Pella's main lines by material
| Line | Material | Notes from Pella |
|---|---|---|
| 250 Series | Vinyl | Six styles from casement and awning to picture; Pella markets the reinforced frame as 52% stronger than standard vinyl |
| Impervia | Fiberglass | Pella's fiberglass line |
| Lifestyle Series | Wood | Some products offer blinds and shades between the glass |
Pella sells other series too; ask for the exact series name on any quote.
Between-the-glass blinds
A blind sealed between the panes never needs dusting and cannot be pulled by a pet or child. On a sunny west wall in a Knoxville summer, it also gives shade without a window treatment. Ask how the blind is operated, whether it can be serviced if it fails, and how it affects the glass ratings.
What to compare on a Pella quote
- Series and material, so you are comparing vinyl to vinyl or wood to wood.
- U-factor and SHGC of the glass package. The 2018 IRC floor in Knox County's climate zone is U-0.32 and SHGC 0.40; ENERGY STAR asks for less.
- Insert or full-frame for each opening.
- Warranty terms, separately for product and labor, and who handles claims.
- Licensing: in Knox County, $3,000 to $24,999 residential jobs require a Tennessee Home Improvement license; $25,000 and up require a contractor license.
Pella vs. other options
For a typical Knoxville brick ranch replacing builder-grade windows, compare a Pella 250 Series quote with another vinyl line (see vinyl windows). For a historic house where wood matters, compare wood or clad-wood lines and consider storm windows over restored originals. National installed figures for each material are on the cost guide.
Back to the main guide: window replacement in Knoxville.