to spend. Still, I don’t want to spend money on inferior product even if within my budget please help!!
Phyllis - Homeowner - from 2020
[Website Editor Reply]
Phyllis, so I consider the Impervia an inferior fiberglass window. A Marvin Infinity or Milgard Ultra is the better fiberglass window. Fiberglass is going to run an extra 30% over vinyl. The Renewal composite window is a good window, but honestly almost always way overpriced. They use the Andersen name and marketing to justify a really high price that doesn’t justify the quality of the product. Please refer to our Pella windows reviews page for more info.
If you want to maximize long term value, you should search google “okna windows in [Your city and state]” — in addition to sunrise, soft-lite, Polaris, Kensington, Vytex, and Vinylmax. These are all good brands that sell mostly vinyl windows. All of their mid range and premium series are going to offer better energy efficiency and value than the two options you currently have. Hopefully I few of these will be available. Feel free to send me the bids and I can give you feedback and a nudge in the right direction.
Dane - Website Editor - from 2020
Pella Impervia vs Marvin Infinity Pricing
I have two bids on fiberglass windows and I'd love to get your take on how they compare. The bid is for 25 windows -- no doors. The Pella Impervia fiberglass window has an air leakage of 0.18 and an STC rating of 26. Marvin Infinity windows have a .19 air leakage and an STC that is I believe very similar. Each quote includes laminated glass, which I know adds quite a bit to the total but we are on a busy street.
Mike, the Infinity is the superior window to the Impervia in my opinion. I find the Impervia to be a somewhat flimsy window compared with the Infinity, which is well built and durable. (Check out our Pella Impervia reviews section for more information) If noise reduction is your primary concern, you may want to consider a window that has a low air infiltration rating. (Neither of these windows does.) The amount of air (and sound) that is able to pass through your window makes a big difference.
Consider the Okna 800, Sunrise Restorations, Soft-Lite Elements, Kensington Quantum 2, or thePolaris UltraWeld. Each of these vinyl windows has a .04 AI or lower and should do a better job of keeping out noise. The other plus on these windows is that they very well might be less than the bid you currently have. From an aesthetic standpoint, it's very difficult to tell the difference between fiberglass and vinyl so that's not an issue either.
Tim - Site Editor - from 2018
Pella Impervia Windows vs Soft-Lite And Okna
We have talked to 5 window replacement businesses and are down to choosing between three. We live in DC suburbs, and based on what I am reading, we apparently pay a different price than other areas (i.e. much higher). The job is 13 windows and one 6 foot slider. Townhouse is contemporary, wood siding, with SW exposure and wonderful light in the living room. Current windows are original to 1981, metal, double pane but the wind blows through.
Windows include seven 30.5 X 70 windows. There is conflicting information on whether four of these need tempered glass on the bottom. Four are 10 from the floor, 2 of these are in a second story BR. One company says we don't need the tempered glass because the total area of the bottom window is less than 9 sq ft. Two suggested we have the tempered glass for safety, regardless of the area. One slider over the bathtub will be tempered glass
Estimates include the following:
Company 1: Okna 500 $15,516, installed (with additional discounts for cash, putting up a sign, signing day he came out... we didn't)
Okna 800 $16, 491 (same discounts) Very busy molding on the outside of this one, though ratings are excellent.
Tempered glass in Bathroom only
Company 2: Soft-Lite Pro $12,665 (haven't asked him re: additional discounts yet for the Pro or the LS)
Soft-Lite LS $13,725
Pella Impervia $13,995 (we saw your Pella windows reviews, didn't care for them, and energy ratings are better for the vinyl)
Tempered glass in four bottom windows
This company was the only one that got that I want to maximize the glass opening to maintain the light in our home. The other two kept telling me to compare the VT, which is part but not all of it. He is going to come out again with his installer to see if they can use a dremel saw to open a bit more of the inside frame allowing a larger window insert and larger glass area.
All companies to cap exterior wood around windows with aluminum, all include the thruvision screens.
I have a spreadsheet to compare the energy ratings, warranties, etc. but may have overdone this and we may be in the area of overthinking this. Any of these will be so much better than what we have now, but we hope to be here at least 10 more years or longer. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Ruth - Homeowner - from 2017
[Site Editor's Answer]
Ruth, company 1 and 2 are offering some great windows. The Ideal Majestic window is just an okay window, while the other windows are excellent.
If it were me, I would go with the Imperial LS. The Pella Impervia isn't a very good fiberglass window in my opinion - link to our Pella Impervia reviews page
Okna is a great window but the Soft-Lite is comparable. The Imperial LS is an excellent window and seems like the best priced of the bunch.
The bid is hopefully negotiable, so perhaps use the Ideal bid to see if you can get company 2 to come down on their price. Something like if you can come close to this other bid for $11,136, I will sign today. Take a bit of time and see if you can find the floor of the quote.
My thoughts on this Pella window are not very positive, in fact I think these windows are low quality, have poor energy ratings and are badly designed. If you're looking for a window then go for the higher end vinyl options, these will never lose their color, they are built to last and won't peel or warp. Names to consider include Gorell, Okna, SoftLite and Sunrise.
George - Installer - from 2012
Pella Impervia Reviews 2012
The only place Pella is better than other brands is in their advertising department. The vinyl and Pella fiberglass windows are both terrible. You're paying a premium price for marketing, not for good windows. Inline makes a good window as well as patio doors, and ProVia is a good choice too. BTW, these recommendations are not my top personal choices, just the best among the brands you are considering.
I have spent a few weeks getting window replacement quotes together and could really do with some advice. I am drawn to two of the quotes, one is for the SoftLite Elements (the vinyl option) and the other is the Pella Impervia (looked at your Pella Impervia reviews page). The windows are the same in that they are both argon filled, double hung and double paned and pricing wise there isn't much of a difference at all. I believe the fiberglass windows will require some maintenance, where the vinyl don't. Any advice is appreciated.
Bill - Homeowner 2010
[Contractor Response]
I would recommend you go with the Soft-Lite option, if these are the only windows that appeal to you from the quotes you received. I cannot recommend the Pella Impervia windows, I have not had good experiences with them as windows and with the company as a whole. SoftLite tick all the boxes. Have a look at the Imperial LS range from SoftLite, they are similar to the Elements, but quality wise, they are much better.
When I purchased my home I had a mixture of Pella Impervia and Sunrise Restoration windows. I preferred the Sunrise, but when I looked for replacement windows only Pella could match the color scheme I wanted, so I went with them.
I did do my research before coming to a decision and found the Sunrise Restoration windows to have a fiberglass reinforcement which reduced sagging, I was concerned about some of their other ranges that didn't have this reinforcement in place. Marvin was obviously a great window, but the local dealer couldn't supply them. Eventually I chose the Pella Impervia and must say overall I am very happy. They are quality windows and affordable and have blended into my home beautifully.
David - Homeowner - from 2010
Pella Impervia Complaints
This has been a long saga. Round 1: I went with Pella because my house already has some really good Pella window from the 80's. My former husband is an architect and always went for the top quality. So, I ordered windows in 2 rounds. The first round, the crank windows were installed backwards but were otherwise really nice windows. The installers are contracted by Pella. They came back and fixed them. The French door, however , had to be replaced since the trim was bowed out from the window. At that price, I want perfection. Now a year later, one of the lower panels below the glass is popping out.
Round 2: they knocked out a window, but had the wrong size for replacement so my living room had a plywood window for 2 months. Great. Now my house looks like it has been condemned.
The 6 other double-hung windows all have defects ranging from a cracked casement to quarter-inch gaps in the trim around the glass. Again, not perfection.
These were installed in March. Someone has been back twice to verify these flaws. Fine. No action. I have not heard from Pella since May until I received a past due invoice in September. I called and said I am not giving them a cent. The accounts person said she would refer me back to the local accounts person. I have heard nothing. At this point, I would rather have free defective windows than to go through the whole rigamarole again.
Richard - Homeowner - from 2023
Pella Impervia Reviews
Hi Dane, I’ve settled on either Marvin Essential Collection or Pella Impervia. Any thoughts? Both would be casement with sound improvement packages. Thanks. (Pella Impervia Windows Cost)
Pedro - Homeowner - from 2023
[Site Editor's Answer]
Pedro, the Pella Impervia fiberglass series is, in my opinion, not a high quality option. The Marvin option, on the other hand, is a high quality brand. That would be my pick over the Pella Impervia.
Marvin Windows Reviews