It has been said that the Pella Architect, Marvin Ultimate and Anderson Woodwright windows are comparable. I’m looking for new window units (mostly DH, fixed grills w/SDL) for a barn conversion/renovation project here in Massachusetts and wanted to better understand comparison of these 3 manufacturers and Jeld Wen (Norco) in terms of construction, performance & price. I like the versatility of a wood exterior but also attracted to the low maintenance clad option too. I’d appreciate any insight/direct experience.
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I've installed all three. I put Anderson in my own house just because they have such a good name. I put Pella in all the houses that I build. If you can afford them, I'd go with Marvin.
Otherwise, look for a window that has a continuous nailing flange. (amazingly, I find them more often on less expensive windows)
I just installed Jeld Wen wood w/ alum clad windows in my house. I am not impressed with them at all. I spent a small fortune on custon sizes, and they are off by as much as 1/8 an inch in places. no biug deal fro most window jobs, but I was replaceing windows in a brick opening from brick to brick. I also saw a lot of poor miter joints, bad caulk joints, and other sloppy construction. I expected better.
Go with the Marvin's. They build them right and you don't have to mess around with extension jambs. They usually ship them within three weeks to your distributor (or in my area to the lumber yard).
Every time we use Pella they screw something up. We do remodeling and additions, so we have alot of odd extension jamb sizes and window mutton configurations, sill thicknesses and exterior casing sizes [on wood windows]. Marvin builds them like we want them and they build them at the factory. Most of the others add extension jambs and mull units together at the distributor/dealer. When this happens they get screwed up.
If you ever need to remove a Pella casement sash to make a window lighter for installation have a big bucket handy for all the screws you'll need to remove, [and have your rubber shafted screwdriver handy so you can get at them].