America’s Best Windows? Made/Owned/Tested in USA. Full tour/Breakdown

[@KJSvitko]

Triple glaze, European style seals and locking mechanisms European doors and windows have great quality. It would be great to see a comparison side by side. More roofs need a two foot overhang to provide protections for doors, windows and siding.

[@spottingnature3123]

I agree! US manufacturing is way behind for window build quality. 3 layers of argon insulated panels and 3 position handles and hinges are standard in any German home.

[@sparksmcgee6641]

You dont know anything about building. The o ly comparison that matters is comparison of the same priced products. There are all kinds of American companies building comparable windows to "European". And just saying European shows you don't know much. Italy is the last country doing high quality work in country. Those European products you're say are so great aren't made in old Europe.

[@spottingnature3123]

There may be some impact of the price point obviously, yes, but the quality requirements are really just higher. And the country where they are manufactured doesn't matter, even in Italy they order in china but with EUROPEAN requirements for energy, quality and safety. US requirements are just lower (partly to offer cheaper products, party because of the absence of regulation)

[@dougdelane3642]

Will King could be a brother to Matt Risinger, they have the same mannerisms

[@corvassi4218]

It's unreal.

[@barrybatchelor44]

I used Pella for my last total gut reno, used the architecture series and I had many comments of wow the windows look great, and they did. Nothing like changing a standard 3 foot kitchen window that looks at an amazing river view to a 11 foot picture window. I was happy with how the product was wrapped and how it was delivered. Had a slight problem with one window and they came right out and fixed it. So I like Pella and the Kingston NY rep I used was great to deal with. FYI, If you are in a noisy spot they make a low noise version with different glass thicknesses that worked well.

[@craiguglandrealty3705]

I'd love to see a head to head comparison between Pella & Marvin. Personally, I'll take the latter.

[@MichaelM-to4sg]

They are both poor in terms of both air sealing and thermal efficiency

[@dramandrive]

who do you recommend?@@MichaelM-to4sg

[@recoveringarchitect7581]

@@MichaelM-to4sg So. Marvin & Pella aren't pretending to be a European window manufacturer, the former doesn't even make a tilt/turn anyone because no one in the US bought it. They predominately make double hung, which have a ton of architectural detail, but if you only want the most efficient windows, these aren't it.

[@recoveringarchitect7581]

Not even close. Marvin makes the nicest windows of the major brands.

[@MichaelM-to4sg]

@@recoveringarchitect7581 Double hungs are great on historical restorations, otherwise it’s a very poor choice and not usable in my region as it’s NRFC ratings cannot meet minimum standards. In fact they only make a casement and fixed that can be installed here to meet minimum code standards of U: 0.25 and Air infiltration of 0.1 cfm/ft^2. We build exclusively PHI certified homes for last 7 years, Marvin has no offerings that are suitable. Pella at least offers PHI compliant window but it’s still nothing near the NRFC specs of the European windows we use. If you’re a custom home or MFR builder today, using modern air-vapor barriers and properly sealing every joint of structure, why waste that entire effort on windows that leak air with 1-2 compression seals and poor insulated glass?

[@stankaliski]

I can say that I loved my Pella skylights. During the hail storm that hit the St. Louis area in April 2001 my 2 Pella skylights did not break. I think that storm still ranks as the costliest hail storm in the US. It dropped 3" hail stones on my house. The Chevy dealer less than a mile from me had almost a total loss of their inventory of cars. They were just before me in the path of the storm. When I examined my roof, I could not find an area of my roof equal to the area of one of my skylights that didn't have a major impact. So it was either a VERY freak occurrence that my 2 skylight didn't get hit by one of these sky rocks, or they did and said, that all you got? 😁 In fact one of the skylights had a decent dent in the aluminum frame from a impact. I had two roofs on my house at that time and I didn't replace my roof until 2009. Never had a leak. At that time I wanted Pella skylight to replace the ones I had, however, I found that Pella didn't make them anymore. I was bummed. I ended up with Velux skylights. In my experience I would positively consider Pella in the future.

[@tee4272]

What type of glass did you have?

[@xoxo2008oxox]

Just installed a pair of Pella Lifestyle series (Aluminum Clad Wood) ... how cool to show this now!

[@newield76]

You may be Sponsored by Pella, but I put them in what I thought was my forever house in the early 90's in Michigan. Turned out I had to move in 2010. Those windows still have never failed to this day for the new owner. I put them in a second remodel in Virginia, they will out last me. That said I'm now looking to put them a second house I just took ownership of, it is an 1812 farm house and farm in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. That will be custom windows no doubt, and Pella. Any windows at todays prices will be a budget killer. Even being a DIYer.

[@philippusviridi6527]

My pella French sliding door wall was installed in the summer of 1999 and still looks and operates great.

[@tomsterism]

We installed Impervia double-hung windows here outside Atlanta a decade ago. Very pleased. Now contemplating a custom retirement home north of the city and will only consider a proper Tri-Glazed fiberglass product. Not sure Pella will be in the hunt for that. Does anyone know if Pella is planning a traditional Tri-Glazed Impervia product?

[@davidhellyer5353]

My Pella fiberglass windows survived golf ball hail stones--I love them!

[@tee4272]

Did you get a specific type of glass? I am going through the process of ordering them and live on a golf course.

[@TriDaddy]

I personally have Pella Imperia windows.. I wish I would have chosen a different model because my neighbor with the same house bought Americas best vinyl windows and they are so much quieter. I did have a leak issue with a clogged weep hole (lack of maintenance- my fault but something to consider since nobody thinks of maintenance with windows.). My parents have had nothing but trouble with their Pella slider with blinds in the window. My lake house sliders don't seal tight. Lake Neighbor has hand pints on the inside of her double pane glass sliders... I will do with Andersen Windows or Chinese windows when we replace.

[@z06doc86]

Andersen composite casement windows are some of the best quality residential windows available in my opinion. We love them and are glad we spent the extra $$ to get them instead of one of many cheap low quality units abundantly available.

[@Straw65]

I've been a licensed contractor in New England since 1989. I personally do not like Pella and their design . And also have had problems with customer service. There are many window companies that out perform Pella.

[@Adam-s3w7d]

My Pella windows have many leaks/ drafts our sliding glass doors allow water to enter the rail. When I lived in Germany our windows had now Leaks and were cheaper with a higher quality feel.

[@harriha2898]

Agreed. Pella is garbage.

[@GrantRTanner]

What's your go-to @straw65?

[@ecleveland1]

Absolutely!

[@dylanmartin8736]

Was hoping to see some love for top-notch ProVia windows here!

[@BLKMGK4]

Have Pella on my existing home. Well built but seals almost too tight to close properly, they have lasted years so far. Had an issue buying them, they are sold in "regions" by specific dealers so when one doesn't respond to inquiries none of the others will speak to you. They're also pricey, you won't find discounts generally. What's in the big box stores is a different animal too - not what you get from a Pella dealer in my experience. Overall satisfied but the purchase process was bumpy for my builder and he was shocked at the price.

[@davekrieger7172]

R-15 is the latest standard for windows, Pella has a long way to catch up or even advance the window industry.

[@buildshow]

R-15? I'm not seeing that anywhere... that's a U Factor of .06! Haven't seen that anywhere...

[@MichaelM-to4sg]

@@buildshow Actually it’s 0.067 which we round to 0.07. That said, this guy likely confused U-factor since we never refer to window w/R rating. A U- factor of 0.15 is quite common among European windows, often lower. Equally important is the European windows typically have 3-5 compression seals making air infiltration dramatically lower than American windows & doors. The NRFC infiltration minimum rating of 0.1 is rarely achieved in American windows but commonly met in European windows. In fact European windows are substantially lower in most cases but NRFC testing standards cannot define air infiltration below 0.1 due to their testing methodology

[@sparksmcgee6641]

That isn't true. Whoever told you that is wrong. Full stop. And the insulation for windows is down to the glass not the frame anymore.

[@imawake4532]

Not impressed with my PELLA sliding glass door, leaked in air.

[@craiguglandrealty3705]

Yep. Poor design with the screen on the inside of the panels.

[@Adam-s3w7d]

I have the same problem

[@DB57RB]

Love seeing good companies get spotlighted. You should do an Alpen window tour next.

[@BrianBriCurInTheOC]

Pella PAID for this Video == THIS WAS A COMMERCIAL!!! They are the best damn windows and they prove it by all of their tests and their processes!

[@84Eraursls]

Pella are crap and have crap service.

[@toolsandreno]

Pella is right down the road from me.

[@PNice972]

Will is a carbon copy of Matt. Same mannerisms lol🤣

[@jezza6575]

Little deeper voice though😊

[@BrianBriCurInTheOC]

@@jezza6575 And the Fireman doesn’t do the silly Matt sign-off slogan

[@JeremeyHowlett]

I think it’s the southern accent.

[@BrianBriCurInTheOC]

@@JeremeyHowlett Matt is not originally from Texas, some eastern state, only lived in Texas 10 years

[@buildshow]

Easy there!

[@mistertwo6113]

Matt, maybe you can get Pella to make a more customer friendly website. Frankly, as it is, it sucks.

[@SoCalVipers]

But do they keep the rain out?

[@buildshow]

Sure hope so!

[@FurrKnight]

I've used Milgard on 3 homes I've flipped and my forever home now. Never had any complaints from the family and I notice an instant positive change after they are installed. Maybe they are not the best but for me, they do just fine. I live in the PNW so theres no fckin around when it comes to windows or you will regret it almost immediately

[@Padoinky]

Ridiculously expensive and over priced given that their products line doesn’t offer the upscale designs of European manufacturers

[@sparksmcgee6641]

So what American company builds like European companies? How much more do the European cost? You're showing your ignorance. If you said polish windows we'd know you have a point but European????? Norway??? Austrian??? Portuguese???

[@robnowe5464]

Was there spalling on the interior side with airborne glass projectiles (possibly resulting in eye injury)?

[@BuildingSystemsLLC]

Didn't Pella have to pay out on a class action lawsuit over failed windows? Something about the wood treatment off memory. School district had two buildings full of them.

[@AidanSkoyles]

shhhhhh!

[@kayzee2675]

25 million in a class action against their proline windows. There is also a case against their Architect series. We have their Architect classic windows. Very same issue. Water gets behind the cladding and rots the wood. The homeowner will have no clue anything is wrong, until the window literally falls to pieces. It is awful. And Pella just responds: There is no warranty on the wood sash. The glass, yes. The wood that holds the glass in place - No. It is very pointedly excluded from any warranty. They *know* the window will rot. They offer no protection, nor advise on avoiding it. In my opinion, based on our experience (and that of countless others) Pella has zero pride and confidence in their product, or respect for their customers. I say it again: It is Awful.

[@gargster18]

I just ordered my alum clad casements last year and didn’t get that slider. That’s a shame because I hate cranks lol

[@mitchdenner9743]

Its only available in their fiberglass line.

[@andrewhayward9539]

Is it just me or does this guy sound a lot like Matt, it's pretty trippy

[@petrawagner4946]

I installed 5 Pella 250 windows as I dod not have the $$$ for the fiberglass ones I would have loved to have had. Also a cour issue as they come in only black. BUT: the opening mechanism of casement windows - a slider???? Good grief. I'm from Germany and grew up with casement windows because it's almost all that we have (until more recent homes which include American style and other style windows. But the simplest casement window mechanism remains the beat: one lever that one laays down to open the window as a door would, and the same lever tilted vertically, opens the windows only from the top in a narrow tilt. And they are airtight. Some. I miss these Windows because they are simpler all around than the sliding hung windows.

[@ronrynearson8737]

Matt do we all need to start a go fund me page for a razor for you check with the little lady of the house.😄😄. I didn't recognize you at first looks good..

[@ColeSpolaric]

Price transparency is almost zero. I should be able to go on their website and figure out what it will cost. Where i can find out, it's so overpriced. 6k for exterior French doors.... Insane

[@buildshow]

So... have you ever seen a Manufacturer of windows show pricing online? No one has this info online. I'm assuming you are a homeowner not a Builder. Builders generally have a idea of where pricing will come out when they ask for a window/door bid. I'll often ask for a sample price on a 3/0x5/0 double hung from multiple suppliers so I've got an idea of where the different manufacturers fall for a particular size I use often.

[@ColeSpolaric]

@@buildshow yes, it's frustrating across the whole industry. Designed to keep suppliers happy and profits high. Even for a builder, it would be nice to just be able to look it up rather than spend the time requesting quotes.

[@sparksmcgee6641]

You really don't know what quality is if you're complaining about a 6k double french door. You are a perfect example of why we build like we do in the US. That's a 9 to 12k+ door in "European" doors

[@sparksmcgee6641]

Lowes and HD have pricing online for whatever they carry.

[@drewburgess2729]

Yup

[@SylanGrange]

Matt, you look amazing! 😅

[@Straw65]

I honestly would change the title of this video.

[@fordcobra37]

…sponsored by pella windows

[@BadKid-bv9pd]

Tell me about Enerlux Windows.

[@johnbujalski8602]

Andersen windows. More specifically Renewal by Anderson.

[@DrewReynolds]

Please adjust your gain on your mic. Love your content, but the clipping drives me nuts.

[@tomhammond89]

Anderson all the way. I hate every time I have to take out a Pella window.

[@sparksmcgee6641]

Why? I'm a builder and I got Anderson in my house in 2005. Total junk.

[@Bradimus1]

I have their vinyl as it was the best rated for condensation. The part I don't care for is the corners as the weld them, but then do nothing. They're just rough. It strikes me as cheap and lazy on what is overall a good window.

[@jesstreloar7706]

1:00 Sounds bias'd to me. Milgard, first American manufacturer out with a fiberglass extruded frame, and parent company MI Windows are American made and are just as good.

[@johans7119]

Hopefully they are quicker than Andersen, who took forever to replace a broken window in Katy TX. Honestly it's much quicker to get things done in the UK than the US 😂

[@sparksmcgee6641]

Anderson has fallen behind pella and are showing no signs of catching up. Since 2010 there isn't a comparison.

[@robertduffy5805]

Lab testing is great, but until they are put in a Home Depot for 6 to 12 months it doesn't matter. The actual customer abuse is a true test and I will say this for Pella, it's the only brand that I've consistently seen survive that abuse.

[@nathanddrews]

This is a nice ad for Pella, but I've gotta say that it's all meaningless. Every window maker has tiers of quality in their frames and glass. Pella isn't unique, neither is Andersen or Marvin. Just pick the look you want and the performance you can afford. The difference in actual heating/cooling costs at the mid-to-high end is going to be marginal at best.

[@sparksmcgee6641]

Yeah price is the only factor that matter when you line up windows they all have a product for your product. Including netzero

[@StealthNinja4577]

Where are the bullet, and breaking&entering tests? Like a log going through your window is great and all but maybe someone in the hood wants to spend a couple grand on some quality windows to deal with their reality

[@literallymyusername8291]

It'll probably be a long long time before I need new windows, but if I can this company is the one I'll aim for.

[@timothyjohnson6055]

Much better windows available from Alpen in Colorado AND they are less expensive. Pella's best window is R-5. You can get up to R-10 windows from Alpen. As a Certified Passive House Builder, I would never use Pella.

[@incognito6469]

Pella has major QC issues with respect to their gas filling. A whole batch or windows I ordered in 2012 were not filled properly. All of them, irrespective of size, have about 1/2 inch of water condensate at the bottom as soon as outside temperatures approach freezing. When I tried to file a warranty claim in 2023, they told me go pound sand. I'm won't buy another Pella window, that's for sure.

[@sparksmcgee6641]

Pella doesn't make the glass thermopain it's made by cardinal who makes something like 80% of the glass in res windows the last 20 years. Sounds like a shipping or install issue with that kind of water.

[@incognito6469]

Condensation! Installation issue...not even Pella suggested such a nonsense in their rebuttal. I have installed a lot of windows in my life, never had a consistent problem across an entire batch. Who ever made the pane assembly did not fill or seal them properly. Pella is ultimately on the hook as they sell the window.@@sparksmcgee6641

[@Familyfun2006]

If you have deep pockets sure way to expansive

[@publicmail2]

Always look at warranty, some 10yrs some lifetime. 10 yrs won't do me any good when the vacuum leaks at 11 years.

[@JamesSynge]

Disappointed that the factory tour wasn't much more detailed.

[@stevecrawford6958]

if you're making a window with a u factor above 0.20, you don't belong in the conversation of a quality window. period.

[@rcmen231]

The guy sounds like Matt lol

[@buildshow]

Will is a younger & more handsome Matt Risinger😂

[@fattyfat-fat6639]

Aside from the complaints on quality voiced here, none of the "tests" spoke to the kind of winter conditions that exist in the far Northern areas of Montana where i live. -50° in a 70 mph ice storm is a fact all across the Northland. i'm sure itz nice "spec-ing" materials for Texas/Alabama, butt........how will they fare in Minot, North Dakota? That 2 needs to be addressed, not just in passing, either.

[@sparksmcgee6641]

What spec are you complaining about. I'm in Colorado and it's just as cold here. Pella is fine here.

[@MichaelM-to4sg]

As a builder who purports to advocate “Building Science” and efficiency, you should know how bad and out of date American windows are. US building materials industry is at or near state of art in air-vapor barriers, engineered lumber, siding, etc. Windows however are so far behind the state of art, anyone choosing American windows with a priority on air sealing and thermal efficiency is wasting $$$ and energy efficiency. There’s several European windows widely available in US that are VASTLY superior to Pella, Marvin, Anderson, Kolbe, JeldWen, Milgard, etc

[@davidchillton1744]

Care to list any of the European ones?

[@stevecrawford6958]

literally any triple pane tilt turn is cheaper and better than pella. pella is spec house crap. @@davidchillton1744

[@brandonadams7837]

List out the better brands please.

[@stevecrawford6958]

@@brandonadams7837 gealan, salamnder, schueco, schone, veka, aluprof, rehau, aliplast, zola, unilux, fenstur. is that enough? i can give you more.

[@markproulx1472]

@@davidchillton1744”crickets”…

[@AndrewSpencer2]

"America's best windows?" It's like asking "Somalia's best space program?"

[@FredMcIntyre]

😃👍🏼👊🏼

[@AidanSkoyles]

lol; not "best" but "America's best" --- the average European window is so much better than US windows. Also anyone notice how Risinger's allegiance to Marvin windows evaporates when Pella pays him???? hmmmmm ;)

[@GETaYOTA]

As a window cleaner, the triple pane pella windows are awful. They get cloudy every year despite being “sealed”. And they are a pain in the ass to clean/deal with with all the delicate parts holding them together

[@sparksmcgee6641]

As a better window cleaner I'll say pella storms under their current system, I worked on one of the first houses with the new ones mid 2000s. Id just see money when I see a pella tripple. Little more work if your detailing everything. The install clips are the worst item on a pella window or screwn.

[@halfwall]

I have Pella windows and they're terrible. Can't recommend, they're pretty much medium-quality windows cosplaying as premium European windows.

[@buildshow]

So what's the actual issue? Why do you say they are terrible?

[@yaosio]

Pella windows are awful. The only reason you're talking about this is due to the money they gave you.

[@sparksmcgee6641]

What brand do you claim is better and why?

[@thedivide3688]

Frankly…I’d import from Europe…cheaper and better…

[@davidmorrow4195]

Hard to take a 30 minute commercial seriously. I wonder how much they paid.

[@buildshow]

I get that... Remember that we do Sponsored content here at The Build Show, but I have turned down many companies who wanted to pay for a Sponsored video for a product I didn't think met my standards. Pella is a long standing brand with terrific products and Will King has been using them in all his BUILDs for years. Thanks for commenting and for your support. Matt

[@stevecrawford6958]

@@buildshow Matt- we both know pella windows are close to trash compared to what else is available from europe for people in the US to import, and sometimes for less money. pella couldn't even make the windows im doing on my build based on size, not to mention quality. compared to other garbage windows that are made in the usa, yea pella are pretty good. they're the tallest midget. so congrats on that Pella.

[@tomreidy1237]

Marvin makes the best windows. Pella makes crap

[@stevecrawford6958]

marvin makes the best? what's your metric?

[@tomreidy1237]

They sale Pella Windows at Lowes. I have installed commercial and residential windows for over 45 years. Marvin uses aluminum extrusions and Pella wraps their windows with tin foil

[@stevecrawford6958]

you didn't answer the question, but i appreciate the intel. @@tomreidy1237

[@sparksmcgee6641]

​@@tomreidy1237you're jumping all over. I have a Marvin fiberglass window in one of my houses. And selling at lowes doesn't mean anything. I like Marvin but when you put them side by side they're close to thw same. I've seen plenty of quality control issues with Marvin windows. The standardized system pella has on sizing prevents a lot of the problems Marvin has with everthing being a "custom" window.

[@tomreidy1237]

high end anything doesn't sale at box stores. Unless Pella has gotten away from those crappy inserts that you couldn't get fixed at the local glass company, the paint finish on the aluminum cladding is prone to fading, they use aluminum wraps to cover the wood on the outside of the windows in lieu of extruded aluminum, and they lost a $35 million lawsuit for leaky windows. Marvin Aluminum Ultimate windows are the best made window in the USA. There are some great windows made overseas, but none better in the USA @@sparksmcgee6641

[@naveenjayapal2331]

Pella windows are of poor quality...not sure why Matt is endorsing them...specially their composite materials with insulation inside is a joke...i complained a year back and at this point i gave up. Looks at it....He promotes high quality and better standards of construction and truly pushing and educating americans on benefits of such standards. and then he promotes pella. I built house to 1.0 air tightness...these windows turned out to be a joke a year after. Matt stay away form these guys and dont hurt your reputation.

[@MrTexasDan]

Blatant infomercial.