Are Pellas worth it?

Are Pella windows worth the price or are you just paying for the Pella name? Aren't there any windows out there that are comparable in quality, for less money?

 

A few years ago, I replaced all my single pane windows with Viking vinyl double pane windows from Home Depot. Viking is Pella under an alias.

 

Dave_D1945,

You lost me! How did you come to the conclusion that "Viking is Pella under an alias."???

otis1337,

My opinion -- Pella is one of the 'Cadillacs' of windows. You are going to pay a premium for the name -- probably more than the added quality that you are really getting. (Marvin, Andersen, Sierra Pacific, etc. would also fit into this category). Still my opinion, I wouldn't waste my money on Viking windows. Much better windows are out there, for only a few dollars more.

 

lefty-

That's what the folks in the window/door department at HD told me. Apparently, many manufacturers sell their stuff under a different name when they sell to the big boxes. I don't know if the quality changes, but the name change is apparently to protect the market for retailers selling the brand name. I looked at Pella windows and couldn't see a difference.

I did the replacement 5 yrs ago and I couldn't be happier with these windows and the patio door.

 

Dave, now i know the source of your comment. Man, those guys at HD will say ANYTHING, won't they??

I'm just glad they don't sell cars. If they did, a Kia would be a Ferrari, under an alias.

You might be right, but I'm not buying it!!

 

Viking is a Pella company:

http://www.ci.gresham.or.us/departme...rchive1Q01.htm

Pella and Viking have same/close value in salavge yards

 

lefty-
I may have been born in the morning, but it wasn't THIS morning.

I always take a clerks statements with a large grain of salt, but this guy actually knew what he was talking about. I confirmed that with a couple of other sources.

A few of the folks at HD are pretty knowledgable. Around here, there's a slight change in the average age and experience of HD people during the winter. That's when the seasonal trades are really slow and some of them take HD jobs for the winter.

 

Dave, Salvage Czar,

I stand corrected. I guess Pella DOES own Viking.

But, at retail, you are still comparing Ferrari's and Kia's. They'll both get you from point "A" to point "B". The Ferrari will do it quicker, but at a price!!!

Used, or second hand, why spend $50 for a Viking if the Pella's are the same price??

 

I doubt if I would buy any double paned window second hand - too much risk that there are problems with the seals between panes.

The Ferrari/Kia comparison seems a bit much, as well. I'm sure there are some differences between the Viking and Pella windows, but I doubt if it's as much as between a Ferrari and a Kia.

My guess is that the comparison would be more like Chevy & GMC. I've owned both and agree with the statement that "A GMC is a Chevy with lock washers."

 

First I fully understand that no offense was intended about questioning the purchase of second hand windows. Like the old expression .. "No harm, no foul." BUT in all reality the architectural and ornamental salvage business isn't a junk yard. Windows sold are carefuly selected, are very often surplus and not usually rip outs. Those that are rip outs are in great shape. When it comes to sash we reject more than we buy.

Television remodel shows have increased the popularity of salvage yards. Many people are unable to afford new, and lots of folks love the old products and enjoy restoration or refinishing diy hobbies. A salvage yard, if it wants to stay in business (and mine has been family run since the Civil War era ... started as used brickyards) it has to sell quality items at a fair price.

Second comment is about the current business practices of manufacturers. I'm in my 80s and really puzzled. For example: One of my older yard trucks - it never goes out on the road, stays in the yard - is a Ford Courrier pick-up. It's really a Mazda with Ford logos on it. I have to go to Mazda for parts. AND, my used appliance store has many Magic Chef washers - all made by Maytag. Lift the lid of a Magic Chef washer and Maytag's name and toll free number is on the lid decal. A Viking sash is a Pella sash - your guess as to why there are two names for the same window or door is as good as mine.

Crazy ain't it?

 

No offense intended with the comment about salvage yards. I use one around here fairly often and send people there sometimes - usually for a new toilet tank lid.

For single pane windows, I would have no problems with "previously owned". For double paned windows, my only reservation would be the integrity of the sealing between panes. If the window is installed correctly, and isn't abused, the seal is usually the first thing to cause trouble - condensation between panes, etc.

As to the actual manufacturer of a brand name, there are probably thousands of examples. I have a Jet floor model band saw and - other than the color and logo - can't see any significant difference between it and the comparable Delta. I was told once that there are only 3-4 carpet mills in the U.S. that make all the carpet sold by the carpet companies.

 

Salvage Czar, you need to open a branch office here in Redding. We don't have anything like that where we can go to obtain 'used, but not abused' building materials. With a kazillion rentals around here, and most of the owners really watching their bottom line, we could use it!!!