Pella

I purchased Pella wood windows (12 over 12 mullions so spent over $30,000! ) when I built my house in 2004. The wood casings and sills are rotting from water damage. I had to hire a master carpenter to fabricate new sills out of cedar and replaced 10 already. The design of the windows have a level ledge on top of the sill for screens to sit on which caused water to track to corners. Complaint and pics were sent to Pella and they told me it was "caulk failure" and therefore not their problem. Pella sent out a "rep" to look at the windows who did not have a clue. The claim was denied. I thought Pella was the King of wood windows but I should have gone with something else!

Pella Windows- My husband and I have a professional window cleaning company that has been in business for 17 years and we will not clean Pella windows do to the liability. The quality of the glass surfaces on most Pella windows are of such low quality that the chances of them becoming scratched during cleaning is too high. Plus to mention all the pea brain time consuming aspects of taking some of them apart to clean is a nightmare and costs the home owners two or three times more than normal to have them professionally cleaned. Do not purchase Pella Windows.

I have spent way too much money on window to have condensation on the inside of my window. If i wanted to keep dealing with that problem I would of kept the ones in that I had in. Now since the cold weather is among us, the condensation has turn to ice around the lock on them. I have had a rep out here and the only thing I get is the house has high humidity in it .I would like to know how with the temp. in my house does our get over 68 degrees and it takes a week to get 2 inches of water in the dehumidifier. You tell me I have high humidity.

After dealing with the business I bought these windows from, I get a call and I am told the window are working the way they are to and the only thing they can do is give me a discount on a new dehumidifier. This is like getting slapped in the face for giving them my business and money for complaining about the window that I am very dissatisfied with, Never again will I buy something from them again.

After requesting an invoice from Pella Windows several times and never receiving one, our company was sent to collections. Their customer service is horrible. They are rude as is their collection company Ross, Stuart, & Dawson. Pella did not call our office. They send an invoice and certainly did not try to make their customer happy. Dear Pella, I hope $240 billing mistake on your end and rudeness was worth losing a contractor who easily spends $60,000 on average per window package for their homes. We will not recommend this company to any client and will never install another window manufactured by Pella again.

I have 8 out of 17 Pella Proline windows, that are rotting from the outside in. The house was built in 1998, and I notice issues in early 2010. I contacted the local Pella dealer, and they never mentioned anything about known issues. I sent many emails and pics to Pella Corp. I get the same response, "sorry out of warranty".

85% Pella replacement windows in 2006. A large window in a bedroom that had to be removed, so adjoining windows could be replaced was re-installed incorrectly. We are getting severe condensation and molding damage. Another two replaced windows have severe sun damage. The window cranks loosened and detached almost immediately. We feel as though we were totally ripped off and have received no satisfaction from Pella.

I built my house in 2008 and decided to use Pella over Anderson, because we liked the Architect series windows and thought Pella was one of the best windows on the market. First in 2009, a double hung window in our bedroom leaked severely. The glazing failed and water filled the bottom window rail ruining the wood. They sent me a replacement sash. December 2011, my picture window leaked severely. Once again the glazing failed allowing the window to fill up with water and ruining the wood. They were supposed to come and replace the window.

I also noticed, that on almost all the windows in the house, I had a large amount of condensation on the windows, saturating the wood. The salesman was trying to tell me it's normal. It's sad when I knew more than the window 'professionals'. The condensation occurs when warm meets cold. The glazing that Pella uses was obviously failing as time goes on. It must be drying and shrinking. Air molecules are smaller than water, so you'll have cold air infiltrating the glazing first, filling the void under the window and meeting the warm air inside the house causing condensation.

The worse the leak the more condensation. It was 10 degrees last night, I have ice on the inside corners of several of my casements. We heat with wood stoves so the humidity inside the house is not an issue. This is clearly an issue with the quality of products and/or window manufacturing. All the wood windows will rot from all the moisture that is saturating the wood. Very disappointed. I spent a lot of time and money finishing these windows (they are unfinished wood windows) and every time one fails I have to refinish its replacement. Very Unhappy with these windows.

We had all of our windows replaced with Pella windows beginning in 2008. It was an enormous expense for us, but the cost-benefit would be worth it we thought. Pella has some spectacular windows. First, the black brushy things on the screens fell off of several windows. When I called customer service, they told me to just crazy glue them, because that's what they'd do if they came out for a service call anyway. When we open any of the windows, the top window falls down just enough and we have to tilt the bottom window in to push the top window up in order to close/lock them.

Also, we are now noticing condensation in the corners of several of the panes facing inside the house. This was before it actually got cold this winter. And now, reading all the similar reviews here, I'm hesitant to even call Pella about it. The sales and installation crew were awesome here. It's just the window quality that we're disappointed with. I'd give them a C+. I'd expect C+ if I spent 1/2 the money with some other company on replacement windows. With Pella, I expected at least an A-. I'm not quite sorry we had them installed yet, but have yet to contact Pella about the condensation. So, I'll see what they have to say.

My husband installed our newly purchased Pella Brand double hung wood windows himself over 8 years ago. I love them, they are a pleasure to clean. We purchased the low E glass and slim shades. I open them from the inside once during the winter and then once during the summer to clean them. Tilting the sash inwards is so easy for me. The sash tilts easy when opening and then again when I close my windows. I have never had any form of water damage or rotting wood appear on my Pella Brand windows.

This is about Pella Proline. I built a new home in 1999 using Pella Proline. I bought my whole window package from Home Depot. The casement windows condensate relentlessly in the winter. Humidity levels in home are at nosebleed level and still the windows drip. There are wood molds and rots. Junk windows!

We have a Pella window that is completely rotten. We call Pella and they say that since we are over the warranty period they can't do anything about it .

We built our home in 1995/96 using all Pella Proline casement windows. When we first had problems with the windows, McComb Windows told us the windows had been improperly installed. Later, we were told there was a faulty design. The bottom part of the frame is apparently sloping toward the house. Therefore water collects and runs into the house, not away from it. They did tell us they would give us a special discount to replace windows for up to 10 years.

Within five years, we had problems with rotting wood in the middle of the fixed window in our living room. This was soon followed by a fixed basement window rotting. We replaced both these windows. Since that time, we have replaced two left-sided opening windows, one in the kitchen, one in the dining room. Just recently (2010), the left opening kitchen bay window has dropped and does not close properly. We were working in the basement during the summer of 2011 when we noticed water damage which is underneath the kitchen bay window.

The brickwork was damp, as was the insulation and wall board. We have since removed this to watch the situation. Just in the last few weeks, we have noted yet another left side opening window in an upstairs bedroom not closing properly. It takes two of us to close it; one of us pushing upward with the opening window frame, while the other winds in the window to close it. We have also recently noticed the left opening bathroom window is rotting out. All replacement windows are hard to close.

Another problem occurred with the small transoms over two large 3-window casements in the front of the house. Several of the small transom windows have popped, the inside pane of double glazing shattered. We have had to replace three out of six of these small windows.

Condensation and ice are forming inside the house on windows that were installed in 2001 and manufactured in 2001 by Pella. The wood frame inside is rotting and mold covered due to the moisture despite effort around wicking up extra moisture, humidity variation inside, and ventilation adjustments.

We contacted Pella, in 2008. We paid for an inspection, we got one free window to replace since our warranty was up. There are over 20 windows in the house. We got a song and dance about humidity levels in the house and temperatures outside. Based on that information, we did a test. We varied the inside humidity from bone dry to 45%. The colder it got outside, the drier we controlled inside based on University of Minnesota testing (chart on Pella, Anderson Windows website). When it was really cold, we were drier than a popcorn fart inside. Anyway, we couldn't stop it, all the way around the perimeter of the inside of the window, there was condensation. I have seen reports of metal components in the windows conducting heat. This is another explanation for a poor quality product.

For those who want to join in the Pella class action law suit, get in touch with the law firm in Chicago called Freed and Weiss. You can locate their contact information online. They have just won the class action law suit against Pella for their Pro Line series. They are now going to file a class action against Pella for their Designer series. After they win the Designer suit, they will be filing a class action suit against Pella for their Architect series. They need your help and want to help you. This firm knows that Pella is an extremely dishonest company.

It is too bad that Pella has chosen to not meet the customers' needs and go through a class action suit. This tells me that Pella makes so much money from their poorly manufactured windows, that they would rather lose a class action suit than just take care of their customers. This also tells me that Pella is banking on the fact that most of us, as customers, will get too tired of fighting and just quit. Please don't quit! We need to make it clear that we are tired of Pella cheating families!

I have 26 of Pella's Proline series windows that were purchased in 1999. Every winter, since, I have to dry the bottom where the water puddles from condensation. Pella has obviously wash their hands of their design/manufacturing incompetence and their consumers are stuck with a mistake. I have received the same response- "that is the windows doing their job, I'll send you some information" nothing sent. Or, "we can have a service man come out at $XX to look at your situation". I don't know why there is not a class action suit against Pella. Good Luck! Don't buy Pella anything.

Wood clad windows. You are all correct, Pella does **!

We had Pella install an Architect Series Classic 4-wide Casement bow window. These are vinyl on the outside and wood on the inside. The value added items were single birch head board and single birch seat board. The bow window's cost was $2,238.67, not including installation. The work was done in December 2000.

Shortly after 3 years, the bow was sagging and we could not shut/lock all 4 windows. Pella told us that it was out of warranty, and they no longer make that bow, and they would have to charge us $200.00 to fix. I told Pella that was unacceptable, and after much debate, they came and put a wood brace on the outside of the house under the bow window. This only lasted about 1-2 years. We have been pushing the windows shut from the outside for many years. We have a lot of cold air coming in and the windows no longer line up to be locked. We can hear the street noise when cars go by and we also have rot on the bottom of the wood windows.

I have all Pella products; expensive divided light with transoms, fixed and french doors, fixed and moving. I am experiencing separation at the lowest glass, to vinyl joint on the lower panes, resulting in hidden sash rot. The windows were in new construction, in early 2000. The initial purchase value was above $85,000.00. I am now looking at buying, painting, and replacing the casements, at a cost of roughly, $900.00 per window panel. I feel this is a factory defect that started in my case, prior to the end of the 10 year warranty, but went undetected. I am looking to join with other affected parties in a class action suit.

We also had a house built in 2003 and Pella windows were installed. We thought "Oh wow, that's great. Pella is so well known." What a joke! We moved in March 2004, and have nothing but condensation and ice in the cold temps. We also have leaky windows. Just like all the other reviews, we contacted Pella and got the total runaround. And after 3 years of them telling us that our house has too much humidity, another joke, they told us our warranty is over. We also have mold wood rot and it's such a shame for a company to treat their clients with such disrespect. We are now in the process of replacing our windows. And the funny thing is that the new window shows no signs of condensation or ice. It's funny how everything was about condensation. We will never buy Pella windows again.

Does no one at Pella respond to complaints? I've e-mailed several times and I received nothing. Meanwhile, my windows rot away. Cold drafts keep coming through the windows.

My experience would rate in the negative numbers. I am sorry, even though I can see that I have lots of company. We made the poor decision to purchase Pella windows. We purchased them in 2009 and already have water damage from them leaking. We have had to purchase storm windows to keep the weather from hitting our windows. The water comes in between the panes on the double hung windows. Pella would do nothing. I watched the video on YouTube that was posted under Pella window problems marked #19 and one marked #20. Our windows do exactly the same thing. I suggest to these people to just give up. Pella probably has your money and they don't care. I am so sorry to read about all the other families that have been harmed by this company's lack of business honesty. I so wish that we would have done our research prior to our purchase. We had to invest in nearly $6,300.00 worth of storm windows to save our home.

If you are reading all of our Pella window experiences before your purchase, please stop. Spend the extra time to do your research. Please look at others companies. Pella will not stand behind their products. Pella is not going to be able to stand on their business practices any longer. Since we have the computer we can let other consumers know what this company is truly doing to the public. It is not fun to find ourselves in this mess.

Pella will not return calls, fix product manufacturing defaults or do anything that they tell you after they have your money. Please don't put your home in this situation when there are other manufactures in the USA that will stand behind their products.

Five years ago, we did a major remodel to our home, which included high-end metal clad Pella windows. Recently, I discovered that the cladding of small window located in an upstairs toilet room was being pulled away from top rail because it was catching on the frame. The window had been open a total of 3 times since being installed for cleaning.

I called Pella customer service, and was told that I would have to contact the dealer who I purchased the window from because each dealer was independently owned and operated. I did so, and he assured me that he was not an independent operator but worked for Pella. I outlined the problem and he had their service department contact me. A service representative came to the house and verified that indeed the top rail was catching on the frame and because the labor warranty of two years had expired, Pella would charge $150 per hour to repair the problem. I later learned that because it was an upstairs window, it would be a two-man job and therefore run me $300 per hour. My pointing out that it was a manufacturing defect appeared irrelevant.

I understand since Pella was purchased by a large corporation, the quality of the produce and service has deteriorated. I would recommend not purchasing the product.

Had the windows installed by a qualified builder in 2000. Wrote to you in 2008, 2009 about rotting of the windows on the bay windows. No response after you sent an e-mail that someone from customer complaints would contact me. Still waiting. I would like service on these windows, please!

I recently called our local Pella Dealer regarding the fact that the middle panel of our 3 panel sliding door was for the second time showing signs of rot. We had purchased the original door in the mid 1990's and it was in the early 2000's that the metal clad panel was showing signs of damage. I contacted Pella, and the panel was replaced. I recently noted that the same panel has the same problem again.

I called to request service on this door. The person I spoke with very politely told me that they would have to come and look at the damage but there would be a charge of $127.00 to come and look! Our home is located in Western Massachusetts and there are two Pella stores within a 1/2 hour drive. This seems like an excessive charge to look at the damage due to the same problem that we had before. In our hi-tech world, I could send an excellent photo that would give them the information they need.

I have declined the service call at this time, as I ponder on my next step.

I am extremely dissatisfied with what is called a lifetime guarantee window. I have a huge bay window that has mold on it and leaking water in my house and Pella wants to charge me $100.00 an hour to come look at my window before they determine if it is under warranty. It isn't a warranty if they will review and then determine if it will cost me any money to repair. Obviously, it is a faulty window and needs to be repaired. I am not even asking for it to be replaced but just have it fixed.

I purchased replacement windows from Pella for my entire home. I was extremely pleased with the windows, until I noticed the caulking on the outside was turning gray and collecting dirt. I contacted Pella and was told by the Pella sales rep and installer, they used the caulking recommended by Pella, and they would not correct the problem.

After continuous complaining, they said they would come out and caulk over the existing caulk, but only after I wash the dirt off each window. After many frustrated conversations, my daughter agreed to come over and clean the caulking and scheduled a time for the installer to come out. He never showed, and we have not heard back from them.

I am now requesting the caulking be removed and installed properly. Pella used the wrong, sticky, clear caulking that turns gray and collects dirt. They do not stand behind their word. I would never purchase Pella windows again.

I would rate my overall experience with Pella as a minus 10. I have had two skylights that had the seals fail and the glass is so fogged that you cannot see through it. They were rude and offered no compensation. I also have an aluminum clad wood slider that I am very unhappy with. There is condensation inside the 2 panes that I cannot get rid of. What's worse is the treatment I received from the Pella customer service. I guess they haven't yet realized that business is built by satisfied customers. From the stories I have read, mine is not so bad in comparison. I will never buy from Pella again. I threatened to file a complaint with the New York State Attorney General's Office and still may, but they did not care. The email I received from their customer service rep was dismissive and insulting.

We built our home in 1995 and installed 44 Pella ProLine windows and 3 patio doors. The sashes are now failing--the wood is rotting even though they are vinyl-clad. I have a large casement window in my living room, and the sash has also rotted. Pella tells me the entire window will have to be replaced. Not only that, but the sashes on the new windows are taller; therefore it will look awkward since it is flanked by 2 other windows.

When I had a problem with our patio door, which is ongoing, a repairman came out to fix it, laying it woodside-down on my bare deck. If that wasn't bad enough, there was a metal toy car on my deck and he laid it down on that car, scratching deeply the wood. I'm very disappointed with their service. Their "adjustments" cost me $100, and the windows stopped working. I am, of course, out of warranty.

I have a combination of 20 new Pella windows and sliding doors. One of the sliding doors was damaged upon delivery and has to be reordered. A Pella salesperson was sitting at my dining room table with my contractor. The contractor explained to the Pella salesman: "Look at the two windows to be ordered. They are the same size of the divider, one on the left side of the center post and one on the right side of the center post. They are the same size, only reversed. One window was way oversized." My window completion project is being delayed by three weeks. I now have a big hole in my wall. It is now covered by a plastic sheet, where the window was to be put in. The Pella rep was in my home at my dining table. The rep was within 6 feet of the two windows to be replaced. The rep stated that it must have been the contractor who made the mistake and I must pay additional to replace the window. Do not buy anything from Pella. They are incompetent and cannot be trusted.

In 2001 and 2002, my husband and I built a fairly large home and purchased thousands of dollars worth of Pella windows. I believe it was around $40,000.00. At the beginning of 2011, in early spring, I opened a crank out the window on the first floor of our home, and the hardware fell right off of it. I couldn't believe it. I thought something must have loosened, so I called a carpenter to look at it. To my disbelief, he told me that the window was rotted. He said the seals were bad. I requested him to look at the rest of my windows. He said that most of the seals were shot, and the remaining windows would soon be having the same issues. I was very upset, to say the least.

I phoned Pella and explained to them the problem. They said someone would contact me. I had to call about four more times, and insist in someone speaking to me. They then sent someone out a couple of weeks later to inspect the windows. The man stated that most of the working windows needed to be replaced and that the seals were bad. I told him that I heard there was a recall on them, and he said, "Yes, there were big problems, and there was a recall." A few weeks later, I received a mail from Pella stating how much it would cost me to replace all of the window casings. It was thousands of dollars, and there not even a discount was given!

I phoned them to ask about the recall, and a woman named Lauren told me that I was out of warranty! I insisted they cover the cost anyway due to the recall. They told me that they were sorry, but I was out of warranty. They gave me another phone number to call, and once again I was told that I was out of warranty. I also told them that if they returned my call promptly, I wouldn't be out of warranty. If you ask me, it is obvious that they conveniently waited a few weeks to get back to me so that I would be out of warranty. Even if the windows are out of warranty, should a window only last ten years? The salesman named Stacey told me that they would last me for at least thirty years.

Our two-storey brick house was constructed in 1962. We did an extensive renovation in 1993. In the course of this project, we added two aluminium-clad Pella bay windows to our family room facing the street [east]. The renovations, including installation of the Pella windows, were performed by a local contractor who is a member in good standing with the BBB.

Problems started within 10 years, when the casement windows on either side of the large main windows became difficult to operate. Two of the casements developed signs of rot. The Pella representative who visited us in 2004 stated that the windows were out of warranty and there was nothing he was obligated to do.

The cladding, along the bottom rail, has now completely peeled away on both of the bay windows and the wood behind is rotting. The cladding was installed with the lap at the corner seems facing up rather than down. This would act to trap rather than shed rain water. It is analogous to roof shingles being lapped the wrong way, so that rain water could work its way under the shingles rather than cascade over them on its way to the gutter.

The wood has been rotten for several years on most of the windows, the screws are falling out and they changed the 20-year warranty. We contacted them all the time, for years.

I bought a new, high-end Pella sliding patio doors and replacement windows in 1997. The sealed windows in the sliding doors have failed, and a number fogged up. Some of the doors are experiencing dry rot from the inside. Pella refuses to stand behind the product. Most of my replacement windows are oozing whatever material is used to seal the windows, making a mess of them.

The replacement sliding doors look nice, and work pretty well. Buyers should be aware that the design has been changed to make the screen move inside your house, rather than outside. The consequence of this is that when you get ready to close the door at night, all the bugs that have been attracted to the lights of your house are brought into your house or are trapped between the glass and the screen inside your house.

In the past 3 years, I had all my windows replaced by Pella. During a severe storm on 4-27-11, I had a window broken. Aaron from Pella came out and measured the window and said he would get back to me. I have called him 3 times with same results. Nothing. I called twice since and the second time, I was asked to wait for a call. I finally went by Pella last Wednesday and Adam said he would come out Friday at 9AM. I called him at 10AM and got a voicemail. I called Friday afternoon and got voicemail. I called Saturday and got voice mail. I have yet to receive the courtesy of a return phone call. I realized it is one window, but someone needs to do something. Thank you for any assistance you can give me on this.

I don't need to say a word. Just watch the 2-minute video of the water that is flowing freely into our home through our brand new Pella Architect Series double-hung windows. You can watch this at **. We are homeless because of the water damage to our home.

We agreed to purchase a triple door unit as a replacement for an aging wooden triple door unit. Pella installed their unit and the operating (center) door unit stuck and was very difficult to operate. Pella sent out their "top" engineer twice and he never was able to get it to operate properly.

Furthermore, his attitude was quite deferential, insinuating that the problem was ours. Now, we have our house for sale and several potential buyers have requested that we rip out our Pella doors (only 1 year old) because of Pella's poor performance. We paid premium dollars for these doors.

After the initial 2 visits from Pella engineers to remedy this problem, neither was successful. The problem was never solved and we gave up. We used another door to exit to our decks and refrained from using the Pella door. This was very inconvenient.

My Granddaughter is helping me post this as we do not have a computer. As I read the postings with regard to Pella Windows, it is so easy to see just which people earn their living through the sale of Pella Windows and Doors!

We are unhappy Pella customers, as is easy to see that there are thousands of us. Our nearly 30 architect series windows, in our new 2008 home, all leak when it rains except for the ones that are under the porch roof. Pella was contacted dozens of times to service them. Pella sent out what they called installation experts 4 times. The first time this expert was in our home, he offered that we should pull off the siding so that he could see the way that the windows were framed out, the shimming of the windows and the way the water sealed flashing tape was installed. We were so desperate that we did exactly as he requested. We had the siding removed to show the "installation expert" just how these things were done. We pulled off all the siding on the north side of our home. This cost us a total of $6,380.00, out of our pocket to remove, purchase new, have replaced and painted. There were no "installation errors" that this Pella professional could locate on any of the 17 north side windows. The Pella "installation expert" could not give us any suggestions for the water leaking into our home when it rained and blew. We were smart and took photos of our home as we removed the siding and had this "Pella installation expert" review our case on our property.

We demanded that Pella fix our windows. As we read in another posting, my 76 year old wife and I were "nice". We have had to call dozens (my wife says hundreds) of times and visit the store way to many times to count to get any response at all. After the first inspection that revealed nothing wrong, I refused to remove the rest of the siding, as there was nothing wrong with the entire north side. Pella then sent out "installation experts" 3 other times. There has still to this date not been anything that has been done to fix our windows to keep out the water.

We also watched the video of "Sharron of Moravia". Our windows seem to have the same issues as hers. The water comes into our home when it blows. I don't understand the comment about the "lack of water above". There is no water above as it comes in where the sashes meet. Our water looks exactly the same. As we search online, we see that there are many others that have the same problems. Pella just simply does not service their products.

For nearly 80 years, my wife and I have been good community members. We have never needed to look into an attorney except for the normal trust/will-preparation and the two times we have purchased new homes. We did look into filing against Pella and found that we only had 2 years. We now fully understand why Pella quit talking to us. They knew that if they could play us for 2 years, our time would be up and they would not have to ever service our windows.

We are writing this in hopes that we can save another family from our hopeless dilemma. Please choose your windows from any other company. A Pella window purchase will prove to make your live miserable. If you do not believe us, just read all the reviews you can find online about the many other unhappy Pella customers.

When you call for service, it takes 2 months for someone to come out. They should better their service. They also take your money right away before the work is done. They are using your money for 2 months which is not right for any company. That's the reason why I don't buy Pella anymore.

Called Pella 1-800 Customer Service this week to ask how to repair, repeat, how to repair three (so far) of our 23 Pella Pro-line wood window sills. Soft parts gave way to water intrusion. She had our order on the computer still, back 13 years ago, and re-iterated, like a robot, that our 10-year warranty is up.

I recently replaced my sliding glass patio door with a Pella door. Although the style of the door is fine, the screen design is hard to operate correctly. This door was not a cheap door. Unfortunately, the screen is poorly designed! There are several people who have the same complaint as I do. I would like someone from the company to check out the situation.

This complaint has nothing to do with the local Pella store or the service manager as he was only doing what was required of him. I am writing about the price gouging that Pella has for a replacement part for a sliding screen door of our French doors. This is in reference to Pt. 0BSK0000 which includes two screws, two springs and two small plastic 1.5 inch cylinders that fit on the bottom of the screen door to keep it on the bottom track. Pella charges an exorbitant $39.91 plus tax for an item that, at most, cost them $3.00 to make. Even the service manager felt embarrassed that he would have to charge me that much. This is obviously price gouging. The other option was to replace the whole door for $180 which is also out of line for what you get.

Sharron of Moravia, I saw your website and I would have to say if you had water damage for 2 years, the wood would be a lot more damaged than what it appears. Second, it looks like you poured water on the top of these windows. There is no water above it and in a lot of the pictures, it looked sunny and the ground is dry. And the picture with the frost, you can clearly see that the tubing was pulled out (that holds moisture out of my windows). If you put that back in with your thumb or a putty knife, it won't have a problem. Also, if you're homeless because of water coming in the windows, there's more going on than what you are letting on. Because that tubing and the sashes can be replaced easily (at least they are with Anderson windows).

A little intelligence can go a long way. I hate to see you waste your money on a huge corporation (that you will probably lose or settle out for far less than what it's worth). My personal opinion is to try working on getting a credit from the company because I have never seen a company that won't do that for an extremely unhappy customer. Also, use a little kindness. If you're rude, you only get the bare minimum customer service. I'm not saying you're lying or a rude person, but just giving some advice for what I have seen and experienced with other companies in the past.

I purchased fourteen Impervia line windows, which included a bay window. The bay window leaks and it seem that the water doesn't drain out properly. It has been four months and still there is no resolution.

Same senario as Bev in Texas. LowE casement windows that never look clean. When the sun is not out they look fine, however if sun, they are so streaked we cannot enjoy our beautiful lake. I have tried every cleaning option Pella recommends, spent countless hours trying to clean windows (much less stress), several phone calls to Pella, yes, they sent a rep out & he tried a spot cleaning that looked good at the time, not good when sun shines. Lastly I requested a professional cleaning be paid for & upper mgmt never responded. What happened to customer satisfaction??? We would never use Pella products again. I only wonder what is down the road for us hearing some of the other complaints. These are replacement windows we thought would last our lifetime.

I installed all new Pella windows and sliding glass doors in a house I built in 1996. Now in 2011, I have discovered the wood is rotting under the aluminum frame in several of the windows. The sliding glass doors are hard to open and close because the cladding on the lock side is sliding down on the frame and striking the rail-- obviously a design flaw.

When I contacted Pella, they told me the doors were out of warranty; that a person from Pella could come out to look at them, but there would be a charge. There is an active class action suit with regards to the windows. So, I may get some relief there, but I am still stuck with the defective sliding glass doors. At this point, I would not recommend Pella products to anyone.

We also made the fatal decision to purchase Pella Windows. We would like to give you an update. We are spending the 3rd summer homeless because of our fateful decision to purchase Pella Windows. Pella has sent to our home teams of men. The last team of 4 Pella employees was in our home in January 2011. At that time, that team told us that Pella would be glad to manufacture a 3rd set of 49 windows and have them installed by the end of February 2011. We agreed to this process. It is July 7, 2011 and we have not seen anything from Pella since January 2011.

We installed the first set of 49 Pella Architect Series double hung douglas fir windows in October 2009, the second set in February 2010 and are awaiting the third set. As you can see from our first post, we paid in full for our window order in 2009 and have been sorry for that decision ever since!

We posted a Youtube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8vYK2cy-9Y about our home and created a website at pellawindowsdecideforyourself.com. We hear from families on a nearly daily basis that are in our similar boat. Pella has proven, unfortunately, to hundreds of families that we know of, to be a company that does not stand behind their product. As a Christian family, we are extremely disappointed with Pella because they are located in a well known Christian Community. We have had to, after 3 summers, contact an attorney. We do not believe in law suits, but we are homeless, for no other reason than the fact that our brand new Pella Architect Series double hung douglas fir windows leak water/air/snow.

Please make your window purchase from any other company than Pella. They are involved in a class action law suit involving their Pro Line Windows. It is obvious that they just cannot stand behind their product, as they have been cheating families for years.

We would like to give you an update. We are spending the 3rd summer homeless because of our fateful decision to purchase Pella Windows. Pella has sent teams of men to our home. The last team of 4 Pella employees was in our home in January 2011. At that time, that team told us that Pella would be glad to manufacture a 3rd set of 49 windows and have them installed by the end of February 2011. We agreed to this process. It is July 7, 2011 and we have not seen anything from Pella since January 2011. We installed the first set of 49 Pella Architect Series double-hung douglas fir windows in October 2009, the second set in February 2010 and are awaiting the third set.

As you can see from our first post, we paid in full for our window order in 2009 and have been sorry for that decision ever since! We posted a YouTube video at ** about our home and created a website at **. We hear from families, on a nearly daily basis, that are in our similar boat. Pella has proven, unfortunately, to hundreds of families that we know of, to be a company that does not stand behind their product. As a Christian family, we are extremely disappointed with Pella because they are located in a well-known Christian community.

We have had to, after 3 summers, contact an attorney. We do not believe in lawsuits, but we are homeless, for no other reason than the fact that our brand new Pella Architect Series double-hung douglas fir windows leak with water/air/snow. Please make your window purchase from any other company than Pella. They are involved in a class action lawsuit involving their Pro Line Windows. It is obvious that they just cannot stand behind their product, as they have been cheating families for years.

I have a house full of Pella Proline Casement Windows. About half of them are rotten. I called and wrote Pella, and they basically said tough luck because they were beyond the warranty period.

Well, I paid twice the price to get the Pella brand, only to learn that they were worthless. I expected these to be essentially lifetime windows, regardless of the warranty. Instead, they were rotten in 10 years.

I've found that Pella management is negotiable, but hides behind a very hard shell. They denied my claim about six different times. Only after I told them that I knew of other similar cases where Pella either gave the homeowner free windows or windows at 70% off did we start making some progress.

They started at 30% off, then 50%, then 70%. I said OK to 70% and in the end they ended up GIVING THEM TO ME. It took a year and perhaps 40 phone calls and emails but that was the result.

To win this game, you have to ultimately get the name of a high-level manager, and I mean a really high-level manager. All of the low-level folks are told to deny, deny, deny. You can have the low-level person give you the name of their manager and work up the line persistently this way.

In the end, it was access to a top-level manager in Pella Iowa (outside of customer service) and my pictures showing the bottom of the sashes rotted completely through that won this for me. If you are not unusually persistent, you will fail. Ultimately, I had the names and email addresses of possibly four top- level managers.

Good luck to all who try. I did my own installation, and with some good help, you can replace one in about 20 minutes.

If Pella windows were free, I would decline them. They are junk through and through, in my opinion, and the Pella folks will try every trick in the world to make you go away.

Hi-the home I live in was built in 1993. The windows have had problems for a while and I decided to replace them with the Pella Pro-line Windows as mine are certainly bad and one is ready to fall out of the wall. I have new Pella Windows coming and just read about the lawsuit and wondering what I should do and if Pella has corrected the problems. Please advise as I am about to spend $5000 for 3 double encasement windows

I selected Pella in 1997 because of its reputation. I had installed 17 new windows which right from the beginning, I had problems. The representative recommended a picture window for over the sink and behind the sofa in the living room. Both came way too deep which required braces. After calling the regional representative, they were exchanged for more appropriate ones. The brass door handles were already tarnishing when they were installed. They progressed to being pitted and I have been unable to get their shine back. I have tried every product available. Obviously, they are not entirely brass. When the installer came, he cut the cord too high so that in some areas I have to get on a foot stool to get to them.

In February 2010, the metal base of the stationary pane of the kitchen sliding door showed that the metal was bubbling. After many months of getting the run around, it was replaced at a cost of $292. Now, in May 2011, another fixed panel is showing signs of bubbling. This one is smaller than the first. After contacting the president's secretary, I am told that the "sea salt spray goes as far as Las Vegas" and is the culprit for the metal's failure to hold up to the environment. I haven't been able to verify this online. The price for replacing this smaller pane is twice the price of the first one. Due to the increase in cost, are we in a recession now or what? Bottom line is, my experience with Pella has been poor right from the beginning and continues to be an issue. My old aluminum windows lasted forty years. Pella, expensive? Yes with poor product and bad service. Go somewhere else. Save yourself the heartaches.

I wanted to remove a deceased name from their mailing list. I made four calls to their customer service which resulted in four disconnections. Finally, I got a pickup and I did not only request the removal of the deceased but mine as well, even though we are looking for windows. I would not do business with this company and this type of customer service.

I ordered Architect Series storm windows for beach front homes which were installed in August 2010. For 55 windows, I spent $80,000. The jam liners are cheap and where they meet the windows, there are gaps and no felt pads like most windows. Both water and air are coming through the gaps and they are doing nothing to fix it, telling me the windows are fine even though I'm wiping water off them after a little rain. I'm terrified about what will happen if a hurricane. I'm still waiting for parts and, in the meantime, the power bill has tripled. Pella has come 4 times to fix one particular issue and each time they have the wrong part , after we have been waiting 6 to10 weeks for the part. So, 6 months later, nothing is resolved, windows are unsafe and I'm out of $80,000.

I had Pella windows in my basement; 4 windows and patio doors. All of the windows have draughts coming through. I had company back in twice. They say there are draughts coming through but cannot find where and suggest I call a company with heat, seeking cameras at my cost to see where the cold air is coming from.

I have not saved any money on heating as they promised. I think the company wants to sell you windows but once sold, could not care less.

In 1999, my wife and I set out to create our dream home. We spent our life savings and borrowed more to re-build and add on to an old farm-house. We bought only the best of everything, we thought!

Pella windows had the reputation of being the top of the pile and that's what we bought. Now 11 years later, we've had to have replacement windows installed since the Pella windows leaked, rotted and started to fall apart! 11 years! the 150- year old windows we removed were in good working order but not insulated.

I wish we had kept them as it would have been cheaper to pay the added heating than to replace the garbage Pella windows with replacement windows, which cut my window area by at least 10% and decreased my home value as well. I will never purchase another Pella product! And in fact, would not accept an entire home window replacement for free if it were offered.

We wanted Pella to replace 2 windows and two patio doors. The largest one, an 8x12' window in three sections, had major problems. First, after they removed the old window, they realized that the window they built didn't fit. Second, all three sections had been made the wrong size. We were willing to keep the wrong sized middle section, and they could re-make the two end sizes. Third, they then tell me that the middle part, which has been temporarily installed, isn't safety (tempered) glass. It is illegal to have that window in this location. Fourth, they then tell me that they cannot, in fact, manufacture the window that we have signed a contract for them to make.

So, our house now looks like a boarded-up shanty **. In addition, they left a big mess. The job was supposed to be completed last week. There's garbage all around and a large hole permitting rodents and animals to get under the house **. I called the office of the CEO to complain, so far I have not gotten satisfaction.

After replacing all of the windows in my house with Pella replacement windows, it is amazing to say that the house was warmer with the old windows and storm windows.

Five of the windows don't lock. Ten of the windows require me to stuff insulation in them for the winter. I've called the manufacturer and dealer. Pella says I have to deal with my local dealer. However, the local dealer either doesn't pick up the phone or doesn't call back, and when they finally connected with me, they said that air infiltration wasn't covered by warranty and I'd have to pay to have them repaired. I'm discouraged, disgusted, and cold.

We have Pella windows Pro-line series that were purchased for our newly constructed home in 2005. We moved in April 2006. Our windows have so much condensation, moisture and mold on the bottoms of the windows. I wipe it and my rag is soaking wet. I have contacted Pella corporate, customer service and their representative. I was told to lower the humidity in our house, read their condensation help guide, and remove my screens in the winter. None of that is helping. What do I do?

The service person who came said that the darkened wood on a triple window (with two casements and a stationary window in between) was due to the metal cladding (that was factory installed between the interior and exterior of window) and conducted moisture when the temperature became too cold. Thus, the graying and eventual rotting of the wood. The window looks shabby and is in the first stages of rotting. The service technician admitted that the graying/rotting of the wood was due to a metal plate installed between the inner and outer pieces of wood and attracted moisture when there were extreme temperature changes! "There is nothing that Pella would or could do about this," the technician said.

In 2002 we replaced several windows and doors in our house with Pella products. We have been quite satisfied with those products. Our house is warmer; there have been no problems. When we started a remodeling project in 2009, we again chose Pella windows because of our previous satisfaction. Since we also wanted to take advantage of the tax rebate, we bought the Sun Defense Dual Low E windows. Once the remodeling project was finished, we noticed the windows appeared dirty. However cleaning was done to the windows, it did not help. There were noticeable smudges and dirt between the panes of glass and a pronounced blue haze.

The staff at Pella was initially helpful. They sent a technician to confirm our complaint and ordered new windows. The windows were delivered. (My husband took off work early for the delivery.) We painted them. (With the first installation we had paid the remodeling company to paint the windows). The installers came to install the windows on November 16, 2010. (I took off work early for the installation.) They installed 2 of the 5 windows and pointed out to me that the windows were very hazy. The installers told us that the Dual Low E windows were hazy when the sun shone through them. The installers told us that another type of window would be ordered which did not have the haze.

From that time I heard nothing from Pella. On December 28th I called Michael ** at the San Antonio office to determine the status of the windows. He said he would call back in about 20 minutes. Two hours later, Anthony called [my husband, not me] to schedule a delivery. At that time, we realized that we again were getting the Dual Low E windows which we had been told that we were getting a different window. Anthony transferred the call to Michael who did not know the status of the windows (if they were still being manufactured or in transport). We discussed at length that we did not want the Dual Low E. He told me there was not another product that would meet the tax rebate program so he could not replace them with a different product. He also stated being unaware of any customer complaints about the glass clarity and that the installers did not communicate what they had told us we would get as a different window.

I called a local office and was told that there is another product (Sun Defense without the Dual Low E) that does meet the tax rebate program. This salesman told me that he did not recommend the Dual Low E due to numerous complaints about the clarity of the windows. In a subsequent call from Louis ** from the San Antonio office my husband was told that the blue tint of the glass in direct sunlight was not a defect in the product. The blue tint of the glass was the sole reason that the installers took the replacement windows and told us that we would get a different product. The four windows in our breakfast room are quite large which allow us to enjoy the beauty of our back yard. However, on a sunny day, we can't enjoy it because of the hazy windows.

I would like to have my windows replaced with the Sun Defense (without Dual Low E) as we were told on November 16th. We should not have to live with an inferior product. There appears to be a communication problem between the installers and Michael. Michael should have called us in November when he ordered the windows and this problem may have been avoided. Due to the installers and Michael's miscommunication Pella re-manufactured 5 windows unnecessarily, and we still do not have windows that are acceptable.

We will have had to paint these windows twice when we had paid to have them painted the first time. Since my husband and I both work full time, there will be more time taken off work for delivery and installation. Michael has given us inaccurate information about available products. The San Antonio staff has poor internal communication and communication with clients. I have 2 large sliding glass doors and several windows yet to be replaced in my house. Unless Pella can correct this problem, we will not be replacing them with Pella products.

We had our home built in 2005 by Dunnington Homes and we requested Pella Windows and doors. We had two previous homes dating back to 1979 with all Pella casement windows, with roll up screens. We were so pleased that we decided to go with Pella. We've had a rude awakening. These windows have so much condensation in cold weather that ice forms on the inside of some of windows. Two or three do not close tightly enough so that they leak air. Those I've stuffed with fabric, which I remove each morning soaking wet. Three of the doors leak at the bottom half, which are stuffed also, until service comes here on the 27th (they've been here several times in the past, with no positive results). I can see why they couldn't come sooner with the product Pella has.

They've been telling me the same story for the last few years (like in other complaints I've read online). It's the humidity. The humidity hovers around 30, sometimes in the high 20s, and other times in the low thirties. I hardly consider that high humidity. I've also read online that the aluminum-clad windows are so cheaply made that this is a contributing factor to the condensation. Our sills have already been scraped and re-painted and this year they need it again. It's an expensive thing to have done each year or two. Our windows are the Architect Series and the doors are the Architectural Entry System. I cannot figure out the warranty. When we had the house built, we were told that they had a lifetime warranty. We have none of the brochures on them since Dunnington, now Dungan Homes, had them installed. Where do we go from here?

We had our home built in 2005 by Dunnington Homes and we requested Pella Windows and doors. We had two previous homes dating back to 1979 with all Pella casement windows, with roll up screens. We were so pleased that we decided to go with Pella. We've had a rude awakening. These windows have so much condensation in cold weather that ice forms on the inside of some of windows. Two or three do not close tightly enough so that they leak air. Those I've stuffed with fabric, which I remove each morning soaking wet. Three of the doors leak at the bottom half, which are stuffed also, until service comes here on the 27th (they've been here several times in the past, with no positive results). I can see why they couldn't come sooner with the product Pella has.

They've been telling me the same story for the last few years (like in other complaints I've read online). It's the humidity. The humidity hovers around 30, sometimes in the high 20s, and other times in the low thirties. I hardly consider that high humidity. I've also read online that the aluminum-clad windows are so cheaply made that this is a contributing factor to the condensation. Our sills have already been scraped and re-painted and this year they need it again. It's an expensive thing to have done each year or two.

Our windows are the Architect Series and the doors are the Architectural Entry System. I cannot figure out the warranty. When we had the house built, we were told that they had a lifetime warranty. We have none of the brochures on them since Dunnington, now Dungan Homes, had them installed. Where do we go from here?

Personally, I believe that Pella makes as good a window, as any one out there. However, as a window and glass door repair shop, it gets a little frustrating when I try over and over to reach the corporate office, for a service tech. It is impossible to do so. We have many customers in the north AL area that have Pella windows in their homes, and love them, but accidents do happen. Glass gets broken, storms come and leave damage, and you don't need a complete new window, or even a new sash.

You simply need a piece of glass. Pella makes their windows, where they are not repair friendly, so unless you want to face the expense of major repair for a broken window, I would go somewhere else to buy the windows for your home. There are many other brands that are repairable even Anderson, with their one piece IG, can be repaired. I have made many attempts to get in touch with Pella ,was even given the name of a Mr. ** who was supposed to be in charge of the service techs, with no success of getting my calls returned.

Purchased a $3500.00 Pella bay window in 2009. It was installed in late summer. Suction marks on each and every part of the outside windows. The salesman came and tried to remove it off the large window. It came back and it was on the outside of the others also. This window is a three pane window with the blinds in between.

The service rep Mary ** told me to use soft scrub to get them off. Now, this fall there is moisture between the inside and the outside of this window. As the cold weather arrives it is going to turn to ice. There is some sort of a leak of air getting between this $3500.00 window.

In time it will rot for sure, and I would like to put this window in Mary's home for a year and see what she would think then. Why don't they tell customers the pros and cons of this window. They rave about the quality but the negatives they don't tell anyone. They say, you will you will pleased with Pella-- rated #1.

I wouldn't give it a #10, giving 10 being the worst. We replaced the rest of our windows with Andersen and we are completely satisfied. Mary should not be a service manager if she at all was interested in solving a problem. She e-mailed me again and told me to use soft scrub, never mentioning the moisture between the window.

Our windows were installed 4/20/04. I contacted the company in December of 2004 because I found I could not lock my windows because they would not close completely. After several calls, Tom ** came out and "fixed" my windows by removing the underside sealant at the bottom of each window and replaced it with a piece of thick rubber. He did this to all my windows and told me to leave them closed for several months so that the windows could mold to the right fit. Well, I have found that I am risking my safety by unlocking a window because I must call my husband into the room to help me close it tight enough to lock or I just cannot lock it. Now, I have windows that I have just discovered on the first floor that both of us working together cannot lock. Please lead us to help.

We purchased a designer series door from Pella about 6 years ago to replace a 31-year-old door that leaked a lot of air. The new one let in so much cold that we had ice forming on the glass and along the joint between door and jamb. I also had ice along the seam between the fused and the sliding panel. When I called customer service, I was told we had too much humidity in the house and we are to turn down the humidifier. We did that but with no change. I called again and a representative was sent out.

He then sent an installer out who fixed the problem. The door was installed by a Pella installer originally. It was fine so about 4 years ago, we had 7 Pella Proline casement windows installed in a 6X12 kitchen addition. As soon as the A/C was turned on, the windows all fogged up so badly that we could not see out. In the window, there is so much condensation on the glass that it drips down onto the sash and I must keep drying it off so the sash is not ruined. What a Pain!

When I called Pella, we got the same old line about humidity. I again told them about our 31-year-old windows in the rest of the house and how they do not have this problem. So a representative was sent out who changed all the latches on the windows. The 7 windows are still bad. It still fog up, still forms condensation and drips down on sashes. What a rotten product. Every time I see or hear an ad for Pella windows, I get angry. They should spend more of their money on improving their product and less on advertising. I will never buy another Pella product. When we have new windows installed in the rest of our house, they will not be Pella.

We had Pella come out and measure our windows for replacements. He never told us that once the windows were replaced, we would have a piece of quarter round across the top of 11 of 12 windows. We thought the windows were going to fit the opening.

Pella sent a technician to replace a defective window. The technician removed window casing (mull covers) to reinstall the new window and took the covers away from the building site. When we notified Pella to come out and complete the job, their reply was to deny the technician remove the mull covers and inform us that we would need to repurchase those covers and pay for the labor to reinstall.

Recently I purchased entry doors from Pella of Cincinnati. I shopped around and found the same doors at Lowe's for approx. $800 less than what I would have paid going through Pella, but thought I would pay the extra and receive better service, installers, and overall a better experience. Unfortunately, I was wrong.

Our salesman never entered the doors correctly into his computer to begin with. He never went over the order when we gave a deposit, so we didn't know about the errors until the project manager came to our house to measure the openings. After telling him what we wanted, we thought the problem was solved. Did I mention that both were "new" to the company?

So before install, I tried reaching my sales rep. on several occasions to ask about details on the doors. He would never return a phone call until I contacted a manager, then he would call back. On the day we were to receive our doors, the installers (part of the reason why we paid the extra money to go with Pella) were horrible! They ripped out both existing doors and after almost tearing down my basement wall with with a sawz-all, the front door was not the door we ordered. I had to let them install it, because what else could I do? I had a gaping hole in the front of my house.

I contacted a manager immediately, and his response was, "I'll contact your salesman, and he'll get in touch with you". I missed his call at 4 and tried to contact him back at 4:30 only to find that he went on vacation and was told that I would have to wait till he gets back. This is a run down of the problems I found with the doors: 1) Front door was the wrong finish. 2) The installers split the front door when installing the lock plate. 3) The installers never finished out the jambs, just leaving bare wood and holes where they stapled the jambs in. 4) The rear door from the factory was defective. The top hinge was about ready to "blow a screw" through the side of the door, had a split forming on the hinge side, the top hinge was off by an 1/8 in., and had dings on the corners (probably where the installers used a rubber mallet to beat the jamb into place). And my favorite, 5) The installers never made sure the threshold and the weather stripping on the bottom of the rear door touched, hence leaving a gap below the door, which in turn, allowed a snake to come in with ringing the doorbell, and my wife found it.

After he came by I get a phone call saying that they got the installer notes and I needed to set up an appointment with the install manager to touch up the doors. I called and asked if my salesman showed her the pics of the problem. Her response was, no I didn't know he stopped by. These are the notes from the installers.

Two weeks later she reads the installer notes. Install manager comes out says I need two new door panels. During that conversation, I ask him to make sure the front door gets finished out this time. I'll take care of it was the response. Another two and a half weeks go by, and the front door is still not finished on the inside. So I had to be home another day so they could come and paint my door which was supposed to be finished out over a month ago. I told the salesman about the problems, told the project manager about the problems, the install manager and sales manager both knew of the problems, and still it didn't come in right.

I finally got to speak with the GM of Pella of Cincinnati about the problems I had with this whole ordeal. Said that in total, I had to make sure I was here five different days, days which I could have been at work, that the door even though painted on the inside, was not the door we ordered even though it looked nice.

I told him about the reason we went with Pella over Lowe's and paid the extra $800 was for the "better installers and service" we would get, which we never did. His response was "Well, I've got a lot of time and money invested in your project also, I can order you a new door in the way you want it, (which means waiting another two weeks and me having to miss another day off work) but if you like the way the door looks, then I did my job and upheld my end of the contract" In other words "I don't care about you, the time you've had to miss from work on our mistake, and the fact that it's taken over a month to get to where we are now. So sorry about your luck; not really. ** off and leave me alone".

My Pella ProLine door had a problem. It needed a new aluminum strip for the door to "ride on". I paid for a service tech to come to my house. He said he needed to order the part and then there would be another charge for him to come out to install. I told the service people what was needed prior to the tech's arrival but nobody believed me. Why should I pay twice for one repair? Also, it took two weeks to get an appointment and now the tech says it could take up to 5 weeks to even get the part! Pella's service is terrible.

I can't tell you how frustrated I am with your service department. I have phoned numerous times to request information to replace my blinds in my 10-year old 8-foot sliders. I feel like I am begging you for a response because nobody calls me back or seems to care. I have spoken to Nicki and Michelle in your service department to no avail. I am ready, willing and able to spend the $1200 or so to fix my door, but I just can't seem to get the service. I can only say that I am very thankful that this is my only Pella product. I am so frustrated that I don't think I will ever buy another Pella product again. Your service department leaves much to be desired. I am a very disgruntled customer.

I would like to keep you up to date on the lack of progress that we have made with Pella Windows since our order was delivered in the fall of 2009. After we installed the windows, we had large gaps in the seals of the windows. After several months, Pella decided to replace the 49 architect series double hung Douglas Fir windows. The replacements were delivered early on February 2010 and Pella made an attempt to install the new units. For some reason they installed all but 21 units which are still stacked in our garage. The new units still leak water/snow/air. Pella knows about the problems, but has made no attempt to fix the problems. As you can believe this story is much longer than just these few words.

We put our story on pellawindowsdecideforyourself.com. We do not have a home to live in because we live in Iowa and have had water in our home all summer. Now we have black mold! If you would like to keep yourself out of such a bind, we suggest you locate a different company to purchase your windows. As we are finding out, Pella does not stand behind any warranty! We cannot hang drywall because of the snow/water/air leaks and now the black mold. We urge you to read out the website before making the same large mistake we have made. We have been taken in by our neighbors. Many people do not have neighbors that they can live with for over a year. Please do your homework. This has caused us $187,000 damage on our home from window purchase, mold, etc.

I would like to keep you up to date on the lack of progress that we have made with Pella Windows since our order was delivered in the fall of 2009. After we installed the windows, we had large gaps in the seals of the windows. After several months, Pella decided to replace the 49 architect series double-hung Douglas fir windows. The replacements were delivered in early February 2010 and Pella made an attempt to install the new units. For some reason they installed all but 21 units, which are still stacked in our garage. The new units still leak water, snow, or air. Pella knows about the problems but has made no attempt to fix the problems.

As you can believe this story is much longer than just these few words. We put our story on **. We do not have a home to live in because we live in Iowa and have had water in our home all summer. Now we have black mold! If you would like to keep yourself out of such a bind, we suggest you locate a different company to purchase your windows. As we are finding out, Pella does not stand behind any warranty! We cannot hang drywall because of the snow, water, and air that leaks. And now the black mold. We urge you to read out the web site before making the same large mistake we have made. We have been taken in by our neighbors. Many people do not have neighbors that they can live with for over a year. Please do your homework.

In 1996, I purchased a Pella sliding glass door. I purchased a Pella product and paid the extra cost because I wanted this job done right and didn't want to ever have to worry about this door. The door was installed in my kitchen as an entry to our back deck. This door is wood on the inside and aluminum-coated white on the outside. The door is installed in an area where it gets very little weather. I noticed about 18 months ago that there were bubbles on the bottom panel of the stationary part. I immediately contacted the local distributor in Syracuse, NY and explained my problem.

I was informed that my door was out of warranty and they would be glad to send a tech to my home for $75 to estimate the cost to fix it. Despite my complaints, that was the only offer. I refused it and continued to do a slow burn. This summer, I noticed it getting worse. This time, I contacted the Pella corporation directly in Iowa and was placed in contact with a Mark **, who is some type of a dealer interface for my area to corporate. I again explained my problem and he agreed to send a service tech to my home at no cost to me.

The tech came, took pictures and documented what he found. He also exclaimed how surprised he was that the aluminum had corroded. After about three weeks, I again received a notice from the branch, Crawford Door and Window Albany, in Rensselaer, NY. Their idea of help was a bill for $1,966.35 to repair my door. Now, let me clarify here again. My house was built in 1984. We were young and on a tight budget. We purchased some off brand windows and doors from a guy our contractor knew. Yes, these were cheap, but I was young and stupid so I bought them.

Those 'cheap' doors are 100x times better than this expensive Pella piece of ** that I paid a ton of money for. Now that I was older and wiser (and could afford it), I bought the best (yeah, right). So, while I have a Pella door that is literally falling apart, like a 1970 era Ford, I have these cheap products that look and perform just as good as they did the day I bought them. So, back to the problem. I called the corporate offices of Pella again in Iowa and discussed this with Mr. Mark **, actually hoping for a common sense (put yourself in my place) response.

What did I get? Just what I started out--with "the door is out of warranty." And so ends my saga, unless I can find someone else to complain to. The moral is that you do not always get what you pay for. Pella products are pure **. I will never buy another Pella product as long as I live. Buyers, beware. Their reputation for quality is bogus and as for their warranty, this product was defective from the factory 14 years ago. What the warranty says is exactly what you get. When it's up, you are done. No exceptions--which, in my case, was nothing.

We purchased 49 Pella Architect Series Douglas Fir Double Hung windows and one patio door. We specifically wanted Douglas Fir windows and door. We dwelt with the salesman, John ****, to purchase the products. John made sure through the internet and publicized information that we knew that Pella produced the Douglas Fir product we were interested in. We spent nearly two months getting our order together. On September 21, 2009, we met John ****. He took our money and we signed our contract. Our contract stated that our order would be delivered on or before October 8, 2009.

The delivery was two weeks late. It was delivered on October 22, 2009. We installed some and I, along with some men, started to prepare them to finish the inside. We found that there were many problems with the windows. They leak snow/water/air in every single window. We now have a mold problem under the windows in the insulation. We have not been able to put on the drywall because of the water problem. We are homeless. A neighbor took us in. The straw that broke the camel's back was when we found out that the product that we ordered was not what we got. We ordered and paid for Douglas Fir windows and door. We were told that because Douglas Fir was so expensive the product was very expensive. We told John that we did not want pine because it did not last as long. John agreed with us and told us that we could get Douglas Fir windows and door, but it would be a lot more money.

We told him that we wanted Douglas Fir no matter. He told us and showed us in the Pella informational booklet he gave us that Pella offered 4 wood types: Alder, Douglas Fir, Mahogany, or Pine. We could get Douglas Fir and completed the order for Douglas Fir. Our order contract states "Douglas Fir". We just found out that we did not get Douglas Fir. Our door is pine with Douglas Fir veneer. Our windows only have Douglas Fir where we can see. They have pine everywhere that we cannot see. Pella concealed the fact that they did not deliver to our home Douglas Fir windows but in fact they delivered a 100% fake product. They were trying to get away with selling us a lower quality product at a much higher price.

We only ordered Douglas Fir windows so that they would not rot and so that they would last longer. We were lied to and concealment is against the law. We did give Pella a chance to make the window order correct and everyone makes mistakes, even companies. They did bring to our home in February 2010 new windows but not a door. They installed all but 21 windows which they left stacked in our garage. Pella did not ever make an attempt to get those window installed as they are still sitting in the garage in September 2010. Pella had not been to our house since February 2010 to finish the windows that all allow snow/water/air to come into our home.

We have tried on several occasions to contact Pella but they refuse to talk to us. We are just a family with no home. We do not know what to do. We guess that we are going to be forced to get an attorney to help us get our home back. If you would like to talk to us about this problem, please get a hold of us at ****. We have dozens of photographs of our problems, if you would like to see the mess. We are still living in a neighbor's house because our home is unlivable. We encourage you not to purchase Pella or you might find yourself in our shoes.

We can appreciate the problems that you have had with Pella's window and doors. We have had the same poor customer experience. We purchased 49 Pella Architect Series Douglas Fir Double Hung windows and one patio door. We specifically wanted Douglas Fir windows and door. We dealt with the salesman, John **, to purchase the products. John made sure, through the internet and publicized information that we knew that Pella produced the Douglas Fir product we were interested in. We spent nearly two months getting our order together. On September 21, 2009, we met John **. He took our money and we signed the contract. Our contract stated that our order would be delivered on or before October 8, 2009.

The straw that broke the camel's back was when we found out that the product that we ordered was not what we got. We ordered and paid for Douglas Fir windows and door. We were told that because Douglas Fir was so expensive, the product was very expensive. We told John that we did not want pine because it did not last as long. John agreed with us and told us that we could get Douglas Fir windows and door, but it would be a lot more money. We told him that we wanted Douglas Fir no matter.

He told us and showed us in the Pella informational booklet he gave us that Pella offered 4 wood types: Alder, Douglas Fir, Mahogany, or Pine. We could get Douglas Fir and completed the order for Douglas Fir. Our order contract states "Douglas Fir". We just found out that we did not get Douglas Fir. Our door is pine with Douglas Fir veneer. Our windows only have Douglas Fir where we can see. They have pine everywhere that we cannot see.

Pella concealed the fact that they did not deliver to our home Douglas Fir windows, but in fact they delivered a 100% fake product. They were trying to get away with selling us a lower quality product at a much higher price. We only ordered Douglas Fir windows so that they would not rot and so that they would last longer.

We were lied to and concealment is against the law. We did give Pella a chance to make the window order correct, and everyone makes mistakes, even companies. They did bring to our home in February 2010 new windows but not a door. They installed all but 21 windows, which they left stacked in our garage. Pella did not ever make an attempt to get those window installed as they are still sitting in the garage in September 2010. Pella had not been to our house since February 2010 to finish the windows that all allow snow/water/air to come into our home. We have tried on several occasions to contact Pella, but they refuse to talk to us.

We are just a family with no home. We do not know what to do. We guess that we are going to be forced to get an attorney to help us get our home back. If you would like to talk to us about this problem please get a hold of us at **. We have dozens of photographs of our problems, if you would like to see the mess. We are still living in a neighbor's house because our home is unlivable. We encourage you not to purchase Pella or you might find yourself in our shoes.

On May 9, 2010 I bought a Pella 36" Montgomery Storm Door from Lowe's for $279. I paid $60 to have it installed a week later. When I returned from a 10 day vacation in June, I found the screen had blown all the way out and it would not retract. By the screen not retracting, I was not able to raise the window up at all. I contacted lowe's who said they would send out a Pella Rep, which never happened. So I returned to Lowe's and they gave me the Pella Hotline number. When I called the hotline, I was told they would send me a replacement screen. At that time I questioned whether I could do it myself (I'm a senior female with little fix-it knowledge) and she assured me even she could do it. For a door less than a month old, I was upset that I would have to do anything to fix it.

Several days later it did arrive and I reviewed the 12 step instructions, which said it needed 2 people to do. There's no way I could do this, so my son who is a contractor said he would do it the next time he was down. He was extremely disappointed that Pella would even ask me to do something like this and wasn't sure he wanted to tackle it either.

He called Pella and they said they did not send representatives out and that he would have to do it. (My son said to be sure to tell you that this cannot be done without scratching the door). I will never ever buy a Pella product again. They do not stand by their product and my son said he would never recommend Pella to his customer again either. This door became a piece of junk less than a month after it was installed. I don't think I'm ever going to be able to use the screen portion of the door, so what was the good in paying the extra to get it?

The numerous problems we have had and continue to have with our Pella windows began before we even moved into our new home in August of 2006. The windows were very hard to open and close, some so bad that someone elderly would not have been able to open and close them at all. We contacted Verhalen, which is where we purchased the windows, and they promptly sent a repair man. He examined the windows and measured the openings and said the windows were installed properly and replaced the springs on the windows with the problem. The repair man commented that others had the same problems on the taller windows, which is the style of the majority of the windows we had purchased. While it did improve some of them, others remain very difficult to open and close. We also had problems with the locks on the double hung windows. The top sash drops down when the lower sash of the window is open and we could not get the lock to engage.

A repair man from Verhalen came out and said this was also a problem. I believe he said he could adjust the springs but it would again make the windows hard to open and close. So he showed me how to take a putty knife, wrap it with a cloth, and use it to pry up the top sash while turning the lock. Pella did design a new lock and all of the locks were replaced. The lock is designed with a point which grabs the other half of the lock and helps to push up the upper sash. It did help the matter, but some windows still drop down to far; so we keep the putty knife handy. This should not have to be done, as it creates a large possibility for damaging the wood. We also continue to have a problem with noise. To the best we can conclude, it seems to initiate from the grilles in between the panes as they rattle on windy days.

Again, Verhalen sent out a repair person to take a look. We had already taken off screens prior to them coming out and that was not the source. They tried to tell us it was our soffit, but when they were there, we took out the grilles and the noise stopped. So they sent out two repair men and again; as for previous visits, I had to take a day off of work for them to come. They went around on all of the windows and placed plastic strips over the weep holes in between the panes to stop the air from infiltrating. That did not help and the wind actually blows out the strips at times. They came back (another day of vacation required) and placed what looked like electrical tape over the plastic strips, and that did not work. So it was suggested to remove the grilles, which would totally change the look that we desire and was an absurd suggestion.

We were told others had the same problem and another solution of rubber bumpers was suggested for the grilles, but it was tried at another location and did not work. The issue was not resolved after we dealt directly with Pella engineers, who seemed to come up short on a solution as they finally stopped returning our calls. The worst and most serious issue is the frost. The frost does not form on the glass at all. Frost forms where the screws hold the plastic side jams. It forms on the wood. It forms where the bottom sash meets the sill that is not sealed properly. It forms where the two sashes meet. It forms where the top sash meets the top of the window. And it also forms on the casements. We have dealt with Verhalen and Pella both and neither has found a way to fix the noise or frost problems.

There is a serious problem with air infiltration on these so-called Energy Star windows. We had storm windows custom made late last winter at our own cost. While we did not get them until after the very cold spells that we experience the worst frost, it did seem to cut down on the frost and the noise. However, we would not know the total effects or possible benefit for sure until we come up on very cold days next winter. Pella has agreed to pay for storm windows for the entire house; however, they want us to sign a release. We feel strongly that we should not have to sign an anything. While storm windows may help to better the problem, we built this house to be as maintenance-free as possible and the necessity for storms on so-called Energy Star windows does not fit into the maintenance-free category.

We have about 40 windows, some of them large and believe me just the few we did buy were a hassle to take off this spring. Storms would also create 40 more windows to wash and put back on in the fall. And as we get older, the task will get even harder. We just finished installing the storms that we did purchase, and those few alone are a lot of extra work. We did not sign up for this when we bought our Energy Star windows. When asked if they offered screen/storms when window shopping, we were told the windows were so efficient that Pella does not make them, because they would not be needed. We are not engineers but can see that these windows are not properly constructed to keep out the cold winter air.

There is no insulation at all behind the plastic side jams, allowing cold air to flow right into the house. As we sit next to the windows in our office while attempting to work at our desks, we do actually feel the cold air and have to move away from the window. The draft that comes in where the sashes meet has actually blown out a lighter. The frost gets so bad, it is damaging the wood on the window sills and also causes mold to build up on the wood which is also damaging the wood.

We have been patiently working with both Pella and Verhalen for nearly 4 years now and they have not fixed the problems. While I have no complaints about Verhalen's customer service as they were continuing to communicate with us, I am not happy with Pella as the person we were communicating with just stopped doing so. We made a final attempt to resolve the issue with the letters dated 8/12/09 and 9/8/09. We are aware of others in our area with the frost problems with their Pella windows. At this point we are so terribly frustrated, angry, disgusted and fed up that we feel we should get a full refund for the cost of the windows and Pella should pay for the cost to install new windows that are truly Energy Star windows. I hope there will be some sort of lawsuit against Pella due to all of the same type of complaints that are found online. We can't afford to replace the windows. This is wrecking the wood in areas and is also affecting the heating in our home.

I purchased 62 Pella Impervia NC Windows. Every one was dirty. Silicone had to be scraped off with razor and cleaned with window cleaner and each one took 20 minutes to clean. I called the sales rep. and he said to contact the manufacturer. And who might that be? I need a name or who to send the invoice to for the extra hours to clean brand new windows.

Back in 1990, we built a large house SW of Elgin NE, eventually purchasing 26 single and double window, some with crankouts and others are fixed (non-open) with 2 large sliding doors with 2 skylights. One set of sliding doors now have rotten outside bottom sills. Now that I've read many of the complaints, the outside bottom "cladded" material is bowing out and is separating from the rest of the aluminum clad material. We also have 1 set of bay windows, where the middle bay has turned black in the corner; with the rotten wood, you can press your finger through it. How much more are we going to find? We've also had frost on the inside lower windows with water condensing on the sills from the beginning and have to dry them frequently, even now. We have not pursued this yet, but may consider this route. We should not have to replace windows every 20-25 years. It's costly as it is. Our cost for just the windows in 1990 was a whopping $18400.00! Doesn't even include installation charges either.

We, my husband and I, purchased 51 Pella Architect Douglas fir double hung windows and a quad door in August 2009. We paid 100% for the windows upon order. They were delivered 3 weeks after the contract stated. After they were installed, the snow came in between the sashes where the latch is installed. Pella replaced all the units but left 21 units stacked in the garage.

We have dozens of documented communication between Pella and ourselves. We have hundreds of pictures of the damages. We had water all summer in the same holes that the snow came in last winter. We now have mold. We are not able to put up our drywall and are homeless. A neighbor has taken us in. We live only 40 minutes away from Pella, Iowa where these are made and have made attempts to meet with someone in person. We cannot get anyone to return our calls, emails or visits since February 2010. Please let us know if you have any suggestions for our family. We are in a mess and do not know where to turn to.

Pella windows were installed in our newly-constructed home in 2007. We have had major problems with the windows collecting water and ice in the winter. The sales rep was called he told us that because our house was new, it had high humidity and that the problem would stop once the humidity level came down. It is now 2010 and the windows still collect water and ice in the winter. We must wipe the windows every day to prevent damage to the wood window sill. The Pella rep is no help at all. We have to wipe the water off the windows daily to stop further damage to the wood window sill walls. The water pools up on the window sill. The windows ice up which increases heating cost.

This was the original letter I sent to Pella back in September 2009.

I am writing you in regards to my recent experience with Pella and the company you contracted to handle your service calls in Central Ohio. Let me give you a little history: I purchased my Pella Windows back in 2000 when I built my new home. I loved the look of the windows and the reputation that your company had. I noticed into the second winter some condensation on the windows and air leaking in. I didn't think much about it but the next winter it was worse and the following winter. So I contacted Bill **** at Carter Lumber in Condit, Ohio where I purchased the windows from and they gave me Pella's number and I was told to contact the Gunter Corporation which handled the service calls for Pella. They came out and the technician was not too impressive. He looked around and stated that it was not the windows and that if air was coming through, then there would be no condensation though he didn't even open a window. He checked the humidity in the house and said that that was the problem and left. I did everything he stated to do and yet the problem just kept getting worse.

Over the next couple of years, I had to put plastic on the windows to keep the cold out during the winters and last winter, the air was coming in so bad that the plastic was bubbled out and would pull the tape off not to mention the damage done to my dry wall. Starting in March, I left several message to get an appointment to have the windows looked at again. Finally, I got an appointment and the technician said that several of the windows did not have weather stripping. No, my painter/stainer did not take them out, I was the one who finished the windows and that would explain the issues I was having and that he would order some stripping and gave me a couple of suggestions. This technician was much better than the one, some years ago. This guy actually looked at the windows.

After he left, I put the plastic back up but still noticed air coming in where it wouldn't be the weather stripping. I called back and talk to David and he said that when the stripping shows up and the technician comes out to put it in, I can show him the other area. He also was a little condescending about the windows not having stripping. The stripping shows up and it is not the same as the ones the technician had showed me and I waited for a few weeks but no one called to set up the appointment. So I called the service company and left a message. I waited several weeks but nothing. So I called Bill at Carter Lumber on May 6 and still not being able to get a hold of service to get the Pella Representative's name and number. I was finally able to get an appointment on May 19, I took a day off work and the technician did not show. I was told by technician that he was never given the appointment information.

I called several times to get another appointment. Nathan **** who is a Pella representative got involved and said that if he could not work it out with the technician then he would come out and put the stripping in. I talked to Joanna **** at Pella on May 20 regarding this and she was going to call me back. I called Joanna again on May 26 and left message. I called Pella yet again on May 29 and June 1. Finally, I was given an appointment date of June 13 from December 2. I finally got the technician in and he brought enough of the correct stripping to put in the windows. I showed him where the other air was coming in at and he stated that I needed to add another shim to the center of the window to even the window back up and that should take care of it. After he left, I was cleaning the windows in the kitchen and went to snap the center top sash back in and all of a sudden a loud crash and there I was holding a splintered window. It had rotted on the outer part, the outside vinyl part, where the pulley tension cord hooks in and it just splintered and rotted. I was lucky that I didn't end up with wood in my eye.

After the shock, I called the service guy right back and left him a message but I never heard from him. Then I called Nathan **** to tell him what had happened. I sat down and cried then went up to my cousin's house to settle down a little before cleaning up the mess and put plastic on the window so no rain could get in. He stopped by on a Friday, June 19, 2009, evening on his way to a ball game. It was a bit of a hurry and checked the other windows, measured what I thought was going to be replacing 9 or 10 sashes but turned out to be only 7. Three of the six in the kitchen window, two of 10 sashes of the big windows and two of the 4 in the bathroom, all upper sashes. Nathan stated that the others were not as bad so we would worry about them once they got worse. Mid July, I had not heard from him nor had Carter Lumber received any sashes. I figured that it would take some time to make the windows so I called around the end of July but I never heard from Nathan. I left several messages on August 6 and August 10 but nothing.

On August 10, 12:45, I talked to Bill at Carter Lumber. He did some digging and found out that 2 of the windows went to the Akron or Canton (Carter Lumber) and the other 5 went to a Carter Lumber in MI. I live in OH. At 4:02 on the 10th, Nathan calls and tells me that the windows in MI should arrive mid week at around the 12th and that he picked up the 2 in northern Ohio and would drop them by my house. I asked that he drop them off with Bill at Carter Lumber and I would pick them all up from Carter. He did the last week of August. August 15, there were no windows. I left a message on August 17, but still no windows. I called Nathan on August 18 but still no return call. He stated to Bill that Scott at Carter had signed for them on August 3. The Scott he was referring to was a Scott up in MI and not the Scott at the Sunbury Carter. He also told me that the new warranty would start that time and that Pella would reimburse me for what it cost to have the windows finished and installed. He stated this several times. Bill and Ernie of Carter Lumber turned the place upside down trying to find the windows that were not delivered yet.

I called Nathan on the 19th and the 20th and left messages both days. Bill talked to Nathan on the 20th. He insisted that they had the windows. Bill stated that they did not have them so Nathan told Bill that he would just order 5 new ones instead of spending more time looking for the original ones which I should receive in a week or week and a half). He also told Bill that he would call me to let me know what was going on but he never did. Ernie made a call on the 20th and found out that the yard in MI was never instructed on what to do with the 5 sashes that were shipped there.

On August 21, I left another message for Nathan. On August 24, Nathan left me a message that he should know by the 25th when windows will be shipped and that he will call. August 25 came but no call. August 26, still no call. I talked to Nathan on August 27, Carter Lumber has windows which I already knew, thanks to Carter Lumber, but not sure when the ones from MI will arrive. Again, they assured me that Pella will pay to have the windows finished and installed. I talked to Bill and the windows are there but they will have to let me know how many arrived. I picked up 7 sashes on August 28. Finally, the 5 in MI still not shipped.

I left several messages regarding the paper work and warranty information that was not with sashes along with questions about the wood that was used and stain not matching but I did not receive a call back from Nathan until Tuesday, September 8. Nathan proceeds to tell me that they will not be ordering anymore windows to replace the other existing sashes and that if I wished to have them replaced I would need to call the same service department that screwed up to begin with and they have to come out to evaluate the remaining sashes to see if they need to be replaced. He also told me that I needed to submit an invoice for the finishing and installation of the sashes before a payment could be made and to leave it with Bill at Carter Lumber. I told him that I could have it to him via email and he stated that that would be fine.

I forgot to ask him about the warranty information and will do so today, September 10. When I called to check and to make sure that he got my invoice. I also called Nathan's boss, Michael ****, several times during this whole process and never once did he return my calls. I did however, talked to the old representative for that area.

I since have had another window splinter as I was replacing it and I have several, both top and bottom sashes that are not looking good. I have called Nathan almost every day since the 10th asking him for warranty information, along with status of my payment. Invoices are attached. None of the sashes were sent with hardware. Luckily, I have hardware from the old windows except for one and I need the hardware because I cannot lock the window. I even told him that even if they have nothing new to tell me, they just need to call me so that I know that they are working on it and I also told him that I was going to keep calling until he called me back. The group at Carter Lumber has bent over backwards to help me resolve this issue and they have actually gone over and above what they really needed to do unlike their representative or his manager who are not much better then Nathan.

I am to say the least very disappointed in Pella and the service I have received with this issue. If I had the money, believe me I would have had another product put in place of the Pella ones. The only good product was the Atrium door I had ordered from you and that is what everyone kept warning me about would be bad. As of today, September 30, 2009. I have yet to hear from Nathan **** or his manager regarding anything and I believe Carter Lumber has made arrangements for the other 5 sashes which if they are the ones I think they are, I will only be able to use two of them which Nathan told me not to destroy them or hang on to them but he didn't care, to be delivered to the Condit yard which this should not be their responsibility because it wasn't their mistake.

I am also not sure what should be done with the old damaged ones, I do not have trash pickup so I cannot put them out for the trash. I am so frustrated at this and that it has taken 8 months and it is still not resolved. Not to mention that we are coming into winter and I still have issues and what I have lost in heating over the past 5+ years. I hope this representative is not typical of all your representatives and the service company is not typical of your other contracted service department. If so, I feel sorry for the other customers that have to deal with them and they are probably not as out spoken as I am. It is just that I spent a lot of money on my house and at least to me, it is a lot of money. I except good products and service when I have issues. I know that there are going to be issues but how are they resolved mean more and sticks with you longer what the original issue was.

I did hear back from them but the new sashes they sent did not fix the problem so I hired an inspector to inspect the windows and granted the test. It could have been done a little better but it still showed the air coming through the windows and I cannot afford to pay $600 to have the house rapped. But I have talked to several home builders and have had the windows looked at the insulation. It is up to the windows and they are in good but still having leaking issues.

In late 1998, we built our new home and supplied our home with Pella Pro Line Windows that were purchased through and recommended by our builder Mason Builders. In 2003, we discovered the sash on one of the windows had rotted and a Pella representative had the window replaced. Within the last year, we discovered that majority of the 20 windows were in the same condition so we had all 20 windows replaced. We have been working with Pella Corp. In May 2010, we absorbed a window cost of $3,120.26, labor cost of $1,164.46 and cost to stain the windows of $1,000; total cost $5,284.72. Our first choice in windows was Pella due to their reputation. I feel Pella should stand behind their product and absorb the cost of the windows.

In my experience, I would NOT recommend Pella. I've had many issues, such as seal failure and cladding problems (among other problems), with my Pella Architect Series windows and doors installed throughout my home 1995.

We bought 66 windows, 3 French doors and 3 gliders from Pella - all of which are junk. It started when the salesman kept getting the measurements wrong, time after time. I finally had to do the measuring myself and sent the measurements to the Pella store in Canton, OH. He STILL ordered them wrong. When I talked to the manager of the Youngstown, Canton and Akron stores he had the nerve to tell me that I would have to pay a 30% re-stock fee! I had to call the main headquarters in Cleveland, Oh and they finally took care of it. Also, almost half of the order was to be painted white. When they came in I knew they didn't look right. A friend whose husband is a builder and uses mainly the pro line series came over and I showed them to her. She said right away that they hadn't been painted - just had a coat of primer on them.

When I called Cleveland again they sent a painter rep out. The first words out of his mouth were that the windows looked like they had gotten wet. I proceeded to tell him that if they got wet it had to have been at their factory because they came off their truck straight into the house. He finally said that yes, they looked like they had only been primed and they would send someone out to paint. As I walked out with him to his car he asked me "do you want to see a picture of my big boobed girlfriend?" I was so shocked that I didn't say a word and he proceeded to show me her picture along with his three sons. He was on his way to see her where she worked - not too far from me. He also said not to mention this to his boss. This shows you what kind of company this is. When I called the same man in Cleveland and told him what his rep had said to me he just hung up and never called again.

I ordered the architect plus - they came with what they call an oven arm. I thougt that would be perfect since I've had some problems with my shoulder. When the windows came and there were no "oven arms" I called the salesman and he said he would check into it. When he finally called back he said that they no longer had them. I said "what do you mean? - they were in the showroom. He then called back and said that yes, they do still have them but they do better if they're installed in the field. I was ready to scream by then. When they brought them to install I asked them if this was their house would they put them in. They both said no, that they damage the window! The reason I asked them was because one of the carpenters noticed the teeth already installed on the sides and he said that they would damage the windows.

This whole episode dealing with Pella has been a total nightmare. The windows are almost impossible to open to tilt in to wash - even men have a hard time with them - much less a woman. The screens are just as bad. The strip around them fell off after only 2 years and the clips that hold them in the window are nothing but junk. Every time you take them out to wash they all fall off. I would never (and have not)

recommend them to my worst enemy. What a disappointment they are. Hopefully, this might keep someone else from making the horrible mistake we made.

I purchased Pella windows for my home when it was built in 2001, now all of the windows are rotting and need to be replace. Pella wants me to pay $300 for them to look at the window and even if they decide it is under warranty I will have to pay the cost to have them installed. These were expensive windows that leak because of a manufacturing problem.

To begin, the door is extremely difficult to open. We have friends and family who have been to our home countless times and still don't feel right tugging so hard on the door to open it. Our young children have to wait for us to go to the door so that they can go out, and we can't close it all the way behind them because they can't open it to come back in. You also HAVE to shut the lock clasp down BEFORE you close the door; otherwise, it will not be locked.

The retractable screen door is an absurd nuisance. To begin with, it is located on the inside of the door to where you have to open the screen to close the door. If you have it open past nightfall, you have to pat the screen down to rid it of the bugs that you are about to expose your home to just to close the door, and you risk the bugs being on the door itself. So you basically have to expose your home to the bare elements just to close the door.

The retractable screen is also a nightmare if you have children or pets. We owned a small dog for a brief time and she would always run under the base of the screen to get outside, since the screen is not attached to anything on the top or bottom. Our children and the children of friends who frequent our home cannot get the screen to open or close for them and it is upsetting because it then just gets left open, exposing my home to the elements once again.

Service is another issue. We called in mid-November to have a technician come and fix our built-in-blinds because they had come off track. After that visit, the blinds continued to come off track less than a week after he'd fix them. We'd call, and have to wait another 3-4 weeks for somebody to come out. It was not completely fixed until mid-March of that next year. During those months, the track detached many times and fell right off with no prompting.

I am a housewife and my family and friends are respectful, rational people and the blame for the poor quality of this product is solely on the company itself. I am daily in frustration over the doors as my two little ones and their friends want to go outside and I have to stop what I am doing to heave it open for them. Please look past the "designer" facade and know that these door should not be for daily use as I am fed up with them on a daily basis.

I purchased a nine-year old home with Pella windows. They leak, rot and fall apart. Water leaks into walls, floor, ceilings. When my husband and I contacted a local Pella supplier, they said nothing about the windows being junk or not being made correctly. Many homes in my development have the same problem.

A couple of years ago, I needed to replace the windows on my 1928 two-storey home and wanted wood on the inside. I had a rep from Pella come out and give me information and pricing. After a while, I asked specifically about window air conditioners in the double hung windows as I have no central air. The woman told me I could use window AC units the same as I would in my current windows. I went ahead and got a loan and dropped a lot of money on 13 units and a front door.

On the first hot day when I tried to put an AC unit in the upstairs window, the window popped out and the AC unit fell to the ground. I called Pella about what the sales rep had told me and was told that she "never said anything about window air conditioners". I couldn't believe that a company as big as that would lie to people to get business.

Also, the outside of the double hung windows when open, shows a bare wood strip across the window which should match the rest of the outside of the window. How stupid does that look? Other window people at the home expo were floored at that one. As a result, I have only one kitchen window that I can put an AC unit in as I didn't replace it, and the upstairs (where I sleep) has no air conditioning and gets unbearable in the hot weather.

In 2004 we built our new home. The contractor talked us into Pella Windows ($22,000). Within two years, the strings that controlled the "between the glass shades" began breaking, moisture began forming between the glass and the blinds would not remain up. A local dealer said they would provide replacement screens but would charge $80.00/hour to do the modifications necessary.

The local dealer provided replacement "window breaks" to hold up the blinds but again wanted $80.00/hour to modify window sills and replace. They now say they will not do anything about the moisture between the window panes even though the window sills are water logged and the finish is pealing. Window sills are rotting due to water soaking from moisture between the glass. The replacement "window brakes" make between the glass blinds are almost impossible to lower (plastic parts are breaking). E-mails to the Pella company are not answered. I'll never buy Pella ever again!

I hired a contractor to replace windows in house with more energy efficient windows. The ones I had would allow hot and cold air in the house. He convinced us to purchase Pella windows. So we did. He installed them and sealed all around them. No air comes through them like the other ones did but they sweat terribly on the inside. This will cause mildew very quickly. Our contractor said he had never seen them do that before and had Gerri (from Pella Windows) call me to discuss the matter.

Long story short, she said the reason why they are sweating is because we run our heat and it makes the windows sweat. Have you ever heard such a thing? I told her then why don't you advertise that if you purchase these windows you cannot run your heat no matter how cold it is outside! I run my heat at 70 degrees. I have even turned my heat down to 66 and they still sweat. That was just way too much money to invest on such a ** product.

The staining was a nightmare. We paid $4,500 for 3 windows with blinds in between, and they are warped, and won't close after one month. I have called Pella to set up a service call, and they will not respond. They charged us $250 to measure. After we gave them the same measurements, and wouldn't put it toward the order amount. They didn't give us enough window fins with the order. We had to drive 60 miles to pick up extra, and they didn't give us enough material. We had to have our contractor piece it.

We got cut off on the phone 3 times when calling Iowa. I grew up with Pella's windows, and they used to be great. Like so many things, they no longer care, and do not make quality products, and do not stand behind what they make. Do not bother to buy, and then count on Pella standing behind their product. They are expensive and are not worth it! We will lose at least twice of what we paid, for brand new windows. $10,000? They destroyed our faith, because of a company scamming people on an old established name!

I am a single female who had to purchase new windows for my condo. They had to replace the 1st ones and there were holes leading to the outdoors. They came and had to replace 4 out of the 6 purchased. Now the sash jiggles 1/4" and after sending them photos of it and showing the insulation I have to stuff along the sides, they determined they needed to add 1/8" on each side and add more mohair around the sashes to keep the windows in place and keep the cold out.

They admitted to the problem and instead of fixing it, I received a Certified letter from them stating that they would do nothing. TV channel came and aired it and showed the misfortune on the air and still there's nothing. On their web site, I found 9 pages of current complaints. As they get a new one, an old one is erased from the bottom leaving a lot of unfortunate discouraged customers. I heard they were bought out by another company out of China. These are not Pella windows I bought and have in my home. I could not afford them either but my arthriitis kills me in the winter. These leak more than the ones they pulled out of here.

Pella designer series windows and doors are very difficult to stain. The stain doesn't take well, and they look terrible, blotchy. There was an especially big blotch on our Pella designer series door that our contractor tells us looks like something was spilled on it at the factory. If for some unknown reason you decide to buy this piece of junk, at least plan on painting the wooden windows and doors.

Trust me, you do not want to try to stain them. It is a nightmare. We had a contractor and a professional painter, and even they really struggled with it. There is no fix for the place that won't hardly take the stain at all. This designer series door was really expensive, and now, after trying to stain it, it looks really junky. Pella has nothing to do with staining their windows and doors. It's up to you, and if you don't like the way they look after staining, that's just too bad for you.

I had damaged windows replaced at my cost for installation hoping to correct water, ice, and mold problems. Once again this winter the same problems occurred. I did what they suggested and adjusted humidity, raised shades as to not to completely cover windows, use heat register deflectors and not to lock my windows during the winter time. Dumb suggestion but I did it. I'm still having same problems this year. What course do I take? I had to replace window sill due to rot. I missed so many days from work so they could come in. Total frustration.

I've just spent the past 2 hours trying to block, caulk, do anything possible to keep the air from flying in several of my Pella windows (that were installed by Pella). They are less than 1 year old and they are horrible. Pella has told me to call the installer. They are the installer. If I had it to do again, I'd leave my 1934 windows in. They were warmer in the winter than this Pella junk.

We installed two different types of Pella windows in our new house in the spring of 2008. Pro Line and Designer Series. We are perfectly satisfied with our Pro Line windows. Our Designer Series have been nothing but problems. They leak. Air. Snow. Water. We have had the technician out here 6 or 7 times. The side frames have been adjusted. The gaskets have been replaced. I have caulked inside and out until I don't want to look at another caulk gun.

We have been told repeatedly that they believe our builders installed them wrong. If this were so, why do not have a problem with ANY of the other Pro Lines? Only the Designer Series leak, and every single one does. I can feel the wind. I have told Pella that I would like them to take back all of their defective Designers and replace them with the good Pro Lines, but they say they would never do that. It seems I am stuck with a lemon.

Slowly but surely all the windows are rotting at the bottom. Ove rthe last several years we have noticed four different windows (two very large units) have rotted at the base

In May of 2009 we orders 5 replacement windows and 2 doors. The sales rep. did the initial measurements but assured us that another rep. would come in a do a true measurement later that week which did happen. However due to a 'computer glich' which the company knew of as they did admit had happened before, the new measurements were not saved. At the end of June the installers arrived and saw immediately that 2 windows and one door were incorrect and one blind was wrong. They had to be reordered. Meanwhile one of the window sills had scratches and a large gouge in it. I subsequently phoned and informed the sales rep. of the damage. Six weeks later they came to install the new windows and door. I showed the installer the damage to the window sill. They had never been told of this. I was then directed to another individual who came and photographed the damage. Another individual came out and informed us that the scratches and gouge could not be fixed. We needed to replace the frame.

When the reordered windows were installed they ran out of trim. Another 6 weeks to reorder the trim which when installed turned out be the wrong stain - another 6 weeks. The blind was finally replaced after much discussion with Bruce Cruikshank.

However, the gouge and the scratches are still there. After many e-mails and telephone conversations with Bruce Cruikshank I was informed that Pella would not take reponsibility for the damaged sill implying that we had done the damage ourselves. I was outraged at this unprofessional attitude. I felt that we were taken advantage of. Pella was quick to take our monies all $18,000 in advance as they informed us that their new policy stated that full cost of the job had to be paid 24 hours prior to installation. I now know why. I feel that we were held hostage to their time frame and had no recourse to any action if we were not satisfied with their work. We now have to live with a damaged window. I would certainly not recommend their services to anyone. Their so called customer satisfaction clause is a crock. They had no intention of ever replacing the damaged window sill. I now worry if other problems arise Pella would not follow through with their promises of 'product and customer satisfaction'.

I Built my house in 4/98 new construction and used all Pella Pro Line Windows. Two years ago I contacted them because my up satairs window when I went to open it was all rotted out. Pella came to look at it and charged me $100 to do so and said yes the window is no good. They sent me a new window but the wrong one. They came back out to look at it and charged me $100 again.

I also showed him how all of my windows are rotting on the bottem he explained to me that Pella at the time used a caulk that was failing and wasn't holing the sash from being waterproof wich then is causing water to rot the window and the sil. He checked my downstairs window and the same thing was happening the window was rotted and you can stick your finger right threw the wood sill that the window sits on. The rep explained to me that he wants to come back with his supervisor.

They came back and said all of the windows have to be replaced and that they are not under warrenty but they will see what they can do with coverage for some of the windows. They wanted to rip out the 2 triple windows wich would mean I would have to cut out my stucco at my coast and pay for 45% of the window and all of the Installation. I told them that is not and option ripping out my stucco and all the work it would create for me.I told them to replace the casements and I will even fix the wood sills. They told me I still have to pay for 45% of the window and Installation because it is not covered my ten year warrenty is up.

Here is where they are wrong my windows just didn't rott out in 4 months they know they have a problem with there window they have law suits and complaints all over the internet about them the exact same problem that I am having. Wood rots over time not in 4 months so the damage should be covered under warrenty because the problem was started before the warrenty was up.

They just dont want to take care of there problem they want me to pay for there poor workmenship. They also suggested I go and caulk all of the windows so the problem doesnt get worse. All of my windows are failing they all need to be replaced at a cost of $11,000 plus and Pella wants to offer me a 45% discount off the purchase of the window and that is it. If I roll out my up stairs window they will actually fall out. They know they have a defect and will not take care of it.

I had 8 double hung windows installed. When I came home the windows were closed. However, when I opened them I noted that the sashes were ripped and that the windows did not open easily. The edges of the windows were rubbing against the sash and ripping them

I called the company, very dissatisfied. I was told that the windows would not be replaced. They would be repaired. My comment was that I had just spent $7000 on windows that were defective. Pella said that they would "stand by their product" and had had approximately 100 customers with the same problem.

A technician did come to the house and replace the vinyl sashes. However the same problem developed again. A second technician came to the house and looked at the windows. He said that Pella now uses a harder vinyl sash to prevent the

ripping from occurring. There were also broken parts on the windows that he noted and ordered to replace.

However, if Pella has changed the part, my question is "Why was I not contacted by the company to be informed that the window sashes were replaceable? I am so unhappy with the attitude and workmanship of Pella. I had also just finished having my walls painted, and the workmen placed old windows against the walls, and I had to repaint one room.

I purchased two Pella Thermastar vinyl sliding patio doors at Lowe's in Scarborough, Maine in September 2009 to replace older doors. The new Pella patio doors were $940.00 each. The thermastar doors are the type with the blinds in between the insulated panes of glass. They were delivered in 2.5 weeks and installed by a licensed contractor. The blinds do NOT close all the way either up or down and at night with the blinds closed facing in either direction, a person can see into the house as if the blinds were not there at all. I mmediately emailed Pella service and then waited 2 weeks to hear from a customer service agent. When I finally heard from the customer service agent, I was told the earliest a service rep could get to my home would be November 18th. I told the service manager what was occurring with the blinds. He told me that the blinds were not meant to block vision and light. HUH???? I thought that's what blinds were for. He told me that it was a sales problem, that Lowe's should have told me that the blinds did not block someone from seeing into your home. Again, HUH????

He did agree to send a service rep to my home. On November 13, the customer service manager called me and told me that he couldn't get anyone here until November 20th. Well, the service rep just left. He told me that the blinds were made that way, that they do NOT close all the way, that they are opaque and made to see through. He told me that I should have looked more closely at them at Lowe's before purchaseing them. Of course, at Lowe's they were not mounted on an exterior door. He said I should contact Lowe's and tell them that I am unhappy with the windows/blinds and that I want a refund or new doors. When I contacted Lowe's I was told it was a Pella problem. I believe Pella should advertise that these blinds do not block light and vision and that they should replace my sliding doors with a product that does what it is supposed to do.

Built a new home in 2003. 3 Pella windows are darkening, one is actually black on the bottom. Moisture forms on the inside. I am sure I have the same problem as many others on this site are complaining about.

We built our home in the summer of 1994 moving in September 1994. We researched many options for windows and it was recommended by our construction project manager to invest in Pella windows. Since the home was a large country home with approx 38 windows, the recommendation was that Pella were not just a nice looking windows but a long term investment of superior qaulity and worth the added expense. We went with Pella windows and doors. Just around the 10 year mark we noticed that one of the window's paint was discolouring, bleeding if you will. We cleaned it to have it reappear. On closer examination it was found that the wood underneath the paint was actually rotting and so seeping through. This had to have started happening much before we noticed it as the windown is out of the way and covered with a window covering.

We called the dealer who basically said it was just past warranty but he could come a look at it. He charged us $80 to come and look at the window and confirmed that there was wood rot and the window had to be replaced at full price which then was $1000. We felt since it was a bathroom windown maybe in fact moisture etc was a factor and this was a one off exception. We started to look at the other windows in the house and found the windows to be soft and indeed for rot to be happening under most of them. We again contacted Gehres windows and doors to be basically told sorry about your luck and here is the cost to replace those windows, which you can appreciate is substantial. They would not even come out and look at how serious the problem was. The owner did not even do us the courtesy of a phone call. Over the last two years we have been trying to find an executive contact to whom we could escalate the problem. I was only able to find a Pella Canada. I think it is easier to get a call to the White House than to an interesetd Pella Executive.

I called there several times over weeks to explain our problem, and was sent from one person to antoher and finally someone who would listen. He advised to take pictures and send them in. The one gentleman came out to evaluate the windows and take his own pictures and he was amazed at the condition of the windows and agreed that he would be furious if these were his. He agreed that for windows that were 14-15 years old, the amount of rot was exceptional and that the wood had likely come from a defective batch. This is admission by a Pella associate that this should not be condition of the windows and that in fact we paid for a product that is defective. All of the windows are rotting, some so bad I can't open them for fear the glass will fall out. I have made numerous calls over the lsst two years trying to get some compensation for these windows, I understand some depreciation but when my windows at this age are rotten out so badly, the company has to take ownership.

They offered to sell me windows with a small discount but they would be charging a hefty installation charge. Then discount is a one time only for two of the windows. I have asked that this at least be extended over the next 2-3 years so we can afford to change the windows out slowly or that they recommend someone certified in the area to do the install. This was 3 months ago and although I have left messages since I have not even had a call back with an answer. I am so furious at the company's lack of ownership that they sell such an inferior product at a significant cost and are not prepared to make good.

One builder we talked to was familiar with the problem and suggested that in some casese the windows may have been produced targeted for southern climates and were sold in error to us where we experience varied seasons of heat, cold and moisture. Regardless of whether we were sold the wrong product or a defective product we are victims or a house full of expensive windows that are rotting like some ignored woodpile.

I am frustrated and certainly not in a position to be able to replace windows that in 1994 cost in excess of $30,000.

I readily show the windows to our visitors which demonstrates the poor product Pella sells and the fact that they do not stand behind their product. There was a radio commercial on the local radio station about how the local dealer backs his product and I called the dealer to suggest he terminate the commercial as it was false advertising and I had documented proof of how in fact they don't support their product and neither does the parent company.

Windows that don't crank out have rotted so bad it disintergrates when touched. All the remainder windows are show signs of rot (black in the bottom corners) but the wood has not gotten soft. Eventually I will need to replace most (if not all) windows. If I use different brand windows to replace some of these rotton windows, I'll have mis-match windows throughout my home. I'm very upset!.

We built our house in 1998 and at the recommendation of the architect used Pella ProLine windows throughout. We paid a premium price for Low E and Argon filled windows. First problem- some windows arrived and were not labeled low E (low E is a coating on the glass from the glass manufacturer and it must be selected by the person at the factory to meet the order). The low E windows are slightly shaded and we have a gang of 3 windows in one frame and the middle window is not Low E as specified (on numerous windows). We called the rep and he came out and proceeded to tell us the labeling was just wrong. It was too late anyway as the fixed windows were not low E. Then the screens came the wrong size. New order of screens all the same and wrong again. Not worth the hassle but I have 2 sets of screens that don't fit!

Now in 2009 about 2 months after the 10 year warranty I noticed that several sashed were completely rotted (we don't open the windows a lot so didn't notice the rot under the paint). Also a fixed window is rotted and molding.

Now moved to CA and was talking to a neighbor who had the same trouble with Pella and now we find out it was a national problem from 1995-2000 or so until Pella supposedly corrected the problem. They will not honor the warranty. Our neighbor sued Pella (not in class action) and won the case. A big deal for Pella who spent millions defending so that they would not have to pay other people. Just be aware- we thought we were buying a quality brand, but the company was purchased by venture capital company and they have ruined the quality! They are pure garbage.

We purchased Pella Designer Series Double Hung Douglas Fur windows.

We are trying to build green. Pella is made one hour away. We contacted Pella. They sent a rep to talk to us. We worked with him, John, for 2 months before we placed our order. He told us over and over that the timeline for the order is 10-14 days from time of order to receive the windows. Our contract stated that they would be delivered October 8, 2009. They did not come until October 23, 2009. We were told that our sales rep did not understand that the Doug fur order takes longer to process. We were upset because our project was ready for the windows October 8, as we were told.

The fun begins after they came late. We ordered nearly $35,000.00 worth of windows. The top floor was installed and some of the garage windows also. I started working on them, with another gentleman. The sashed will not function, the latches won't latch and one of the sashes have the cladding just flapping in the wind.

Pella just sent a Tech today, but he did not know what to do with the mess. He tried swapping out the sashes that were the same size, but that did not help. He took many pictures and measurements. He said he would have to get back to his drafting table to figure this out.

The windows are poorly constructed. We let all the help go. We can not pay they help for doing nothing. Our project is stopped. Nothing can be done without windows.

Pella wanted to charge me $90 to come out and assess the situation. It appears as though I'm not the only customer experiencing this effect. One comment - Don't buy Pella windows. There is a reason they only warrant them for 10 years. $2000 to replace these two windows. They are not Pella.

My first order of four ThermaStar Model 1 20 Series, Low E double-hung windows with upper grills were purchased at Lowes in Lafayette, IN. I was not satisfied with customer service and the long wait for a sales person when I went back to order more windows. I went on google.com and found a Pella Window franchise in South Bend, In.

I called and was directed to salesman, Michael S. and asked him if he could meet the price of the windows that was quoted to me from Lowes and he said "yes". I faxed him the Proposal fro Lowes with the description of the windows and prices. He informed me that he would need a 50% deposit to process the order. I sent him the deposit. About two weeks later he informed me that their police had changed and that full payment would be needed to process the order.

I sent the balance for the eleven windows, which totaled $2,014.50. Sometime later, before the delivery of the first ordered windows and having saved enough money, I ordered an additional Nine windows which totaled $1,921.49. I notified saleswoman, Darlene T., who I learned had replaced Mike S., to inform her that I received windows that had both upper and lower grills.

Darlene informed me that they would do a trade-out and subsitute the bottom window with grills to windows with no grills. Later she called me stating that she needed payment of $2,270.62 and to send the check to the Mishawaka store. Again I received a call from Darlene requesting payment of $1,043.39.

Noticing that sevral checks had not been cashed by Pella, I thought perhaps they were lost or misplaced. The day that delivery was scheduled, I called my bank and learned that all the checks had been cashed and I had overpaid $3,902.52. Also the windows were not the windows that I had ordered. Argon filled windows with both and bottom windows were delivered.

I contacted the Pella Store franchise owner, Herbert A. K. of Moscow, PA. K. owns Pella franchises in South Bend, Mishawaka and Chesterton, In. Also, has stores in Pennsylvania and formerly owned franchises in Illinois. K. sent me a check for $747.77.

Sorry, Mr. K., this pithy unexceptable amount will not do. The consequences of this Breach of Contract is that I have windows that I did not order and that do not match windows that were purchased at Lowes and installed before ordering these extra windows from the Herbert A. K. owned Pella franchise store in South Bend, IN.

On January 5, 2009, I received a letter from Jana P., Customer Support Specialist of the Pella Corporation in Pella, IA, that it is her understanding a letter was sent to me in 2007 from Mr. Warren O., General Sales Manager of the Mishawaka location indicating this matter is resolved since you have received all product and all over payments have been refunded. Pella Corporation fully supports the efforts of the Mishawaka distributor and now considers this matter closed.

I have read numerous complaints about Pella Windows and Doors and I think that all who have been ripped-off by Pella ought to write to the producer of AMERICAN GREED. The public needs to be informed. This experience has caused me much duress physically, emotionally and financially. It has been a nightmare.

Like so many others, our Pella windows are failing. Our home was completed in 1998, $30,000 worth of Pella product. Three years ago, our kitchen "crank out" window rotted out and was replaced by Pella (had to pay labor as I recall, which is very expensive). Now, just today, I see I have two more on that side of the house going, and my fixed window has a soft spot. Leaking problems in our living room, also. As many now know, part of the problem is the aluminum cladding which does not overlap properly, allowing water intrusion, but I don't think that is the only problem.

Pella has been out -- after having to charge my cc $120 to come and not making it for 3 1/2 weeks -- never even climbed a ladder, but declared the problem "not there's." We have asked that our case be taken up to corporate. I have also contacted the Chicago firm which has the class action suit, but I have not heard anything. Insurance company engineer to come tomorrow.

I am already out about 7,000 trying to address the problem. I would guess my damages if all the windows which have a problem have to be replaced at my expense to be somewhere around $50,000, or more.

In 2005 we purchased a log sided home in Roscommon Michigan that was built in 1996. It has a cathedral ceiling with all Pella windows going all the way to the peak. One of the 4'x6'lower windows began showing dark spots on the window casing. I touched it and poked my finger into all rotted wood. The entire lower interior sill was rotting away from water damage. I suspected the log siding caulking was failing. I recaulked the entire window with but no help. You can feel the cold air coming through the rotted wood. It appears that the actual window seals have failed and the entire window is now rotting away.

The Local Pella dealer in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan has informed me that it will cost me $100 for a "Pella technician" to come out and evaluate the situation and to determine if it can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced. They will replace the window but will not cover any of the labor cost of actually replacing the window. Because this is a log sided home the labor to replace this window will cost thousands of dollars.

and doors and been unhappy so I know I am not alone. We are not happy with a pella (architect series) sliding door that we purchased about 4 years ago and have the same problem with it so we probably should have known better then to buy the windows from pella. We had a pella window installed in a kithen in 1994 in a different house than the one we are in now and were very happy with that window so we purposely bought pella for our present house. We are very sorry and will never buy pella again and intend to tell everyone that we have been unhappy with their product.

Every time the temperature gets below 35 degrees outside, our octagon shaped bathroom window collects moisture on the inside. When it gets below 30 degrees outside, the window gets ice on the inside about 2 inches around the outside edges. When I contacted Pella about this problem, they stated that I have too much humidity in the house. I don't have a humidity problem on the other windows so I think the problem is the seal between the panes of glass, but they won't do anything about it. The wood stained finish is turning black from the moisture on the inside of the window.

We paid $11,000 for 16 windows, 10 yrs and 6 mo. ago. The wooden strips that go around the edges of the window have come loose on 3 windows. Because of the 10 yr. warranty, we were told to go buy some gorilla glue and fix it ourselves, or pay them to send someone out. How's that for customer service for some pretty expensive windows that don't last?

in 2001 we purchased many windows from the store on walden and i wondered why the windows after about two years were beginning to develope a touch of black in the corners of the windows. some i refinished and removed most of the black and now this year saw the same problem. well this morning i looked at my bedroom windows heat is on in the house and there is a 12 inch overhang and guess what there is a little moisture on the bottom and the corners of the front windows

the windows were locked and were recently done with a helmsman finish but there was the moisture and so that got to wonder is this is what is going on and i just never saw this until it was black. what are your thoughts

My home was built in 2001 with Pella casement windows. I thought they wer ok until the cladding fell off the bottom of one sash. The rot extended thru the sash to the frame under its cladding also. This was on a fixed sash. Started looking and I have 2 more opening sashs with the same problem. Pella has been great for the parts replacement. I have replaced a expensive 3 panel w/half lite top and 2 sahses free of charge. They even gave me a check to have the kitchen window installed. Thats great and all, but the warranty is due up now, what happens next time. The windows leak between the claddind and the glass, thus, the wood gets wet. A service rep told me to silicone all the seams especially to the glass. Why are they not doing this during assembly? They seem to be ok in quality, nothing real exceptional, but ther is no quality control. I have had to modify some latches to pull the sash in tighter to get a good air seal. This is not slam to Pella, but they need some follow up revisions to the quality product they supposedly have. Jd Power says "Best in Initial Quality. I think we all care about the quality in the long run. Its always nice when its new.

We needed a new front door for our duplex and called Pella Windows and Doors. We had Alex come to our duplex to try and match our new front door to the neighbor's front door. The new door was installed wonderfully except that it was totally the wrong color!!!! My door is now a cream color while the neighbor's door, which is located right next to our door, is white. We called Alex, our sales associate, and described the problem. He stated that that color was in the contract that we signed. He wrote up the contract telling us that the new door would match. I trusted Pella Windows and Doors' associates to be the dedicated and professionally trained service specialists they claim to be in their brochure. Apparently that was a huge mistake.

My advice is to not trust this company. On the business cards it says, "Viewed to be the best". The best by whom I wonder? The unknowledgable and unhelpful associates of the company? It should read, "Viewed to be the best in customer dissatisfaction".

After dealing with Pella Customer Service I have had to measure the door myself even though one of their representatives, when I described the matter, said it is a defect on Pella's part. Once I get a replacement door (which I am not looking forward to) I have to pay someone to remove the defective door and install a door that will more than likely be just as defective as the one I have now.

Our home was completed with Pella Windows. We can tell you that at this time we wouldn't put Pella Windows in our dog house! After repeated visits by the rep, we understand that our problem is not covered by warranty. Our problem you ask? Our windows are leaking! We had an independent contractor review our situation. He indicated that he never recommends Pella because of the method/way they wrap their windows! If you can believe it, we looked at the windows with him and he's right! Take a look at your Pella Windows if you have them and look how they are wrapped! Instead of the upper metal clad overlapping the bottom section of clad and shedding the water properly, it's reversed! Thus, the window collects water! We now have two sills which are rotting and Pella has not stood by their product nor have they made any attempt at correcting the situation other than to say we need to replace the entire unit! We are now looking at our entire home which is a lakefront property with windows that will need to be replaced! If you are doing research on your windows and are reading this, DO NOT BUY PELLA! They're worthless $&!#!

This complaint is about Pella Windows. If you are in the market for windows and doors, what ever you do, stay away from this JUNK.

In the year of 1995 we built a new addition on our home and used Pella windows and doors, seven windows and two French style doors. About a year ago I started to notice one of my fixed windows fogging up at which time dismissed it as high humidity. This past July I noticed black mold at the bottom of the sash. When I took down the inside pane and felt the sash, it caved under the pressure of my fingers. Now I was able to see to the outside. When I replaced the window, I removed the clad from the old one and found that the bottom side of it was totally rotted. It was apparently going on under the clad for years. I sent photos to Pella and they said they couldnt do anything for me.

I have two original windows left in my 45 year old home at ground level that I cant even identify their brand name that have no signs of wood rot and they are not even aluminum clad!

From reading all of the other complaints on this site it seems as though Pella windows will self destruct between 10 and 15 years. Beware, caulk up the clad to the glass before its too late. Thats what Pella advises.

I have had nothing but problems with my expensive Pella Windows....since I bought them.

Aluminum Clad windows that rot!

And Pella Window Company does not stand behind their product.

Do not make a mistake thinking that these windows are anything other than a headache.

I'm a builder and I know what I'm talking about.

I put in new Pella Windows in a House addition, in 1995. These windows are all getting rotten and are falling apart. The main picture window is so rotten the hinges are falling off,the weatherstripping has fallen to the ground,the windows are cloudy,and the windows have never opened or closed properly from day 1. Not happy with these windows at all, and will never use this product again, and I make sure I tell everyone else.

She sold me a custom sliding door for my backyard. I spent over $7,000 on this door and it was installed in November 2008. The door also had a screen which his hidden, a wonderful feature. When the installer came in November, he told me to "be careful" when using the screen. I let the comment slide despite my huge investment. In addition, the entire door is not level. My husband hated the fact that it wasn't level when he came home from work - but I let this slide as well. However, in March or April 2009 when I went to use the screen door on the first hot day - I "carefully" put the door in the close position. When I opened it again carefully, it completely came off the hinge.

I called service and said this was unacceptable and after 2 weeks of trying to find the right person to talk to a technichin, Thomas, was here to correct the problem. Thomas knew exactly who the installer was and who the saleperson was for that matter because this screen was the incorrect one for the large area. I didn't have to mention any names - he knew on his own. Hmm. It then got cool out, no need for the screen, but in May when it got hot again, I used the door and guess what - it happened again. I called service again and Thomas was here again. This was May 21, 2009. He placed a call in saying that to keep me as a customer in the future, they should replace the door. He told me I should hear from someone within 2 weeks. Nothing.

I called whatever numbers I had and finally in June I got the sales manager in Connecticut, Jim. He told me that at no charge Pella would replace the screen at no additional charge and that I would need to replace the frame of my door. Someone (I didn't take the name) should be contacting me very soon for an installation time. Well here we are on the last day of July, 2009 and guess what? Nothing. I called Jim, he is on vacation. I called the head of the service department several times through this (Frank and he always has some story because he passes me to someone else. Today, I called to refresh him memory and he told me to call Lisa again. So I did and left 2 messages with the whole story and of course have not heard back.

I purchased a Pella French door with a sliding screen that came with a 10 year warranty. The guides on the bottom of the screen are cheap plastic and broke easily when my 3 year old ran into the door. They are not covered because this is apparently not a defect of the product. I would have no problem paying for the parts if the price was reasonable, but the cost is $49 plus $16 shipping for parts that are made for pennies and obviously designed to break. I intend to make a better quality product for less.

Pella windows (architectural series) were installed in our new home in From the beginning we have a problem with leaking sliding doors and now also with arch window. It is almost impossible to get any assistance from the Pella.

I have a 12 year old Pella patio sliding door. Several years ago I noticed the bottoms of both doors were rotting out. I contacted Pella and they offered to send out a technician for $55.00 to diagnose the problem even though it is obvious. I sent Pella a letter and a sample of the black rot.

Today, I cannot lock the door and can barely open it because the rot is so severe to the point that the bottom has totally rotted out. The only thing between me and the outdoors is the aluminum strip which is duct taped on.

Purchased my home in 2000. We have all Pella windows. Two are fixed windows of the Archetecture line. Upstairs the seal broke so we had to have the huge window replaced. The home was built in 1997 and we were told that we would have to pay for installation of the new window. Big expense.

Our lower level fixed window has leaked whenever it rains for about five years now. It has been like raising the dead to get Pella out, first of all, and then to have them own up to a faulty window has been impossible. They have reset the window and we cautiously re-hung the window shades, only to be subject to another leaky window yesterday. I cannot understand a company that sells such obviously defective products to be so unconcerned about bad service and consequently bad press. Don't get me started on the awning windows by Pella in our sunroom: they hardly close.

I am interested in a SOLUTION, not more excuses. Anyone?

I am a builder in South Lake Tahoe, California. I have used Pella Windows on only one of my projects. The sliding patio doors will lock automatically when closed, potentially locking the user out. When installed on a high level deck, such as my project, the user is stranded. Users (children, pregnant women, etc.) have been locked out for hours, and I consider this to be extremely hazardous. The Pella representative always dismisses my concerns for an engineering redesign, saying that millions of these have been installed. He has given me no satisfaction in a resolution. I believe all of these locks should be recalled and replaced with a design that will not automatically lock.

They put incorrect installation instructions in the window unit. My contractor installed them as best he could trying to following the instructions. It turns out that the instructions were for windows with a nailing fin and the only place he could nail was through the outside trim. He showed me the first one and said that he didn't think that was correct and I called Pella. They then sent me the correct instructions, however that window was already ruined. They said that they didn't have any responsibility for putting the wrong instructions in the window. The contractor said he followed the instructions and I was left holding the bag. If you don't have Pella install these windows be extra careful because you might not have the correct instructions and Pella won't take any responsibility for this.

I spend almost $25,000.00 for junk.

We built a new home and moved in June 2008. Home has Pella Impervia windows and sliding doors--energy star rated. Our home has excellent insulation and a high efficiency heating/cooling system with an air exchanger to remove stale/humid air. This first winter in the home All of our windows and sliding door frames became ice cold to the point where ice formed at the rail between the sashes and bottoms of the windows, and at the bottoms and 6 up on the sides of the sliding doors.

We had Pella out at first notice (Nov 2008), and are now anticipating our third appt in May 2009 to try to fix the problem. Their solution so far is to replace weather stripping. We've lived in other homes in the same area that had cheap vinyl windows, and have never had Ice form inside. These products are clearly defective and the frames have little or no insulating properties for both thermal heat loss and air leakage. There does not appear to be a thermal barrier between the inside and outside surfaces of the sash/frames of the doors and windows. On hot days, the sashes/frames are also hot on the inside.

Our home is very uncomfortable because of these products. We're hopefull to get our money back plus to be able to pay to have them replaced. It has been a horrible experience dealing with Pella trying to get them to step up and do the right thing. We've gotten the run around so far. I would never recommend this product to anyone and I'm surprised that there isn't a class action suit in the works.

As part of a larger order with Pella Windows & Doors, Albany, NY. I ordered two door units with optional low-profile sills. It was apparent after installing the first door unit that the low-profile sill option was not suitable, (both door openings are under eaves and subject to significant exposure to rain water). Water collects on the sill and migrates under the door weatherstip to the interior of the room. Pella's comment was that I had reviewed and signed the contract and are under no oblication to replace the produts.

At no time during my discussions with Sales representative Derenzo, who made the site visit prior to ordering, were the design specifications or performance data for the low-profile sill option brought to my attention. Only after writing to Pella, IA., was it revealed that the design of a low-profile sill is prone to collecting water, as there is little angle to shed moisture.

The sill will not lay flat to the subfloor, thus causing pooling of rain water where sill meets side jambs. When the door is opened, water is swept into the room. I have used Pella Windows before and was very satisfied but now find myself in a position where the company does not stand behind its product and the misrepresentation of the sales person's mistake in the specifications. I am compelled to WARN other buyers of their misrepresentation and find their word not trust worthy. BUYER BEWARE!

We were burned on the Bosch Washer and Dryer series that doesn't work, but to have your windows in a home that was built with the intent of being energy efficient with the top of the line HVAC system built in to keep energy costs down goes beyond that in terms of anger and annoyance. My first complaint came after we built our home, which sits not more than 300 yards off Lake Michigan which can be very windy in the winter months and cold!

During that first winter, it was near impossible to keep the house heated and our energy bills went up nearly $500! Doors would slam shut in the upstairs from the gusts that came through the shut and locked state of the art(so we are told) Pella windows. We called our builder to come out, contacted Pella and nothing. A handful of winters later and we are still plagued by drafts, wind and now, most recently loud rattling from the large picture windows (the house is only 3 years old). We have also started to notice the wood is warping from the frost that developed inside during the winter months.

My next complaint, which I am surprised that no one else has had this issue, is with the sliding door and the interior screen design. It took me a summer to fully grasp what I was looking at. Maybe it was because that first summer in the house it was cold and wet so the door was rarely opened. But now, with the screen on the inside, in the summer months when its open, as all screens do, it gets cluttered up with dust, bugs, cobwebs and other things that blow around from the fields near our home. On a normal door you would close the glass door and the stuff clinging to your screen would remain on the outside. In Pella's design, the screen is now on the inside of your home bringing those bugs and other things into it when you close the glass door.

At first thought when this occured, I was sure the builder installed the door backwards, which those little mishpas were not uncommon with our builder. But when I contacted Pella they assured me it was correct and rather than expressing their shock that you now have an insect problem from our design they tell me it's to prevent air leakage. Did I miss something? I think, since my house is already a wind tunnel, I would prefer this so called leakage over moths and very large spiders and the constant cleaning of the interior glass door from the dirt that comes off the screen! The windows all have the wood panel pieces on them and that is no easy task taking them off to clean the dust from the window (not to mention some of the pieces don't fit properly). I especially love sweeping up the dead stuff that falls onto the floor later in the week. We also get to slide that glass door back where it has been exposed the entire time outside which also gets incredibly dusty and dirty and covered in all kinds of bugs thanks to the 1 gap between the panels. Again, how is this beneficial? Your saving on air leakage but now you just might have to call an exterminator?

They also tell me that by having the screen on the inside it saves on the wood design. The screen is flimsy and the lock has been broken on it since day one. I would prefer to replace a $100 screen over the insect issue any day. Not only is the screen a major issue, but the door is constantly frozen shut during the winter and the track is warping which is not supposed to happen according to Pella with their superior design. The latch keeps breaking and having to be repaired. Their comment is This is a superior design. I would like to see who of their customers agrees with this. Besides that, who wants to look at a screen on the inside of their home?

After all of this, what I find the most amusing is that we have lots of windows. Our home was built to be able to see the beautiful views of Lake Michigan and when Pella installed our windows, they created extra long screens for them. They go further up on the window than where it opens and their reasoning was to keep the bugs out, which I was irrirtated with as it takes away from the beauty of the views on almost every window expect the large picture windows. Yet, they put a screen on the inside for a sliding door? How are we keeping the bugs out?

My problem started in late 2006 about 6 months after my I had istalled the Pella windows. When the cold weather startedI found ice collecting on the wood sills of my NEW PELLA WINDOWS.I paid about $12,000 in cash for these 8 PELLA WINDOWS!!! I called the Wilsey Company who sold me my Junk Pella windows to have someone come out to repair the windows. The owner of Wilsey came to my house. He used his meters to collect information like HUMIDITY, temperature of my walls, sills, glass windows and the seals in the windows. He told me the HUMIDITY was ok 31%. The walls and sills were 64 degrees. The seals at the openings were 30 degrees. Which he said was way to cold.

SO the next spring they installed all new locks and seals. He thought that would solve my problem. But it did not help at all. THe next winter Pella sent several people to look at my windows. THey had no idea what the problem was but decided to have my contractor install foam around one window. The next winter same problem. The next winter same problem. Pella send their design engineer to solve the problem. HUMIDITY was 34% and he told I needed to install a air to air exchanger.

Three years after my first complaint I now have a HUMIDITY problem. The fact is they don't have any idea what's wrong so they claim it's my problem. I had several furnance people tell Pella didn't know what they were talking about. So here I am stuck with a inferior product sold by the PELLA Corp. I would tell everyone to never purchase any of Pellas products. They make bad windows and have no service. Also their sales people LIE RIGHT TO YOUR Face. Mr.C owner guaranteed me he would repair my windows!!!!!!!!!Now he says he never told me he would guarantee the window!!!!!!!! Don't BUY PELLA WINDOWS!!!!!!!!!!

THe window sills are turning black from all the water that sets on them. The live of the window will cut because of all the water setting on the wood.

Recently I needed to get a part from my local service area in Richmond, VA. All I wanted was to purchase a set of handles for my French doors. After waiting 3 weeks for my arts and not getting them via mail (as I was promised) I returned to the service station and a clerk by the name of Roberta tells me that there was no record of my request probably due to departure of the other clerk. So, she took my part and promised to call me back.

Well, she did not and I returned to the service station for the third time and asked to see if I could get the part. While searching the manager of the department (a rude wiry man) comes out of his office and without really listening to my explanation tells me ... we can not help you. So I left, but as I was leaving I heard Roberta actually thanking this irritable man for getting rid of a customer. IS THIS THE PELLA CUSTOMER SERVICE? Funny that they only post on their walls the positive comments from their customers. I paid nearly $5500 for two french doors and can not get the company to find me handles for them. Pathetic!!!

Wow, I haven't looked for a site like this in years and I'm glad I did! Our nightmare started in 2001 when we built our house. Consumer Reports rated Pella #2-just below Marvin which were way more expensive, so we went with Pella. As others have said, these windows ice up so bad in the winter they get about 1/2 of ice and frost. Then they sweat. The wood has rotted too. I contacted them several times with no luck.

Pella claims our house has too much humidity, but we have 2 readers that say the humidity in the house is fine. They don't back up their product at all. I contacted them several times, but with no luck. It's now 2009 and the problem continues every winter. A lawyer had contacted us about a class action lawsuit, but they never followed through. I doubt this will ever be rectified, but it sure feels good to be able to print this for all the other unhappy customers to see relate to!

I purchased a storm door and 3/4 of the way through installation, found out that a factory installed part (lock body) was not installed. Hopefully will be resolved soon.

I have new Pella ThermaStar windows in my house and they are not keeping the cold out! They cannot handle any temperatures below 32 degrees! The weatherstrip is not sufficient to block the air and the window interior and glass is not insulated enough.

HIGH ELECTRIC BILL

spent $60,000 on doors and windows~ cannot open the $6000 front door and the triple paned double hung windows cannot be opened and leak~ and in the winter they ice up and freeze shut. The sliding glass doors leak and ice up and cannot be opened~ a real SAFETY HAZARD~ cannot leave the house unless we go through the garage~ Pella's answer? condensation and humidity~spare me!

For our South Carolina vacation villa, we bought the high-end very expensive Pella Designer Series windows which have the blinds between the external stationary panel and an internal movable panel which allows access to the blinds. Every evening as the sun starts to set and hits the windows head-on the windows fog up to the point you can't see out of them.

Unfortunately, our windows and sliding glass door overlook a beautiful golf course. So these windows destroy our million dollar view. Additionally, as moisture builds up we are forced to clean the windows on the inside which is no easy task. We contacted both Pella Corporation in Pella Iowa who wouldn't respond to our emails, numerous phone calls or our certified letter which included the whole history and numerous photos and emails stating our case.

We also contacted the local Pella distributor who sold us the windows and they wouldn't or couldn't do anything without Pella Corporate giving the okay. So after one year of trying we feel we owe it to the public to warn them both of the poor quality products Pella manufactures and their total lack of customer service.

The problem being that one of the windows installed was the upgraded version and had the same problems as the old style. I had the windows installed in 1997 and and the problem has only gotten worse.

I arrived home today to find the aluminum casing at the bottom of one of the upper sashs had fallen off and the wood completed rotted out. Also the majority of the plastic runner strips are fluttering in the breeze. I've been online and found other pella proline owners having the same problems.

Sold a real bill of goods by my contractor and the Pella Salesman. Bought the top of the line (three panes) Pella double hung windows and two sets of double doors. The wind wistles through the windows, the latches on the double hung take a 200 pound man to work. My wife can't close and lock the windows. Drafts all around the windows. Pella has been out five different times to replace/modify the insulation between the sliding panes but nothing works.

Pella said everything is within their specifications but even the Pella repair guys said all they have is problems with all the Pella line. They felt bad about having to say they were not allowed to do anything more by Pella. BTW one of the Pella repair guys did not put Pella windows on his new house. Said he wouldn't have them because they weren't manufactured right and they are too expensive. I'm now looking at replacing 30 windows and two sets of double doors or installing storm and screen windows OVER my Pella windows. My house is only one year old but we can't live with these windows and doors.

Lots of money spent and lots of time. Was told by one Pella voice on the phone that if I had Pella installers install the windows there probably wouldn't be any trouble with the windows. Told him the installer was a contractor certified by the Pella window store (not Lowes). He had no answer for that. I believe the individual Pella workers are decent and hardworking folks. Problem is they are working with [something bad].

Pella said everything is within their specifications but even the Pella repair guys said all they have is problems with all the Pella line. They felt bad about having to say they were not allowed to do anything more by Pella. BTW one of the Pella repair guys did not put Pella windows on his new house. Said he wouldn't have them because they weren't manufactured right and they are too expensive.

So DO NOT buy any Pella products. All you will get is a headache. I'm now looking at replacing 30 windows and two sets of double doors or installing storm and screen windows OVER my Pella windows. My house is only one year old but we can't live with these windows and doors.

ordered pella architect series sliding french door....door came and one panel was warped...pella replaced the door panel and their installer damaged the aluminum cladding on the outside..also one of the door panels did not have enough of the paint on it( i could see the aluminum )...i called and the local rep assured me that they would replace the whole door and that he would personally inspect the door to make sure that the whole door was painted (no aluminum showing through) and that there would be no damage to my door and if there was any damage or not enough paint on the aluminum he would reject the shipment......

the door was installed and the door was not thoroughly painted ( i could see aluminum showing through) and there was damage to the aluminum ... i called the local rep again and he stated the the finish on the door is within our manufacturing tolerance levels.... the local rep agreed the first time that the finish was not acceptable and then did a complete 360 and said that the finish was acceptable

i paid over 2500 dollars for a door that will be exposed to the elements( i do not have a window-enclosed back porch just a screened-in back porch)that has a defective finish....since pella can not guarantee that any door they might replace it with will be free from defects, i want my money back

We purchased new Pella Windows and patio door for our 30 year old home. The windows have moisture that shows up on the bottom of the windows when the weather gets cold. It is especially bad when we have shades or curtains covering the windows.

If I want to sell I may have to purchase new windows--again.

So I called again and they sent me another door that was actually warped from not being packed right. I know have 2 junk doors that i need to dispose of. They said put them oput to the trash, my trash will not take them. I know need to pay to dispose of them. They were so nice as to send me a new door to the closest Lowes store so it can be shipped in their truck. I had to wait 8 weeks for the 1st door and then 2 weeks for the 2nd and who know how long for this one. I believe i should be refunded for this door, they said they can not do that. This company needs to step up their customer service.

Wasted about 5 hours of time so far for a $225 door.

Storm door- started rotting out from the inside out. They charged me $30 to ship a poorer quality door to me and the glass was installed wrong. Had to spend 3 hours installing new storm door that will probably fail like the first door. They do not stand behind their product and I would nor purchase anything they make!

On 7/11/08 I purchased several windows from Lowe's, Medford store. The windows have been installed, however, one of the window was received incomplete. Upon checking with the sales staff at Lowe's we were told to contact [Pella]. The window in my Kitchen is supposed to have a crank handle to open and close the window, it was not in the package.

The Style # is as follows: On the window it says Pella Proline Casement S0910761291 01/08 NFRC. Sales staff said it should have been in the package enclosing the window. I am not able to open and close my window at this time.

My Wife and I called this pella sales rep and had him visit our home for direction of ordering the proper window with features that my wife wanted in the window. After about an hour of checking every window in our house and quoting to replace them all parts only when I ask about pella installing the window his response was they are way to high and I should do it myself or have a local carpenter do the job I decided that we could only afford to have the living room window replaced at this time.

The existing window had allot of wood rot around it so I chose to have a contractor install the window and repair all wood damage. It took 6 weeks for them to deliver the new window, because of my choice of contractors we had to install the window two times before it was installed properly and I had to take a day of vacation to bull dog the contractor. Pella was of little help as far as installation goes.

After the window was set the second time and a $1000 window above was broken yes I was left footing the expense of the $1000 window because the contractor has nothing not even a Lic I fired the contractor once the window was installed correctly and the pella rep came out to view the second installation. That evening when my wife came home the first thing she said was this window does not have the opening feature we ordered. I contacted the pella rep. Jonathan and he said this model does not have that feature, I informed him that we ordered that and even went to his showroom and discussed it with the person at their store.

Jonathan said this feature is only on a double hung window and we bought a single hung window. After looking at my contract he has double hung circled then hand written in single hung. He sold us the top of the line window for $790 dollars and we got about a $400 dollar window. Now they are doing nothing not even returning my email or phone calls. If you want to be taken advantage of just give these crooks a call. Sure glad I did not order new windows for my whole house!

My house is a wreck right now, I waited 2 months to get this window delivered and installed then a $1000 window above it got broke by the unlicensed contractor and we had paid $400 to this guy to break our good window. We paid $790 bucks to pella for a window and features that we did not get we did not realize the swing out feature was not in the new window until it was installed and we were checking out its operation. I still have to reassemble the siding and build new framing around the new window because it was not the same size as the old window. Once again I am taking more vacation time and spending more money to complete this job. Now I am out near $2500 for two windows in my living room and both of them need replacing again. Its been a few months and I have never had any feedback from Pella or Jonathan, its clear they just stole my money.

Pella windows are junk. We bought a house six years ago with Pella casement windows and five of the opening mechanisms must be replaced now. There are eight windows in the house. The price for each crank mechanism is about $200 and I'm going to have to hire a pro to put them in because the lower sash has to be taken aprt to do the job. Windws that open with a crank are all junk. Don't buy them. Get old fashioned windows that slide open. They're easy to use and never break. Pella sucks.

My Wife and I called this pella sales rep and had him visit our home for direction of ordering the proper window with features that my wife wanted in the window. After about an hour of checking every window in our house and quoting to replace them all parts only when I ask about pella installing the window his response was they are way to high and I should do it myself or have a local carpenter do the job I decided that we could only afford to have the living room window replaced at this time. The existing window had allot of wood rot around it so I chose to have a contractor install the window and repair all wood damage.

It took 6 weeks for them to deliver the new window, because of my choice of contractors we had to install the window two times before it was installed properly and I had to take a day of vacation to bull dog the contractor. Pella was of little help as far as installation goes. After the window was set the second time and a $1000 window above was broken yes I was left footing the expense of the $1000 window because the contractor has nothing not even a Lic I fired the contractor once the window was installed correctly and the pella rep came out to view the second installation. That evening when my wife came home the first thing she said was this window does not have the opening feature we ordered.

I contacted the pella rep. Jonathan and he said this model does not have that feature, I informed him that we ordered that and even went to his showroom and discussed it with the person at their store. Jonathan said this feature is only on a double hung window and we bought a single hung window. After looking at my contract he has double hung circled then hand written in single hung. He sold us the top of the line window for $790 dollars and we got about a $400 dollar window. Now they are doing nothing not even returning my email or phone calls.

Had an original contract signed 16July. Called 17 July to report errors on contract and if we could re-do. The sales rep could not come out to house until 22 July at which time we re-signed the contracts. I thought I had 3 days before I could make my mind up. In the meanwhile I asked twice for a detailed itemized lists which I still do not have. I called Pella in Iowa and was informed each Pella store is individually owned and nothing they could do but refer back to the store I had issues with.

The order was placed on the 17 July unknown to me. I thought I had 3 days after the 22d so the order should not have gone in before the 26th? SO this mornig the 28th I called and after several phones calls was told the windows are in production already and nothing they could do. Well of course since order was put in on the 17th. I felt I was totally misled, and not told the truth.

Now I feel stuck with expensivce windows from a store that I certianly no longer trust. I also am surprised Pella does not back their name up, but a lesson learned. I felt I considered the contract carefully, and thought I had a little time to make my mind up. but they are holding me to the contract saying I signed on th16th and the 22d does not count since it was a corection. Pardon??? I will no never do business with Pella again nor will I endorse them. This has left an awful impression upon me, and I feel sad that some have to make money in this way.

Over 8600.00 for 2 windows not yet installed, no date to be installed, and no clear explanation on why the 22d was not honored and order placed the 17th of July. I am out this money on what I claim is a blatant lie refernce the windows being proceeded by the Pella corporation this morning and will be shipped to IN. That sure is fast!!

I contacted Pella, contact person Rhonda, who informed me they would send out a service person, at $85/hr, to instruct my contractor how to adjust the window, or, the service person would speak to my contractor on the phone and instruct him and I would not be charged for the phone call.

I was also told they would not honor any problems more than 18 months old,stating that this was installed in 2004. In fact, the windows may have been ordered in 2004 but I did not move in to the house, still not complete but it did have windows, until mid January of 2006.

I paid a great deal of money by, erroneously, requesting Pella windows and expecting proper installation. I did purchase Pella windows for the home I was constructing. Also, the added expense of fuel due to heat loss in the winter.

My first order of four ThermaStar double-hung windows with upper grills was with Lowe's. I was not satisfied with their customer service and having to wait for a sales person when I went back to order more windows. I went on google.com and found a Pella Window franchise in South Bend. I called the listed number and spoke to salesman, Michael Szoteck and asked him if he could meet the price of the windows that quoted to me from Lowe's and he said yes. I faxed him the Proposal from Lowes with the description of the windows and prices. He informed me that he would need a 50% deposit to process the order.

About two weeks later he informed me that their policy had changed and that full payment would be needed to process the order. I sent the balance for the eleven windows, which totaled $2,014.50. I placed a second order for Nine windows which totaled $1,921.49. I received windows that did not match what I had ordered. I notified Darlene, sales representative who had replaced Michael and informed her of the mistake. Darlene informed me that they would do a trade-out and subsitute the bottom window with grills to windows without grills. I received a call from Darlene stating that she needed payment of $2,270.62 and to send the check to the Mishawaka store. Again I received a call from Darlene requesting payment of $1,043.39.

Noticing that several checks had not been cashed by Pella, i thought that perhaps they were lost or misplaced. The day that delivery was scheduled I called my bank and learned that all the checks had been cashed and I had overpaid $3,902.52. Also, the windows were not the windows that I had ordered. I contacted the Pella Store franchise owner, Herbert A. Kreigh of Moscow, PA. who, also owns Pella franchises in Chesterton and Mishawaka, that I wanted to return the windows and receive full payment of $7,838.51 and I would return the refund of $747.77 that he sent me.

The consequences of this fraud - I have windows that I did not order and do not match windows that were installed before ordering these windows from the Herbert A. Kriegh owned store in South Bend, IN. This experience has caused me much duress physically, emotionally and financially. It has been a nightmare. A class-action suit ought to be brought against Pella Windows as they do not live up to their Mission Statement to quote - People are our most important asset. The Pella culture values people and promotes and environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Mel Haught, President & CEO.

Natasha pushed to be paid in full up-front but thank goodness I did not. Wish I had read all of the online complaints about Pella before I placed order! Pella sales people all over me when placing order, but can't even get a call-back now. Windows still sitting in garage - can't get installed! Terrible follow-through on Pella's part. Maybe they don't consider their installers as part of the process, but they should. Everything's hands-on and personal right up to the moment you pay for your order, but as soon as they have your money, that's it. Order placed and deposit paid on 3/29/2008 . . .no installed windows.

My wife and I bought 15 double hung window units of the Pella Impervia line for a new house we built in late 2006 into early 2007. We just completed our first winter (2007-2008) in the house and during this winter, when an ENERGY STAR rated window (which these windows are) is expected to prove why they are ENERGY STAR rated, the windows performed very poorly.

When the cold weather first started to appear we noticed moisture on the windows, which we assumed to be caused by high humidity in the house because of it being new. Close to four months after the heat had been on, and the inside humidity being around 30-35%, we noticed there was ice build-up on the glass just above the joint across the upper and lower sashes on ALL the windows. There was also ice build-up across the glass just above the bottom of the lower sash on ALL the windows. There was frost at 75% of the miter joints of all the sashes. To me this indicates cold outside air meeting warm inside air. In other words, the window weatherstrips were LEAKING. In fact, on close examination, we could plainly see daylight at the corner of the joint between the upper and lower sashes of several of the windows.

We have had Pella's rep out here no less than three times because of my complaints. Their rep has relayed my concerns to Pella with very litle done to remedy the problem. My opinion is that there is a definite design flaw with the weatherstrip.

Throughout the winter my wife and I had to constantly be aware of water running down the windows onto the oak window sills which had to be wiped up so as not to cause damage to the wood. I assume we have spent much more money on heating costs because of heat loss through these windows. We don't feel Pella is properly attacking this problem and we want to be rid of these windows in favor of a window that will perform properly throughout both the cold and hot weather we experience here in north central Wisconsin.

My sister ordered a sliding glass door from Pella and it has been 3 plus months of torture. Many promises and unkept appointments with no shows and no phone calls. I think that perhaps a class action suit may be in order. Also, perhaps we can charge them through the Federal Trade Commission with fraud by taking. They take our money but they don't suppy or complete the job. We have disputed our charges through our credit card. I will demand 50% refund for the time we lost a work and on other projects. The people who run this particular store never answer the phone, only get voice mails. I think it would be a lot of satisfaction to put them through the court system like they have put all of us through the bad Business, Bad customer service, and taking our money for bad/inferior products.

Still waiting for the job to be completed after 3 months. My sister has lost a lot money from work by going home to meet them and they never show up. Also she has missed Saturday overtime work when they did not show up for installation or correction work. We have yet to receive any monetary compensation, however, this is certainly not the end of this situation financially!

A salesman Jason for Pella Corporation told me I would be getting aluminum clad windows and casement windows that would open to a full 90 degrees. This is what I ordered.This is what I told them I wanted.

I signed their highly technical and cryptic manufacturing description contract with the understanding that I would be getting aluminum clad windows and casement windows that opened to a full 90 degrees. Instead they ordered three of the windows with wood exterior and two casement windows that open 30 degrees or less. They ordered aluminum exterior molding yet installed 3 wood exterior windows. They ordered and installed two windows that were frosted instead of clear.

This was all done in early July for $28,500. All of which they made me pay and took from my account before ever installing any windows.

I have written several times and emailed to Pella customer service as well as Pella Architectural Products, Inc. and never had a reply back from customer service. A Mr. Berry Taheri did contact me with an offer he faxed that requested an additional $7,500 to replace the windows they clearly ordered in error with the windows I was told I would be getting.

I trusted their company. I trusted their salesman. It was never made clear to me that I would be getting three wood exterior instead of the aluminum clad windows. It was never made clear to me that I would be getting two windows that only open 12 to 14 inches. I would never have ordered such windows. I want the windows they ordered in error replaced with the windows I was lead to believe I would be getting. This should be done at no additional cost or expense to me. This nightmare I am being put through is making me very ill and I am now under a doctors care.

We now have two windows that are useless. We also have wood exterior windows that now have to be painted every year after I paid for aluminum clad windows.

I paid to have Lowes measure my windows for replacement. I decided to purchase Pella Impervia line replacement windows. The salesman, Justin Smith claimed that he had installed windows for Pella for years before becoming a salesperson. He claimed that the windows needed to be measured specifically from Pella so I let him measure them and then order them.

I should have had a clue that something was wrong when the first time he measured them they were way off from the measurements I already had he also missed windows in the estimate. So he remeasured and then ordered the windows which I paid for in advance with a credit card.

When the windows arrived I had my installer (a professional window installation specialist in business installing windows) start the installation. He informed me that the windows were larger than the openings by 1/2-1 inch on all sides on almost all of the windows. This means that the installation is going to take a couple of extra days because he has to cut my house/the openings to precision fit the windows. The windows will not fit in the current openings because they were ordered with measurements that were too large.

I am going to have to pay my installer for two -three extra days of labor and for the extra trim because of these incorrect measurements. I believe the Pella guy either did this because he didn't know what he was doing or because he knew that it would take extra labor since I wasn't hiring him to do the installation. He offered to do the installation on the side for about 1/2 as much as Pella would charge for their own installation.