Andersen and Pella are two leading brands of home windows that have been going head-to-head for decades. When shopping for the best window for your home, you need to compare these two brands based on a slew of factors, including their pricing, style, structural uniqueness, and ultimate longevity.
It becomes easier to choose the most dependable brand after you’ve carefully accessed their differences. So, without further ado, let’s have a comprehensive comparison between Andersen and Pella windows to determine which option stands out.
Company History
Both Andersen and Pella window brands are family-owned and operated. That means each brand assures the longevity of their employee’s tenure. But unlike the Pella company that has only 7,000 employees, the Andersen windows company is larger, with approximately 12,000 employees. Even so, the two brands operate internationally.
Shapes and Styles
Both brands produce windows of all sizes, shapes, and styles, such as sliding windows, hexagons, trapezoids, casement windows, and so much more. Ideally, each brand takes pride in crafting all imaginable window silhouettes. Nonetheless, the Andersen window brand takes the award when it comes to the customizability of the windows.
Contrary to the Pella windows, Andersen makes it possible for customers to draw their preferred window design on a napkin and send it over to the company for real-world production. The company crafts the windows following the exact customer style preferences and then sends it back to the customers. Besides, the Andersen brand has a dedicated wing whose role is to complete customizable drawings from clients, ensuring unparalleled flexibility.
And while Pella also has pretty much the same program dubbed the Lifestyle Series, this is only targeted at high-end customers paying a top dollar for their windows. Andersen’s customization program is designed for every customer, and it doesn’t need to be high-end windows.
Automation Systems
Both brands can craft windows with integrated blinds and screens that retract. Also, the two companies build windows that can be automated with the home automation systems. Even though both brands are yet to achieve state-of-the-art automation with their installations, they’re making significant strides in the technological arena.
For instance, any customer who is using the Pella hardware in their home will be able to perform a seamless integration with their windows. The same case applies to the Andersen brand, whose windows can be incorporated with Honeywell products. The future looks bright for both brands, though, since the two companies have hinted at offering Google Home and Alexa compatibility in the future.
By comparison, however, the Andersen brand seems to have made a considerable step ahead of the pack. For instance, Andersen windows are compatible with Z-wave functionality. That means anyone with blinds and shades in their windows can motorize and control them using simple voice commands.
Extruded vs. Roll-formed Aluminum
The actual aluminum construction can also help us tell the difference between Andersen vs. Pella windows. The frame’s cladding on the Pella windows consists of Extruded Aluminum while the sash comprises Roll-formed aluminum. So what are the differences?
Well, the extruded aluminum is not only thicker but also heavier and more difficult to bend. The roll-formed aluminum is rather thin and effortlessly malleable. Its thickness or thinness can be compared to a can of Coke. For a better understanding, you’re encouraged to further read the differences between roll-formed and extruded aluminum cladding.
With the roll-formed aluminum sashes on Pella’s windows, the company can keep the cost of production lower while ensuring a perfect design. More importantly, the designers are in a position to create contours that lend a more rounded look to the windows.
The Andersen windows, on the other hand, have frames and sashes encompassing the extruded aluminum construction windows for greater stability. And because the Andersen windows are devoid of the roll-formed cladding, the issue of moisture build-up behind the windows can be kept at bay. You’ll also not have to worry about dents on your windows, giving you the much-needed peace of mind.
Additionally, the extruded aluminum on the Andersen windows’ sashes means the windows consist of stronger and sharper corners. For this reason, they have better seams with more robust and better-looking corners.
Structural Differences
This largely has to do with the aesthetic appeal of the Andersen and Pella windows. Like we discussed above, the Pella windows have sashes with the roll-formed aluminum construction, meaning that their edges have a nice and more traditional appeal.
By contrast, the Andersen windows come with sashes that are rather difficult to make smooth edges. Their extruded aluminum construction equally limits the ability to create curves. Therefore, the Andersen windows showcase a more “transitional” appeal, which is neither very contemporary nor spaceship-looking. Essentially, these windows lack the traditional appeal you’ll see in most homes.
Andersen’s design of windows is completely unique, making them befitting for those of us who are more inclined to somewhat unique windows. Regarding the structural differences between the Anderson vs. Pella windows, the Andersen’s windows have wider weather stripping than the Pella’s windows.
If you try and slide down the Pella windows in a bid to close it, you’ll notice that the weather stripping is invisible. This gives the Pella windows a more uniform look in their colors. Conversely, the weather stripping on the Andersen windows projects outside, hence noticeable when the window slides down to close.
Sensor Integrated Locks
Both the Andersen and Pella windows come with sensors that are integrated into the locks. As a result, you don’t have to drill a hole at the base of the window to connect the alarm sensor magnets.
More often than not, windows that incorporate an additional sensor tend to cost more compared to those lacking it. Even so, it’s best to opt for windows with the built-in alarms, especially if you don’t want to drill a hole and perhaps end up voiding your warranty.
Glass Material
The Pella often leverages All-Vinyl replacement windows, unlike Andersen that doesn’t use the vinyl materials. Rather than using the vinyl materials, the Andersen makes use of Fibrex, which entails 60% PVC and 40% recycled Ponderosa pine wood. This amalgamation makes Fibrex eco-friendly, and this shows that Andersen prioritizes Mother Nature above all else.
Irrespective of the differences in their glass materials, both brands source their glasses from Cardinal Glass Industries. This premium glassmaker is renowned across the United States for producing the best quality glasses with the lowest rate of seal failure common in double-pane windows. Their glasses also have the best visibility and energy efficiency.
Owing to this glass material, the Andersen and Pella windows are incredibly strong. Not only are they well-built but also have the same great energy specs on the glass itself.
Overall Cost & Installation Package
Thanks to the extruded frames and sashes, the Andersen windows are more expensive than the Pella windows by about 20 percent. Another thing that makes the Andersen windows costlier than Pella is that the company produces the most long-lasting windows that never rot even after several years of use.
In the same breath, the supply and installation package on the Andersen windows cost more as the company caters to everything from start to finish. That is, once you buy an Andersen window, you’ll have full access to their trained technicians who’ll come to your home and complete the installation to professional standards.
Having an Andersen agent to perform the window installation is always advantageous as it minimizes the chances of something going askew during the installation. If untrained personnel does the installation and ends up messing with it, you may have to cough a couple more bucks for new repairs. With the professional window installation from a qualified Andersen contractor, things will remain intact for years to come.
Unfortunately, though, the Pella brand lacks the certified contractor program – at least in most states. Often, you’ll never see trained experts from the Pella brand come and install the windows, leaving you at the mercy of a third party.
When you acquire a window from Pella, you’ll have to hire a third party to perform the installation for you. This isn’t a good idea since third parties are likely to mess up with the installation. And when that happens, your warranty could be declared null and void.
Final Thought
In all honesty, the Andersen and Pella window brands have a lot of similarities in the styles and designs. But what sets them apart is their construction materials and pricing. Their warranty, service installation, and customer care are also diverse.
While the Pella windows come with a lifetime warranty, their original homeowners are unable to transfer it because the company doesn’t facilitate the warranty transfers. That means your warranty on the Pella windows will be automatically voided should you move to another house.
On the other hand, Andersen offers up to 20 years of warranty that can be transferred from one person to another. If for any reason you’d like to sell your house, you can easily transfer your warranty to a new owner without much fuss.
What’s more, the Andersen windows top the chart when it comes to positive reviews and customer satisfaction. With their certified contractor programs, any issues revolving around a poorly installed window are kept at bay.
And even though the Pella windows are cheaper and more affordable, the quality of the Andersen windows is spot-on and worth the price. When you buy the Andersen windows, you’ll benefit from their unmatched longevity because they’re built from tough and long-lasting materials. At the end of the day, Andersen is a company with a proven track record, which means customer satisfaction is guaranteed.
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