Complain about a product or service

Pella

barbara of freeport, IL October 19, 2009

We had a small room additon built about three years ago. The first winter we had water collecting on the glass and leaking onto the wood so that i had to dry the wood every hour or so. When it became very old the water froze. We called Pella and someone did come out to replace the hardware. I think the idea was that the new hardware woud pull the windows tighter. We were told to cut down the humidity in the house. We have done so but still have the problem. We have anderson windows in the rest of the house that are 30 years old and do not have water or ice on them. I have read a lot of complaints by people who have bought pella windows 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.

ken of whitehouse, OH October 14, 2009

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.

cheryle of greenville, CA October 14, 2009

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?

joyce of orchard park, NY October 12, 2009

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

Dave of Northfield, MN October 2, 2009

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.

Janet of Cliffside Park, NJ September 22, 2009

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".

Mary of East Brunswick, NJ August 22, 2009

I purchased a Pella storm door less than four years ago. The condition of the door is now in deplorable condition. The exterior of the door is peeling and cracking; the door handle is worn with discoloration; screws are rusted and loose. The interior of the door around the lock is now experience the same erosion.

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.

John of Fremont, IN August 19, 2009

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 &!#!

George of West Chester, PA August 13, 2009

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 couldn’t do anything for me.

I have two original windows left in my 45 year old home at ground level that I can’t 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 it’s too late. That’s what Pella advises.

john of santa Rosa Beach, FL August 3, 2009

I read where Pella Windows had received a JD Powers award for initial quality. What A Joke! These windows are a piece of sh**! I have had nothing but problems with my expensive Pella Windows....since I bought them. Aluminum Clad windows that rot! Again! They are pieces of sh**! 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.