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Home : Replacement Windows Comparisons : Pella vs Andersen Windows
Pella vs Andersen Windows And Company Brands
Pella Windows is arguably the best known window company in the United States. If they aren't, then Andersen is. Regardless of who is better known, I think it's safe to say that these two are the two most popular brands in the industry. Both companies have been in existence for over 100 years and are best known for their high end wood clad windows. (Wood Windows Cost) Scroll down to read more on Pella vs Andersen Windows.
My Take On These Companies: Both Pella and Andersen are known brands and well respected brands. Absolutely get bids from both in terms of their wood clad windows.
(Always Get 3 to 4 Local Price Quotes)
Dane - Site Editor
Original Publish Date - December 9, 2023
Page Last Updated On October 2, 2024
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Pella vs Andersen Company Information
Pella has been in business since 1925 and they are headquartered in the city of Pella, Iowa. The company employs some 10,000 people in their various factories etc. Pella sells in all 50 states. Their high end wood clad series are what the company is best known for and you will pay a pretty penny for Pella wood windows.
Andersen Windows & Doors is owned by the Andersen Corporation, which has been in existence for over one hundred years. The company is based out of Minnesota, which is oddly the headquarters of quite a few larger window companies.
Pella Windows
Pella sells a good number of window series. In terms of vinyl windows, Pella offers both the more entry level Encompass series and their step up 250 series.The 250 series is by far the company’s biggest seller, mostly because it is sold through Lowes Home Improvement and their nearly 2000 stores across the U.S.
The 250 series is a big improvement over their previous vinyl window series, but still not a top tier vinyl window. It is, I would say, a good quality mid range vinyl window, although it is often sold at a higher than expected price point due to the Pella name. Given the right price point and coupled with quality installation, the 250 series is a viable option in markets that lack other really good vinyl window options. I would do a hard pass on the Encompass.
The company also offers two vinyl impact windows in the Defender and Hurricane series. I don’t hear a lot about these impact windows, but they are most likely also mid range options. In general, I think there are better impact windows out there and I’m happy to provide interested consumers with a list of heavy duty impact or coastal windows.
As far as fiberglass goes, the Pella Impervia is another of their best sellers. I personally don’t find the Impervia to be all that impressive when compared to other market options such as the Marvin Elevate or Alpen fiberglass window series. I find the Impervia to be less substantial and slightly less well made than the options that I just mentioned.
Where Pella really shines is with their wood clad series, which are both high quality and very pricey. Their entry level Lifestyle series is decent, while their Architect series is quite impressive - very good looking, very well made, and available in lots of great custom options and upgrades. The ultra high end Reserve series is a beautiful wood window that is going to be pretty cost prohibitive for many if not most U.S. consumers.
Pella offers patio doors and French doors in most of the series that I just mentioned. Their doors are going to be very similar in quality to the respective window series - so just kinda decent on the vinyl and fiberglass front, and impressive in the wood clad options.
Andersen Windows
Alright, now unto Andersen, which sells just four main window and door models. First is their 100 composite series, which is their best selling series and is sold through Home Depot and their 2000 locations across the U.S. Andersen also sells three wood-clad series, including the 200 series, 400 series, and their A or Architectural series. The 200 series is a high quality product that is available in fewer style options and upgrades than the 400.
Their 400 series is more expensive, but provides lots of additional wood species and custom options. It is one of the best wood-clad windows out there in my opinion. Their A or Architectural series is an ultra premium wood window that is completely customizable and one of the nicest looking wood windows on the market. But is very pricey.
Andersen offers patio doors and French doors in all of the series that I just mentioned. And, again, their doors are going to be very similar in quality to the respective window series. One note: Andersen makes some of the nicest French doors out there in my opinion - but again pricey - both because of the quality and the Andersen name. Andersen, more or less.
Renewal by Andersen
Andersen also operates Renewal by Andersen. This franchised business arm of Andersen sells a supped up version of the 100 composite series that also uses a fibrex frame. Renewal By Andersen Reviews) - unlike Pella and Andersen, Renewal is a direct to consumer operation that sells in regional markets using more traditional advertising such as television and print ads. While the fibrex window series is a quality product, it tends to be very expensive when compared to other composite series. I tend to think it isn’t worth the price tag for the quality or performance data that the window provides.
How They Market
Let’s turn to marketing where these two companies share a lot in common. While Pella and Andersen each sells a single window and door series through the big box stores, they sell the bulk of their products through local companies located across all 50 states. They also sell to local contractors and some higher end residential developers. Regardless of where you live, you should be able to find both of these brands in local showrooms or through local retail window sellers.
Pella Lifestyle Cost: $$$$$$$
(7 Out of 10 Amongst Wood Windows)
Cost Comparison
Pella, Andersen, and Renewal are all at the high end of the cost spectrum. For the most part that is. Let me explain. For wood clad windows, both Pella and Andersen are two of the most expensive. Same goes for the Pella Impervia. Pella vinyl windows are more in the middle of vinyl windows cost range.
Pella and Andersen wood-clad windows are some of the most expensive options in the wood-clad space - rating an 8, 9, or 10 out of 10 in terms of price point. They do tend to be worth the price tag though for those consumers who require or insist on wood-clad windows, although wood windows do require maintenance if you want and expect them to last.
Renewal By Andersen on the other hand is at the very top of the composite series prices. Think $1600 to $2500 per window fully installed.
Pella Windows Cost
Andersen Windows Cost
Renewal By Andersen Prices: $$$$$$$$$$
(10 Out of 10 Amongst Wood Windows)
Have a question about Pella vs Andersen Windows? Shoot me a quick email and I’m happy to share with you my faves.
dane@replacementwindowsreviews.co
Pella vs Andersen Windows : Consumer Q And A
Best Overall Brand
If we’re looking at both Pella and Anderson, which would you say is the overall better brand?
Steve - Homeowner - from 2024
[Site Editor's Answer]
Steve, the better for me is Anderson over Pella. They both make very beautiful wood clad windows, but I think in terms of just the overall brand Anderson has the better name recognition. Some of this has to do with Pella's less-than-perfect reputation in the fiberglass and vinyl window spaces.
Dane - Site Editor - from 2024
Andersen 400 vs Pella Designer
Hey guys, would love to get your take on which brand you like better Pella vs Anderson Windows. We really need to get wood windows and have gotten bids from both of these companies and they were very similar in price. Unfortunately, they seem to be incredibly expensive at roughly $2100 per window installed. It’s the Anderson 400 and the Pella Designer I want to say. Thanks in advance for your time
Lady - Homeowner - from 2024
[Site Editor's Answer]
Lady, I like both of these windows to be honest. They’re both very beautiful (and expensive) options - probably like Andersen a touch more. If you’re going to go with wood, these are two of the best. I don’t think I can make a real distinction between one or the other. I think it comes down to aesthetics, and which window you like more when you operate it.
So I definitely think that you need to go to a showroom and look at both of the windows to see the different wood species and to operate the window(s). Having said that, I think the other big factor here is the company doing the work. This is going to make a big difference in how the windows operate and how long they last.
Dane - Site Editor - from 2024
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