That’s spot on. I’ve lost count of how many times people call me out thinking new windows will solve all their condensation issues, but if you’re pumping moisture into the air, it’s just physics. I’ve seen both Andersen and Pella hold up fine, but honestly, if your humidity’s too high, you’ll still get fog. Sometimes it’s just about managing airflow and not going overboard with the humidifier. Had a client last winter who swapped out every window—still wiped them down every morning till we figured out it was their fish tank and laundry habits.
Had a job a couple years back where the homeowner was convinced her old windows were the reason for all the condensation. Swapped them out for Pellas—looked great, but come January, she’s still got puddles on the sills. Turns out her dryer vent was half-blocked and she’d run humidifiers nonstop. I always say, new windows help, but they’re not magic if the moisture’s still hanging around.
That story sounds way too familiar. Folks blame the windows, but moisture’s got a mind of its own. Good on you for digging deeper—blocked dryer vents and humidifiers crank up the problem no matter what brand you put in. I’ve put in both Andersen and Pella. They both look sharp, but if you don’t tackle the source of the moisture, you’re chasing your tail. Sometimes it’s about airflow more than glass quality.
That’s interesting—never really thought about how much stuff inside the house can mess with windows. I always figured if I got the “good” windows, like Andersen or Pella, I’d be set. But now you’ve got me wondering if I’m just throwing money at the wrong part of the problem.
I did a remodel a couple years back and swapped out all the old single panes for Pella, mostly because the installer had a deal. They look great, but I still get condensation in the winter, especially on the north side. At first, I blamed the windows, but then I noticed our bathroom fan basically does nothing, and we run a humidifier for the kids’ allergies. Probably not helping.
You mentioned blocked dryer vents—how would you even check for that? I mean, mine vents outside, but I’ve never really looked at it. Could that small thing really make a difference on the whole house’s humidity?
Also, about airflow—are we talking just cracking a window now and then, or does it need to be more like adding vents or something? I don’t want to overcomplicate things, but if I’m going to spend thousands on windows, I’d rather not end up with the same foggy mess.
Curious if you noticed any difference between Andersen and Pella when it comes to how they handle condensation, or is it pretty much the same story if the moisture’s not under control?
Honestly, I thought dropping a chunk of cash on “fancy” windows would be the end of my condensation woes too. Turns out, nope—humidity’s the real villain here. For the dryer vent, I just popped outside and checked for lint build-up where it vents. If it’s clogged, it’ll definitely add moisture inside. As for airflow, I started with just cracking a window in the bathroom after showers and it helped more than I expected. Between Andersen and Pella, I haven’t noticed a huge difference with condensation as long as the indoor humidity is high... both will fog up. Seems like you can’t outspend physics.
That’s been my experience too—no matter how much you spend, if your humidity’s high, the windows will sweat. I swapped out my old wood frames for Pella a few years back hoping it’d fix the issue, but honestly, it came down to running a dehumidifier in the winter. Have you noticed any difference in noise reduction or draftiness between Andersen and Pella? That was the one area where I felt a change, but maybe it’s just my house.
I’ve actually had a different experience with window sweating, at least after I upgraded. We’re in a 1950s brick house, and when we switched from the original single-pane wood windows to Andersen 400s, the condensation issue dropped off quite a bit. I’m not saying it vanished—if we get a serious cold snap and the humidifier’s running too high, I’ll still see some fogging—but nothing like before.
Noise reduction was the bigger surprise for me. The Andersens really cut down on street noise compared to the old windows, and even my neighbor’s Pellas don’t seem to block as much sound (we did a side-by-side one night—long story). Drafts were pretty much eliminated too, but I think that came down to how carefully the installer did the spray foam around the frame. If that’s not done right, even expensive windows will feel drafty.
Maybe it comes down to installation as much as the brand itself? I’d check for gaps and insulation around the frames if you’re still getting drafts or noise. Sometimes it’s the little stuff that makes the difference.
Interesting take, but I’ve honestly seen Pellas outperform Andersens in noise reduction—especially the triple-pane options. Sometimes it’s not just the install, but the actual glass package and sash design. Had a client swap out Andersens for Pellas for this reason alone. Just saying, brand does matter at a certain point.
I get where you’re coming from—Pella’s triple-pane does have a solid rep for noise. But honestly, I’m not totally convinced it’s always about the brand. I’ve had Andersens in my last place (old brick house, right next to a busy street), and they were surprisingly good at blocking out traffic noise. Maybe not library-quiet, but definitely better than the drafty originals.
That said, I do think install plays a bigger role than people realize. My neighbor got high-end Pellas but went cheap on the installer… you could literally hear the wind whistle through them on bad days. Meanwhile, my Andersens with a meticulous install held up way better.
Not saying brand is irrelevant—there are differences in sash design and glass packages, like you said—but sometimes I wonder if we give logos too much credit. Or maybe it’s just me being stubborn and not wanting to pay premium for a name? Either way, I’d say focus just as much on who’s putting them in as what’s going in.
I get the install point, but honestly, I still think the brand matters more than we want to admit. My buddy went with a budget line from one of the big names (can’t remember if it was Andersen or Pella), paid for the best installer in town, and yeah, they sealed up tight... but the glass just didn’t cut it in winter. Condensation city. Meanwhile, my cousin’s mid-range Pellas with a so-so install still outperformed his old ones by a mile. Maybe it’s a combo—solid product plus careful install—but I wouldn’t skimp on the window itself, personally.