They each make quite a few different window models. Which ones are you comparing?

If you're only comparing company policies and attitudes I would rank Pella as the worst of the three.

It would be helpful to know what type of windows you are interested in...vinyl, wood, fiberglass....

vinyl downstairs and maybe wood upstairs.

look for nfrc label on windows shop for low solar heat gain coefficients and u-factors (.30 or less)
jeldwen is a good brand used locally quite a bit
the only problems I've seen were flashing issues,
not performance of window.
best of luck.

We have vinyl windows throughout our house. We went with Atrium. Lifetime warranty (except glass breakage, obviously). Double pane, 1/2" air space, low-E, argon gas between the panes. They factory-mulled (I think that's the word the rep used) transoms to our living room windows and DR window (with is 5' x 7' with a 1' eyebrow transom) for ease of installation. Now, the DR window weighed about 400lbs just because of the sheer size. Anyway, they look good -- we went with the champagne color, and work well. Our inspector stated on his inspection report that the windows are of a better quality that would be expected in similar homes. We priced a wood window for the dining room, and it was going to cost 50% more and have a lot more upkeep.

We will have a lot of aluminum-clad wood windows and these are my thoughts about jeld-wen.

jeld-wen has a unique (i believe) process of permeating their wood windows (at least the siteline ones) with a chemical that protects against wood rot and is guaranteed for 25 or 30 years. I think their weakness is in their openeing mechanism for their casment windows.

I like Kolbe for their better mechanism and, in my opinion, better look but here they are more expensive than jeld-wen.

I think it is very hard to compare windows apples to apples which is frustrating for something that comprises a large % of the total cost of a house.

I just got back from Window Concepts where I was trying to make a very similar comparison.

We are looking at aluminum clad windows. From what I understand, Pella has, as macv pointed out, rolled formed aluminum cladding. While the Jeld-Wen superior line has extruded aluminum, the higher priced Custom line has roll formed aluminum frames and extruded sashes. After thoroughly bashing Pella and showing me pictures of faded Pella windows with similar makeup, the saleswoman assured me that the Jeld-Wen wouldn't do that because of the Kynar paint used on their roll formed sashes. I thought Pella used Kynar, too, but maybe I've gotten myself confused.

I didn't know that about Jeld-Wen permeating the wood with anti-rot stuff.

Marvin has a nice window, but all they had at this showroom was a tiny display unit. The saleswoman said that they are so much more expensive that they don't sell very many of them.

I agree that it is confusing. I just want good looking double hung 6 over 6 windows that won't need to be painted (going with Hardi plank, so I really don't want to have to paint windows in between Hardi paintings). They will be white, so fading isn't an issue but chalking is. They need to function well, as we are big fresh air fans. When they are closed, I don't want them to leak air. And I don't want to pay an arm and a leg for them. Is that too much to ask?

What would those of you with experience recommend?

Well,,,,,,,, tough choice. Thanks everybody for your input