skip to main content

Pella Designer with Blinds Quote

11 years ago

We had Lowes quote a Pella Designer 38 x 87 three wide, fixed center with two casements, combination window. These windows have built-in mini-blinds, triple pane with low-E glass and fixed screens. Aluminum clad exterior, unfinished pine interior. The frame has 7" depth. The quote was $2300 without installation.

Seems like a lot to us. Any comments on alternative brands or sources would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

PRO
Epiarch Designs
11 years ago
you pay dearly for the blinds in the glass option. I would guess it added oer $1k to your total compared to the Proline or architect series windows.
Also realize they are not a true triple pane window. The inner pane is not air sealed and does not offer the same performance of a sealed triple pane window. The u value difference is minimal compared to the dual pane windows.
btw- prepared to get bashed by people on this forum about Pella...even though I have personally never had an issue with any of their products on all the buildings I have done...
wobbly1905
Original Author
11 years ago
There are only a few manufacturers offing the blinds in glass which I have read about: Pella, Sunrise, and Eagle.
Pella only offers them in fixed and casement style. Using two casements in the combination window adds to the cost.

The "triple pane" description is deceptive, I agree.

Pella has closed the local independent showroom and now serves the area from almost 200 miles away. They are pushing installation by themselves, not through their "certified contractors".

Lowes Pellas special order price is sweetened a bit by a current promotion offering a $400 gift card for a $2500 purchase. There is might be another 10% discount for using a "mover's card" and 5% for using a Lowes credit card.

I'm going to check prices with Sunrise and Eagle using sliders instead of casements. I've been told that the blinds in these brands are not as attractive as are the Pellas.
Related Discussions
Pella Windows w/Snap-In Blinds and Shades--Yes or No?
Q
Comments (3)
We have the muntins and shades in casements and french doors. House is five years old. They are great! I have to check operation after the window washer is here, though. The muntins have to be snapped into place firmly or you can't raise/lower the shades. Be prepared that you will have to wash all four sides of glass at least once a year. A bonus for us moving into a new house was that we didn't have to rush to get drapes because the shades provided privacy. We have wide window casings so I put roman shades in most of my windows. The french doors I left "bare".
...See More
Pella Windows w/Snap-In Blinds/Shades--Yes or No?
Q
Comments (2)
They've come a long way in recent years. Pella used to have lots of issues with the blinds and shades. They have addressed them, and the quality improvement is significant. Servicing the units in the event of a breakdown has been made much easier too.
...See More
Pella Quote
Q
Comments (3)
The impervia is a great window, but it does not even come close to compairing with wood. I have used both and I have even combined them in one house. If you use Brown, White, or Tan then they look the same from outside. In areas like bathrooms, utility rooms, kids bed ect use the impervia. In areas that need to be more formal use Wood. On either product you can install after market muttins from Creative Mill Works - They even use the same 3M adhesive Pella uses. It will cost a bit more, but you can get the exact grid style you want.
...See More
Pella Architect vs. Designer: relative cost?
Q
Comments (4)
Architect series is double glazed (insulating glass with Low E and argon gas). Designer series is usually triple glazed (insulating glass Low E argon plus gas a 3rd pane) but they do have a double glazed (single glazed plus a removable 2nd layer - stick with triple in Designer). Designer series costs more than Architect series in part because it is three layers of glass instead of two. It's been my observation that Designer series triple glazed costs about $50-$100 more than Architect series double glazed. That price does not include between-glass blinds. Blinds probably add another $175-$225. Blinds, shades, grilles, are optional. As for which is the higher end product, it depends on what you're looking for. In casements, they use the same frame, hardware, weatherstrip, etc., and only the sashes are different. So they essentially perform the same (for air/water infiltration resistence) except for insulating propertirs of double glazed vs. triple glazed. In double hungs, both are vey good, but Architect series is the higher rated of the two for air/water and Designer is higher rated for insulation because of the three panes. Frankmol, if you're paying $425 for Architect but $1,100 for Designer there is something definately wrong there. I've put in a LOT of windows from various brands over the last 30 years, and I like Pella, but there is NO WAY the difference should be that much. You should expect to pay maybe $100 each more at most, plus the cost of blinds if you get those. It sounds like your dealer or contractor is artificially jacking the price way up on one series but not the other.
...See More
PRO
Epiarch Designs
11 years ago
The Pella blind is the best functioning and looking IMO compared to others. Ealge uses theirs in a dual pane option without near the amount of blind types or colors. The pella you can also change them later if you decide to.
A slider window is horribly inefficient and you will most likley not achieve the same look as you will with the tri-casement. What about going fixed-casement-fixed to reduce costs slightly?
wobbly1905
Original Author
11 years ago
"What about going fixed-casement-fixed to reduce costs slightly?"

Good idea! We rarely open the existing awning windows except when something burns while cooking. Our remodel will have a powerful range hood that will help that.

Thanks!
wobbly1905
Original Author
11 years ago
"What about going fixed-casement-fixed to reduce costs slightly?"

I checked the Pella website, and that configuration is unfortunately not offered.
millworkman
11 years ago
although not a fan at all of Pella, 2 single fixed casements and 1 single venting casement are normally available and can be mulled together to make up your desired configuration. Or possibly even factory ordered as F-V-F as opposed to the standard L-S-R.
wobbly1905
Original Author
11 years ago
Millworkman, this is from the Pella web site:
http://www.pellaadm.com/userdocs/documents/CM_COMBO.pdf

Perhaps, Pella offers combinations not shown in its catalog?
millworkman
11 years ago
doesn't hurt to ask
PRO
Epiarch Designs
11 years ago
wobbly- they can factor mull about any combination. I did a home where I used 5 Designers, 32x60 with a transom on top of each, 32x18. Only 2 of the windows are casements, rest fixed. It came to the job site in 2 pieces with a mulling kit since they were so big.
wobbly1905
Original Author
11 years ago
Izerarc and millworkman,
You are correct. Pella offers combination windows configurations other than those shown on the web. Pella Outside Sales quote for the suggested Fixed-Vent-Fixed combination was MUCH lower than Lowes.

Related Stories

WINDOW TREATMENTS How to Choose the Right Window Blinds

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Get the privacy, light filtering and look you want with this breakdown of blind options

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: A Whole Lotta Wonderful Window Coverings

By Cindy Germann

Blinds, drapes, shades and curtain rods to give your windows a polished, put-together look

MOST POPULAR 8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Meeting With Your Designer

By Kelli Kaufer Designs

Thinking in advance about how you use your space will get your first design consultation off to its best start

DECORATING GUIDES 25 Design Trends Coming to Homes Near You in 2016

By Mitchell Parker

From black stainless steel appliances to outdoor fabrics used indoors, these design ideas will be gaining steam in the new year

MOST POPULAR So You Say: 30 Design Mistakes You Should Never Make

By Mitchell Parker

Drop the paint can, step away from the brick and read this remodeling advice from people who’ve been there

REMODELING GUIDES The Good House: Little Design Details That Matter

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Tailored trim, cool counters and a nice weighty door — such details add so much to how a home feels to the people inside

WINDOW TREATMENTS The Key to Designer-Look Window Treatments

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Learn the one thing that will make your curtains suffer if you get it wrong — and how to get it right

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING The Allure of a Well-Designed Carport

By Bryan Anthony

Easy access, unobstructed views and architectural appeal are a few of the reasons to love a carport

KITCHEN DESIGN A Designer Shares Her Kitchen-Remodel Wish List

By Jennifer Ott Design

As part of a whole-house renovation, she’s making her dream list of kitchen amenities. What are your must-have features?

PETS World of Design: Pampered Pets and Their 10 One-of-a-Kind Homes

Fall in love with these critters and their clever living spaces, from a cat playground in France to a chicken house in the U.S.

More Discussions

Renewal by Andersen Review.

8

Window Question

4

What do you think of dimensions for proposed window in kitchen update?

11

do impact glass sliding doors with integrated blinds exist?

10

TRIM ISSUES! need help with some tight areas.

13