Greetings.
The Marvin Integrity windows look like a very good idea.
How long has fiberglass been used for windows? Is there enough of a track record to consider these windows really “permanent” with minimal maintenance?
I am thinking about replacing all wood windows with these Marvins.
Another option is to rebuild the existing wood windows; the cost is half to 2/3rds the new price of the Marvins. [some need glazing, side tracks, and new storms]. Bottom line does count on 18 windows!
Thanks for your time!
Replies
Well, I'll be straight. I don't know about the FG windows, but I have put in a number of the doors with FG parts. Thus far, I'm pretty sold. And I don't have anything out there 20 years old to judge by, and doubt it's been around that long, so all I have is a 3YO door, and I just saw the place yesterday. Just fine.
Some setups require the fastening of screws through the jamb / sill / . . . FG material. The one thing I have found is you do have to be fairly careful about not overtightening things there or you risk cracking. Really doubt that would come into play on a window. Marvin makes some good stuff. I think I'd trust that if they're satisfied enough to put it out there, it's probably what they claim.
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain
{The Marvin Integrity windows look like a very good idea.}
...it is, IMO
{Is there enough of a track record to consider these windows really "permanent" with minimal maintenance?}
...is 8 yrs long enough to quench your thirst? I'd buy them again in a heartbeat.
The key to longevity is the install...
get it right
or you'll wanna ship em back
on the very next flight <G>
Another point to consider is the heat loss/gain performance. Depending on what your existing glazing is(and your location), the extra $$ spent upgrading to argon filled and tinted glazing alone, like the Integrity series, could be recovered in short order.
You could also upgrade your existing glazing, but that would probably end up costing as much as the Integrity's complete window unit. So if you don't have any concerns regarding keeping your original(?) windows, go with the new construction units IMO.
One last note you might be interested in is the warranty...and this is not a plug for Marvin, they stand behind their product 100% based on my experience with them.