Andersen and Pella, Pella, and Andersen. The two window giants are compared more often than any other two brands, and for a good reason; each company offers an impressive selection of windows ranging from affordable to luxurious, available in multiple materials and all window styles and sizes.
via Luxury Home Tours on Pella.com
This buying guide is your comprehensive source for window prices for both brands, plus their complete window series and styles information. We start with what’s on every homeowner’s mind:
- How much do Pella windows cost?
- How much do Andersen windows cost?
This table lists the window series, materials, and pricing details for all Pella and Andersen windows, making it easy to compare new window costs between these top two brands:
Pella Windows |
|||
| Series | Material | Types | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architect Series 850 | Wood | S, D, C, A | $1,250-$1,750 |
| Architect Series Reserve | Wood | D, C, A | $1,400-$2,150 |
| Lifestyle (previously Designer 750) Series | Wood | D, C, A | $1,000-$1,450 |
| 450 Series/ProLine (discontinued) | Wood | D, C, A | $650-$950 |
| Impervia | Fiberglass | S, D, C, A, G | $450-$850 |
| 350 Series | Vinyl | S, D, C, A, G | $350-$550 |
| 250 Series | Vinyl | S, D, C, A, G | $300-$475 |
| Encompass by Pella | Vinyl | S, D, C, A, G | $250-$450 |
Andersen Windows |
|||
| Series | Material | Types | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural Collection E-Series | Wood | D, C, A | $1,250-$1,950 |
| Architectural Collection A-Series | Wood/Fibrex | D, C, A | $1,350-$2,050 |
| 400 Series | Wood | D, C, A, G | $1,000-$1,450 |
| 200 Series | Wood | D, G | $650-$950 |
| 100 Series | Fibrex | S, C, A, G | $245-$595 |
| Renewal by Andersen aka RBA | Fibrex | D, C, A, G | $1,550-$2,250 |
Notes:
- Cost: The Cost column reflects windows of average size and most common features chosen by homeowners. Specific window costs will range slightly lower or higher based on the feature package chosen such as window size, glazing/glass package, extras like exterior cladding, custom grilles, built-in blinds or shades.
- Types Code: S=single-hung; D=double-hung; C=casement; A=awning; G=gliding or sliding. Most window series also offer picture/fixed windows and bay/bow window assemblies.
Did you know? New construction windows are different from replacement windows.
All Pella series and all Andersen series except for Renewal series can be used for new construction or as replacement windows. — If they are new construction windows, the frames are manufactured with a nailing fin used to secure the windows to the home’s exterior sheathing.
Replacement windows are secured to the window opening through the side jamb, so the exterior siding doesn’t need to be disrupted.
If you’re doing a complete exterior makeover including siding replacement, then either type can be used.
Installation Costs
Window installation costs below apply to both professional (warrantied) labor and any supplies required for all window types, double-hung, casement, fixed, etc.
- New window (non-replacement) installation cost: $250-$300 per window
- Basic Vinyl or Fiberglass Replacement window installation cost: $250-$400 per window
- Wood-frame Replacement window installation cost: $350-$850 per window (more labor to replace wood windows)
- Bay/Bow window installation cost: $400-$750 per window assembly
Window installations do cost less for new construction projects for two reasons:
- There are no old windows to remove first and windows quickly nail to the exterior sheathing on the home.
- Installing replacement windows in older homes can take significantly longer if the window openings have shifted or warped or if they need repair. — These delays will increase installation cost.
Cost-to-Value Return at Resale
National home remodeling and sales data show that window replacement return on investment (value recouped at resale) ranges from about 73% for upscale windows such as Pella Lifestyle (previously Designer 750) series and higher, Andersen 400 Series and higher, plus Renewal by Andersen, and up to 80% cost-to-value return for more affordable Pella and Andersen window lines.
For example, if you spend $10,000 on new windows, the potential sale price of your home in the first 10 years will be $7,300 to $8,000 higher.
The cost-to-value return speaks to the value recouped at the time of selling your home. It does not take into account the commutative value of energy savings and/or other benefits such as the enjoyment homeowners derived from the windows upgrade.
New windows can help a home sell faster, especially when the listing price is near the upper end of a potential buyer’s target price range. The buyer will have the assurance that replacing windows won’t be an expense they will need to worry about for the next 15-25 years.
Pro Tip: If you plan to sell your home in the next few years, replacing the windows isn’t a cost-effective choice unless they are in such poor condition, they’ll turn off buyers.
A better approach is to give potential buyers an allowance sufficient to cover the mid-grade new windows like Pella 350 high-end vinyl/Impervia Fiberglass or Andersen 200/400 Series. — This would cover their costs. The buyers could also use the money toward a premium window series, allowing the buyers to choose the kind of windows they like the best for the price.
Andersen Vs. Pella Window Comparison
Pella makes a broader overall range of window series in different materials compared to Andersen. You can view and buy Andersen windows at Home Depot, while Pella windows can be viewed and purchased at Lowe’s.
Andersen makes four solid wood series and one affordable Fibrex composite series. Pella makes three solid wood series, and one fiberglass Impervia Series windows that compare with the Andersen’s most affordable 100 Series windows made of Fibrex, though at a much higher cost for Pella Impervia. This comparison would be based on the window frame materials only (fiberglass vs. Fibrex) and not a fair series-to-series (Impervia is a mid-tier fiberglass window series line from Pella) comparison.
Did you know? The primary difference between Pella and Andersen is that Pella also makes three vinyl window lines, and one fiberglass-frame window. Pella Impervia, the fiberglass window series sits right in between the wood and vinyl product lines based on Pella’s pricing tiers.
Andersen, on the other hand, offers windows made from their proprietary composite material called Fibrex, which is made from 40% reclaimed wood fibers by weight (from the production of Andersen wood windows) combined with 60% thermoplastic polymer (PVC vinyl) by weight.
Note: Andersen also has a completely separate line of high-end Fibrex windows called Renewals by Andersen, which is a whole separate business unit/division within Andersen. RBA windows are made for replacement only and are sold through the in-home sales presentations by independent RBA dealers. We cover the Renewals by Andersen offering, right below the main lineup of Andersen windows.
Pella Architect Series / 850 Series
Pella Architect series windows are made in two sub-lines. The Architect Series Traditional windows are beefier with very classic styling. The Architect Series Contemporary windows are sleeker, lither with very clean sight lines. Here’s what they offer:
- Materials: Pine, Douglas fir, mahogany, white oak, red oak, cherry, and maple (Traditional); Pine, Douglas fir and mahogany (Contemporary)
- Interior colors: 4 paint and 9 stain options.
- Exterior colors: 27 colors of aluminum cladding.
- Hardware: 5 Traditional and 9 Contemporary finishes in several styles.
- Sizes: Standard and Custom
- Window types: Single-hung, double-hung, casement and awning (Traditional); Casement and awning (Contemporary).
- Glass: 4 glass package options.
- Accessories: 4 grille styles and 2 screen types. Insynctive window sensors integrate with smart home security systems.
- Warranty: Lifetime Limited.
Pella Architect Series Reserve
These are fully custom windows designed to be “historically authentic.” Pella says of the Architect Reserve Series: “Made for the distinct creators, the purists of design, the architectural historians – each window is intricately crafted to achieve your design vision.”
- Materials: Pine, Douglas fir, mahogany, white oak, red oak, cherry and maple.
- Interior colors: Unfinished wood, 9 stain colors, primed and 4 paint colors.
- Exterior colors: 27 standard aluminum cladding colors and 8 anodized aluminum cladding colors. Primed pine and unfinished mahogany are also options.
- Hardware: Up to 10 finish options depending on the style of windows you select.
- Sizes: Custom
- Window types: Single-hung, double-hung, monumental hung, casement, awning, fixed frame (picture), bay/bow and specialty.
- Glass: Multiple standard glass options plus specialty glass and leaded glass. 15 total glazing options.
- Accessories: A wide range of standard and custom grilles in multiple styles and profiles. Standard and custom screens including wood veneer screen frames for staining or painting.
- Warranty: Lifetime Limited.
Pella Lifestyle Series (previously Designer 750 Series)
These are premium, feature-rich wood windows that would pass for the top of the line from many other brands. Triple-pane glass is standard on all Pella Lifestyle Series windows, which makes them highly energy-efficient and effective at reducing street noise.
- Materials: Pine
- Interior colors: Unfinished, primed, 1 paint and 9 stain finishes.
- Exterior colors: 27 aluminum cladding colors.
- Hardware: 4 styles with multiple finishes in each.
- Sizes: Standard sizes in ¼” increments
- Window types: Double-hung, casement, awning, bay/bow, fixed sash, and picture. Double-hung windows are offered in traditional, contemporary and cottage sash styles.
- Glass: 5 standard and 4 specialty glass packages.
- Accessories: 6 grille patterns with ¾” profile. 2 screen options. Wireless Pella-brand Insynctive window sensors for home security.
- Warranty: Lifetime Limited.
Pella 450 Series / ProLine (Discontinued line)
These used to be competitively priced wood windows with aluminum-clad exteriors. Pella refered to this line as the 450 Series or the ProLine 450 Series. It used to be very popular with builders and window contractors. Like the Andersen 200 Series, the Pella 450 Series were built in common sizes with a limited range of options to keep prices affordable.
Note: Pella 450 Series (ProLine) Windows had been discontinued. Both Pella 450 Series and Designer 750 Series have been “replaced” with the new Pella Lifestyle Series wood windows.
- Materials: Pine
- Interior colors: 4 paint and 9 stain colors.
- Exterior colors: 10 aluminum cladding colors.
- Hardware: 6 finishes.
- Sizes: Standard sizes built in ¼” increments.
- Window types: Double-hung, awning, casement and fixed.
- Glass: 4 standard glass packages.
- Accessories: 6 grille patterns with 5 profile options. 2 screen styles. Wireless Insynctive security sensors integrate with smart home systems. Matching hinged and sliding patio doors.
- Warranty: Lifetime Limited.
Pella Impervia
This is Pella’s fiberglass window that offers excellent durability with aesthetics that are contemporary more than traditional. Pella Impervia Series offers the look of a painted wood window.
- Materials: Fiberglass
- Interior colors: 5 colors.
- Exterior colors: 5 colors. Pella offers 4 dual-color options with different interior and exterior colors.
- Hardware: 8 finishes.
- Sizes: Standard sizes in ¼” increments.
- Window types: Single-hung, double-hung, casement, awning, gliding, bay/bow and fixed/special-shape windows.
- Glass: 3 glass packages.
- Accessories: 6 grille and 2 screen options. Matching sliding patio doors. Insynctive wireless security sensors integrate with smart home security systems.
- Warranty: Lifetime Limited.
Pella 350 Series
This is Pella’s best vinyl window designed to compete with top lines from Jeld-Wen, Marvin, and other premium vinyl window manufacturers. It also competes with the Andersen 100 Series Fibrex windows.
The 350 Series is Pella’s most energy-efficient window and earns Energy Star certification for its optionally insulated frames. Low-E triple-pane glass is standard.
- Materials: Vinyl
- Interior colors: White and almond interior/exterior colors are available plus white interiors with 9 exterior colors.
- Exterior colors: 9 colors when choosing white interiors.
- Hardware: 3 styles in 6 finishes.
- Sizes: Standard sizes in 1/8” increments and custom sizes.
- Window types: Single-hung, double-hung, casement, awning, sliding, bay/bow, fixed and specialty windows.
- Glass: 3 glass packages.
- Accessories: 6 grille styles. Conventional fiberglass screens. Insynctive security sensors.
- Warranty: Lifetime Limited.
Pella 250 Series
These are mid-range vinyl windows with standard double-pane glass. Triple-pane glass and foam insulation are options.
- Materials: Vinyl
- Interior colors: 2 solid-color interior/exterior frame colors, white and almond.
- Exterior colors: 9 additional colors with white interiors.
- Hardware: 2 styles and 2 finishes, white and almond.
- Sizes: Standard sizes.
- Window types: Single-hung, double-hung, sliding.
- Glass: 3 glass package options.
- Accessories: 2 grille types and 6 patterns. 1 fiberglass screen type. Insynctive security sensors.
- Warranty: Lifetime Limited.
Encompass by Pella / ThermaStar
The Encompass by Pella windows are also called ThermaStar by Pella windows depending on where they are sold. These are Pella’s most affordable windows. They compete with Andersen 100 Series windows. They are better quality and offer more options than basic vinyl window lines sold widely online and in big box home improvement and building supply stores.
- Materials: Vinyl
- Interior/Exterior colors: White and almond solid-color frames.
- Exterior colors: White and almond.
- Hardware: 2 styles and 2 finish options, white and almond.
- Sizes: Standard sizes in 1/8” increments.
- Window types: Single-hung, double-hung, casement, awning, gliding
- Glass: 3 glass package options. Dual-pane glass is standard.
- Accessories: 6 grilled patterns in 3 profiles/designs. Insynctive security window sensors. Conventional fiberglass screens.
- Warranty: Lifetime Limited.
Did you know? Your options include standard sizes and custom-fit windows. Standard-size windows are manufactured in increments of 1/8” to 1/2″ depending on the series.
Custom windows are made to be an exact fit after taking careful measurements of each window opening. As a result, custom windows cost 15% to 50% more than standard windows.
Not all window series are available in custom sizes. Custom-fit windows are required in a very small percentage of homes, usually older custom-built homes.
Andersen Windows
Here are your Andersen window lines including standard features and options.
Andersen Architectural Collection E-Series
Andersen Architectural Collection E-Series are top of the line wood clad windows, with custom colors available in addition to the standard colors, plus several wood types. All exteriors are made of aluminum clad.
- Materials: Pine, maple, oak, cherry, mahogany, Douglas fir (vertical grain and mixed grain options), alder, walnut and hickory – plain or stained.
- Interior colors: 9 standard stain colors plus custom color-match colors. 13 paint colors plus custom colors.
- Exterior colors: 50 aluminum cladding colors plus custom colors.
- Hardware: 10 finishes.
- Sizes: Standard and custom.
- Window types: Double-hung, standard and push-out awning, standard and push-out casement, French casement, gliding, picture, bay/bow and specialty windows.
- Glass: 4 standard glass options including Energy Star glass. 8 specialty and decorative glass options. Stormwatch windows available in coastal regions where high winds are common.
- Accessories: Interior casing and plinth blocks. Standard and between-glass blinds and shades. Multiple screen options and grille styles, profiles, and sizes. Three screen options and Wireless VeriLock security sensors integrate with smart home systems. Matching gliding, French gliding and hinged patio doors are available.
- Warranty: 10 years for non-glass manufacturing defects, 20 years for glass-related manufacturing defects.
Andersen Architectural Collection A-Series
The A-Series windows differ from the E-Series windows in that they have Fibrex exteriors and fewer total options. Fibrex is composite material that is more resistant to weather than wood, though not on par with solid vinyl. The blend is 60% PVC vinyl and 40% recycled pine.
The appearance is very wood-like. Andersen calls the A-Series Fibrex windows, “Our best-performing window” because it is more stable and weather-resistant than wood.
- Materials: Interior pine, maple, oak– unfinished or finished; Cherry, mahogany and vertical-grain Douglas fir – unfinished only.
- Interior colors: 6 stain colors and 7 paint colors, no custom colors.
- Exterior colors: 11 paint colors.
- Hardware: 12 finishes.
- Sizes: Standard and custom.
- Window types: Double-hung, standard awning, standard casement, picture, and specialty windows.
- Glass: 4 standard glass options plus 8 specialty and decorative glass options.
- Accessories: Multiple screen options and grille styles, profiles and sizes. Three screen options and Wireless VeriLock security sensors integrate with smart home systems. Matching gliding and hinged patio doors are available.
- Warranty: 10 years for non-glass manufacturing defects, 20 years for glass-related manufacturing defects.
Andersen 400 Series
This is Andersen’s most popular and widely available window. It’s sold through Andersen dealers and by home improvement and building supply stores. The 400 Series is a pine window made in a good range of styles and colors.
- Materials: Interior pine – unfinished only.
- Interior colors: 3 paint colors and unfinished wood.
- Exterior colors: 7 vinyl cladding colors.
- Hardware: 12 finishes and 3 hardware styles.
- Sizes: Standard and custom.
- Window types: Double-hung, Woodwright double-hung, standard awning, standard casement, gliding, picture, bay/bow and specialty windows.
- Glass: 4 standard glass options plus multiple specialty and decorative glass options. Stormwatch windows available in coastal climates where high winds are common.
- Accessories: Matching gliding patio and hinged patio doors. Multiple screen options and grille styles, profiles, and sizes. Three screen options and Wireless VeriLock security sensors for double-hung windows integrate with smart home systems.
- Warranty: 10 years for non-glass manufacturing defects, 20 years for glass-related manufacturing defects.
Andersen 200 Series
The 200 Series is an affordable line because it is limited to the most popular window sizes and features. These are wood windows.
- Materials: Interior pine – unfinished only.
- Interior colors: White and unfinished pine.
- Exterior colors: White and sandtone vinyl cladding.
- Hardware: 8 finishes.
- Sizes: Standard sizes only.
- Window types: Double-hung, gliding and picture windows.
- Glass: 4 standard glass options. No specialty glass options.
- Accessories: 3 grille types and 5 grille patterns. 2 screen types. Matching gliding patio and hinged patio doors. Wireless VeriLock sensors available for gliding doors.
- Warranty: 10 years for non-glass manufacturing defects, 20 years for glass-related manufacturing defects.
Andersen 100 Series
The 100 Series window frames are Fibrex, which Andersen calls, “the smart alternative to vinyl” and that Andersen claims is twice as strong.
Fibrex looks like wood in the way woodgrain vinyl siding looks like wood siding. It resists weather elements like fiberglass. The blend is made of 40% reclaimed wood fibers from the production of Andersen wood windows combined with PVC vinyl.
A notable advantage over the standard vinyl is that the Andersen 100 Series windows are produced in darker colors than the colors found in solid vinyl windows.
- Materials: 100% Fibrex.
- Interior colors: 4
- Exterior colors: 6.
- Hardware: 6 finishes.
- Sizes: Standard and custom sizes.
- Window types: Single-hung, casement, awning, gliding, picture and specialty windows.
- Glass: 4 standard glass options plus decorative and specialty glass options.
- Accessories: 4 grille types and 7 grille patterns. 2 screen types. Matching gliding patio doors. Wireless VeriLock sensors available for gliding doors.
- Warranty: 10 years for non-glass manufacturing defects, 20 years for glass-related manufacturing defects.
Renewal by Andersen
These are upscale Fibrex replacement windows that are sold exclusively through certified independent dealers/installers. You can’t even look at a brochure online! Instead, you must supply complete contact information before viewing the brochure.
Note that high pressure sales tactics and outlandish quotes are sometimes associated with Renewal by Andersen franchises.
- Materials: 100% Fibrex
- Interior colors: 8
- Exterior colors: 12 (Interior and exterior colors can be the same or different)
- Hardware: 11 finishes.
- Sizes: Standard and custom sizes.
- Window types: Double-hung, casement, awning, gliding, bay/bow, picture and specialty windows.
- Glass: 3 standard glass options. No specialty glass options.
- Accessories: 5 grille types. Matching hinged French, sliding French and contemporary sliding doors.
- Warranty: 20 years on glass and Fiberx materials; 10 years on locks, hinges, and components; 2 years on workmanship/installation.
Looking for More Choices to Compare?
Below is a product and pricing comparison table showing what series from Pella and Andersen Windows compare most closely. The table also includes top alternatives to Pella and Andersen in each category. You’ll be comparing window brands and product lines that are most similar in terms of performance and pricing:
| Series Comparison | Pella | Andersen | Alternative Lines |
| Best Wood | Architecture Series / 850 Series Lifestyle Series (previously Designer 750 Series) |
Architectural Collection E-Series Renewal by Andersen |
Marvin Ultimate Jeld Wen Custom or EpicVue |
|
Mid-range Wood |
400 Series | Marvin Integrity Milgard Essence Jeld Wen W-4500 |
|
| Affordable Wood | 450 Series / ProLine | 200 Series, 100 Series | Jeld Wen W-2500 |
| Fiberglass |
Impervia | Marvin Infinity Ultrex Milgard Ultra |
|
| Better Vinyl | 250 Series, 350 Series | Jeld Wen Premium Milgard Tuscany |
|
| Affordable Vinyl | Encompass / ThermaStar | Milgard Montecito and Style Line Jeld Wen V-2500 (Home Depot) Jeld Wen Best Line (Menards) Crestline |
Pella vs. Andersen Warranties
The warranties we’ve listed are for the window frame materials and other non-glass parts like hardware. Browsing the list of Pella and Andersen window warranties, it’s clear that Pella offers longer initial warranties, but that changes slightly when the warranty is transferred.
Here are other key factors to consider when comparing Pella and Andersen window warranties:
- Wood and Impervia fiberglass warranty: Andersen’s 10-year wood frame/sash warranties are transferable with full coverage. Pella’s lifetime wood and fiberglass warranty becomes a 10-year transferable warranty when the home is sold.
- Glass warranty: Andersen’s glass warranty is for 20 years, and the warranty is transferable. Pella offers a lifetime glass warranty for the original homeowner. The Pella lifetime warranty coverage becomes 20 years from the installation date if the home is sold.
- Labor warranty: Pella windows are backed by a 2-year transferable labor warranty. The warranty specifies that Pella has the option to repair or replace any defective window. Andersen does not provide a labor warranty for its products except for Renewal windows. Renewal’s labor warranty appears to cover the entire length of the materials warranty.
Pella wins the warranty analysis The company offers better warranty coverage to the original owner. When a home with Pella windows is sold, the materials warranties are still equal to or better than Andersen material warranties in all lines but Renewal. The fact that Andersen does not cover labor in most warranties is a clear advantage for Pella.
Pro Tip: When you interview sales agents, ask Andersen reps if their local company will give you a labor warranty even though the manufacturer does not.
Pella’s 2-year labor warranty is a huge advantage when Andersen offers no labor coverage, since a seriously defective window is likely to fail in the first two years.
When Pella is a Better Choice
We think Pella wins the broader head-to-head comparison with Andersen, though Andersen does make very fine wood clad windows that have solid track record for reliability.
- Upscale Advantage: Pella offers two things in its best windows that Andersen does not. The Architect Series / 850 Series are available in Traditional and Contemporary lines. Andersen’s Architectural Collection, both A-Series and E-Series, are a more traditional window. Secondly, the Architect Reserve Series of historically authentic windows is unmatched by Andersen – though the Reserve Series is used in less than one percent of projects.
- Fiberglass, Anyone? If you want a fiberglass window for its durability advantage over wood and its structural integrity advantage over vinyl, then the Pella Impervia windows are your only choice between the two brands.
- Fibrex Fears: We don’t have sufficient data on the performance of Andersen 100 series Fibrex windows beyond the 10 years limited warranty on components other than glass for Andersen 100 Series windows. We do think that Andersen 100 series Fibrex windows are sold at very competitive prices and find the current 10-year limited component warranty highly adequate.
- Easy-care Affordable Vinyl: If you want a vinyl window for its low cost and maintenance-free performance, then Pella is your only option between these two brands. For vinyl windows, it would be worth your time to explore and compare other brands to learn about products and prices.
- Worry-free Warranties: Pella has better warranties, as detailed above.
When Andersen is a Better Choice
If you’ve had Andersen windows in the past, or know others who have, and the performance of their windows has been exceptional, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t go with what has already been proven to work great in the past and comes with the solid reputation of Andersen windows. Andersen generally edges Pella in terms of available color options.
- Color Coordinating: The Andersen Architectural Collection E-Series windows offer a good range of interior paint and stain choices. The 50 exterior cladding options is outstanding. Additionally, both interior and exterior colors can be custom matched for you in the way your local paint seller matches colors. This is ideal when you’ve got a tough-to-match wall color or siding color and you want a seamless blend between the wall and window.
Did you know? Customers that have a bad experience with any product are far more likely to post a review. If you look for Andersen window reviews and Pella window reviews online, both companies get trashed. So do Jeld Wen, Marvin, Milgard windows, and your grandmother’s apple pie. 😉
This trend is seen in all product lines such as roofing shingles, siding brands and HVAC equipment. The reason is that an unhappy consumer is far more likely to lodge a rating.
This isn’t a defense of Pella and Andersen. It’s just a caution to look for both sides of the story.
Pella, to its credit, does post customer ratings on its site. Most are favorable, but some Pella reviews are brutal, and they’re right there on Pella.com for all to read.
Pro Tip: In our experience, and from what online reviewers say in their critiques, the local window company and installers make or break the customer experience.
That’s what makes finding a quality seller/installer so important. Getting estimates from several local companies will ensure you find the right person for the project.
Finding an Experienced Installer
You’ve got options where you live, whether you choose Pella or Andersen. We recommend talking with local representatives for both brands. Get estimates from several Pella and several Andersen installers.
Compare prices and get to know the companies. While it takes a little time, this is an expensive investment you’re about to make.
Hi Roof Guy,
I know this isn’t much compared to what the others are experiencing, but I have one (1) Pella window to “replace” that is 29”x29” Designer Series, now the Lifestyle Series. I contacted Pella direct here in Wisconsin, and received a quote for $700 window and $300 installation. I’m a little shocked, considering I had the exact same make / model / size window replaced in 2019 for just under $500. Is the quote accurate / fair and have window prices doubled?
Thanks,
John
Hi John,
That’s a rather small 29”x29 window. Is this a casement or an awning window by chance?
Because it’s only a single window, the company is probably charging you more to supply/install a single window.
That said, standard double-hung Lifestyle series Pella windows can cost that much and more (but those are larger-sized windows). The installation cost seems very reasonable given it’s just a single window.
You can always go to your local Lowe’s and try to price this window through them to see if it would cost less.
Since 2019, all home remodeling products and services have increased in price by anywhere from 10% to 30%, especially during Covid (and the ongoing consumer price inflation). Pricing increases, especially installation costs, are dependent on the product or service and the area you are in, as local demand and the local real estate market can greatly impact installation pricing.
Hi,
Is there a quality difference between the Andersen door products sold in Home Depot and the doors sold in the showrooms of Renewal by Andersen? I need to replace my Therma Tru french patio wooden door that is rotten. A consultant / designer from Renewal by Andersen quoted me $9,014 for a 2 panel / double in-swing patio door from the 400 series. Is this price high? The designer told me that the Andersen doors sold in Home Depot are of builder grade and the quality is not as good as the ones sold by Renewal by Andersen (RBA).
I’ve been receiving brochures from Thompson Creek doors as well. Do you know anything about their door quality?
Hi Chris,
Andersen 400 series doors and windows are made of wood (wood clad) while RBA doors and windows are made of Fibrex (Andersen’s proprietary composite material called Fibrex is made from 40% reclaimed wood fibers by weight.)
RBA products are positioned and priced as premium, while the Andersen 400 series are quality wood clad (vinyl clad) doors/windows that compare with Pella Lifestyle series doors and windows. These are not “cheap” builders’ grade doors/windows by any means.
Yes, some contractors who want to offer quality products that are close to premium will use Andersen 400 series. These products are only one level below the architectural collection series.
Andersen’s Architectural collection series doors/windows compare most closely with RBA doors/windows.
Do you prefer natural wood with vinyl clad or composite material for your patio door?
Pricing-wise, all RBA products are sold and installed by independent dealers within a specified territory. They typically have a monopoly on that local market and are known to charge VERY PREMIUM prices.
Have you received a quote for the Andersen 400 series in-swing patio door?
Our view is that your RBA quote is ridiculously high.
Regarding Thompson Creek doors, yes they are a mid-Atlantic manufacturer/installer of steel and fiberglass doors.
Fiberglass doors are a durable quality product and the company products seem to have good reviews.
Consider getting more quotes!
This is by far the best assessment of window and door replacement cost sticker shock I have come across.
I received a $13,640 estimate from Pella for replacing two standard sliding patio doors and two standard casement windows with the Pella Lifestyle 250 Series units. This seems expensive to me but I have no frame of reference to compare it against. Appreciate any feedback you can offer.
Hi Paul,
Pella Lifestyle series doors and windows are not cheap. They are made of wood and are very energy efficient.
Pella 250 series doors and windows are made of vinyl, they are not on the same level as Lifestyle series.
Now two Pella Lifestyle Series standard sliding patio doors could easily cost $8,000 to $10,000, depending on the project specifics.
Two Pella Lifestyle Series standard casement windows are probably another $2,000+ to $3,000+ with installation, depending on the project specifics.
So, the quote for $13,640 doesn’t seem too outrageous to us, but it’s probably on the high-end.
You can ask for a discount of say 10% – 15% (to see what would be the best deal you can get — asking for a discount on these high-ticket items is customary).
You can also take a trip to local Lowe’s and price these products separately to see what the actual product cost is vs. the installation charge.
All in all, assuming all products are Pella Lifestyle series, this quote is within the ballpark, if you will. Your project location and accessibility/difficulty are other variables that can impact the overall installation pricing.
Is $68,885 for 25 windows and 2 patio doors a good price? That was with a 25% Covid discount — Fiberex / composite material.
We live in a VERY HOT Desert — need to be energy-efficient and noise blocking.
We feel like they really get you to commit asap before getting time to really process the information and assess the fairness of their estimates – not sure if this is a good deal or not. Now, it’s also a concern that they state they do not paint or fix stucco.
Hi Carole,
These are high-pressure sales tactics. Trust us, you were not given a 25% discount! 😉
You are being charged well over $2,000 per window for Fibrex windows, which is definitely on the expensive side.
It’s very likely you received these quotes from RBA. The Fibrex windows from Renewal by Andersen are high-quality, but you should be getting a far more meaningful discount than what you were offered. In our experience, Fibrex windows are typically installed in the $1,500 to $2,000 range or $1,800 to $2,000+ in more expensive markets.
If you are looking for energy efficiency, noise reduction, and good value relative to price, then consider getting some estimate for the Pella Lifestyle series triple-pane wooden windows. These windows will deliver superior energy efficiency and noise blocking at a fairer overall price.
Do get more quotes from local window installers and don’t make expensive decisions under pressure! 🙂
Good Luck and Let us know how it goes!
I am so glad that I found this article.
I am currently considering a complete window replacement project on the whole house, which includes ~30 windows (including 3 sliding doors). Many of the windows are standard sized, but we have some larger windows particularly on the first floor of our single family home. The home is located in the western suburbs of Chicago.
I read with interest the price ranges detailed above for Andersen and Pella.
To-date I have received quotations in the range of $60,000-$120,000 from four vendors, including Renewal by Andersen and Pella.
Pella’s best estimate is ~$87,000 for their 250 range
Renewal by Andersen is ~$78,000 for their Fibrex product
Both started with estimates in the six digits
Even with the reductions I feel I’m being price-gouged by these supposedly “reputable” companies. Even factoring in higher costs for larger windows and increased labor costs I have a feeling I shouldn’t be paying more than $50,000 for the project based on the above guidance in this article.
I’d appreciate any insight on my pricing expectations, and potential alternative recommendations to Pella and Andersen.
Hi Dean,
The pricing quotes for Pella 250 series windows makes no sense. Pella 250 series are vinyl windows, not wood. We don’t see how any contractor can charge over $2,000 per vinyl window for a project with 30 windows!
Even high-quality vinyl windows cannot possibly cost more than Premium Fibrex windows from RBA.
Our recommendation would be two-fold:
1. You should stop by your local Lowe’s and get prices for the Pella 250 series windows based on the specs for your project. This way, you will get a sense of how much the contractor is charging for their professional labor. Bottom line is that a quote of $87,000 for 30 vinyl windows from Pella doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
It’s not surprising that RBA quote came in at well over $2,000 per window. RBA is known for high prices, although their Fibrex windows are high quality. Do note that a quote from RBA is not the same as quote for Andersen wooden-frame windows. These are two different divisions and product lines.
2. Get more quotes for each brand and series of windows. Aim to get several quotes for each product line/series to help you make the most informed decision for your local market. Pay attention to things like track record of doing quality work, not using subcontractors, comprehensive warranty, etc.
Good Luck and please let us know how it goes!
Great help with analyzing windows!
How does the Pella Impervia Picture Windows glass UV protection compare to the Andesen A Picture Windows?
Hi Joe,
Both windows have the Low-E glass coating and are pretty much on par in terms of the UV protection. The glass in both Pella Impervia and Andersen A will block most of the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Andersen does offer additional glass performance options like SmartSun™ glass that blocks 95% of the sun’s harmful UV rays and PassiveSun™ glass that brings the heat from sunlight into your home.
Thank you so much for this! It is very hard to get unbiased information. We have a 1927 cottage in Westchester County, NY, and vinyl windows don’t seem appropriate. Renewal by Andersen gave us the hard sell on Fibrex windows. The price was about $47K for 16 fairly normal sized windows.
The salesman told us that aluminum clad wood windows can rot without you knowing it if water gets between the aluminum and the wood. Is this something that we should be concerned about? Does this happen often? There are aluminum clad Andersen Windows that were put in an addition in this house before we moved in, and they seem to be great windows. I want to get a good product, but I don’t want to spend more than I have to.
Hi Gina,
So, $47,000 for 16 fairly normal-sized windows is an outlandish quote in our view. Renewal by Andersen windows tend to be around $2,000 per window, give or take. We have seen RBA prices ranging from $1,600 to $2,400 per window. That said, $2,900 per window based on the quote you’ve received is the highest quoted price we’ve ever seen.
The salesman saying that aluminum clad wood windows can rot is technically not wrong, but with the right installation, the actual chance of high-end aluminum clad wood windows from Pella, Andersen or Marvin to start rotting, all of sudden, is quite low.
Granted, wooden windows are made out of organic material, meaning that eventually they will succumb to the elements, especially in highly moist and humid climates and sometimes due to a faulty or improper installation. That said, with Pella Impervia, you can get classy fiberglass windows that are proven to be durable and long-lasting. Fiberglass windows will also cost significantly less than aluminum clad wood windows. All Pella windows also come with a two year workmanship warranty.
This posting is SO helpful, I’ve learned a lot by reading it. Thank you for taking the time!
We are considering Pella Impervia Double Hung with 6/6 in 19 windows, 2 sliding windows, and two casement windows (total 23 windows), and our quote is around $26,000. Is this reasonable? We are in NJ, an hour outside of NYC.
Hi Christine,
So, you didn’t mention the window sizes, but for the Pella Impervia fiberglass double-hung windows with 6 grids per window (we are assuming that you meant 6 grids per window when you said double hung windows with 6/6), we have a couple of different options in terms of window sizes we can consider:
Note that these prices include the grids for the 6 over 6 styling. Without the grids, we would be looking at $430.00 and $500.00 per window, respectively.
So for the 19 double-hung windows, we have a total price of $9,100 for 36 by 36. If you have larger windows, such as 36 by 48, the price would be about $10,450.
Now, to have those windows installed on a single-story house, we would probably be looking at say $300.00 per window, give or take, in terms of the professional installation pricing that is reasonably high for the area, but not completely excessive.
So now, we can estimate a fair price range of say between $5,000 and $6,500 for the installation of these 19 Pella Impervia double hung windows, depending on the specifics of your project. Note, this installation price range (between $5,000 and $6,500) accounts for the professional installation of smaller (36 by 36) fiberglass windows for a simpler project and larger (36 by 48) windows for a slightly more difficult installation.
Thus, we have two pricing options that can range from $14,100 to $17,000 for the double hung windows fully installed, not including taxes.
Now, how much the remaining 4 windows can add to the project? Without knowing the specifics, it’s hard to say, but in our view it can be another $4,000 to $5,000 for windows and the installation, and we are being very generous here.
So, your total project, when fairly priced, would be between $18,000 and $22,000 (not including taxes), in our back of the envelope estimation here.
And yes, the $26,000 quote you received would be quite excessive in our view, unless there are other pricing factors you haven’t mentioned. That said, feel free to ask for a discount, as it appears you are getting a rather high quote for the job.
Please let us know how it goes — shoot us a quick email with an update on the project to ( roofingcalc @ gmail com ), so we can help other homeowners by providing helpful information for similar projects.
Good Luck with the project!
Alex
Thank you for this great article! We are currently looking to replace all the windows and doors in our townhouse.
The main reason for the window replacement project is that we currently get significant outside noise. We are hoping that replacing the windows will help to deflect some of the highway noise and other car noises in our area. We have had both Pella and Renewal by Andersen come out. The pricing was not that much different from each other, so that is not the problem.
What I would like to know is which brand would be a better noise reduction solution for us.
Thank you!
Hi Rebekah,
So, Pella Lifestyle Series wooden triple pane windows with the sound control package are a viable option for the outside noise reduction.
The Sound Control package – delivers exceptional noise control for a quieter home, with 52% noise reduction when compared to single pane windows.
Triple-pane windows are generally the more costly option than dual-pane windows, all else being equal.
If you choose to go with a different brand of windows and/or some different dual pane window, then getting more spacing in between the glass panes will provide better insulating and noise reduction properties.
Wooden windows are going to be great for noise reducing purposes. With fiberglass windows, you will want to ask for foam insulating options for an improved outside noise reduction.
In terms of the value-to-pricing comparison between Pella Lifestyle series windows vs. Fibrex composite windows from Renewals by Andersen, the wooden windows from Pella deliver better overall value for the price in our view.
At the end of the day, though, it’s all about the installation quality, so it’s important to carefully screen the installer and their crew in addition to the choice of windows.
Let us know what you have decided and how it goes.
Good Luck!
Hi Alex,
Thank you so much for taking the time to explain everything to me, it was very helpful. My husband and I went to the Pella showroom this past weekend. Now we don’t think we will be going with either Andersen or Pella windows. We have decided on fiberglass, which Pella provides, yet we do not like that the grids are between the window panes.
We know the purpose of that is for easier cleaning of the windows, yet we want to have the grids on the exterior and interior of the window not in-between the windows, because it gives a more Lux and bold look.
There is an interior designer I admire who did a flip on a house in Portland and she used Milgard Ultra Series windows on the house and they looked beautiful. Yet, I know Milgard is mainly on the West coast.
I have tried contacting them and seeing anything I can do to get their windows, but it has been a bust. There are no dealers here in Austin, Texas area so I don’t even think I can purchase the windows from another state and hire an installer to install the windows because I can’t get a hold of Milgard.
Do you happen to know of another top tier brand that makes great energy efficient fiberglass windows that have the grids on the interior and exterior of the windows? Thank you SO much for all of your help and guidance!
Best,
Leah
Hi Leah,
You are correct, Milgard fiberglass windows are mostly available on the West Coast.
Miglard Windows have a smaller overall footprint compared to Pella and Andersen windows, which are available nationwide.
Note that fiberglass windows from Milgard are only available as single-hung windows, not double-hung.
With the window grids on the outside of the window for style, your overall choices are going to be greatly limited, as that is not something that’s very common.
You may want to consider looking at Pella Life Style Series windows. They have the option of having the grids on the outside of the window, however Pella Life Style Series windows are made of wood, not Fiberglass. They are also more expensive than the fiberglass windows including the wooden window unit itself, plus the higher installation costs, associated with wooden windows.
In terms of other options, you may want to check out Marvin windows. They have both Wood and Fiberglass frame options. Marvin windows are available in Austin, TX.
In terms of other options to check out, I would recommend to also explore the fiberglass window options available at your local Lowe’s, which carries Pella windows including Pella Impervia fiberglass windows (grids on the inside) and Pella Lifestyle windows (grids available on the outside), along with other options and brands.
Best of Luck!
I’m looking at repairing and probably now replacing several large Pella alum clad windows in a luxury home near the coast.
I’m getting such conflicting info from Pella and Andersen about the “coastal warranties” and what they mean and how they are really determined to effect the warranty.
Everything seems to be a way to null and void the warranties. My costs for replacement with Pella (window costs only) are $35,000 for materials alone. The three (3) Large composite windows with 6 windows that are 24 5/8 x 35 inserts, and one 74 7/8 x 37 7/16 half circle (windows Pella Reserve) dual impact Low-e glass. I’m getting installation prices now, but the window pricing seems HIGH.
I am curious what other brands I could trust getting a price from in a coastal area?
Hi Dannean,
For a luxury coastal house near the coast, it should also be worth looking into the Fiberglass composite Coastal windows from Marvin. They also carry wooden windows, but their fiberglass windows are specifically designed for coastal performance, with hurricanes in mind.
In terms of pricing for the Pella windows you received, it’s hard to say whether the price you were quoted for Pella windows is fair without knowing the specifics, such as the window series (Impervia, 850 Series, etc.), the number of windows by series, and the specific options that each window was quoted for, not just the sizes.
You mentioned there is one large half circle Pella Reserve window, but it’s not clear what series the rest of the Pella windows you were quoted are.
It may also be a good idea for you to go to your local Lowe’s Home Improvement Store and asking the sales rep there for another quote for Pella windows through the Lowe’s millwork department within the store.
Lowe’s sells high-end custom Pella windows through their partnership with Pella and it would be a good opportunity to see if you can get better pricing through Lowe’s.
Good Luck!
This article was so helpful and informative!
I actually just had a Pella rep come to my home last week and a Home Depot rep who was selling us Andersen windows come yesterday.
The Pella rep thought the Impervia line was best for mine and my husband’s style since we are wanting black interior and exterior windows for a modern, clean look with white walls (the look that in right now).
The HD rep selling Andersen thought the Andersen 100 series was best for us since it comes in black.
The gentleman selling from HD knew that Pella had given us a quote and he asked us what material the Pella guy was trying to sell us. We told him it was the fiberglass line and the HD guy pretty much said that material is garbage because it’s just like a boat. The material will, like a boat, erode away and is just cheap. Is his perspective correct? Is the Andersen 100 series material better than the Impervia as far as quality goes?
We are having trouble picking because the style we want is very clean and modern with thin lines, but when we put the sample of the Andersen 100 series in the windowsill, he came in about 3 inches and was so thick!
The Pella rep didn’t have a full sample of the window, just the fiberglass material, but is the Impervia window thick as well? Out of these two lines, Andersen 100 series and Pella Impervia, which would you recommend as far as quality of frame and overall product and the look we are going for?
Thank you!
Hi Leah,
So the HD Andersen rep is not correct/truthful in saying that fiberglass frame windows will erode away.
Windows made of fiberglass are sturdier than wood windows because the fiberglass frame and panes of glass work in unison. Overtime windows made of wood, an organic material, will degrade due to expansion and contraction. This is not a concern with fiberglass windows.
Wooden frame windows, which Andersen is predominantly known for, certainly have an edge when it comes to authenticity, but fiberglass frame windows are a practical, durable, and energy efficient option.
Now, Andersen 100 series windows are made of Fibrex, which is a composite material made with 40 percent wood fiber by weight, mostly reclaimed from Andersen manufacturing processes, with 60 percent thermoplastic polymer by weight.
In terms of comparison between the two products, we have more of an apples-to-oranges situation, as Pella Imprevia windows are of a higher tier than the Andersen 100 series windows. Pella Imprevia sits in the middle of Pella windows lineup, while Andersen 100 series sits at the bottom of Andersen windows lineup, so the pricing should reflect that.
Both fiberglass and Fibrex frame windows are superior to the standard vinyl windows, with better energy efficiency, durability and strength.
Essentially, both Fibrex and Fiberglass frames should deliver in terms of durability and energy efficiency front.
Pella windows do come with 2 years of labor warranty when sold by Pella or its authorized dealer.
What will ultimately make the most difference from a homeowner’s satisfaction perspective, will be the quality of installation and service you receive from the installer including the installer’s workmanship warranty and willingness to stand behind any issues that may arise due to potential errors during the installation.
We recommend asking the HD contractor’s rep specifically about the labor warranty that comes with the Andersen 100 series windows.
If you would like to share the pricing details from both reps and more details about the scope of the project, such as the number of windows to be replaced, etc, we will be happy to offer our take on that.
Best of Luck!
Thank you, this article was very informative! I am looking for someone who can compare Andersen 400 series to Sanford Hills by Mathews Brothers.
I am about to build a new vacation home in the mountains of Maine and my builder suggests using Mathews Brothers. I believe they are primarily used in New England states. I saw a sample in the showroom and actually liked the Mathews Bros window better than the Andersen, thanks to the small details with the tilt wash and child safety locks.
With either brand/make, the windows would come with an unfinished interior wood and white exterior. I’m having a hard time figuring out if they are both vinyl clad or whether the Mathews Brothers is PVC. Some articles I have read show little difference between the two.
Andersen quote is about $8,000 higher than Mathews Bros, but I am concerned with the “sometimes you get what you pay for”.
Do you have any information on this company?
Hi Sandy,
So the main difference between the two brands/window models is that Andersen 400 series are wood windows with a vinyl exterior to resist water and seal out the elements.
Sanford Hills windows by Mathews Brothers are high quality PVC frame windows that are made to look/resemble wood. These are certainly high quality PVC windows built to last.
The quality of installation is always important. It sounds like the builder you are working with prefers MB windows because that’s what they normally install (comfort in knowing how to install it correctly, plus an ongoing relationship with the supplier/discounts).
From a practical perspective, $8,000 sounds like a lot of money, but the question is how many windows are there going to be installed (difference in cost per window), and how it relates to the total cost of the new home building project.
From a resale perspective, it may be easier to convince the potential buyer of the benefits of the wood-made Andersen 400 series windows vs. Mathews Bros PVC ones.
So, it’s really the Perception of quality that benefits Andersen 400 series wood windows, but there is no question that PVC windows from MB are also high quality.
I just received a quote from a Renewal By Andersen rep to replace 13 windows (10 double-hung, 2 casement, and 1 picture window) in a circa-1950 ranch house in the central North Carolina. The quote was for $25K, with a supposedly “generous” pandemic-related discount.
I’m a first-time homeowner, so this is all new to me – does that seem like, you know, a LOT of money?
Also, the rep tried really hard to steer me away from vinyl, and I honestly don’t know what to believe.
Hi S.M.,
So Renewals by Andersen (RBA) is known for being pricey. RBA contractors are independent dealers with an exclusive territory. RBA windows are expensive, high-end replacement windows, with a typical cost of about $1,800 ($1,500 to $2,000) per window replaced.
Now, a quote for $25,000 to replace 13 windows should also be viewed in the context of the total price/value of the house.
Homes in Central North Carolina can range in price from $200,000 to $750,000 by looking at some real estate listings.
For a $750,000+ home, $25,000 is not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things, while for a less expensive house, the cost of the upgrade really starts to weigh on the appropriateness of the upgrade.
That said, vinyl windows can be of very high quality provided they are installed correctly. Granted some historic homes may require wood windows to preserve their authenticity, but for most homeowners who don’t want to splurge and need to be practical, high quality vinyl windows expertly installer are a fine option.
Renewals by Andersen are high quality replacement windows, but their cost can often be prohibitive and hard to justify for homeowners who don’t live in expensive homes.
Renewals by Andersen business model relies on high commission to sales people, which is totally fine, but it is part of the reason for high price tag.
You can always ask for a discount from the RBA rep (10% to 20% seems appropriate), if you want to go with the Renewals by Andersen windows, but if the total price and practicality are of importance, there are many high-quality and significantly lower-priced vinyl window alternatives to explore.
Lastly, the value of the house should always be an important part of the equation when evaluating the appropriateness of any home remodeling upgrade.
Thank you for the informative guide, it is very helpful.
I have lived in my Southern California ranch-style home for 22 years, but haven’t done much to the house expect for some interior painting.
I feel the previous owners did a great job of installing quality materials throughout the house (ex. Gerard roof, Corian countertops), etc.
However, the normal wear-and-tear is making me look at doing some home improvements, not because of aesthetic reasons but rather because of necessity. At the moment I have no plans of moving. The house is 52 years old. The exterior is mostly stucco, some siding and some stones.
Before I decided to tackle painting the exterior of my house and replace all the windows and slider, I chose to have a home inspector come out and inspect the house (in case he found other necessities that have priority over painting and windows).
One of the things the home inspector pointed out is that my windows show evidence of past leaks (although the windows were dry at the time of inspection) and suggested I reseal or replace all the windows. I have 7 large windows (approx. 48″ x 60″), 1 very large window (80″ x 60″), 1 small bathroom window, and 1 slider.
I’m new at this. I have so many questions, I don’t even know where to begin. My painter said to do windows first so that he can do any necessary touch-ups. I am the type of person who would rather spend a little extra now (without having to pay an exuberant amount) and have quality work done rather than having to do the same work again in 15-20 years.
The windows I currently have are metal and are probably original to the house, and I have no idea what I should replace them with. None of them have a frame on the exterior, only a couple have interior frames (which I like how they look).
As the home inspector pointed out, there is evidence of past leaks on the interior, as this is seen by the window sill damage, peeling paint, and damaged wallpaper on the window sill (wish I could show you a picture). Some windows also show a vertical hairline crack that originates on the bottom corners.
I have Pella coming out in a few days, and a Milgard rep that I’ll be doing a phone consultation with. I will be scheduling a consultation with Lowe’s, and perhaps a 4th person as well.
Will the company who replaces the window also be the one that fixes the interior damage caused by the past leaks (on the sills)? Or is it something I or a handyman can do?
Am I better going with replacement/retrofit windows or new construction windows?
Is it beneficial to have exterior window frames added, who would do this?
Which window material am I better off with?
Any information you could provide me with, or questions to ask the reps when I meet with them, would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Gabby
Hi Gabby,
So whenever you are replacing old windows that are already in place, you will almost always use replacement windows, not new construction.
That said, if the existing window frames are significantly damaged (beyond repair), you will want to use full-frame replacement windows. If the old frames are mostly intact, then you will use the traditional insert replacement windows.
Regarding the window frame material, all else being equal, vinyl (uPVC) windows will cost less than wood frame windows. That said, wood windows will typically last longer than vinyl windows, however they will require more maintenance in the process.
To lessen the maintenance burden for wood windows, you can get the so-called vinyl clad wood windows, where the exterior of the window is protected by vinyl to protect from whether elements.
Wood windows will normally cost twice as much as vinyl.
In terms of durability and longevity, as long as you get a high-quality installation from a reputable vinyl window brand, your uPVC/vinyl windows should normally last for 20 years or longer with the proper installation.
There is also an option for aluminum clad vinyl windows to help with the energy efficiency and additional protection from the elements.
Energy efficiency of vinyl windows is generally quite good when you go with the low-E (low thermal emissivity) double-pane window, a common window replacement option.
The key to longevity is the quality of the brand/window, coupled with high quality installation.
If the old window frame is damaged, then you will need a full-frame replacement windows, not the typical insert replacement windows.
With a full-frame replacement, the installer would be responsible from removing the old frame down to the studs and installing a new frame for the replacement window. This is a more costly option than installing the traditional insert replacement window, where the old window is removed down to the sashes and a new window is inserted within the existing frame.
If there has been a significant damage done to the existing window frames, then full frame replacement windows will be required. Again the installer would typically do all the work including removing the old frame and installing the new one in its place.
Interior painting and any cosmetic work would take place only after the new window installation/replacement is complete.
As far as the basic questions to ask a potential installer, you will want to find out about:
Good Luck with your project!
Thank you for your helpful guide!
We received a quote directly from Pella to replace 16 standard sized windows in our New England house. They quoted $21,000 for 16 Impervia fiberglass windows and $22,000 for 16 Lifestyle wood/clad windows. All installed. They did not give me a breakdown of labor/materials.
This seemed high, so I called Lowe’s. Without installation, they quoted me $9,400 for the Impervia windows and $14,000 for the Pella 850 wood series. As I understand it, those are much nicer windows than the Lifestyles.
I am wondering if the windows at Lowe’s are the same that they sell directly through Pella, or are they lower quality? Is the Pella 850 a high-quality window? We prefer wood or maybe even fiberglass for the look.
Is there any advantage to working directly through Pella for the installation?
How likely would Pella be to honor the quote I got from Lowe’s?
Is it risky to get our own contractor?
Thank you again for the helpful article and any additional advice you can share!
Hi Michelle,
Yes, Pella Architect Series windows (whether traditional or contemporary) are considered more premium ($$$-$$$$) and hence cost more than the Lifestyle Series windows ($$-$$$). Lifestyle series windows were introduced last year. They sit one level below the architectural series.
By working directly with Pella, you will normally pay the premium for the installation vs. buying the windows from Lowe’s and having a knowledgeable contractor do the installation on your behalf.
Lowe’s might be able to recommend an installer, but you may want to do your own due diligence to make sure the contractor will do a good job on the installation, pull any necessary building permits, and provide an appropriate workmanship warranty.
It’s important to make sure the installed has installed the type of windows that are similar to Pella and that they know what they are doing with respect to measurement and sizing, insulation, sealing, and aesthetics of the final product.
Pella will likely offer you some sort of a discount, probably 10% or 20% to win your business, especially if you can show both the materials quote, and a separate installation quote from an independent installer. Let us know how it goes and best of luck!
What a great article! I, too, found myself overwhelmed by the choices available and too few resources to compare windows from different companies.
I’m building a sunroom addition (all new construction) and will need a 6-foot double entry door with a 20-inch transom above, and roughly eight 30×80 inch casement windows or window panels with 20-inch transom windows above each. Basically, a three-sided glass room (12’x15′). So, the insulation factor will play a big part in my decision.
Are there thermal advantages to any specific window type based on the materials? Vinyl, composite, fiberglass, wood clad? Or is that mostly a function of the glass choice?
Since I’m doing the project myself, I’m not sure if the prices I’m seeing in your guide are for the windows alone, or include the installation. Can you buy these doors/windows and install them yourself?
I really don’t think I’m looking for anything too extravagant, but I have been floored by the prices I’ve gotten so far. Almost $4,500 just for the door, $1,000 more for the transom! (Andersen A series quoted thru Home Depot)
Any ideas about what a project of this size should cost? I live in the suburbs of Cincinnati, OH.
Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.
Hi Walter,
So, it sounds like you got a quote for the high-end Andersen Architectural Collection A-Series windows. These are high-end and expensive Fibrex windows that can cost over $1,000 per window, especially for larger custom-sized windows, depending on the project and or/window specifics. So, the pricing is not completely surprising and seems in line with what you would expect from a top brand/series.
That said, it sounds like you are not looking for anything too extravagant, so to save on the cost of materials, you could consider getting a quote for new construction / casement windows from a window and siding supply company such as AlSide. They have presence in Ohio, so you could approach them and try to get a quote for their custom-sized vinyl windows. AlSide and others like them normally sell directly to contractors, so if you don’t have a contractor account, you will likely end up paying a higher price than the pros would, but it should still be considerably less costly than the high-end retail window quote you got from Home Depot.
You should also consider taking another trip to a different store or going to HomeDepot’s competitor such as Lowe’s to see if they offer any less-costly custom window options other than Andersen Architectural Collection A-Series.
Let us know how it goes and best of luck!
Thank you for that info. I plan on going to a Pella store and to Lowe’s to compare some prices.
Since you mentioned vinyl, does that mean that’s what you would recommend for a sunroom? Do you know if anyone makes vinyl windows and doors in black? (That’s one of the reasons why they quoted the A series).
I will check out Alside. Thanks again.
Hi Walter,
So, one of the primary reasons to also consider vinyl is the cost savings potential of vinyl windows vs. wood or Fibrex.
In terms of energy efficiency, most of the energy loss in a window happens through the glass area of the window, not the frame. So, if the overall insulation/energy efficiency is an important factor, then going with a triple glaze Low-E glass vs. double Low-E window is a good option to consider.
In the example of Alside, you may consider their Mezzo windows: https://www.alside.com/products/windows-patio-doors/vinyl-replacement/vinyl-replacement-windows/mezzo/
Alside and other vinyl window brands carry specialty windows including casement: https://www.alside.com/products/windows-patio-doors/vinyl-replacement/specialty-windows/casement-windows/
In terms of colors, here are the Mezzo window interior and exterior colors:
Interior color selections include White and Beige as well as laminate woodgrains in White, Rich Maple, Classic Clay, Light Oak, Dark Oak, Foxwood and Cherry
Exterior color choices include White and Beige as well as special finishes in Black, Silver, Sand Dune, Architectural Bronze, Hudson Khaki, Desert Clay, English Red, Forest Green, American Terra and Castle Gray
As far as the retail list price of casement windows at AlSide, contractors normally get a 40% to 50% discount off the list price. So, you could either try asking for a discount directly or ask a contractor friend to buy the windows for you at a discount.
Lastly, if you are only considering black frame windows, I would recommend paying a premium for wood-frame windows, as vinyl windows are not meant to be painted. Granted the wooden windows are the most expensive, but if the color is a big part of the overall design, then it might be worth paying the premium.
We bid 23 windows and a patio door with Pella and Anderson for our home. Double hung 21 and 2 casement. Non-standard size and a replacement in brick front townhouse condo 2-story end unit.
We picked Anderson.
We just had Pella reps out to our house to give a quote on replacing our windows and doors on the back side of our house. The quote nearly made me laugh and throw up in their face. Looking at the comments here, I have you all beat. Granted, we have some large windows and doors on the back side of our house. However, I’ll give you a couple of examples of just how ridiculous the price was. This was for their Impervia fiberglass windows.
This includes 28 Windows, 4 of which have rounded tops, 1 of which is a very large window. The rest fall in the normal size territory. 3 sliding doors, and 1 entry door with glass in it. The rest fall in the normal territory. The entire quote was roughly $130,000 and then they discounted it by about $10,000 before leaving my house.
To put the absurdity of this quote in perspective, set of windows, which was two crank style windows in a casement where each window is roughly 3 feet high by 1 and 1/2 foot wide was $4,500.
Our back entry door, which is a standard size entry door with a 5′ by 2′ window in it was $8,200!! For a basic door with glass in it. Nothing special. To put that in perspective, we have a rounded top front door which we had to have custom made for our opening, and which required a lot of labor and effort to make and install, and it was a one of a kind door that only cost us $3,500 total to have replaced.
Has anyone else received an insane quote like this from Pella? Obviously we’re not going to do this, because we’re aren’t rubes. I know I could have a local company like window world put their premium glass in our house for around $20,000 to $25,000. Meaning, I could replace all of my windows every 10 years for the rest of my life and not get up to that Pella quote. It was just an obscene quote. I don’t even know how they delivered it with a straight face.
Hello! I am struggling to make a choice between 4 quotes for windows. All windows seem to be similar in that they are all lower expense windows. I have 13 average-sized windows; seven installed in hardy board, the rest in brick.
Window World for series 4,000 window is $7,025. Two local contractors have quoted $8,875 for M1 windows. Lowe’s quoted $9,990 for Pella 250 and are replacing the patio door also with a Thermatru door.
The first three want to retrofit, Lowe’s would retrofit in the brick, but want to do a new install on the hardy board and put in new trim, because they suggest there will be less of a chance of water intrusion (wind-driven rain) this way.
We do live in Hurricane country. I am really confused about which window to go with. It seems awful to pay so much for what everyone says is a budget window that will not last very long. We only plan to be in the home 3 or 4 years. It seems Lowe’s Pella windows might be a better window and they do include a new door.
Please any help choosing is appreciated.
Hi Michelle,
With proper installation, the Pella 250 windows from Lowe’s should easily last 20 years plus. The key is that the installation is done right, including insulation, trim, etc. The quote to replace 13 windows and a patio door, plus trim work and retrofit seems quite reasonable, as long as you get high quality installation with a solid workmanship warranty.
One point of potential concern is that Lowe’s often uses subcontractors to do the installation work, so you don’t know ahead of time how good the contractor doing the work will be.
If you can find out who’s going to be doing the work and speak with the project manager ahead of time to ensure quality installation, then it might be worth it, even if you sell your home in three or four years, as the value of the house outfitted with new windows should increase. All else being equal.
Regarding your concern with the quote, you can often ask for a 10% discount from a provider of home services. Lowe’s also offers 10% discount on products (not installation) to veterans. It’s generally expected that you would ask for a discount on home services from individual contractors, not sure how flexible Lowe’s will be, but it certainly doesn’t hurt asking.
Lastly, all the quotes are pretty close, so you know that you aren’t going to overpay by a huge margin no matter what company you go with. That’s the benefit of getting a few quotes and doing your homework. Well done.
We are looking to replace 9 double hung windows, 1 picture window, and 2 doors. Renewal by Andersen estimate is over $36,000.
Pella Impervia is about $26,000; Pella vinyl 250 series is $21,000; and Soft lite vinyl Imperial LS is $11,000. All doors quoted are fiberglass with full window. Pella quote included replacing all interior wood trim.
It is not our forever home and these are about a quarter of the home’s windows. Had to have stucco remediation done to front of the house three years ago. We had those windows pulled and reinstalled properly, but couldn’t afford to replace them at the time. Of course, Pella is pushing for an answer next week because the “sale” goes away. We live in NJ. Please share your thoughts. Thanks, B
Hi Babr,
You were wise to get a few quotes to give yourself a nice way to compare prices for different options. Since this is not your Forever home, the Renewal by Andersen quote is a clear overpriced outlier and is probably off the table. This leaves us with two different options for Pella (fiberglass Impervia and 250 series vinyl windows), as well as the Soft Lite vinyl Imperial LS quote at $11,000.
Now, we don’t have the window dimensions and specific options for Pella windows to fully evaluate the quotes, but the overall numbers seem way too high — especially when Pella vinyl 250 series are compared to the quote from Soft Lite. Granted, we are comparing a well-known premium brand vs. a regular vinyl replacement window option, but the difference is still striking.
It’s probably safe to say that Pella quote has room for a 20% to 30% discount across the board, so no need to worry about the “sale” going away. 😉
We would be happy to comment in more detail if you share the specifics of the quotes.
Are fiberglass doors included in all the Pella quotes as well as the quote from Soft Lite? If so, the quote from Soft Lite seems like a clear winner, especially because this is not a forever home. That said, it would be prudent and smart to fully vet the company and make sure they do quality work and provide a reasonable workmanship warranty before signing the contract.
Thank you for this….. I have a small home with 12 windows. Nothing fancy at all; $25,000.00 to replace them all. We about fell on the floor with that nonsense from Anderson. I’m glad to see I was not the only one quoted such ridiculousness. I should have known better when the sales guy pulled up in a Cadillac Escalade and wanted to sit down and discuss before hand. Such a shame.
Hi,
This is such a great resource for those of us shopping for windows. Thank you for taking the time to post all this information.
My wife and I live in southern NY state and are looking to replace 12 windows (various sizes) and 3 patio doors (two 8-foot and one 6-foot).
We had ReNewal by Andersen come out and got an estimate of $54,000. Their discounted price was $47,000. This seems very high. We’re not looking for extravagant windows either.
We have a few more local contractors coming out for estimates next week. Could you possibly give us a ballpark figure of what we should be looking for? Thanks again and great work here!
Hi Ryan,
Did renewals by Andersen provide separate quotes for windows and doors? Also, are the doors they are suggesting considered luxury or more in the mid-range?
Without the knowledge of your window sizes and project specifics, we would say that this job probably should not cost more than $18,000 to $20,000 (note, this is a rather high-end range, as we are giving this company the benefit of doubt) for 12 replacement windows, unless there are some extremely large and/or complex windows involved in the mix.
A more competitive replacement window company can probably deliver the same job for $12,000 to $18,000, assuming they will install high-end replacement windows, with some custom, out-sized windows. Again, this is based on the limited information and some broad-stroke extrapolation from the details you shared.
Our recommendation is to get separate or itemized quotes for replacement windows and doors to see what the pricing breakdown is like. It may also be helpful to get several quotes from local contractors, as well as a few quotes from from companies based in less expensive zip codes to get a real sense of the fair pricing range for this project.
Knowing that you are planning to get a few more quotes, we would say you are on the right track!
OK, great! Thanks for the response. Yeah, we got two more quotes from local contractors offering Provia and Marvin windows at significantly lower pricing. The aggressive sales tactics from Renewal by Andersen really turned me off and we won’t be going with them. Again, thanks for the advice and keep up the good work!
That was our experience with the RBA sales guy, as well. I did not like him at all, but the fact that his discounted price was 2.5x what we ended up paying made that decision even easier.
In fact, for the same as the RBA discounted price, we got Pella Lifestyle windows installed, plus got new Hardie siding on the back of our house, replaced about 1/4 of the original wood siding on the front of the house with custom-milled boards, and painted the entire house — including lead paint remediation.
Thank you for your very informative article. I just got a quote from the Pella representative here in Wilmington, NC to replace 7 windows (27 X 65 standard size) using Pella 250 series vinyl. The only upgrade is for exterior simulated divided light grilles (to match my remaining Lincoln wooden windows). Also, I asked that the brick molding and windows sills be replaced with PVC materials. The quote is for around $11,000 which seems high given the figures that you showed for 250 series windows. Does this sound reasonable to you?
Thanks for your help!
Hi Brooke, that price is definitely on the very high-end, tipping the scale at almost $1,600 per window installed for a mid-range vinyl window!
Are these double-pane or triple pane windows? Has the contractor itemized the costs in the estimate?
What is the additional itemized expense associated with the brick molding and windows sills being replaced with PVC materials?
Although, your windows are very tall (27 X 65 inches standard size) compared to the base size of 27.5 x 37.5 inches for a Pella 250 series vinyl window, which means your windows will cost more to buy and install, the price you were quoted is still too high, in our view.
Let’s be very generous and assume the contractor’s material cost is $300.00 to $400.00 per window. Let’s throw in $100 extra for the PVC and window sill trim. After adding these up, we have $400.00 to $500.00 per window in material costs. Even if the installation is more complex due to larger window sizes, it’s still impossible to justify the installation cost of over $1,000.00 per window!
We don’t see how this job can possibly cost more than $1,000 per window including materials, installation, and warranty.
Note: You or any local window replacement company can buy Pella 250 series windows at Lowe’s, starting at sub $200 per window. In fact, Lowe’s offers contractor discounts and veteran discounts.
We suggest you get a few quotes from the local window replacement companies.
Best of Luck and let us know how it goes!
Thanks for your prompt response. You’ve confirmed what I thought — the quote was too high for the work to be done. I’m going to get a different contractor to give me an estimate this week.
My husband and I just sat down with a sales rep from Andersen Windows yesterday to finalize our contract for 13 windows:
1 large picture window and 2 other larger than average windows, I assume, is what brought the price quote to $29,000. We were given a local deal (we live in Minnesota, near the factory) and we were give a discount of $25 off per window. We were told to replace windows, it’s about 20% of the cost of your home, by our figuring, the 30,000 for windows is about right.
Is this a reasonable price to pay for the number of windows?
Hi Michelle,
To really assess the fairness of the above quote, we would need to know whether you are buying high-end Andersen windows or are dealing with a local franchise dealer selling Renewal by Andersen replacement windows. These are two completely different products, with traditional Andersen windows generally being considered better quality windows than the replacement windows sold by Renewal by Andersen (RBA) franchise dealers.
We are assuming you are dealing with a Renewal by Andersen franchise. That said, this seems like a rather high quote for just 13 windows, even if there are a couple of large windows. Our view is that you should have plenty of room to negotiate down the price from here. Asking for at least 20% to 40% discount seems appropriate given your home’s location (local real estate market) and the overall job size.
Note: It is the first time I ever hear that windows should be 20% of your home. This statement is laughably false and misleading. All homes are different and home prices are primarily determined by the local market conditions. Also the average cost of a single family home in the US is close $300,000, so that 20% would only be 10%.
We would encourage you to get several quotes from a few local and reputable window replacement companies and compare the quotes based on the intrinsic quality of windows you are promised to get, plus important intangibles such as workmanship and product warranty information, experience of the crew installing the windows, whether the company employs subcontractors, etc.
This has been an extremely helpful article. I just received a quote for $39,000 for 23 windows. I have standards windows (front are larger than the back but still standard). The sales people were speaking with my wife and said they were custom fit for each house (including outside trim) and that you can’t purchase these windows outside of working directly with Andersen.
The salesmen also stated that their installers work for Andersen and are not contractors, which I find hard to believe. With that said, I was expecting a price closer to $20k. Needless to say, we have 2-3 more companies coming to provide quotes.
Hi Scott,
Since these are replacement windows, we are most likely talking about Renewal by Andersen here. Renewal by Andersen windows are normally installed by independent dealers / independent contractors. That said, the prices are definitely negotiable, but the reason why the price is high is because you are being charged a huge premium for the Andersen brand.
All replacement windows including the standard ones, are normally made to measure. This means that regardless of what brand or installer you choose to go with, your windows will almost always be custom made-to-measure windows.
In our view, the prices you were quoted are pretty ridiculous, but not surprising. You should be able to get these windows replaced for well under $20,000 with one of the competing brands. Even for Renewal by Andersen, you should not be charged more than $25,000 – $30,000 for these replacement windows.
Needless to say, Renewal by Andersen Fibrex windows are nice, but that is not to say that you can’t get other quality replacement windows from competing brands. You most certainly can.
Consider double pane versus triple pane. Check the R value (heat loss) and U value (heat gain) numbers. Most windows sold nowadays are “low E”, which is what you want. Check the numbers for UV blocking, higher is better. Check for Argon or Krypton gas filling in the dead air space between the panes.
Also don’t fall for the scare tactics and misinformation such as “vinyl windows will warp and fail within 5 years.” That is a complete lie and purposeful warping of facts. With replacement windows, it’s almost 100% about the quality of installation. You can get very high quality windows from brands such as Alside, Harvey Industries, and many others. Again, it’s the quality of installation, which carries the highest premium in our view.
Hope this is helpful!
This is a very helpful post. I have a bid of $12,380 for 10 Pella 450 Proline double pane, double hung windows with full screens and exterior aluminum cladding. Also, low-e glazing, argon fill, and grilles between glass.
I have seven 36×62″ windows, two 24×62″ windows, and one 36×38″ window. Based on my understanding of the info you have here, this seems to me to be a fairly high bid. We do live in a nice town near Princeton, New Jersey. Oh, and they are offering a $1,000 rebate if I act in the next four days. What do you think? Thanks so much!
Hi Chris, so with a $1,000.00 rebate, you get a total ticket price of $11,380. Even in Princeton, NJ, we are confident you can get the whole job done for under $10,000.
That said, you could probably get replacement windows of comparable quality such as double-pane, double Low-E, etc. for under $8,000. The key is to work with a small, local installer who takes a great pride in the quality of their work aka installation, which is arguably the most important factor impacting durability, longevity, and homeowners’ enjoyment of their windows.
Note: there is a pricing premium placed on the replacement windows from a brand like Pella, but you can probably get windows that are on par in terms of their quality from a brand such as Alside or Harvey’s, without the multiple layers of middlemen driving up the price. — Just a small contractor who buys their windows directly and does a great job installing them.
Thank you for this post, it was extremely helpful. We just got a quote from Renewal by Anderson (replacing 21 windows, 1 door), I was shocked by the total cost of $71,000 prior to their discounts. Wish I would have seen this post prior to our consultation on Sunday. Of the 21 windows there’s 5 that are 27w x 76h, the rest are pretty standard. Does this price tag seem high to you, I assumed it would be roughly 40 to 50k.
Once again, thank you for this valuable information.
Hi Lynn,
The price tag for the project you describe is definitely on the expensive side. That said your home’s location and the local real estate values certainly play a role and can affect the price. Based on what we’re given, a price point of around $45,000 to $55,000 would be a lot more appropriate in our view. For a project of this size, negotiation is certainly expected.
Also note that oftentimes, the initial quote you get from a company like Renewals by Andersen is the “dream deal price” the sales person is hoping to get. With many companies competing for your business, there is usually plenty of room to negotiate the price down.
This is the most valuable information I have come across regarding Fibrex. Thank you so much for creating this post. In the past two days, I have received three estimates for windows and visited Home Depot to understand average pricing and what I gain from different types of windows.
I was ready to put my entire project on hold because it became overwhelming. I want the best for my home, but I’m also on a budget because I have other repairs to make that are equally important. Your post has added a lot of clarity for me. Thanks again.
Glad you found this helpful and best of luck with your home improvement journey!
I wonder if Fibrex would be vulnerable to the termites we have in desert AZ. Do you have any views on this?
Hi Martha,
Fibrex is a composite produced by combining wood fiber with premium thermoplastic polymer, resulting in a compound that is stronger than wood. Harsh weather conditions will not cause Fibrex to warp, chip or rot, and it is not affected by termites.
Thank you for this information, it was very helpful.