Pella Architect Series Windows: The Review I Should Have Posted 14 Years Ago

Why I Will Never Buy Pella Windows Again

Product: Pella Architect Series Double-Hung Windows

Specification: Double pane, E-glass coating, wood interior, primed

Installation: 2009-2010

Review Date: January 2026 (15+ years of use)

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5 stars – and that’s generous)

Note: I should have written this review 14 years ago. Maybe I could have saved someone else from making the same mistake.

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What We Bought

When we built our house in 2009-2010, we chose Pella Architect Series double-hung windows with:

• Double pane glass
• E-glass low-E coating
• Wood interior construction
• Factory primed (we would paint ourselves)
• Traditional double-hung operation
• Classic appearance that fit our colonial home

We thought we were making a quality choice. Pella is a well-known brand. The windows looked beautiful in the showroom. They had the classic aesthetic we wanted.

This might be the decision I regret most in our entire build.

The Problems: A Comprehensive List

1. Constant Moisture Buildup

Our house is well-insulated and relatively tight (as modern homes should be). The Pella windows cannot handle this.

Current conditions (January 2026, temps in the teens):

• Every window in the house has condensation
• Two windows have panes COMPLETELY covered in moisture
• That moisture freezes on the glass
• We run a dehumidifier constantly
• We run an HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) 24/7
• **It doesn’t matter – the windows still have moisture**

This isn’t a seasonal problem. This is year-round, but it’s catastrophic in winter.

2. Mold Growth

The moisture doesn’t just sit there looking ugly. Our kids’ room had mold growing on one of the windows from the constant moisture.

Mold. On a window. In a house with active dehumidification and ventilation.

This is unacceptable.

3. Ice Dams on the Windows

Yes, you read that right. We get ice dams on the windows themselves, even with the HRV running 24/7.

Ice. On the inside. Of our windows.

4. Paint Failure on Sills

Some of the window sills need repainting because the paint lifts from the moisture exposure. These are painted wood sills that are constantly dealing with condensation from the glass above them.

5. Warping

The wood construction warps over time, especially with the moisture issues. Double-hung windows that warp don’t operate smoothly.

6. Broken Sash Support

At least one window has a broken sash support (the mechanism that keeps the window open when you raise it). When a window won’t stay open, you have to prop it or just not use it.

7. UV Protection is a Joke

The windows claim to have UV coating (E-glass). It doesn’t work.

Everything near our windows is faded and bleached by the sun:

• Furniture
• Curtains
• Flooring
• Kids’ toys
• Anything we haven’t covered with window treatments

Our kids’ room is the worst – massive sun damage.

If you’re going to let UV through anyway, what’s the point of the coating?

8. Air Leaks

I can feel air leaks around several windows, particularly north-facing ones. In a modern, tight house, this is unacceptable.

I’ve resorted to using DAP Seal n’ Peel caulk over the winter on all north-facing windows and our bathroom where the leak is worst.

Sealing windows from the inside because they leak. On windows installed in 2009-2010.

Pella’s Response: Blame the Customer

When we’ve contacted Pella about these issues, their response has been to blame:

1. “Lack of internal moisture control” (we have a dehumidifier and HRV running constantly)
2. “Faulty installation” (installed by professionals following Pella’s specifications)

Never: “Our windows might not be suitable for modern, tight construction.”

Never: “Let’s see how we can help fix this.”

Just: “Not our problem.”

What We Should Have Done

Marvin Windows. Double or triple pane. Specifically designed for tight, modern construction.

Triple pane would have been worth every penny for:

• Better insulation
• Better moisture management
• Actually functional UV protection
• Actual customer support

Lessons Learned the Hard Way

About Window Selection:

DO THIS:

• Research how windows perform in tight, modern construction
• Go triple pane if your budget allows
• Choose brands known for standing behind their products
• Get windows with factory finish, not just primer
• Consider insulated construction, not solid wood
• Ask about condensation resistance ratings
• Get UV protection that actually works

AVOID THIS:

• Pella Architect Series (or any Pella, based on our experience)
• Double pane in very tight construction
• Wood construction in moisture-prone applications
• Primed-only windows (paint them or get factory finish)
• Assuming brand name = quality
• Trusting marketing claims about UV protection

Installation Tips:

• Remove stickers ASAP after installation (leave required temp stickers for inspection)
• Stickers left on become nearly impossible to remove and leave marks
• Make sure installation follows manufacturer specs exactly
• Document everything in case of warranty claims

The PVC Trim Victory:

One thing we got right: we used PVC trim around all the windows on the exterior.

This was an excellent decision:

• No maintenance
• No rot
• No paint failure
• Edges glued properly
• Exposed edges wiped with acetone to close PVC cells

The PVC trim is the only part of our window situation that hasn’t been a disaster.

Current Workarounds

Because we can’t afford to replace every window in our house, we live with:

• **Constant HRV operation** – running 24/7 to manage moisture
• **Dehumidifier running constantly** – trying to control interior humidity
• **Window treatments everywhere** – to prevent further sun damage
• **Seal n’ Peel caulk in winter** – sealing air leaks from inside
• **Wiping condensation** – regular window maintenance just to prevent mold
• **Propping broken windows** – when sash supports fail
• **Accepting the moisture** – on really cold days, we just live with frozen condensation

The Cost of This Mistake

Initial cost: Premium price for “quality” Pella windows

Ongoing costs:

• Increased heating/cooling from air leaks
• HRV running 24/7
• Dehumidifier operation
• Paint maintenance on sills
• Replacement of sun-damaged items
• Future window replacement (inevitable)

Intangible costs:

• Daily frustration
• Mold exposure concerns
• Inability to open windows with broken sashes
• Constant moisture management

Would I Buy Pella Again?

Absolutely not. Never. Not even if they were free.

I will never purchase Pella windows again. When we eventually replace these (and we will), it will be with Marvin or another manufacturer that:

1. Stands behind their product
2. Designs for modern construction
3. Actually handles moisture properly
4. Provides real UV protection
5. Doesn’t blame customers for product failures

Final Verdict

Performance: 1/5 stars

Constant moisture, mold, ice dams, warping, air leaks, UV failure. These windows fail at their basic job.

Customer Service: 0/5 stars

Blaming customers for product deficiencies is worse than no support at all.

Value: 0/5 stars

Premium price for premium problems. These windows have cost us far more than we paid for them.

Overall: 1/5 stars

The one star is for looking nice when they were first installed. That aesthetic appeal has been completely negated by 15+ years of constant problems.

The Bottom Line

If you’re building or renovating and considering Pella Architect Series windows – or any Pella windows based on our experience – run away as fast as you can.

Spend your money on Marvin, Andersen (if you must), or literally any other manufacturer with a track record of supporting modern, tight construction and standing behind their products.

Your future self, living without mold, ice dams, and constant moisture management, will thank you.

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Update (January 2026): It’s currently in the teens outside. Every window has condensation. Two are completely covered. The moisture is freezing. The HRV is running. The dehumidifier is running.

And I’m writing this review to warn anyone considering Pella: Don’t make the same mistake I did.

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This review reflects 15+ years of living with Pella Architect Series windows in a well-insulated, modern home in upstate New York. Your experience may vary, but based on Pella’s response to our issues, I suspect it won’t vary much.