Replies

1. 
   James_Mitchell_GC | Mar 31, 1999 06:16am | #1

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   A couple years ago I looked at a job that had wooden Marvin windows with rotten sills on the north side. Marvin made good on the warranty but it was a drag because it was a stucco house. I'm not so sure that any wood window would'nt rot and I wouldn't suggest anything but aluminum clad.

1. 
   James_Mitchell_GC | Mar 31, 1999 06:18am | #2

   *A couple years ago I looked at a job that had wooden Marvin windows with rotten sills on the north side. Marvin made good on the warranty but it was a drag because it was a stucco house. I'm not so sure that any wood window would'nt rot and I wouldn't suggest anything but aluminum clad.

2. 
   Guest_ | Mar 31, 1999 03:28pm | #3

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   Our local window dealer sells both and he gives marvin the nod. Check out their new ultimate double hung - it has energy values comparable to casements!!

   We are installing the WDH2012 & WDH2020 witha few 2WDH2020. They have the SDL option in the top sash, all wood casings. The SDL's are absolutely gorgeous! People are awestruck in our living room and stare at the 2W unit for several minutes. I have had a few issues with them though. 1 - I can't seem to ever get thenm perfectly square when I install the exterior casings (custom by me);2 - the 2w units have the holes in the mullion for the screen pegs a hair too low. Frustrating when mine work and theirs don't. Mine are made in NY, so maybe it's a regional thing.

   -Rob

3. 
   Terry_Lord | Mar 31, 1999 04:50pm | #4

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   As of about four years ago, we use nothing but
   K&K windows. We are based in Northern Minnesota
   and deal with some of the more extreme climate
   changes and Winter weather. I have only had one callback for a stress crack which was promptly
   replaced by the dealer. For a minimal ($10-15)
   You can get a Royal sash, which is wood and thicker than others I have seen. Kolbe has changed dramatically in the last several years-for the better. Wood clad, aluninum clad, sash replacements and coming soon is vinyl. They serve us quite well and are MUCH improved from the Kolbe of the olden days. Give them a try!

4. 
   Guest_ | Mar 31, 1999 05:01pm | #5

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   I have used the Marvin Integrity Fiberglass outside wood inside) With good results. I picked it because the outside was paintable but wouldn't rot.

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 01, 1999 03:01am | #6

   *I am the process of ordering the windows for a home that I am building. I priced and evaluated several different manufactures products. Since the quarry on this thread was for "Kolbe & Kolbe vs. Marvin, here is my opinion in that area:I compared the clad units. The Marvin is definitely a nicer window. Slightly heavier construction. The Marvin cladding is extruded, not wrapped like K&K. The Marvin FFRC energy efficiency ratings are slightly better too. The Marvins also had a feature that most clad windows don't have - "snap on" brick mold - which is something I really wanted. So, what's not to like? … The Marvins were greater than 30% more expensive. When you are buying a hole house of windows, this can add up big time!$$$! I guess you get what you pay for, but you won't see a Ferrari in my driveway either (I don't feel humble driving a new pickup with power everything…)Another a-side: I spent some time searching the web for dissatisfied customers of the various window manufactures. I found virtually nothing on K&K. I found multiple complaints on almost all of the other manufacturers that I was researching. Not sure if that is because K&K does a lower volume or not, but they have been around for a long time. On the other hand, I found out about some very disturbing customer experiences with one of the other big window manufacturers that I was considering (- - - - ), and learned that they had virtually no customer service! - not the kind of organization I'm going to fork over a five digit sum of $ to!

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 01, 1999 07:10am | #7

   *Matt,What did the search for dissatisfied Marvin customers turn up?I would look myself, but since you've already done it...Thanks,Rich Beckman

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 05, 1999 05:47am | #8

   *Rich:Sorry, I have been away for a few days. As far as your question, start by looking around the AEC info board and the windows and doors forum: http://www.aecinfo.com/forum/wb08/index.htmlBTW, I didn't say I thought Marvins were other than first rate, I just said that I found some complaints (not necessarily justified). What I was saying was that the Marvins were the most expensive out of the 6 or 7 brands I priced - by more than a little.

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 05, 1999 07:17am | #9

   *Ditto on Rob's comments.I use Marvin woodies exclusively. I've only had one problem where the muntins in a transom were not aligned with the lower unit. They sent a rep and changed the transom out the next day.Personally, I'm not a fan of the snap-in grids. I use the SDL's and they look fabulous.Haggle over the price, if you can't knock it down another percent or so try HD. One time their building rep offered to special order a house of Marvin's for me and still beat my lowest quote by 10 percent. Would have been a nice savings, but I opted to go with my lumberyard since they have a policy of not destroying every item of stock that passes through their doors with a forklift like HD seems to do.

2. 
   Guest_ | Apr 06, 1999 10:03am | #10

   *Has anyone any thoughts on Windsor solid vinyl windows? My sister is getting them on her big new house. They didn't look very good to me - but I'm not a window guy. Single hung and lower sash doesn't tilt in. I'm wondering if she is going to be happy with these over the long run. Any advice would be appreciated.Thanks!

5. 
   don_hummer | Apr 08, 1999 07:19am | #11

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   Mark,
   I install windows mostly retrofits but new constru
   ction also. I work with Marvin, Hurd, Wilmar
   , crestline, Vetter and Weathershields.For My
   money i'd install Marvin's. Here in MMMMMinnesota
   Windows are heavily scrutinized. I installed K&K
   when I lived in Arizona. They're O.K. But not up to Marvin's Standards. They backed their products
   to 30 mill when PPG wouldn't stand behind their preservatives. Their clad gliders are a good low
   cost alternative, I especially like their new ultimate double hung sharp looking window

   Don Hummer; BBBBBBrainerd MMMMMinnesota.

1. 
   don_hummer | Apr 08, 1999 07:27am | #12

   *Mark as a Post Script why would anybody want to install wood windows and paint esteriors? Also keep good care of casement harddware, Once a year clean the dust out the cranks and clean with silicone spray or W.D. 40 . Lubricate the pivot points with lube and grease the teeth of the crank gear with white lithium grease. You can do this by removing a piece of wood that covers the crank at the bottom of the window. Happy painting! Don in MMMMMinnesota

6. 
   Guest_ | Apr 14, 1999 10:45pm | #13

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   I have used Marvin extensivley for 10-15 years, Kolbe for several. Kolbe has actually proven to be more flexible in design flexibility( In my case a greater number of allowable "spokes/muntin bars" in a clad circlehead unit)but I believe those instances are rare.
   While I have never had any serious problems with either manufacturer I do know that Marvin had some major failures in their Polycron wood windows and are still in litigation with PPG over that one. The important thing to remember is that Marvin is making good on all these failures with or without PPg's assistance.
   It's costing them a bundle but they are taking the "long haul" approach.
   In terms of construction-especially if you want an historical or traditional look-I'd go with Marvin.They have nice heavy sill, stiles and rails and you can order them with a multitude of exterior casing options.

7. 
   mark_b. | Apr 14, 1999 10:48pm | #14

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   I've read the discussions regarding Kolbe & Kolbe windows a while back, and the comments were all positive, but how do they compare to Marvin regarding cost, quality, appearance, ease of installation, etc.? In particular, we'll probably be using all wood (not clad) casement windows with simulated divided lites (grids on exterior, interior and between panes), and painting the exterior. Thanks, folks.