Window - Anderson or Pella?

[Extreme1]

It's time to replace a couple large windows that get exposed to wind and rain across about 13 miles of lake. The house has Pellas (almost 30 years old) and I'd have thought they'd hold up a little better. (some have been fogging for years) The problem with these two is rotten wood frames and water leaks onto the interior floor.



Has anyone out there experienced a good comparison between the two? I don't plan on moving and I don't want to have to do this again.



I'm thinking aluminum cladding on the outside for longer life. Any input?

 

[Cummnzpowr]

..

Andersen all the way. I worked for a window/door company for a few years and the owner {who was Italian}. . used to say "Pella issa notta for sella" . . Andersen comes from Warroad,Minnesota i do believe as well, so less transportation fees to Wisconsin. Another option would be Marvin or Weathershield Windows. . good luck.

 

[RobertP]

i used to install doors and windows. i too agree that anderson make the best of both. pella is junk. its harder to install and does not operate half as well. you will also get a 20 year warranty with you anderson windows. just my . 02

 

[fkovalski]

There are several window brands now on the market. Anderson and Pella being among the most recognizable. In my work, we have been specing Weathershield and Jeldwen (Pozzi. ) There are worth looking into as they are welll build unit and not as pricey as the formers.

 

[RGardner]

Never had pella but the anderson casement windows in our house all cracked out at the corners and are super hard to crank.

 

[fkovalski]

Never had pella but the anderson casement windows in our house all cracked out at the corners and are super hard to crank.

This can be a problem with casement type windows... especially with big widths (as in the case of egress width requirements. )



Casements generally seal outside air (when closed) better than other types, but in my opinion... . looks, overall quality and longevity- I would go with double hung.

 

[DBogo]

my dad has owned a company for 33 years doing remodeling and lately windows doors roofing and siding and will not put in pella windows he says anderson are the way to go

 

[Wayne M.]

I like Andersen. Their website (as of 3 years ago) was fantastic for sizes and styles! In my old house I've installed Andersen double hung and casement windows. They were very nice. The double hungs were the tilt-wash units, though I thought the channels you push in to get the sash to tilt was a bit flimsy.

My new house has all Andersen, mostly casements. Some units are harder to lock/unlock but I think it's an installer quality problem.

I found that any teflon based spray lube works wonders when sprayed on the pivot channels (top and bottom) if your window is hard to crank. One application has lasted over a year. A very discriminating fellow worker was praising Marvin windows recently. If I ever do it again, I'd look at them too.

 

[Extreme1]

Thanks for the replys!

 

[CumminsAholic]

I'd say either Marvin or Anderson. I have Anderson in my house now, when I add on it'll probably be Marvin.

Corey

 

[Extreme1]

I got a chance to look at them this weekend. The Pella "feels" better but the Anderson has better cladding on the frames. (The Pella wood isn't protected in the jambs at all, the Anderson is cladded on all exposed surfaces). Another problem is that the "standard" sizes have changed. The Andersons are cheaper too!



The Pella matches width but is 1 1/2" short. The Anderson is off in both directions. I'll look at Marvin next. The interior of the house is cedar in that room and the exterior is Pecky Cyprus so they have to be real close. I might have to get customs.

 

[CumminsAholic]

The Integrity line of marvin windows are very nice for the price.

 

[Alphacowboy]

my Dad put Marvin windows (how fitting, his name is Marvin... :-laf ) in his house we build a few years ago. Those windows BY far are the best windows I have ever delt with! Fit and finish is by far the best. I dont like Andersons for the fact that any of thier clad windows have that color INSIDE the house. What I mean is that on a crank out for example, the crank out window is clad outside, and INSIDE. The inside frame is wood, but the window is clad... and being a wood guy, plasic agains wood inside the home = UGLY.



Just make sure you dont chince on the windows... my Dad made that mistake in his last house, and vowed never to do that again... he spent more on windows in his new house then he spent on the entire material invoce for his last house we built 16 years ago!

 

[JPope]

I have had Anderson on my past two houses and been happy with them.

Others have had good luck with Pella. Seems it can be like auto transmissions, oils, lubricants, tires, engines, trucks, etc. , everybody has their personal favorites and not-so-favorites



But Marvin does support their customers even if it means the company loses big. Years ago a wood preservative sold by PPG, was determined to be less than stellar, used by Marvin,and a lot of Marvin wood windows rotted out. Throughout the entire legal process, years?, Marvin continued to replace the windows for customers, even though they battled with the preservative manufacturer as the cause of the problem, http://www.marshalldennehey.com/CM/DefenseDigest/DefenseDigest268.asp. Marvin prevailed in the end, but the story was that it almost bankrupt the company replacing windows at Marvin expense. Not exactly what many other companies would do!!!