Sarah Mirando  |  June 28, 2012

Category: Consumer News

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Pella ProLine WindowsPella Corporation has reached a class action lawsuit settlement over alleged defects in its ProLine series of windows that allegedly cause rotting in the surrounding wood. If approved, the class action settlement will cover a nationwide Class of consumers who purchased ProLine casement, awning and transom windows made by Pella from 1991 to 2006.

Under the proposed class action lawsuit settlement, consumers may be eligible to receive between $750 and $6,000. The Pella ProLine settlement also provides benefits beyond the warranty to consumers whose windows may suffer wood rot in the future.

Lead Plaintiff Dr. Leonard Saltzman sued Pella in 2006 alleging that he began to notice some of his window frames were rotting 10 years after installing ProLine casement windows in his new home, but the windows were no longer under warranty. Saltzman alleged the windows had a design defect that allows water to seep behind the aluminum cladding and cause wood rot.

Pella denies the allegations and maintains wood rot can be caused by many different reasons, but said in a statement last week that it is “pleased to have created a settlement framework that extends our existing customer support program with a claims process” for older windows.

“In the overwhelming majority of cases, our Pella windows performed extremely well and as designed,” Pella’s CEO said. “We know that each home or building is unique and the settlement is designed to address the relatively small number that may have experienced a problem.”

Detailed instructions on how to file a valid claim for the Pella ProLine Window Class Action Settlement can be found in our Open Lawsuit Settlements section.

UPDATE: A class action lawsuit settlement has been reached! Learn how to file a claim for the Pella Window Class Action Settlement.

UPDATE 2: On June 2, 2014, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the Pella window defect class action settlement after finding that its terms were “scandalous” and unfair to Class Members. 

UPDATE 3: On Feb. 8, 2018, after years in court, Pella Corporation agreed to pay close to $26 million to settle a class action lawsuit that alleged a line of its windows leaked and caused wood rot.

UPDATE 4: On March 23, 2018, the revised Pella ProLine windows defect class action settlement is now open. Click here to file a claim.

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120 thoughts onPella Agrees to ProLine Window Defect Settlement

  1. David Allsup says:

    Lawsuit kept changing and I kept re-filing. The latest letter I received said, basically, that there were so many claims that, after lawyer fees, there was very little money to pay claims. I needed to re-file with additional documentation and then I would get a few dollars. Not worth my time.

    1. Rita Stellyes says:

      Can a person still file after the date? I have wood rot so bad the aluminum cladding fell off. I called Pella to get a replacement and asked why it happen and she said she didn’t know why and quoted me $352 just for the top sash of the proline window and $125 to install!!!

  2. Chris says:

    I replace 24 windows with Pella in 2001 one is rotted the other ones are fine for now, but after reading these comments I’m worried

    1. Anthony Lazzar says:

      I have same issue and it’s too late for suit, alot of mine have problems as well as water soaking in

  3. Fouled once says:

    As a general contractor for 20 years and knowing nothing about law suit called Pella to look at all my rotten, mold windows. Casement and even fixed windows. Rep told me it’s normal wear and tear. I had to use all of my civility not to bounce him out my door!! Explain and showed mold and rot in windows and especially fixed non operating windows! Nope normal wear and tear this rocket scientist tells me. So when I hear of litigation I documented all the windows and want to stick it to these hacks now! Just waiting for finalization and determination of amount of claim. Will never ever use these windows again!!!
    Old saying goes, “ fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me”

  4. Susan Peterson says:

    I clicked on the link and found that the site is closed – 6 days too late! Is there any way to file a claim at this point?

    1. Rita Stellyes says:

      Did you find if there is there any way to file after the date? I have wood rot so bad the aluminum cladding fell off. I called Pella to get a replacement and asked why it happen and she said she didn’t know why and quoted me $352 just for the top sash of the proline window and $125 to install!!!

  5. Greg Laban says:

    The sashes in my Pella proline casement windows are rotting due to Aluminum Cladding. Pella will not even give me a discount on replacing sashes.

    1. amber root says:

      Same with mine.

  6. Greg Laban says:

    I also have issues with Pella proline casement windows. I would like to replace just the rotted sashes but Pella will not even give me a discount on the sashes. I can purchase new top quality vinal Windows for less than Pella wants just for the sashes.

  7. Joe Hylant says:

    Yup, have the same problem with Pella, my bay window, and sliding glass door, both have rotten wood. It leaked, between the wall and ruined carpet. They, Pella, said, can’t be repaired, wanted $12,000. just to replace bay wood. Will never, ever, buy another Pella product.

    1. amber root says:

      I couldn’t agree more. Same thing is happening with mine..they are terrible to deal with.

  8. Bob says:

    Same thing as above – Huge picture windows rotting, bay windows rotting along with over 15 casement windows – Pella has been giving me a little discount on the windows after long phone calls and arguments but installation is on me – replacing a bay window three stories high is not cheap – I would never recommend Pella – They should be put out of business

  9. Wendy Kempcke says:

    We moved into our house in 2004. Previous owner purchased all new Pella windows throughout the house just before we moved in. Every windows have been slowly rotting over the years. The windows in the winter frost over in the inside of the house. Condensation all over the windows and puddles the bottom. We purchased this house knowing and relieved it has new windows. Can’t afford to purchase new ones. In our otherr house we we purchased cheap windows and they were so much better.

  10. Robert says:

    I am in big trouble. 24 windows fell apart in 10 years. Pella says to bad. I cannot afford to do them all at once. I hope I can order them singularly. One window has now lost the glass and is duct taped together. Wow… I had put over $17,500 in Pella windows and doors when I built this house in 2000. I was told that the Pella brand was high quality. I bought them over Anderson and local manufacture. I bought the professional line. I never dreamed it would cost me a lot more to fix them when the failures started in 2009. 9 years after the house was built. I cannot believe there is no warranty consideration. These windows have been failing since the day they went in. I registered a complaint in 2009 and had to replace a window. What happened to the 10 year warranty? They should have all been replaced in 2009. This condition was presented to Pella before the warranty expired. I did not think I would have to replace them in my life. I am sure that all makes little difference to Pella. They got that initial sale. Wow. When you build your last house you do not expect this!

    1. TK says:

      I have same issues. Any recourse with pella you can share? I’ve replaced 3 and more are rotting on crank out windows.

      1. Don says:

        I have to replace 2 windows that are rotting to the tune of over $7200. I built my house in 1999 and have been told by 2 different Pella representatives these windows were defective from the beginning and now it is my problem. Considering different manufacturer! Why would I give Pella more of my money!!! This was the second house I built using Pella windows because of their reputation! Boy was I wrong!

    2. Ross says:

      Hi Robert
      You unfortunately are not alone. We just got told to replace our existing Pella Windows (house built in 1990) that we are looking at $87,000…no that is not a typo..$87,000. When you factor in the house cost to replace under my insurance is $500,000, So that represent 17.5% of my homes value are in these windows. And let me tell you these windows STINK…they are freezing cold in the winter, flies get through their seals.
      And yup Pella big shots can’t help…well won’t help.
      I for one will NEVER use PELLA products again for any reason
      Outrageous costs
      Poor quality
      And no product warranty satisfaction.

      Do they think home owners should replace windows more often then a shingled roof.

      The price would make you say no…

      Sorry about the rant but like one other guy here said…Hope Pella goes out of business

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