Pella vs. Andersen Windows: Reviews and Comparison Guide

Buying new windows for your home is a big investment. Two of the top window brands on the market are Pella and Andersen. They both offer high-quality windows, but have some differences that set them apart. This guide provides an in-depth comparison of Pella vs. Andersen windows to help you decide which is best for your home and budget.

Overview of Pella and Andersen

Pella

Founded in 1925, Pella is a respected leader in the window and door industry. The company offers a wide selection of premium windows in many styles. Some key facts about Pella:

Headquartered in Pella, Iowa and manufactures products in the United States.
Offers fiberglass, vinyl, and wood window product lines.
Known for excellent energy efficiency and customization options.
Provides many innovative features like integrated blinds and advanced soundproofing.
Backed by strong warranties and quality craftsmanship.
Higher price points than competitors, positioned as a premium brand.

Andersen

Operating since 1903, Andersen is one of the oldest and most recognized window brands. They are based in Minnesota and also have a solid reputation for quality. Here is a company overview:

Headquartered in Bayport, Minnesota with plants across the United States.
Manufactures fiberglass and vinyl windows along with patio doors.
Offers the Fibrex composite window line combining wood fiber and vinyl.
Focuses on energy-efficient and durable windows.
Customizable options from styles to exterior colors.
Known for excellent warranties and service.
Brand marketed as “America’s Most Trusted Windows.”
Windows are moderately priced for the high-end market.

Now that we’ve compared some background on Pella vs. Andersen, let’s look at how they stack up on key window performance factors.

Pella vs Andersen: Factors to Compare

When shopping for new windows, some of the most important considerations are:

Materials
Energy efficiency
Style options
Warranties
Cost and value

Analyzing how Pella and Andersen perform in each category will help you determine the right brand for your home.

Materials

The materials used to construct the window frame and sash impact durability, insulation, and appearance.

Pella – Offers fiberglass, vinyl, and wood window lines:

Fiberglass – Durable, energy-efficient, and low maintenance. Resists warping from heat/cold.
Vinyl – Affordable, good insulation, and easy to clean. Not as strong or durable as fiberglass.
Wood – Beautiful natural woodgrain appearance. Requires more maintenance.

Andersen – Produces fiberglass and vinyl windows. Also offers the exclusive Fibrex composite:

Fiberglass – Strong, energy-efficient, and durable like Pella.
Vinyl – Budget-friendly option with good insulation properties.
Fibrex – Blend of vinyl and wood fibers. Strength of wood with low-maintenance vinyl.

For most climates, Pella and Andersen fiberglass windows provide the best overall performance and durability. Anderson’s Fibrex material is also an excellent option combining the benefits of wood and vinyl. Both companies offer basic vinyl windows for budget projects.

Energy Efficiency

With heating and cooling costs continually rising, energy efficiency is a top priority for new windows.

Key factors that impact window energy efficiency:

Glazing – Number of panes or layers of glass
Gas Fills – Argon or other gas between glass layers
Spacers – Material separating glass panes
Frames – Ability to prevent air leakage
Ratings – U-factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), Visible Transmittance

Pella – Designed with advanced technologies for superior insulation:

Offer triple-pane glass, quad-pane glass, double-hung triple pane glass windows, and double-hung quad pane glass windows.
Argon, krypton, or xenon gas fills for better efficiency.
Foam or silicone foam-filled fiberglass or wood frames.
Low E glass and insulating spacers standard.
Impressive NFRC ratings as low as 0.17 U-factor on triple pane windows.

Andersen – Also engineered for energy efficiency:

Dual-pane glass standard, triple-pane High-PerformanceTM and High-Performance Upgrade packages available.
Argon gas filled windows.
Fibrex material provides thermal efficiency.
Low E4® smart glass to block UV rays and regulate temperature.
NFRC ratings down to 0.25 U-factor with triple-pane glass.

Both brands offer excellent energy savings options. Pella edges out Andersen slightly with more standard panes and extremely low U-factors on some models. But Andersen still performs well above average.

Style Options

Windows come in many styles for visual appeal and functionality. Key types include:

Casement – Side hinged, crank open windows. Excellent ventilation.
Double Hung – Lower and upper sashes slide open vertically. Classic style.
Sliding – Horizontal sliding sashes. Easy to open.
Awning – Top hinged windows that are bottom operated. Keep rain out when open.
Specialty – Custom shapes like arches, angles, and rounded forms.

Pella offers an immense range of window styles and shapes:

Casement, double hung, sliding, awning, bay, bow, garden, and specialty windows.
Over 25 exterior finish colors.
Numerous interior wood species, stains, and paints.
Innovative between-the-glass Craftsman style blinds.
Custom sizing for any opening.

Andersen also provides versatile options:

Casement, double hung, sliding, awning, bay, bow, and specialty windows.
Fibrex color choices for interior and exterior.
Add internal blinds, exterior trim, and custom sizing.
Arch and polygon custom shapes.

Both Pella and Andersen offer an extensive selection of standard and specialty window styles to create your ideal look. Pella has a slight edge with more interior wood choices.

Warranties

When investing in windows built to last decades, a strong warranty provides peace of mind.

Pella Warranties:

Limited lifetime warranty – Covers defects in glass, materials, and workmanship.
10-year installation warranty – For correct installation without defects.
Aluminum cladding warranty – 20 years on chipping, peeling, or blistering.

Andersen Warranties:

20-year limited warranty – For defects in manufacturing materials and workmanship.
10-year limited glass warranty – Covering seal failure causing impaired visibility due to fog/film.
10-year limited exterior finish warranty – For abnormal color fading or defects in exterior cladding.

Pella provides one of the strongest window warranties with lifetime limited coverage. Andersen’s warranties are still good but limited to 20 years.

Cost and Value

With premium craftsmanship and materials, both Pella and Andersen are considered high-end window brands. However, Pella is usually more expensive.

Pella Windows

Fiberglass – ~$600-$1000 per window installed
Vinyl – ~$400-$800 per window installed
Wood – ~$1000-$2000 per window installed

Andersen Windows

Fibrex – ~$500-$1200 per window installed
Fiberglass – ~$700-$1500 per window installed
Vinyl – ~$300-$600 per window installed

Pella fiberglass and wood windows range 15-25% higher in price than Andersen’s similar offerings. Vinyl lines are comparable.

Overall, Pella provides added value from the nation’s best warranty, more styles and customization, and advanced energy-efficiency. So the extra investment can be justified for many homeowners seeking the ultimate windows.

Andersen is more affordably priced for the quality. So they offer great value for budget-conscious projects focused on performance over prestige.

Pella vs Andersen: Window Series Comparison

Looking beyond general product lines, let’s compare some of Pella and Andersen’s most popular window collections head-to-head:

Pella Impervia® vs Andersen 100 Series

The Impervia and 100 Series are both premium fiberglass window lines from each brand.

Pella Impervia

One of Pella’s top selling window lines.
Strong, low-maintenance fiberglass frames and sashes.
Available in a huge range of styles and custom sizes.
AdvancedLow-E4® triple pane glass standard.
Foam insulation enhances energy-efficiency.
NFRC-certified with U-Factors as low as 0.17.
Meets ENERGY STAR® qualifications across northern climate zones.

Andersen 100 Series

Top selling Andersen fiberglass window line.
Durable, thermally-efficient fiberglass frames.
Many style options from double hungs to curved forms.
High-Performance Low-E4® smart glass.
Optional High-Performance Upgrade for triple-pane glass.
NFRC-certified with U-Factors as low as 0.25.
Zone 4 and higher ENERGY STAR® qualified.

The Pella Impervia line edges out Andersen’s 100 Series with standard triple glazing and slightly better energy ratings. But the 100 Series still offers excellent performance and strength.

Pella Designer Series vs Andersen Renewal by Andersen

Moving to mid-range vinyl windows, how do Pella Designer Series and Andersen Renewal compare?

Pella Designer Series

Affordable vinyl window collection.
Slim, dual-pane insulated glass units.
Variety of operating styles and custom sizes.
Welded, multi-chamber vinyl frame design.
Low-E glass with argon gas standard.
Meets ENERGY STAR requirements in northern zones.

Andersen Renewal

Rebranded 200 Series vinyl line.
Energy-efficient dual-pane glass.
Fibrex reinforced frames add strength.
Low maintenance exteriors in multiple colors.
Smart technology options for remote operation.
Zone 2 and higher ENERGY STAR qualified.

The Designer and Renewal lines are comparable mid-grade vinyl offerings. Both meet ENERGY STAR standards and have good warranty coverage. Renewal edges ahead with stronger Fibrex-reinforced frames. But Designer windows cost a bit less.

Pella ProLine vs Andersen 400 Series

ProLine and the 400 Series represent Pella and Andersen’s most basic vinyl product.

Pella ProLine

Builder-grade vinyl window series.
Budget friendly option with lower prices.
Simple styles like single-hung and sliders.
Welded vinyl frame and sashes.
Standard Low-E dual-pane glass.
Available in white or tan.
More limited 20-year warranty.

Andersen 400 Series

Value-priced vinyl window collection.
Essential styles and operating types.
Fibrex frame reinforcement for durability.
Low-E and Low-E4 glass options.
ENERGY STAR certified in northern zones.
Transferable 20-year limited warranty.

The ProLine and 400 Series lines are both basic vinyl models at lower price points. The 400 Series offers better structural strength from Fibrex and higher ENERGY STAR ratings. But ProLine costs a little less.

Pella vs Andersen: Key Differences

To recap the major differences between Pella vs Andersen:

Pella windows have a stronger lifetime limited warranty. Andersen’s is 20 years.
Pella has more high-end wood window options and interior wood species.
Pella includes triple-pane glass on more window models as a standard feature.
Andersen Fibrex composite material provides added window frame strength.
Pella offers the widest selection of styles, shapes, and customization options.
Andersen is more affordably priced overall for the quality.
Pella is generally 15-25% more expensive than Andersen for comparable window lines.
Both brands meet strict requirements for ENERGY STAR certified energy efficiency.

So in summary, Pella is better suited for homeowners wanting truly custom, top-of-the-line windows where price is not the primary concern. Andersen gives you excellent quality and performance for a more reasonable investment.

Pella vs Andersen Windows: Which is Better for You?

Determining whether Pella or Andersen offers the best windows for your home depends on your budget, design needs, climate, and priorities:

For the ultimate lifetime windows without compromise, Pella is hard to beat. You get incredible quality backed by a lifetime warranty.
If you want luxurious real wood windows, Pella provides the most interior and exterior wood species options.
Green home builders and eco-conscious homeowners get peace of mind from Pella’s industry-leading energy efficiency ratings.
Homes with complex architectural designs benefit from Pella’s unparalleled selection of shapes and customization possibilities.
Cost-conscious homeowners who still want excellent quality at mid-level pricing get great value from Andersen windows.
Those needing windows to hold up to extreme weather conditions will appreciate Andersen’s reinforced Fibrex composite frames.
Northern climate zone homes can take advantage of Andersen’s cold weather energy efficiency qualifications.
If your home has a consistent style without complex shapes, Andersen likely has a perfect vinyl or fiberglass window solution at an affordable price.

Reach out to Pella or Andersen for quotes on your project. An in-home product consultation from a local professional dealer can help clarify which brand offers the ideal windows for your home and budget. They will walk you through all the options to find the perfect style, performance, and value combination.

Pella vs Andersen Windows: Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for quick answers on key questions in the Pella vs Andersen windows debate? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions for quick comparison.

Which is more energy efficient, Pella or Andersen windows?

Overall, Pella windows achieve slightly better energy efficiency, especially on triple pane window models. But both brands offer leading efficiency well above the industry average.

Do Andersen or Pella windows last longer?

Both are designed to last decades, but Pella edges out Andersen with a lifetime limited window warranty versus 20 years for Andersen. So Pella windows likely last longer on average.

Are Pella or Andersen windows more expensive?

Pella windows are generally 15-25% more expensive than Andersen windows on comparable product lines. Pella emphasizes premium quality with a higher price point, while Andersen focuses more on value.

Which brand has better vinyl windows?

For basic vinyl windows, Andersen edges out Pella thanks to the Fibrex reinforcement on frames for added strength and durability. Pella’s vinyl windows prioritize lower cost over performance.

Which is better for cold climates, Pella or Andersen?

Andersen windows qualify for ENERGY STAR efficiency requirements in colder northern climate zones than Pella. So for extreme cold, Andersen is the better choice.

Do Pella or Andersen offer better soundproofing?

Pella tends to have more sound control innovations like thicker glass and specialized materials between panes. Many meet sound transmission class (STC) ratings over 30 for significant noise reduction.

Can Pella or Andersen make any custom window shape?

Both make custom windows, but Pella specializes in truly unique shapes and historic window reproductions unmatched by other brands. Andersen focuses more on standard window forms.

Is Andersen a good brand?

Yes, Andersen is one of the best window brands available in the U.S. They have over a century of manufacturing experience and make excellent, ENERGY STAR certified windows built to last decades.

Where are Andersen windows manufactured?

Unlike companies that outsource production overseas, all Andersen windows for the U.S. market are made stateside at plants in Minnesota, Oregon, Texas, and New York.

The Bottom Line: Pella vs Andersen Windows

When comparing Pella vs Andersen, you have a choice between America’s two oldest and most reputable window companies. Both brands offer high-end windows with many style options, customization, excellent warranties and energy efficiency.

For those seeking the ultimate in bespoke, luxury windows without regard to budget, Pella is the winner hands down. Their extensive custom shapes, wood species, efficiency ratings and innovations have no equal. Backed by the best lifetime warranty.

Andersen competes well with Pella on performance, quality and options for a more reasonable investment. Their Fibrex-reinforced windows are actually stronger than Pella’s vinyl, and have better cold-weather efficiency. An outstanding choice if you want excellent windows for thousands less per project.

So carefully evaluate if your home is best suited for Pella’s unmatched prestige or Andersen’s superior value. Consulting an experienced local dealer to review your needs in person is wise when investing in windows to last a lifetime. With help from the pros and info in this Pella vs Andersen comparison guide, you’ll be on the way to more beautiful, comfortable, and energy-efficient windows.