Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Replacement Home Windows?

We are thinking about replacing a few windows in our house this year. We are Considering Pella windows, and are thinking either vinyl or fiberglass frames.

Anyone have good experience with Pella windows or know anything about them?

Any other recommended manufacturers? Any comments on vinyl vs. fiberglass?

Thanks!

My father had Pella windows installed on his previous house, they are an excellent quality window. I had Rehau (German company) windows installed on my home several years ago(recently sold house), they are also an excellent product, more well-known in Europe than over here I understand.

I installed Pella vinyl windows in a previous house. I thought they were very good quality. Unfortunately I moved 3 years later so never got to evaluate them in the long run. Not sure if they're the same north of the border or not, but for 3 years I had no issues whatsoever.

I can't speak to the vinyl vs. fiberglass issue, but Marvin, Milgard and Anderson are some other big names in the replacement window business. Regardless of the material or manufacturer, the quality of the installation is probably the most important factor. Make sure to use someone who does it professionally and check their references!

My parents rebuilt their sun room with all Pella (triple pane) windows. They do an amazing job in the August heat and January cold but they were hella expensive.

I installed Pella vinyl frame high impact glass windows for our TV room going on 7 years and they are holding up very well so far, they look nice, function like new and haven't discolored or faded. I can't compare them to the Pella fiberglass frame windows but if I were to replace the windows throughout the rest of the house I'll install the vinyl windows.

Thanks for the input. The fiberglass costs 25% more, but supposedly is stronger and doesn't have the problems of shrinking and expanding like some vinyl frames can have due to temperature change. However, they both have the same warranty...

I never used Pella due to budget limitations but coming from a place that often has + - 30 degree Celsius swings in temperate and often extremely quickly, I have never experienced, nor seen evidence of vinyl windows having shrinking issues. In fact, that is the first time I ever heard anyone mention it.

Not saying it isn't a real phenomenon, just that I have never seen it as an issue.

Pella windows are made right here in the great state of Iowa.

I've never had them, but know a couple of people who either built their house or replaced their windows (hail storm) and used Pella windows. The last I heard, they really liked them. Pella windows are also the windows used on Extreme Home Makeover. Granted, they are probably donated for advertising purposes, but I don't think that they use any poor quality products in those homes.

I replaced 2 of my windows last summer, thinking I was getting good thermal protection. I haven't used a thermometer yet, but just placing the back of my hand on an old window, then moving to a new window and doing the same, it fells like the new triple pane windows let through more heat/coldness. Not buying those again. I went cheap with a local company thinking I was saving a few bucks.