• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Pella vs. Andersen

R

reicherb

Platinum Member
I'm looking to replace the windows in my house. Pella says Aluminum Clad windows are better than Vinyl because they will not expand and contract as much. Andersen says their windows are more efficient. Which window is better? Is there another company I should be looking at? The window has to be wood on the inside so that it can be stained to match the window casing.

Thanks.
 
How long do you plan to live there? Chances of you EVER recouping the cost of the windows in energy savings is nil, let alone one window performing better than another in any appreciable way. Buy the better looking, lowest priced or better operating window, and don't worry about the trivial energy performance differences.

Edit: BTW, are you having the entire old window removed or just inserting this in the old frame?
 
I plan to live in the house for a while. I haven?t yet decided between new construction and replacement windows. I'll check out the wethershield windows. Thanks for the link and info guys.

Anybody else have any thoughts or recommendations?

Thanks.
 
All metals are better conductors (which is bad) than any vinyl aren't they? I don't know anyone that makes metal windows any more.

However, almost all Window companies will give you free estimates and such. When we got new windows we have 3 or 4 companies come over and show us their demonstrations and such.

We used this place (in Wisconsin) but they get Windows from a supplier which you could call/email them and see who in your area carries them...

 
I live about 18 miles from Pella, IA (the home of Pella Corporation). Alot of folks around here have put Pella windows in their houses. I've also heard alot of complaints in regard to quality over time. On the other hand, my dad put Andersen windows in his house when they remodled back in ~83. They are still in great shape.
 
I'm replacing a Bay Window in my house and had a Pella representative come over and give my a price quote. She did all the measurements and everything and the price came out to $4,800. This is just a bay window. So I asked about just putting a flat window in and the price came down to $2,200. So, the next day I went to Home Depot and ordered an Anderson window for $900. Now I can replace a couple other things as well. I think the quality of window is about the same, but you have more options with Pella.
 
Marvin makes a nice window. And though Menards sells them and they're inexpensive, Crestline IMO makes a decent window. My parents have had Crestlines for 30+ years, and they've held up great.

As for Aluminum clad vs Vinyl. I would very slightly lead towards the aluminum clad, but it depends on how thick the aluminum is, one some of em its VERY thin, like as thin as two pieces of aluminum foil.
 
Just replaced a window in my basement. Cut out the block and put a larger one in. I went with Andersen. Not a lot of price difference than the Pellas, but my dad is a contractor and he used all Andersen in his house. I live in a town with a big Pella windows factory here so a lot of people around here are big on them. But when my wife and I were looking for houses it seemed like older Pellas were rotting and having problems, so that's why i went with Andersen.
 
Originally posted by: shenaniganz
Just replaced a window in my basement. Cut out the block and put a larger one in. I went with Andersen. Not a lot of price difference than the Pellas, but my dad is a contractor and he used all Andersen in his house. I live in a town with a big Pella windows factory here so a lot of people around here are big on them. But when my wife and I were looking for houses it seemed like older Pellas were rotting and having problems, so that's why i went with Andersen.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the info.
 
Originally posted by: amdskip
Anyone know anything on the best replacement windows?
Click to expand...

I know it's better to use new construction windows if you can. Because of the construction they are more efficient.
 
Efficiency Myths: Replacement Windows
  • ...all the window and door cracks add up to only a small fraction of the total square inches of the air leaking through the building shell. If the window and door cracks only add up to a small fraction of the hole, then the amount of money put into sealing these holes should not be such a big investment.
Most of a home's heat loss is through the ceiling. The balance is through the walls, doors and windows. If you spend $1,000.00 per year to heat your home, probably $800.00 of that is going out the roof. That only leaves $200.00 going out the walls, doors and windows. If you already have storm windows or thermopane glass, you'll only be able to improve them by 20% - 30% at best. Since the windows aren't the sole culprit in that $200.00 per year loss, you'll only realize a net savings of much less than $60.00 per year. One brand of window is not that far superior to another where efficiency is concerned. I'd be more concerned with how it looks or functions, than how efficient it is.
 
Originally posted by: Ornery
Efficiency Myths: Replacement Windows
  • ...all the window and door cracks add up to only a small fraction of the total square inches of the air leaking through the building shell. If the window and door cracks only add up to a small fraction of the hole, then the amount of money put into sealing these holes should not be such a big investment.
Most of a home's heat loss is through the ceiling. The balance is through the walls, doors and windows. If you spend $1,000.00 per year to heat your home, probably $800.00 of that is going out the roof. That only leaves $200.00 going out the walls, doors and windows. If you already have storm windows or thermopane glass, you'll only be able to improve them by 20% - 30% at best. Since the windows aren't the sole culprit in that $200.00 per year loss, you'll only realize a net savings of much less than $60.00 per year. One brand of window is not that far superior to another where efficiency is concerned. I'd be more concerned with how it looks or functions, than how efficient it is.
Click to expand...

Probably true, unless in cases such as mine where I've got the house totally gutted and will be reinsulating the walls and attic. In that case, the windows probably do become the weak link.
 
Wow, that's quite an undertaking! Does it have original siding, too? It would probably be a piece of cake to do 'new construction' windows at this point. Good time to run any extra ducts that a new whole house A/C may require. How old is the house?
 
The house is about 100 years old. It's got aluminum siding over the original wood siding. I think I can put new construction windows in and make the outside look acceptable for a year or two until I can side it. I plan to run all new heating ducts and just had a contactor look at the installation today.
 
We got new windows last year from Lowe's. Whole house ran something like $2500 and we put them in ourselves. They're made by Jeld/Wen or something like that. We use wood to heat our place, so I can't comment on the amount of money saved in heating, but I can tell you that the house is much more comfortable, way quieter, and we don't get any drafts from the windows or sweating on the frame/glass. I'm not quite sure why anyone in an average house would spend the kind of money Pella, or even Anderson, costs. Just not worth it to me, I guess. I wanted good quality windows (and got them), but wasn't out to impress anyone by buying a "name".
 
The biggest reason for buying a name is resale. You are absolutely right that there are other lesser known brands that are just as good or better. I did look at the Jeld/Wen and they look nice but they were aluminum and I think I'd rather go with vinyl.
 
"It's got aluminum siding over the original wood siding..."

Don't you hate that? I bet I know what the job looks like too. I learned how to apply siding on my dad's home, which was 87 years old at the time. I was taught by an old timer who knew how to do things right. We built out the 1x3 frames around the windows, and went to great pains to build out the sills. We then wrapped them in aluminum. This way the vinyl double 5" siding butted against the window frame, and still looked as true to the original style as possible. It took a LONG time to complete, since it was my first effort. This was 30 years ago and the house still looks like it did when we finished the job.

I don't envy you doing all that work. We had no less than 9 layers of wallpaper to remove in the dining room, and not much less in the balance of the house. Had to hire plasterers to do a couple of the ceilings. Since you've gutted it, I guess you'll go with drywall, eh? Great time to get the electrical up to code, too. We never had the luxury of bare studding to snake wiring through... what a pain that house was!

Good luck to you!


Edit BTW, I think there are new construction windows available with victorian style frames on the exterior. I'll see if I can locate 'em...

No luck so far, but it would be easy enough to use this wide vinyl trim with a simple window frame.
 
Originally posted by: reicherb
The biggest reason for buying a name is resale. You are absolutely right that there are other lesser known brands that are just as good or better. I did look at the Jeld/Wen and they look nice but they were aluminum and I think I'd rather go with vinyl.
Click to expand...

Mine are vinyl.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top