Updated August 2026. Andersen and Pella are two of the window brands Florida homeowners look up side by side. Both make impact windows. They are not the same window. Andersen is the more traditional one: wood or wood-look interiors, and more finish work if you live near salt air. Pella’s Florida impact-rated window is vinyl: cleaner lines, less painting, a different look on the wall. For a storm house you need the impact-rated version of each brand, not a regular Andersen or Pella window.

The short version

  • Andersen if you want that classic interior, you already like how Andersen looks, or the rest of the house is already Andersen. Wood-clad units near the coast need a finish-care plan.
  • Pella if you want vinyl, less painting, and that brand’s impact-rated Florida window.
  • Both can be a good window. The question is not the brand name. It is whether this window is impact-rated, and whether it is the right fit for the house.

How they feel in the house

This is the part most people are actually deciding. Andersen interiors are the ones people mean when they say “nice windows.” Wood or wood-look, thicker sightlines, a more traditional room. That is also why wood-clad Andersen needs a coastal maintenance plan: sun, salt, and finish work.

Pella’s Florida impact-rated window is vinyl. Vinyl does not look like wood. Vinyl frames are often chosen for thermal performance and lower heat transfer, and they do not need to be painted. If the house is a modern or low-maintenance replacement, that is often the Pella side of the comparison. If you want the wood interior, that is often the Andersen side. Actual energy performance depends on the specific window and glazing.

Impact-rated vs regular windows

Not every Andersen is impact-rated. Not every Pella is either. Andersen’s hurricane option is called Stormwatch, and it is only on some series. Pella’s impact-rated series for Florida is Hurricane Shield. Other lines from either brand are different windows.

Impact-resistant glass can crack when struck. The laminated interlayer is designed to hold broken glass together and resist penetration, helping protect the building envelope. It is not hurricane-proof. A correct install is part of that performance.

Miami-Dade and Broward are within Florida’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ). Products used there must be approved for HVHZ use, which may be a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) or a Florida Product Approval approved for the HVHZ. The approval has to match the specific window and approved configuration. The company name is not the permit.

If you are still deciding whether you need impact glass at all: Do I need impact windows in Florida?

Andersen vs Pella at a glance


Andersen
Pella
The window people mean
Stormwatch on select series
Hurricane Shield vinyl
Frame
Wood, wood-clad, or composite
Vinyl
Look
Traditional, wood interior
Cleaner vinyl lines
Coastal upkeep
Wood-clad needs a maintenance plan
Vinyl is often chosen where lower heat transfer and less painting matter
Published warranty on impact glass
A-Series Stormwatch: 10-year limited
Hurricane Shield: 10-year limited on laminated glass; labor typically 2 years

Which one may make sense

Andersen if you want that look, a wood interior, or a match to Andersen already on the house, and you are willing to care for the finish near salt air.

Pella if you want vinyl, less painting, and that brand’s impact-rated Florida window.

Statewide does not name a single winner. The right product depends on the home, the opening, the look you want, and the performance the location requires. If a different Florida manufacturer is on the table, that is a different comparison: ES vs PGT or CWS vs PGT.

FAQ

Is one “better” for hurricanes?

Not as a brand. Both make impact-rated windows for Florida. The worse mistake is buying a regular Andersen or Pella window and thinking it is impact-rated. Impact-resistant glass can crack. The laminated interlayer is designed to hold broken glass together and resist penetration.

Can I use them in Miami-Dade or Broward?

Only if that exact window is approved for HVHZ use. That may be a Miami-Dade NOA or a Florida Product Approval approved for the HVHZ. Pella publishes Florida approvals for many Hurricane Shield windows. Andersen has some Florida Product Approvals for Stormwatch. Confirm it for the window on your house.

Which lasts longer in salt air?

Finish, hardware, and upkeep decide more than the brand. Vinyl Hurricane Shield is often chosen where lower heat transfer and less painting matter. Wood-clad Stormwatch looks the part and needs care.

Does Statewide install Andersen and Pella?

Statewide quotes Florida impact lines and can help you compare Andersen or Pella for the house. Statewide is not an exclusive dealer for either, and does not claim either company “doesn’t install.”

Want help comparing them for your house?

Statewide Windows & Doors can look at the house and help determine the appropriate impact-rated product. Call (561) 816-4010 or request a free estimate.