Replies

1. 
   Dave_Burgoon | Apr 09, 1999 01:15am | #1

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   Dave, I'm building a summer cottage and just purchased the Pella Pro-lines at Lowe's (they are definitely cheaper there than anywhere else I could find). Looked at Andersen and others - just couldn't justify the cost differential.

   The Pro-line's appear to be the same as the regular Pella's I put into my home 7 years ago - I think the only real difference is a smaller selection of sizes and no "blinds between the glass" (which I didn't use in my current home anyway since it wasn't a true thermalpane.)

   I'd say go with the Pro-line's and put the savings into something special for your new home.

2. 
   Guest_ | Apr 09, 1999 06:57am | #2

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   I've istalled both & the anderson is a better built window. My biggest complaint about the pro line was the bay (& I would assume also a bow)is very difficult to trim. They offer no way to fastn the trim with out ripping out your own filler peice. i can't say I won't use them again as It's not much to pay for a window with a name that helps sell a house.

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 09, 1999 08:56am | #3

   *O.K., proline is the super store version of pella. I really think they make it to under cut Anderson which markets a lot of mid to superior grade stuff through super stores. I really don't have much opinion either way I just know a Pella showroom hardly deals in the Pro-line. This is not because they are on commision, they just have much better and more interesting products. If I'm not mistaken, there are 3 lines above the pro-line and if you explore this route I think you get into the Anderson neighborhood. This also doesn't mean the pro-line is crap. It is probably still better than most of the rest of the crap.

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 09, 1999 06:01pm | #4

   *Actually, the proline was an attempt to penetrate the builder's market in new homes. They have limited sizes, becxause they know the builder will be roughing to thier size. They are not clad, so the builder can paint to match the exterior. They have a true thermo pane, rather than the removable pane that their original models have.Anderson does not offer a wood window. Since I do not like thier clad colors, they wouyld not be a choice of mine.compare the u- values, r-values, and their tightness rating, and you'll find that they are two sides of the same coin. It comes down to aesthetics, and price. Pre built bays and bows are all hard to work with. Blue

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 14, 1999 09:10am | #5

   *Blue, correction on the cladding. The Pella Pro-Line is a Painted Aluminum Cladded Unit. Pella has a multi-coat paint that goes on, and yes this is the "builder series" window. The Pella franchise stores sell the Pro-Line at above the big-box store prices, and offer the two better line windows as well (Designer and Architectural). The basic Pro-Line is aluminum clad, pine interior, standard thermo-pane glass, and available in the usual White/Tan/Brown colors as are the Andersens. The slightly pricier Insulshield IG glazing with Low-E coating and Argon gas fill, puts the Pella Pro-Line into a direct item for item competition with the Andersen Tilt-Wash, and Casement windows, at an approximate 20% price advantage.

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 14, 1999 04:17pm | #6

   *I've done three Anderson sliders recently. The vinyl clad in and out, that worked with the existing color trim schemes and minimized future maintenance.PRICE. Selected Anderson because it was closest to the existing openings and had most maximized glass area (smallest outside frames) so did not compare to Pella or others on $. But I matched big box pricing for the first one at a multi-brand door and window store and on the second two at the full service local lumber yard. Both with delivery in the price. The local yard buys anderson by the truck load, they have the volume to move them and can thus match the big boxes.INSTALLATION. I did find in these retrofits that to use existing trim or accomodate in one case an existing oak threshhold that I had to do a little figuring to vary from standard installation. But no big deal. On the second two the owner wanted the threshhold as nearly as possible flush with the interior finished floor, so the entire door had to be dropped into the framing a little because of the Anderson raised track. That was an afterthought, so next time I'd check the other brands to see if the same issue exists.

3. 
   NAILZ10D | Apr 15, 1999 06:04am | #7

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   Dave As a Framing contractor i would not recomend Pella to my Worst enemy, I have yet to set a house of PELLA windows where they have a been delivered at the same time. they are always shorting windows hardware,mulluin kits,extension jams are broke or falling off. All this results in many return trips to complete a job. for the buck and customer service stick with the ANDERSEN.

4. 
   DaveB_ | Apr 15, 1999 06:04am | #8

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   I'm thinking about using Pella's Pro-line, which you can get a Lowe's for a decent price, or Andersen's builder grade.

   Anyone have an opinion of either one?

5. 
   Etbrown4 | Sep 22, 2023 01:27pm | #9

   I have lots of investment properties which have contained hundreds of Pella and Andersen vinyl and aluminum clad windows and doors.

   In my experience they are both complete junk. Both brands have leaked badly and both have suffered catastrophic failures with frequent rotting of the lower or bottom rail . The trouble is that neither company ever figured out how to keep the water out.

   Making matters worse, it is my belief that the management of both companies lied about these window and door failures, in most cases, claiming that the products were not defective, when we all knew better. Their favorite cover story is faulty installation.

   In the case of Andersen sliders, they are notorious leakers, especially in areas with higher winds. I had lots of sliders where the vinyl jamb was so flimsy that it split from frequent opening and closing, and created many hidden cracks behind the weather stripping. All that created soggy carpets and rotten wood floors.

   In one house, Andersen sent out their smartest tech people, and were unable to find the leaks. As they were preparing to leave, I offered to show them their hidden leaks. They claimed that in the history of the company they had never heard of split jambs causing leaks. I do not believe them.

   In Pella's case, their windows and doors leaked so badly that in many cases the window or door rotted, and had to be replaced.

   So knowing what I know, I would buy any brand except Andersen or Pella