My Pella windows have been a nightmare...I could write a book about all the problems we have had with them. Mine are large casement windows with blinds and wood grill. I won't bore you with all the details but will say, they replaced my glass 3 times in most windows, 4 times in some of the others....there are still small scratches all over them, suction cup marks that show up on days when there is condensation or if a bright light shines through them at night, and they NEVER look clean but that is an improvement over the larger gouges some of them had when they were installed. As for the blinds...a good idea but they don't always close clear to the bottom of the window, lots of light comes in through them, but they are convenient and easy to operate. We also had to have seveal of them replaced immediately after they were installed. 2 servce techs were fired over our case ( in my opinion anyway). Also, if you are staining them be careful and report any problems immediately. My french door had to be replaced because it has a big glue blob on it that wouldn't take stain. Also my double french doors had to be replaced immediately because they wouldn't open...that should have been my first clue. Our contractor installed them correctly, Pella admitted the doors were flawed. It took us almost 2 years to come to the conclusion that the glass we have is the best pella can do. If you want clean looking windows go with Marvin! They don't have blinds but you can buys some and install them over the windows! Our contractor recommended Marvin, wish we would have listened! Good luck! Ours were installed in 2006 by the way, after the company had been sold.

Oh, I am so sorry! I forgot that I posted this! We had a couple of long distance phone calls on Saturday and one on Sunday and all of them, plus weekend errands, took my mind away from this forum! Thank you for your replies. What I'm reading is that you like your blinds and would get them again. The question of malfunctioning and length of usable life is something to ask about. Justgotabme - I understand your kitty issue. Our male is the one who "must" have access; the female just tags along. But he will paw our den shades until they are twisted back, make peek-through marks with his black fur on the drapes if they're not open, and rattle the up-down bar on the shutters to try to see outside. Not that I decorate around the cats - but I do, sort of. Makes life so much easier. Brutuses - Thanks for posting your pictures. The doors are very handsome. I'd already admired your beautiful fireplace and didn't notice the blinds in the doors. Oddly enough I have decided that our MBR will either have warm cream or very soft green walls (we have a lot of off-white woodwork and some o.w. furniture). Would you mind telling me which paint colors you used? Do you plan to have any fabric treatments on the doors? And we'll go to HP and check their stock. Our GC is suggesting either Pella or Anderson, IIRC. Michelle - I'll check the websites. However, we do have to replace our windows, so I'm not sure that adding the blinds on would work. Believe it or not, I hadn't thought about the cleaning factor. That's actually a must; what a relief to never clean blinds again. And I would pay extra if need be, to be able to raise and lower the blinds. Our view is all greenery and good bird activity - it would be a shame to have that obstructed. Any other suggestions, opinions? TIA once again - Sable

Dealing with a similar sutuation. New build with same windows. I was a little surprised when i noticed the exterior mitre joints, as mine are identical. One thing i know for sure is that “damage” you think is from the factory is 100% from the installer. Mine were installed with way more damage. Aside from the major damage, I did have those scuff/scratch type marks all over several of mine as well, the good news is - they literally wipe off with a decent amount of elbow grease. I was happy when I realized it wasnt permanent.

Millworkman. We are also looking at Pella LifeStyle, Renewal by Andersen and Marvin. We found the renewal by Andersen extremely expensive (~21k for 1 set of french doors 9ft tall by 8ft wide). Pella seems middle of the range and Marvin the cheaper one. Do you have any input on the Marvin Elevate doors? Do you have any other suggestions? We are not looking for blinds in between the glass. Thanks,