Pella vs. Andersen: Which is best for you?

Andersen Windows & Doors and Pella have both been known for high-quality windows for decades. Both are Energy Star partners that offer a wide range of window styles and materials. They’re available at most home improvement retailers and have similar pricing for their midtier window lines.

It’s hard to tell at a glance which is the best window provider — their product selections are comparable and both have recognizable reputations. We took a fine-tooth comb to each window company for a detailed look at what sets them apart, such as warranties and rarity of materials.

We found that Pella is generally better if you’re on a tighter budget, and Andersen is better if you prioritize a robust warranty.

Pella vs. Andersen: Our take

We rated both window brands using our methodology, which includes categories such as window selection, industry certifications, warranty coverage, customer service availability and more.

Pella came out on top, primarily because it has slightly more affordable prices, features more window lines and caters to more customers, selling both replacement windows and new construction windows. By contrast, Andersen solely designs windows for new construction.

Pella became a full-service installer in April 2023, meaning it handles window installation in-house instead of recommending you to a network of certified installers. Andersen does not offer in-house installation but has a full-service window replacement division, Renewal by Andersen.

Let’s see how the brands stack up.

Metric	Pella	Andersen
Our Score (Out of 5)	4.7	3.5
Material Options	Vinyl, fiberglass, wood	Vinyl, fiberglass, wood, aluminum, Fibrex
BBB Rating	A+	A+
State Availability	47	50

Pella vs. Andersen: What windows and services do they offer?

Pella and Andersen have comparable selections, though Andersen pulls slightly ahead with more frame material options. Both offer roughly the same number of window styles.

Pella products and services

Pella has eight window lines that range from budget-friendly vinyl windows to stylish architectural wood windows. The brand also has a Hurricane Shield series designed to withstand high winds and coastal weather conditions.

Pella’s three window frame materials — vinyl, fiberglass and wood — are a big plus, as many big window brands only offer one or two options. Its vinyl options are affordable, long-lasting, low-maintenance and easily customizable. Fiberglass windows are highly durable with a powder coating that resists chipping and fading, so your windows look better for longer. Wood windows are typically the most expensive, but their strength and classic look make them a popular choice.

Pella window types

• Awning
• Bay and bow
• Casement
• Custom
• Double-hung
• Picture
• Sliding
• Single-hung
• Specialty shapes

Andersen products and services

Andersen has five window lines, including storm-resistant designs. Like Pella, the company offers vinyl, wood and fiberglass windows but also sells aluminum and its proprietary Fibrex composite material. Aluminum windows are low-maintenance and weather-resistant, while Andersen’s Fibrex composite windows are extra strong, hold up to extreme temperatures and won’t fade, flake, blister or peel.

Andersen window types

• Awning
• Bay and bow
• Casement
• Double-hung
• Gliding
• Pass-through
• Picture
• Single-hung
• Specialty shapes

From browsing Andersen’s selection online and reading customer reviews, it’s clear this brand has more high-end options. Anderson places more emphasis on design aesthetics and fine details than Pella.

Pella vs. Andersen cost: Which has the best value?

Both Pella and Anderson offer several window options at reasonable price points. The best deal for you will depend on how much you’re willing to spend on your desired window type, material and features. Andersen has some cheaper aluminum options, which Pella doesn’t offer, but the price range for vinyl options is comparable between the brands. Andersen’s fiberglass and wood varieties are typically more expensive than Pella’s, though.

Pella cost

Pella is one of the few window companies that includes pricing on its website. Thanks to that, we have a good idea of how much Pella windows cost by material. Its vinyl collection ranges from $271–$1,737; its wood windows range from $673–$2,663; and its fiberglass options are the most expensive at $698–$3,267.

More standard window types, such as double-hung windows and casement windows, are on the more affordable end, while larger types, such as picture windows and bay windows, are pricier.

Andersen cost

Andersen doesn’t have pricing on its website, but we were able to look at its products on Home Depot’s site and speak with an Andersen representative to get a general idea. Andersen’s 100, 200 and 400 series windows are the most affordable, starting between $250 and $350 and going up as high as $3,600 for the 400 series.

The A series and E series are the most expensive lines given their architectural designs and premium materials. Windows in these series start around $1,000 and can be as much as several thousand dollars.

Pella vs. Andersen: What do customer reviews say?

We’re happy to see that both Pella and Andersen have A+ ratings with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Unfortunately, both have surprisingly poor customer ratings on BBB and other review sites, coming in at just under 2 out of 5 stars.

Though both have their fair share of negative feedback from customers, the nature of complaints is quite different. Homeowners who rated Pella poorly most often reported product quality issues, while those who left negative reviews for Andersen mostly cited installation delays and issues. However, we did notice a high number of buyers reporting that Andersen’s products arrived broken.

Here’s a bit of the good and bad we found on BBB for each brand.

Pella customer reviews

Joel T said that his installation team was professional and clean. He said his windows functioned as advertised and that he was overall happy with his purchase. He mentioned that he would purchase Pella windows again.

Stacy A wrote that her fiberglass double-hung windows had air flow issues that caused a whistling sound and that, at the time of writing, it had been nine months since she reached out to Pella without a resolution. She also noted that customer service requested written-only communication for legal reasons.

Andersen customer reviews

Sarah P wrote that Andersen was polite, on time and answered all of her questions. She said she took advantage of financing, which was a simple process. Overall, she said, the measurement team and installers were efficient and respectful of her property.

Will F said he purchased a replacement screen from Andersen and that it was damaged during shipment. He said he placed a new order more than a month before he left the review and that it still hadn’t arrived. He said he would avoid purchasing Andersen windows in the future. 

Pella vs. Andersen: What about their warranties?

Pella’s warranty coverage varies more than Andersen’s. Whereas Andersen offers more blanket coverage for its window products, Pella has different warranty lengths based on materials and glass types. Both say that their warranties are transferable, meaning you can pass them on to the next owner if you sell your house.

Pella warranty

Pella’s limited lifetime warranty includes the following:

• Vinyl warranty: 10 years for laminated glass, 20 years for nonlaminated glass, 10 years for nonglass materials, 10 years for workmanship, 10 years for exterior paint
• Fiberglass warranty: 20 years for glass, 10 years for nonglass materials, 10 years for workmanship, 10 years for exterior powder coating
• Wood warranty: 10 years for glass, 10 years for hardware, two years for labor

Andersen warranty

Andersen provides a transferable limited warranty that covers all glass for 20 years and nonglass components, such as hardware, for 10 years. Coverage details vary by product line, so we suggest reviewing the warranty policy for the line you’re interested in.

Pella vs. Andersen: Which is better for me?

Pella is better if you’re only looking for replacement windows or if you’re on a tighter budget. Most of its standard window styles are more affordably priced, and pricing is transparent on the brand’s site, so there are fewer surprises. Pella is also the better choice if you want smart-home integration, such as remote window locking and blind lowering.

Andersen is the better choice if you want specific window frame materials, such as aluminum and composite. Andersen is also the better option if your priority is warranty coverage since it covers all glass for 20 years.

You can get started with either brand by requesting a quote online or by phone, or you can visit a showroom.

Our rating methodology for windows

Our aim is to provide you with the information you need to assess and choose a window company when updating or replacing your windows. We conducted research to thoroughly understand the window industry from both a consumer and company perspective. 

Our in-depth methodology compares window companies based on various attributes, including window options, energy efficiency, warranties, reputation, reviews, customer service, communication, installation and other services. Each attribute is worth points that add up to a possible total of 100. We then translate that score into our 5-star rating we feature in our reviews.

BBB ratings are accurate as of February 2024.