Pricing reviewed October 2026
Simonton is the lower-cost, vinyl-only choice. Modernize puts Simonton windows at $300 to $1,000 per window, plus $150 to $500 for installation. Pella's own guide puts typical installed costs at $800 to $1,600 for vinyl and $1,100 to $2,200+ for fiberglass or wood (Pella; both as of Oct 27, 2026). Pella offers more materials and longer original-owner coverage. Simonton's warranty covers parts, not labor.
The two brands meet in one place: mid-priced vinyl replacement windows. Pella also sells fiberglass and wood, while Simonton makes only vinyl. This page compares product lines, warranty terms from each company's own documents, published price ranges and how you buy each. We don't rate or review either brand, and there are no star ratings here. To compare frame materials in general, see window cost by frame material.
Pella vs. Simonton side by side
| Pella | Simonton | |
|---|---|---|
| Frame materials | Vinyl, fiberglass, wood (Pella) | Vinyl only (Modernize; Simonton) |
| Window lines named | 150, 250, Encompass (vinyl); Impervia (fiberglass); Lifestyle, Reserve (wood); Hurricane Shield, Defender (impact) (Pella, Pella at Lowe's) | DaylightMax, Madeira, HarborLight, Simonton Pro, StormBreaker Plus (impact), Brickmould 300 and 600, Contractor (Simonton); Reflections 5500, Impressions 9800, ProFinish (Modernize) |
| Price range | Installed: vinyl $800 – $1,600; fiberglass $1,100 – $2,200; wood $1,100 – $2,200+ (Pella) | $300 – $1,000 per window, plus $150 – $500 installation (Modernize) |
| Frame warranty (owner-occupied home) | Vinyl lines: as long as the original purchaser owns the home; the next owner gets the remainder of 10 years (Pella) | Vinyl frame and sash: for as long as the customer lives in the home; specialty products 10 years (Simonton) |
| Insulated glass | Vinyl lines: 20 years; laminated 10 years | Up to 15 years; specialty glass 10 years; stress cracks 1 year |
| Hardware / components | Hardware operation: as long as the original purchaser owns the home (vinyl lines) | 5 years |
| Labor | Included for service on replacement parts or repair for the first 2 years from date of sale | Not covered. Simonton "is not responsible for any costs incurred in the removal, replacement, installation, re-installation or repair" |
| Transferable? | Yes, as the remainder of 10 years for later owners (vinyl lines) | No. The homeowner warranty is "not transferrable beyond the first consumer user" |
| How it's sold and installed | Pella showrooms and dealers (Modernize); several lines at Lowe's (Pella at Lowe's) | Through certified dealers, builders and home-improvement retailers such as Home Depot, with installation by dealers, contractors or retailer installers (Modernize); "Product offerings vary by region" (Simonton) |
Pella terms are from its warranty brochure, described as correct as of 3/1/2024. Simonton terms are from its Limited Lifetime Warranty page. Both checked Oct 27, 2026. Sources disagree on one point: Modernize describes Simonton's warranty as "Limited Lifetime (Transferable Once)", but Simonton's own warranty page says homeowner coverage isn't transferable beyond the first consumer. Only commercial installations may transfer once, from developer to building owner. We go with Simonton's document.
Price comparison
| Simonton series (Modernize) | Installed per window |
|---|---|
| ProFinish | $400 – $900 |
| Reflections 5500 | $600 – $1,200 |
| DaylightMax | $600 – $1,200 |
| Impressions 9800 | $800 – $1,500 |
| Entry-level double-hung | $450 – $700 |
| Bay / bow | $1,200 – $2,500 |
| Pella series (Modernize) | Window only (not installed) |
|---|---|
| Encompass | $200 – $900 |
| 250 Series | $250 – $850 |
| Lifestyle (wood) | $300 – $1,500 |
| Impervia (fiberglass) | $300 – $1,700 |
| Hurricane Shield / Defender | $700 – $1,500 |
Sources: Modernize Simonton review (updated Aug 12, 2026) and Modernize Pella review (updated Oct 6, 2026), as of Oct 27, 2026. The Simonton figures include installation and the Pella figures don't. Modernize also gives Simonton state averages, such as $550–$1,000 installed per window in Florida and $500–$950 in Texas.
What really separates them
Material choice
If you've decided on vinyl, both are in play. If you're weighing fiberglass or a wood interior, only Pella makes them. Simonton's vinyl range runs from builder-grade (Modernize describes ProFinish as aimed at new construction) to slim-frame and wood-look lines such as DaylightMax and Madeira.
Warranty depth
This is the biggest gap. Simonton covers the vinyl frame for as long as you live in the house, but its glass coverage is up to 15 years versus Pella's 20 on vinyl lines. Its hardware coverage is 5 years, and it doesn't pay labor. Pella includes 2 years of labor and covers hardware operation for the original owner's tenure. If the new windows will stay through a sale, Pella's coverage transfers as the remainder of 10 years. Simonton's homeowner coverage doesn't transfer.
Price
For a basic vinyl replacement, Simonton is usually cheaper. Modernize's installed ranges for Simonton's entry lines start around $400–$450, while Pella's own installed vinyl range starts at $800. Both figures are national averages. A local quote for your sizes is the only real comparison.
Pros and cons
| Pella | Simonton |
|---|---|
| + Vinyl, fiberglass and wood + 2 years of labor; 20-year glass on vinyl lines + Coverage transfers (10-year remainder) − Higher installed price − Service can vary by dealer (Modernize) | + Lower prices, especially entry-level vinyl + Lifetime vinyl frame coverage while you live there + Impact line (StormBreaker Plus) − Vinyl only − No labor coverage; 5-year hardware; not transferable to a buyer |
Pick Pella if… / pick Simonton if…
- Pick Pella if you want fiberglass or wood, value included labor and a transferable warranty, or plan to sell within the next decade.
- Pick Simonton if you want vinyl at a lower price, plan to stay in the home, and have an installer you trust, because the installer carries the labor risk.
- Hurricane zone? Both make impact lines: Pella Hurricane Shield and Defender, Simonton StormBreaker Plus. Check the product approval for your county first. See impact window cost.
Who each brand fits
Simonton fits budget-focused vinyl projects, rentals and long-term owners who mainly want lifetime frame coverage. Pella fits buyers who want more material choice and stronger after-sale service terms, and who will pay more upfront for them. Get at least three written quotes either way. Our quote comparison guide shows what to line up.
More comparisons: Andersen vs. Pella · Milgard vs. JELD-WEN
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Frequently asked questions
Is Simonton cheaper than Pella?
Generally yes for vinyl. Modernize puts Simonton windows at $300–$1,000 per window plus $150–$500 installation, while Pella's own guide gives $800–$1,600 installed for vinyl.
Does Simonton's warranty cover labor?
No. Simonton's Limited Lifetime Warranty says it is not responsible for costs of removal, replacement, installation, re-installation or repair; remedies are replacement parts or, at Simonton's discretion, a refund excluding installation.
Is the Simonton warranty transferable?
Simonton's warranty page says homeowner coverage is not transferable beyond the first consumer user; only commercial installations can transfer once. Modernize describes it as transferable once, but we follow Simonton's own document.
Does Simonton make fiberglass or wood windows?
No. Simonton makes vinyl windows only. Pella offers vinyl, fiberglass (Impervia) and wood (Lifestyle, Reserve).
Sources
- Modernize, "Simonton Windows Review" (updated Aug 12, 2026); accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Modernize, "Pella Windows Review" (updated Oct 6, 2026); accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Pella, "Replacement Window Cost by Material (2026 Guide)" (updated Oct 6, 2026); accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Pella, Warranty Information brochure (correct as of 3/1/2024); accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Pella at Lowe's, product warranties page (series sold); accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Simonton, Limited Lifetime Warranty; accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Simonton, windows product page; accessed Oct 27, 2026.
Figures on this page come from the third-party cost guides, manufacturer documents and government sources linked inline and listed above, checked October 27, 2026. They are not from the WindowCostEstimate cost guide or our calculator pricing model. Prices and warranty terms change; confirm with the manufacturer and compare written quotes from local installers.