Lived in a house with 19 yr old Pella windows & slider. They needed replaced. Also called about getting a screen for the slider since it didn't have one. We could've put in a new slider with a screen for the price they quoted us.
Not at our current location, but when we lived in Pella...Neighbor next door worked for Pella and also had Pella windows installed when he built his home in the late 90s. According to him: he had some issues with one window, talked to the company and wanted it replaced. They basically told him he could get the window replaced or keep his job, his choice.
Pella makes great windows above a certain price point, much like Anderson. In both you get what you pay for. In our old home we had vinyl windows produced by the Amish, very good windows and a great price point. We had them installed about 15 years ago, had no problems, one popped after a storm and the guy was out within a week replacing it under warranty.
The problem with windows is that they do wear out over time, and need replaced. Their energy efficiency drops down from years of wear and tear, like any other project.
My thinking is if you need to replace windows, ask yourself one simple questions, "how long do I plan on staying here?" If it's for a decade or more, bit the bullet and get the better windows, if shorter than that, save some money, get something that looks good and let the next guy worry about them.
