Has anyone else seen the recent Pella Windows commercial where the two guys are driving through the neighborhood getting waved at by previous customers? This same commercial suggests that you allow Pella to install you next windows instead of Bubba Redneck.
Ok, so I go out to Pella’s website and look for their installation service and the only thing I could find was getting Lowe’s to install them for you. Wait a second, doesn’t Lowes use Bubba?
Replies
Lowes sells (and installs) the low end of the Pella line. There is at least one higher quality line of windows, which is available only from the Pella outlets.
And, no, I wouldn't call the Lowes window installers the same as "Bubba", if "Bubba" is the typical carpenter who does it all. They generally have a lot more experience with Pella windows (since that's all Lowes sells). I've worked with Pella, I've worked with Andersen, I've worked with Asbury Window Factory, but I haven't put in 100 Pella windows in the last year like some of these guys have.
Consumer Reports this month(8/2007) rated contractors, Home Centers vs. Independents. Lowes Installed Sales was at the bottom of the barrel.View Image
Somehow I doubt someone contracting for Lowes to install a Pella window isn't going to get me the level of customer service as if someone hired a contractor directly. Simply put, the contractor has zero incentive to make me happy. Had that contractor been able to sustain himself he'd not have to contract to Lowes in the first place, no?
doesn't matter who installs them, the products themselves are substandard
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
You should see the Anderson windows that got installed into my cookie-cutter home. Like the cookies, they are very biodegradeable. :)
Which is why I am looking at windows. Of course, being a consumer and not a contractor knowing Pella is 'substandard' would next to impossible to know.
Pella is definitely not a stepup from Andersen - in style maybe, but in quality of production, no
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I am listening. The window sill portion of the bottom-of-the-line Anderson window already in place has warped. Its not wood or metal, but some sort of composite like MDF (but not).
Replacing this pair of double-hung windows (actually, its a single unit) will be the result of ripping it out to remove the brick to install through-flashing. Since its coming out and warped I presumed it better to just get something of better construction, but in the same style.
I'm trying to figure out what you're describing. Are you saying the sill on the existing window is warped? Is it crowned, in other words, bowed up in the middle of the sill? Are these windows installed in brick?.View Image
By crowned do you mean bowed? Yes, it is bowed. Its a cheap window frame, but then that doesn't surprise me as everything in this cookie-cutter home is based on cheap materials and cheap (skill-less) labor. Not blaming anyone as I made the first-time homebuyer's classic mistake.
But, since I am yanking the existing window and peeling back the brick to install through-flashing I figured I'd also fix the el'cheapo window with something new, but keeping in style with the rest of the facade. Hey, if your local to me ...
Nuke,Is that recent construction?? Sounds like it.The Andersen window installation instructions that I have seen spec that there is 1/2 inch of space between the bottom of the window and the top of the brick. I think this has to do with the shrinking of the framing lumber as it dries out. The lumber shrinks, the window wants to move down with the lumber and the brick prevents it, the window distorts.At least, that is my understanding.Even a good window will perform badly when the installation is poor.
Rich BeckmanComing to the Fest? Don't forget pencils!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Pella is definitely not a stepup from Andersen "
depeneds which Pella's ... and which Andersens ...
and how old/crappy the existing are compared to the new prospective Pella's!
my house ... old owners has new windows installed ...
lowest of the Andersen lines.
I'da been happier if they left the old single pane double hungs in ...
but hey ... they can't be crappy/leaky windows ... they're Andersens!
Andersen does two things good ... warrenty ... and Advertising!
pretty much top of the line is good ...
lower end windows ... I've found some great no name windows at a local roofing/siding supply house that are just fantastic. Even Traco has some nice stuff and never gets mentioned ...
Andersen has the wrap on advertising ...
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I think I should round up all the names of the window manufacturers available to me locally, place them on ribbons to form a dart board and start throwing a dart.
Say what you want..I love my Pella's All 63 pieces of them.
By pieces what do you mean? Are you talking about the broken window? :)
I'm a contractor and owner of a 1900 victorian. The new line of Pella Architect Series Double Hungs (new constr. and inserts) have proven to be a great window to me. They're not cheap $800 for 2 over 2 drop ins. But the new wood jamb with a small track instead of the old vinyl jamb was a great upgrade. I also feel they're look is the closest resemblence to traditional window construction. I've done Andersen, Marvin and Weathershield...I'll take my Pella's
Chuck
Can you geet them to close and lock eaasily?Did the screens fit/Did they even send the right screens?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
With the new wood jambs they operate very smoothly, much better than the proline series vinyl jambs that I don't like at all. The locking is very smooth, I went with the new spoon hardware to fit the feel of the house and the screens (vivid view I think they're called) fit great. I am lucky enough to have a very knowledgeable rep but I prefer to handle all the measuring and definately the install.
Chuck
the last time I used them was three years back and the decision was partly because the style fit the home but the closing tight enough to lock was just as bad as it has always been. The screens were totally wrong in so many ways and when I demanded they fix it, the answer was, "That would cost us too much!"I said, "You know that you are telling me that I should plan to never use Pella again, don't you?""Yes. I know that"OK then"So I do everything I can to let people know that once they have your money you are screwed.
With Andersen, it is a totally different approach. They have come through on twenty year old windows without even a word of protest.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
That's good info to know. I haven't had to do any type of warranty work with them yet, just some hardware replacements. I do like Andersen windows and especially their doors but I did get some of their bay windows and felt they left way to much work to the installer as far as fininshing details compared to others I've installed (Pella, Certainteed) Bye no means am I trying to skate out of work but I thought some of the details would be better addressed at their custom shop vs. my job site setup. I know it's for shipping reasons but if others can do it I felt they could to. I've only been in business for myself for 5 years though(trades for 14) learning little by little. that's why I value the info I read here.
Chuck
speaking from experience,I can tell you that Pella is something you should NOT consider.....and we bought ours from Pella after looking both at Lowes and a Pella store..which BTW has closedthe workmanship is poor, the French doors we bought need adjusting almost continually and it was installed by Pella
I installed the windows afterward, and they came out to "check " my workmanship ....I told them their door job was pathetic and there would be no further purchases and I would tell folks of their inferior products....
the weatherstripping on the bottoms of the doors and windows keeps coming off
looks really nice when you have the windows openthe windows always have a film in between the panes and their guys even cleaned them "properly" after the door Charlie Foxtrot...the window locks don't latch cus nobody can figure out how to push up and down while flipping the latch with a third handabout the only thing that still functions properly is the lock in the doors.because we never used itStay Away from Pella.
.
.
., wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?
Edited 7/2/2007 9:43 am by maddog3
Look at MARVIN..... They are not cheap, but, you get a good bang for your buck. Also, the Marvin INTEGRITY line is very good for new construction.
I think thats a Lowes commercial.