A heavy battle arises when we talk about Pella vs. Andersen. Both options are no less. They offer a wide range of products. Also, different series are available.
People are often confused to choose between Pella Lifestyle Series vs. Andersen 400 Windows. After all, they have their own advantages.
Both window series have some common features. But many uncommon aspects set them apart. Learning the primary differences can help you choose the best option as per your need. Here we will discuss their uniqueness.
Let’s dive in!
Quick Comparison Between Pella Lifestyle & Andersen 400
Want to learn brief details? Go through this short table to overview both types of windows.
| Specifications | Pella Lifestyle | Andersen 400 |
| Window types | 5 types of windows | 7 types of windows |
| Wood species | Pine | Pine |
| Interior Finishes | 7 stains & 3 paint colors | Bare plus 3 paint colors |
| Exteriors Finishes | 12 paint colors | vinyl cladding 7 paint colors |
| Sensors | Insynctive security sensors | VeriLock sensors |
| Durability | More durable | Decent durability |
| Warranty | 10/20 years | 10 years |
| Cost | $300 – $955 | $350 -$2,800 |
In-depth Differences Between Andersen 400 And Pella Lifestyle
Learning the main difference between these windows is important for a better conclusion and choosing the best option. Give a glance at the primary dissimilarities between the two windows:
- Window Types
When it comes to choosing a window, we prefer different types. Generally, our house structure varies. So, we want a perfect one based on our home design and patter.
Pella Lifestyle series is available in five types of windows. They are awning, double-hung, picture, bay or bow, and casement.
Choosing double-hung windows means you have proper ventilation and increased. It has Easy Maintenance too. When you prefer natural lights and maximizing wall space, Awning windows seem great.
On the contrary, Andersen 400 windows are available in 7 types. They are awning, bay & bow, casement, double-hung, gliding, picture, and specialty.
If you want Architectural Distinction and Exceptional Airflow, you can’t go wrong with Casement windows. Preferring increased natural lights and giving a larger room feeling requires you to install bay & bow windows.
- Wood Species
Choosing the right type of wood that matches your house’s style and the color is mandatory. Only one type of wood species is available for both windows: pine.
However, pinewood varies for each brand. They follow their distinctive procedure to make it. But why do they use pine wood?
Pinewoods is easy to work with. They are highly durable. You can install them on high-foot areas. Plus, they are not prone to decay and rot easily.
You can make a wide range of aesthetic and natural designs from this type of wood. They are resistant to the swelling and shrinking.
- Interior Finishes
Pella Lifestyle is available in 7 stains & 3 paint colors. These types of stains on the wood effectively protect the wood from damage. It also enhances the appearance.
In contrast, Andersen 400 has a bard wood finish type that looks amazing. They can protect the wood surface and increase the decorative appearance.
- Exteriors Finishes
There are 12 exterior finishes available for Pella Lifestyle to improve the unfinished wood appearance. Paints, stains, hardware finishes, etc., are popular choices among them.
On the contrary, Andersen 400 has 3 bare plus exterior finishes. They are easy to repair. Plus, their forgiving appearance is good at hiding various types of stains and flaws easily.
- Sensors
Modern life needs a modern solution. So, why not our home, especially the window? Many modern windows include sensors for extra protection.
Pella Lifestyle features Insynctive security sensors to ensure open/close status. The built-in security sensors effectively retain the excellent qualities of the windows.
In contrast, Andersen 400 features VeriLock sensors to easily figure out the unlocked or open openings. This provides extra security.
You can keep yourself worry-free by knowing the current condition of the window opening.
Not only this, opening or closing the window during inclement weather appears easy-going. You can track down how often the door is opened and closed by your naughty kids or vulnerable adults at home.
- Durability
Durability is crucial not to overlook because you want an extended lifespan for home windows without compromising their functionality.
Pella Lifestyle is more durable than Andersen 400 due to its high-quality materials. Most Pella windows are made for both vinyl and fiberglass, making their products extremely durable.
They are tough and weatherproof.
But Andersen 400 is not that bad. They are made of solid wood and vinyl to ensure long-lasting durability with minimal damage.
You just need to take care of them adequately to get the best out of their performance.
- Glass Options
Windows are complex systems, but arguably the most important component is the glass unit itself.
Premium glass treatments and specialized glazing is a major value-add for windows in any series or brand.
Pella uses a glass technology they have branded NaturalSun Glass as an upgrade option in the Lifestyle series.
It uses their proprietary SynerG formula that balances visible light transmittance across different wavelengths.
The goal is to get as much useful daylight into a home as possible. It filters out unwanted infrared and ultraviolet rays leading to several benefits:
- Increases the amount of visible light coming through glass by over 50% versus ordinary clear glass alternatives. This reduces the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours.
- Cuts out 99% of harmful UV rays that can damage floors, fabrics, and artwork.
- Screens over 60% more infrared light which is experienced as unwanted heat. This leads to better insulation and lower cooling costs.
Andersen’s SmartSun Glass takes a similar approach but is branded differently. It uses a transparent coating made of special oxides on an advanced Low-E glass substrate.
The coating filters out:
- 99% of UV rays while allowing high visible light transmission.
- Much of the solar heat and infrared rays that would ordinarily transfer through glass.
So in essence, both these specialty glass options aim to improve natural lighting while blocking UV rays and reducing heat gain leading to energy efficiency. The brands have different tech formulas and slightly different transmittance levels. But overall, they achieve similar real-world performance around letting daylight in while keeping unwanted elements out.
- Warranty
Windows are complex and buying them is a big investment. Good product warranties provide peace of mind around workmanship and durability.
For most homeowners, two things matter most when assessing window warranties – the coverage period and what components are addressed.
On duration, Pella comforts buyers with amongst the longest coverage periods in the industry:
- 20 years against defects in materials and workmanship in window assemblies.
- 10 years on labor for re-insulating glass or ventilator repairs.
- 5 years on the exterior paint surface maintaining appearance and integrity.
Andersen matches Pella by providing 20 years coverage on glass seal failures. And they extend 10 years support for non-glass parts against defects.
So in terms of overall warranty duration in years, the major players act comparable to safeguard buyers.
As for what’s covered in detail, both address glass seal failures that lead to internal moisture. This eventuality is rare but factories guarantee the multi-point seals will last twenty years.
And if issues around seal failures or component defects pop up much earlier that point to premature workmanship or construction issues, customers can get repair labor for free or partial costs.
In terms of fine-print, Andersen has more specifics around regional climates, product lines, and resolutions being at their discretion for repair versus replacement. But that’s common across warranties where companies keep some options open for themselves.
- Cost
Cost is a big factor to consider when you prefer a limited budget option.
Generally, larger and multiple windows will increase the total cost.
Compared to Andersen 400, Pella has a 20% lower price.
But their product price will vary based on materials, finishes, size, and installation cost.
Generally, the price of a Pella Lifestyle is around $300 to $955, depending upon several factors.
On the contrary, you will need to spend anywhere from $350 -$2,800 based on the product you choose.
Low-end windows from Andersen 400 have an affordable price. But spending a considering amount of money is crucial if you want high-end windows, such as bay or bow.
Which One Will Be The Best Fit For Your House?
At a high level, both brands make exceptional windows with comparable warranties, efficiency, glass options and durability. These lines occupy the top end of the spectrum giving homeowners stellar performance and quality.
But upon close inspection, you see Pella pulls ahead in some areas that can matter depending on personal preferences.
Pella Advantages Over Andersen
- Their fiberglass frame material leads to excellent stability alongside thermal insulation and might appeal more to homeowners that want contemporary aesthetics.
- NaturalSun glass gives incrementally better light transmittance over Andersen’s SmartSun equivalent.
- Far more color customization freedom to match any desired exterior scheme.
- Longest standard warranty periods in class at 20 years.
So builders and homeowners wanting that extra degree of longevity assurances, contemporary styling, tons of color matching flexibility and best-in-class glass technology might lean towards Pella Lifestyles for the win.
Meanwhile, buyers who prefer timeless wood window styling and contours afforded through Fibrex composite framing may find the 400 Series meets their needs elegantly.
In the end – it’s hard to go wrong with either brand. But assessing those incremental differences around materials, glass performance, colors and warranties can help zero in on the right long-term investment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Andersen windows are slightly more expensive than the Pella brand. But both brands offer a wide range of windows in different price categories.
Andersen and Pella are the two most popular brands for making exceptional quality windows than many other brands.
Surely, Andersen 400 Series windows have decent quality, especially the double-hung and casement windows. They got immense popularity and “excellent” ratings for their excellent craftsmanship and attractive design.
Casement and double-hung windows are the two best type windows for various style homes. But you can select a particular one if it seems appropriate to you.
Final Thought
So, which windows have you decided to pick after reading our in-depth details on Pella Lifestyle Series vs. Andersen 400 Windows?
Though they have some similarities between them, a few unique features will push you to go for a particular one.
Hopefully, you choose the best one that seems more convenient for your home style, design, and structure. Make sure you take care of your windows to ensure the best durability and functionality in the future.