Figuring out what company to choose for your new window replacement can be incredibly stressful. With so many window providers, it’s challenging to pick the one that can best help your home improve its energy efficiency, value, and curb appeal. It’s important to push past the initial confusion and research the top window providers so there are no surprises.
I’ve researched and compared Thompson Vs. Pella in this guide to help you make the best choice for your windows. Thompson Creek and Pella are two window industry giants with remarkable customer reputations, energy-efficiency options, and more. Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of these providers, how they stack up against each other and the top window brands.
My Take: Thompson Creek Vs. Pella
Pella is the superior window provider between these two, as it offers windows in all 50 states, provides more energy-efficient windows and window material choices, and has a better installation process. But its warranty is much shorter than I’d like to see from a window provider, especially considering the brand’s premium prices.
On the other hand, Thompson Creek offers a better warranty than Pella, complete with 50 years of coverage.
We talk about it extensively in this article with our review of Thompson Creek Windows.
It also makes energy-efficient windows specifically for the mid-Atlantic regions of the United States — a significant benefit for homeowners who want energy-efficient options specific to their weather conditions. But Thompson Creek has minimal location availability, so you won’t have access to its windows if you’re outside the mid-Atlantic region.
If you want to invest in your home’s curb appeal and energy efficiency, Pella is my top pick.
| Thompson Creek | Company | Pella |
| My Pick | ✓ | |
| 89 / 100 | My Rating | 84.5 / 100 |
| A | BBB Rating | A+ |
| $850–$1,199 | Average Price Range (per window) | $1,200+ |
| 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 |
Cost: Thompson Creek Vs. Pella
Pella has a higher average price point than Thompson Creek, with an average starting price of $1,200. However, this price factors in more costly options like bay and bow window types and luxurious window materials like wood or wood-clad, which Thompson Creek doesn’t offer.
Depending on your needs, Pella offers more substantial value for many homeowners because of its larger selection of luxury window materials, such as fiberglass windows, which are always more expensive than vinyl ones.
All Thompson Creek windows are custom-made to fit your home’s specifications, so the company doesn’t offer transparent pricing about its windows, as the price can vary drastically based on your home. On average, my research found that most Thompson windows cost between $850 and $1,199.
The verdict: If your budget is tighter, consider Thompson Creek, which offers high-quality vinyl windows at more affordable prices. If you’re set on high-end window materials like wood or fiberglass, choose Pella.
| Thompson Creek Cost Range | Window Type | Pella Cost Range |
| $400–$1,200 | Double-hung windows | $500–$1,745 |
| $350–$1,000 | Casement | $535–$1,784 |
| $350–$1,050 | Awning | $400–$1,770 |
| $500–$1,400 | Picture | $600–$1,500 |
| $600–$1,500 | Sliding | $800–$2,000 |
| $1,000+ | Bay/bow | $ 2,000+ |
Warranty Coverage
Thompson Creek and Pella each provide limited lifetime warranties, which means that the warranty coverage on workmanship and window parts is limited by a set period. While I prefer companies that offer lifetime warranties, limited lifetime warranties are often sufficient for most homes, especially if the period is generous.
Thompson Creek’s warranty is valid for up to 50 years and is called a “no hassle” warranty, as you don’t need to deal with multiple parties to use your warranty. Unlike other providers, Thompson Creek is both the window manufacturer and installer, so you don’t need to sift through the contractor, possible subcontractor, distributor, and manufacturer to find who is responsible for upholding your warranty if something needs repair or replacement.
Pella windows come with limited lifetime warranty coverage for the workmanship, non-laminated glass materials, and frame, but the coverage varies based on the window material:
- Pella Vinyl Windows Warranty: This warranty is lacking as it only covers 10 years on the laminated glass and DuraColor exterior paint and five years for shades and blinds. Since windows should last more than 10 years, this isn’t optimal coverage.
- Pella Vinyl Wood Window Warranty: The wood windows have slightly better coverage, with 10 to 20 years of warranty coverage for aluminum-clad peelings, non-laminated glass, and wood deterioration.
- Pella Impervia Fiberglass Window Warranty: These windows come with 20 years of glass protection but only 10 years for paint finish and specialty fiberglass resin windows. The labor is covered for two years, which could be better.
The bottom line: Thompson Creek offers a much stronger warranty because its coverage is for 50 years, far exceeding the average lifetime of most windows. While Pella also provides a limited lifetime warranty, the fine print shows that its time period is significantly shorter than Thompson Creek’s warranty duration.
Before making such a big investment, watch the following video to understand what signs to look for that indicate that you need new windows.
Windows Offered: Thompson Creek Vs. Pella
Pella is hands down my top choice for window offerings because it provides superior energy-efficiency options and a wide variety of window materials. In contrast, Thompson Creek only offers vinyl and energy-efficient windows for the mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. For most homeowners, Pella is the more accessible and energy-efficient option.
Window Types Offered
Thompson Creek and Pella offer a comprehensive selection of window products. In terms of window types, both offer the most common window types with a few exceptions.
Thompson Creek doesn’t offer single-hung windows. In contrast, Pella has single-hung windows but doesn’t offer garden windows, which is a popular choice for homeowners looking to create a mini greenhouse for an indoor herb or vegetable garden. Garden windows are excellent for adding light and dimension to the kitchen.
| Window Type | Thompson Creek | Pella |
| Awning | X | X |
| Bay/bow | X | X |
| Casement | X | X |
| Double-hung | X | X |
| Picture | X | X |
| Single-hung | X | |
| Sliding | X | X |
| Specialty | X | X |
| Impact/storm | X | X |
| Transom | X | |
| Basement Hopper | X | X |
| Acrylic or Glass Block | ||
| Garden | X |
Window Materials Used
Pella is the clear winner regarding window materials because it offers the four most common window materials: vinyl, wood, fiberglass, and aluminum. In contrast, Thompson Creek only manufactures and sells vinyl windows.
Vinyl is a popular material because it’s durable and usually less expensive than wood and aluminum. Still, it lacks the classic look of wood which many homeowners prefer for their homes.
| Window Material | Thompson Creek | Pella |
| Vinyl | X | X |
| Wood | X | |
| Fiberglass | X | |
| Aluminum | X |
Window Customization
Thompson Creek offers a wide variety of window customization options, including customizable colors, specialty grid patterns, triple-pane glass, and custom window shapes. This full review of Thompson Creek offers more detail about the brand’s customization options.
Pella has many window customization options, including five interior and exterior colors, four glass types, six grille patterns, and two screen options. The brand also has custom window shapes. This full Pella review provides more information on how the company’s window customization works.
Both window providers offer a substantial variety of customization options, so it’s unlikely that you’ll feel limited by either one. However, if you have a unique paint color or window size, Thompson Creek would be the better choice, as it can customize everything from window size to paint color to trim.
Window Efficiency
Pella is the standout for window efficiency because many of its windows are ENERGY STAR and NFRC-certified, with some of its window lines winning the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2023 award.
Thompson Creek’s windows exceed the 2022 ENERGY STAR criteria. Its windows are specifically designed for the mid-Atlantic region, with the durability to withstand up to 146 mph winds, heavy rainfall, and even the occasional tropical storm. If you live in this region, you can rest easy knowing that Thompson Creek’s windows aren’t just general window products made for multiple climate zones in the U.S. They’re specifically designed for a mid-Atlantic climate and AAMA water-and-wind tested for your area.
Pella gives you many energy-efficient options, including four insulated glass options with Low-E coatings and argon gas fills to help you save money on energy bills. Overall, Pella would be my choice for window efficiency because of its greater ENERGY STAR standards, sound-insulated windows, and a wider variety of energy-efficient windows for different regions.
Read also: Review of 629 World of Windows
Certain climate zones require different window types to optimize energy efficiency. For example, Miami homeowners should look for windows that minimize heat gain, but homeowners in New York should opt for windows that maximize heat gain during freezing winters. Consider this when choosing between different types of energy-efficient windows.
Service: Thompson Creek Vs. Pella
Pella receives better customer reviews for its high-quality windows, excellent installation process, and Pella Care Guarantee. For these reasons, I recommend Pella over Thompson Creek in terms of service because of its transparency around its service offerings, options for DIY installation, and more favorable customer reviews.
Install Process Comparison
Pella is the clear winner for high-quality window installation due to its transparent, white-glove service. You can also complete a DIY window installation with Pella, which isn’t an option with Thompson Creek if you want to keep your warranty valid. However, Pella’s installation experts are my recommended choice because you’ll receive a Pella Care Guarantee, which provides additional coverage on labor and installation defects for up to 10 years.
Thompson Creek isn’t as candid about its installation process as Pella. It claims to have expert, “no-hassle” installation with certified Thompson Creek window installers. The installers will clean up the job and leave your home clean after the job is complete, but little else is mentioned about this process.
Read Also: Comparison of Andersen and Pella
Customer Reviews Comparison
Pella has overall positive reviews that highlight the fantastic white-glove service, installation process, and high quality of Pella’s products. Negative reviews usually point out the company’s poor communication, with specific complaints about unanswered phone calls and appointment inquiries.
Thompson Creek also has positive reviews, primarily focused on the excellent installation process, punctuality, and responsiveness of the customer service representatives. But the brand is frequently criticized for issues post-installation, with customers stating that the screens or windows were improperly installed, which caused damage to their homes. Customers noted long wait times between replacements, too.
Overall, I feel more comfortable recommending Pella based on the greater number of positive reviews and praise about the durability of the windows post-installation.
Analyzing customer feedback is an essential part of researching different window providers. While all companies receive negative reviews at times, it’s important to review the general trends to see if a company is repeatedly criticized for poor warranty or customer service.
Availability: Thompson Creek Vs. Pella
Pella has impressive showroom availability in 47 states, excluding Mississippi, Alaska, and Nevada. But homeowners in all 50 states can purchase Pella products online or at their local big-box store or Home Depot.
In contrast, Thompson Creek offers limited availability throughout the United States. This company is primarily a mid-Atlantic provider with services in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Richmond, Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, Greater Philadelphia, and North Carolina. During my research, I couldn’t find Thompson Creek products offered through widely available big-box stores like Home Depot, so this company has a minimal service range.
If you live in a state that isn’t covered by either of these providers, don’t worry. The following section covers a large host of other reputable window providers that may service your area.
Thompson Creek Vs. Pella Vs. Other Top Providers
How do Thompson Creek and Pella stack up against other top window providers? Check out the following table for a snapshot of other providers’ average prices, product and service offerings, and Better Business Bureau ratings compared to Thompson and Pella.
| Company | Renewal by Andersen | Champion | Window Nation | Universal Windows Direct | Window World | Castle Windows | Thompson Creek | Pella |
| Our Rating | 81.5 | 85.5 | 76.5 | 83 | 85.5 | 78.5 | 89 | 84.5 |
| 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 | $850–$1,199 | $1,200+ |
| 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 June 2023.
So, Is Thompson Creek or Pella Better for Your Home?
Due to its wider range of availability, better service, and comprehensive window material offerings, Pella is my top choice for replacement windows. Its windows are more energy-efficient and offered in more materials than just vinyl so that you can make a more custom selection for your home.
Still, Thompson Creek may be the best choice for you if you live in the mid-Atlantic region, as this brand’s windows are specifically designed for weather conditions and energy efficiency in this particular climate.
Before deciding the best company for your replacement windows, check out other top providers to get an overall idea of what window company can provide the best windows for your budget and home. Get free quotes from the top window installers below.
FAQs: Thompson Creek Vs. Pella
Does Thompson Creek make its own windows?
Yes, Thompson Creek manufactures all of its windows in a local Maryland factory.
Why are Pella windows so expensive?
Pella is a premium window provider that manufactures energy-efficient windows, often using luxurious materials like wood, aluminum, or fiberglass. These high-end window materials greatly increase the cost of Pella’s average window compared to other providers. Still, they may be worth the investment for many homeowners looking for increased energy efficiency and quality.
Where are Pella windows made?
All Pella window products are manufactured in the United States, with primary locations in states like Kentucky, Iowa, and Ohio.
Methodology: How I Evaluated Thompson Creek Vs. Pella Against Our Review Standards
At Today’s Homeowner, I strive to bring you honest, accurate information for your home improvement projects. My window company ratings zero in on what is most important to you — an extensive range of high-quality windows with reliable installation, strong warranties, and excellent curb appeal.
My ratings are created from publicly available information about each window provider, secret shopping online and over the phone, customer-review analysis, and discussions with home improvement experts.
A company can earn a maximum of 100 points across five categories, converted to a five-star scale. I 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 a wide variety of window styles, frame materials, hardware designs, and glass and coating options. Companies earn more points if they design custom windows for your home. I also score the quality and energy efficiency of the windows each company installs.
- Service Offerings (10 points): When evaluating this category, I consider factors such as consultations, post-installation cleanup, and additional product offerings. I 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): My 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 I’m recommending 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.
I monitor company data on an ongoing basis to keep rankings and information up to date.
