Buying replacement windows is intimidating for many homeowners because there are many factors to consider, from the frame material, brand, price, installation process, and much more. We want you to feel confident in your decision so you can improve your home’s value, energy efficiency, and aesthetics with as little stress as possible, so we’ve compiled the following guide comparing two reputable window providers – Pella vs. Reliabilt.
Pella and Reliabilt both have unique offerings that may make their products the best window options for meeting your needs and matching your home’s aesthetic. Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of each provider and how they compare.
My Take: Pella Vs. Reliabilt
Pella is my top pick between the two providers because of its superior window quality, service offerings, and better customer service ratings. A downside of Pella’s windows is that they come at a premium price point, but with this comes a greater number of window frame material varieties and better customization options, allowing you to better meet your home’s needs and aesthetics.
If you’re on a tight budget, Reliabilt offers high-quality vinyl windows, which is a significant pro for homeowners. However, the company has a lackluster warranty and poor customer reviews that repeatedly pointed out issues with it not upholding its warranty, which makes me uneasy.
I recommend Pella over Reliabilt for its better energy efficiency features, window material options, and customer reputation.
| Pella | Reliabilt | |
| ✓ | My Pick | |
| 84.5 / 100 | Our Rating | 90.5 / 100 |
| A+ | BBB Rating | A- |
| $1,200+ | Average Price Range (per window) | $350–$549 |
| Yes | Offers Free Consultation | Yes |
| Yes | Energy-efficient Windows Available | Yes |
| Yes | Offers Custom Financing | Yes |
| Limited Lifetime Warranty | Warranty Offered | Limited Lifetime Warranty |
| Visit Site | Get a Free Quote | Visit Site |
For more insight on why I recommend Pella, check out our in-depth review of Pella windows.
Cost: Pella Vs. Reliabilt
In terms of affordability, Reliabilt is the winner, hands down, with its average window cost falling between $350 and $549. However, it only offers vinyl windows, which significantly limits your choices.
In contrast, Pella’s window prices are considerably higher, but the provider offers a premium range of window products with the quality, design, options, and durability you’d expect from a luxury brand.
The bottom line: If you’re on a tight budget, I’d recommend Reliabilt for its inexpensive vinyl windows. But if you’re looking for high-end materials or specialty windows like storm windows or customized designs, Pella is my top choice if you can swing the premium price point.
“If you’ve decided on a Pella window and are stuck choosing the best one, consider the cost-effective options of either the 350 Series or 250 Series. For guidance, check out our article on ‘Pella 250 vs. 350 price comparison.’
The table below estimates how much each window type costs from each provider.
| Pella Cost Range | Window Type | Reliabilt Cost Range |
| $500–$1,745 | Double-hung windows | $300 – $800 |
| $535–$1,784 | Casement windows | $450 – $1,100 |
| $400–$1,770 | Awning windows | $500 – $1,283 |
| $600–$1,500 | Picture windows | $300 – $900 |
| $800–$2,000 | Sliding windows | $250 – $1,500 |
| $ 2,000+ | Bow or bay windows | $2,000+ |
Warranty Coverage
Reliabilt has an easy-to-understand warranty across all its replacement windows that covers the vinyl frame material and all working parts, including the screen. For the first fifteen years, your window’s insulated glass is completely covered with a sliding scale from years 25 to 30, where Reliabilt will cover part of the cost of replacement. Reliabilt covers the paint and laminate for 10 years from the date of purchase, which matches Pella’s typical coverage. However, I don’t like that Reliabilt has excluded hardware finishes from its warranty entirely, as most companies do include this in warranties.
The majority of Pella’s windows come with a lifetime limited warranty for the labor, frame, and non-laminated glass materials, but this varies based on the window material you choose:
- Pella Vinyl Windows Warranty: Its vinyl windows typically have 10 years of coverage on laminated glass and DuraColor exterior paint but a lackluster five years of protection for blinds and shades.
- Pella Wood Window Warranty: Pella wood windows usually come with 10 to 20 years of coverage for non-laminated glass, aluminum clad peelings, and wood deterioration – a lacking warranty compared to many window providers, especially at these premium prices.
- Pella Impervia Fiberglass Window Warranty: This is one of Pella’s more comprehensive warranties with limited lifetime coverage for Duracast framing, two years for labor, 20 years for glass, 10 years for paint finish, and 10 years for specialty fiberglass-resin windows.
Despite its premium prices, I find Pella to offer substandard window warranties and prefer Reliabilt’s warranties slightly, especially since you’re paying less overall.
Today’s Homeowner Tip: A lifetime warranty is always ideal for homeowners because it has no time limit to make a claim, making it a hassle-free experience. Unfortunately, most window providers offer limited lifetime warranties with lots of fine print. Neither Pella nor Reliabilt offer a lifetime warranty, so consider this as you shop around. Providers like Castle Windows offer a lifetime warranty, which I prefer for extra peace of mind.
Windows Offered: Pella Vs. Reliabilt
My overall pick for product offerings is Pella because its windows’ energy-efficiency features and customization options are superior compared to Reliabilt and many of its competitors. In terms of window types offered, both providers lack a couple of standard window types but still have enough options that most homeowners will find what they are looking for when shopping for their upcoming home improvement project.
Window Types Offered
Pella and Reliabilt offer many window types, so you won’t feel limited when shopping either provider’s selection for your home.
Neither provider offers glass block windows, a popular choice among homeowners for bathrooms and other areas that warrant privacy. Otherwise, both window companies provide the most common window types, with Pella offering better specialty windows, like storm windows and transom windows. While Reliabilt doesn’t offer options for these two types of windows, you can purchase garden windows with this provider, which creates a lovely built-in “greenhouse” display for plants and herbs.
Overall, both providers have options for the most common window types, such as double-hung or awning windows, but they need more specialized choices.
The table below gives a quick overview of what each company offers for different types of windows.
| Window Type | Pella | Reliabilt |
| Awning | X | X |
| Bay/bow | X | X |
| Casement | X | X |
| Double-hung | X | X |
| Awning | X | X |
| Picture | X | X |
| Single-hung | X | X |
| Sliding | X | X |
| Specialty | X | X |
| Impact/storm | X | |
| Transom | X | |
| Basement Hopper | X | X |
| Acrylic or Glass Block | ||
| Garden | X |
Window Materials Used
Pella outshines Reliabilt as it offers a complete selection of vinyl, wood, fiberglass, and aluminum windows, while Reliabilt only has vinyl windows.
Vinyl windows are a popular choice because of their durability, affordability, and next to no maintenance. Still, if you’re interested in other materials like classic wood windows, you’ll want to choose Pella.
| Window Material | Pella | Reliabilt |
| Vinyl | X | X |
| Wood | X | |
| Fiberglass | X | |
| Aluminum | X |
Matching your home’s aesthetic with the right frame material is vital for preserving and improving your home’s curb appeal. Watch this video featuring Danny Lipford on matching the house’s look inside and out with your new windows.
Window Customization
Reliabilt stands out for its unique custom-shaped windows, including octagons, trapezoids, full circles, and half rounds. All its shape windows can be custom-built to meet your specifications. Like Pella, Reliabilt offers many painted color options, especially because vinyl windows are one of the most customizable window frame materials. You can also select grid and glass types, although not to the same extent as Pella.
Homeowners won’t feel limited with Pella’s many customization options, including five interior and exterior colors, four glass types, two screen options, and six grille patterns. You can even opt for different window screen options, a unique customization option among its competitors that gives you more control over the window’s durability and energy efficiency.
For more information on how Pella’s customization works, check out our full review of Pella Windows.
Window Efficiency
Pella is my preference between the two providers for energy-efficient windows because it clearly has a solid commitment to creating energy-efficient products. Pella windows are ENERGY STAR and NFRC-certified, with many products receiving the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2023 award. You’ll find Pella’s energy-efficient windows have multi-pane glass, insulative framing, and low-E coatings to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
We also like how Pella clearly states its windows’ Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings and U-Factor, which indicate how well the windows block outside noise and insulate the home. Pella’s double-pane and triple-pane windows have standard STC ratings for residential windows and lower U-Factors, indicating strong insulative properties.
Reliabilt offers several energy-efficient window options, including windows with low-E glass that meet ENERGY STAR requirements for multiple climate zones throughout the United States. Its dual pane glass package comes with low-E glass and argon gas fills to insulate the space between the two panes of glass, improving thermal efficiency and reducing sound levels. You can also opt for a triple pane glass package with super spacer sealants and two types of low-E glass. However, the triple-pane glass option is only available with its premium Reliabilt Series 3900 Windows, limiting your choices.
Overall, Pella has better energy-efficient options because all of its windows meet ENERGY STAR and NFRC-certified standards, demonstrating these windows’ superior energy performance. For homeowners interested in saving money on their utility bills, Pella windows may be worth the upfront investment to improve your home’s energy efficiency and soundproofing.
Service: Pella Vs. Reliabilt
I prefer Pella because of its white-glove service, Pella Care Guarantee, and significantly better customer reviews. While Reliabilt offers a strong installation process, many customer reviews noted poor installation and issues with the warranty afterward, which concerns me.
Install Process Comparison
Pella offers a detailed, white-glove installation experience. While you can hire an independent installer or tackle a DIY window installation yourself, Pella specialists are trained in installing Pella windows to the company standards. You’ll also receive additional protection from its Pella Care Guarantee. The Pella Care Guarantee covers labor and installation defects for up to 10 years, which is significantly more than the Reliabilt and Lowe’s labor warranty.
Lowe’s Reliabilt windows can only be purchased at the big-box store, so you have two options for installation: a DIY window installation or coordinating the installation through Lowe’s or a third-party contractor. If you opt to have your windows installed with Lowe’s, you will only deal with in-house contractors, which ensures that they will be appropriately licensed, insured, and background checked, and you’ll receive a one-year labor warranty.
Compared to Reliabilt and many window brands, Pella stands out for its superior installation process, specialists, and unique Pella Care Guarantee – all of which provide that extra peace of mind that your investment is well protected.
Read Also: Overview of Zip Liquid Flash and Prosoco
Customer Reviews Comparison
Like all industries, window providers receive a fair share of positive and negative reviews. What is most important is assessing the overall trends and what customers have to say about each company as a whole.
Pella has overall positive customer reviews, especially regarding customers reporting incredible experiences with Pellas specialists’ white glove installation process. Many also praised Pella for its well-insulated, high-performing windows. Still, I didn’t love the negative reviews about experiencing trouble communicating with the company. Specific communication shortcomings included unanswered phone calls, appointment inquiries, and even faulty installation. However, these complaints are not uncommon in my research of other window providers, so take these with a grain of salt.
In contrast, Reliabilt had less than stellar reviews overall. While it does have a strong Better Business Bureau rating and customers praising its affordability and easy installation, I found overwhelmingly negative Reliabilt window reviews. Many negative reviews highlighted improper installation, warranty issues, and drafts in their home. Many customers complained that Reliabilt did not uphold its warranty or found loopholes to avoid doing so, leaving them with drafty, moldy windows.
These findings make me far more confident in choosing Pella over Reliabilt, as warranty issues and poor-quality windows are the last things any homeowner wants to deal with.
Read Also: Overview of Andersen and Pella
Availability: Pella Vs. Reliabilt
Reliabilt is offered exclusively at Lowe’s, giving it fantastic availability in all 50 states. On the other hand, Pella has showrooms in 47 states, with Mississippi, Nevada, and Alaska excluded. However, you can purchase Pella windows in all 50 states online or at your local big-box store.
But how do these window manufacturers compare to other top providers?
Pella Vs. Reliabilt Vs. Other Top Providers
The following table shows how Pella and Reliabilt stack up against other reputable window providers.
| Company | Renewal by Andersen | Champion | Window Nation | Universal Windows Direct | Window World | Castle Windows | Pella | Reliabilt |
| Our Rating | 81.5 | 85.5 | 76.5 | 83 | 85.5 | 78.5 | 84.5 | 90.5 |
| BBB Rating* | A+ | Not Rated | Not Rated | A- | A+ | A+ | A+ | A- |
| Average Price Range (per window) | $1,200+ | $850–$1,200 | $550–$850 | $350–$550 | $550–$850 | $550–$850 | $1,200+ | $350–$550 |
| Offers Free Consultation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Energy-efficient Windows Available | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Offers Custom Financing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | Warranty lengths vary | Limited Lifetime Warranty | Lifetime Plus Warranty | True Lifetime Warranty | Limited Lifetime Warranty for parts and labor | Lifetime Warranty Guarantee | Limited Lifetime Warranty | Limited Lifetime Warranty |
*BBB ratings are accurate as of July 2023.
So, Is Pella Vs. Reliabilt Better for Your Home?
Reliabilt is the better choice for replacement windows regarding affordability, warranty coverage, and types of windows offered. But my overall pick for the best replacement windows is Pella because of its energy-efficient windows, excellent serving offerings, and multiple window material choices. I’m also more comfortable recommending Pella after reading through pages of customer reviews than I am Reliabilt, which had more scathing reviews about warranty followthrough and poor craftsmanship.
Before replacing your old windows, we recommend gathering free quotes from several providers to understand potential costs and the many available product lines on the market. Use the form below for free quotes from window providers near you.
4.3
Offers wood and vinyl framing options
Excellent customizability
7 glass options
4.0
Low pricing
Lifetime labor and material warranty
Custom financing
FAQs: Pella Vs. Reliabilt
Is Reliabilt a Lowe’s Brand?
Reliabilt is an exclusive Lowe’s Brand produced by Atrium Windows & Doors. As a result, you can find special financing and sale options offered by Lowe’s on Reliabilt products.
Where is Reliabilt Manufactured?
Reliabilt vinyl replacement windows are manufactured in North Carolina by Atrium Windows & Doors.
Is Pella WIndows a Reputable Company?
Pella Windows is widely regarded for its high-quality series windows and has over 90 years of experience in the industry. Between a high BBB rating and many positive customer reviews, Pella is largely considered a reliable and reputable company, although occasional reviews mention communication issues with the brand.
Methodology: How We Evaluated Pella Vs. Reliabilt Against Our Review Standards
We strive to provide transparent, accurate information for your home improvement projects. Our window company ratings prioritize what matters most to you — a wide selection of high-quality window products with reliable installation, warranties, customer service, and beautiful curb appeal.
Our ratings are based on publicly available information about each provider, secret shopping online and over the phone, customer-review analysis, and discussions with home improvement experts.
Each window provider can earn 100 points across five categories, converted to a five-star scale. We researched dozens of windows installation and replacement companies to develop the following formula:
- Product Offerings (40 points): Window installers can earn the maximum point value in this category if they offer various window styles, frame materials, hardware designs, and glass and coating options. Companies earn more points if they design custom windows for your home. We also score the quality and energy efficiency of the windows each company installs.
- Service Offerings (10 points): When evaluating this category, we consider factors such as consultations, post-installation cleanup, and additional product offerings. We also look at each company's installation team structure – including whether it uses certified window installers or subcontractors to complete work – as this can cause variances in quality.
- Affordability (25 points): Our affordability rating considers the provider’s average window prices and how they align with industry averages, as well as discounts and payment plans.
- Warranty and Support (10 points): A best-in-class window installer will back up its work with a solid warranty to give you added peace of mind. Companies receive the maximum point value in this category if they offer lifetime warranties for their products and workmanship.
- Company Reputation (15 points): To ensure we recommend worthwhile installers, we check each company’s reputation and standing with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We also consider how many years of experience it has in the window industry.
We monitor company data on an ongoing basis to keep rankings and information up to date.
