Replacement Windows Discussion Board Forum

Hello, Thanks to the knowledgeable posters on this board, we successfully (I HOPE) installed 12 Marvin Ultimate Double-hungs, 6 Marvin Casements, and 1 Anderson Octagon Window in October, 2005. However, I have noticed a strange sound that periodically comes from the double-hung windows. We hear a so...

Andy, I too live in the Chicago suburbs and am replacing ROW windows (mostly double-hung). I looked at Loewen and Marvin and preferred Loewen's Douglas Fir until I determined the price difference was $1,700 higher for the Loewen product. That's not worth it to me. Another thing to consider in my cas...

No, 1/2 down is too much in my opinion as customer. To be fair to both parties, I have 1 possible compromise: A) 1/3 down as a pre-payment. B) 1/3 upon delivery of windows. C) 1/3 after all aspects of installation, restoration, etc. are completed and the customer determines the install is complete. ...

I am also a homeowner and am considering Marvin and Loewen wood windows. I would advise finding a dealer that carries several of the windows you are considering if possible. This would allow you to make a side-by-side comparison. Just make sure that the dealer provides like-type windows to compare (...

What is the preferred method for filling new window vs. window opening gaps to prevent air and water infiltration? A) Using pieces of wood and the pink fiberglass insulation. B) Using low expansion foam insulation. I contacted the window manufacturer and they had no preferred installation method but...

Admin. staff. Please delete this post. Its a duplicate. Thanks, Windownovice

We are going to purchase 12 aluminum clad exterior double-hungs, 6 Casements, and 1 Octagon in the next few days. We are down to 2 Quotes: A) Quote A are Marvin Ultimate DH and Casement windows offering: 1) 10 Year installation warranty. 2) Price of $13,400. 3) Authorized Marvin installer. 4) Offers...

We are going to purchase 12 aluminum clad exterior double-hungs, 6 Casements, and 1 Octagon in the next few days. We are down to 2 Quotes: A) Quote A are Marvin Ultimate DH and Casement windows offering: 1) 10 Year installation warranty. 2) Price of $13,400. 3) Authorized Marvin installer. 4) Offers...

Thanks to all who have posted replies to my questions on this posted topic. Its been very helpful!!

Jscott – I began to look into the Milgard window you recommended until I found out they had major problems with their Double-Hung units. One of the sales outfits I was working with informed me they had just dropped the Milgard product line and replaced it with Kolbe. Milgard had a great warranty, but I wonder if they had to offer it to entice people to buy their product.

Guy and Oberon – Thanks for the Sound Transmission and DP explanations.

Mnlaker – You live in a beautiful state with a great baseball team. I keep hoping they will knock the stuffing out of the Yankees in the playoffs. From looking at Loewen’s website and technical guide, its space between glass is 4/8â€Â￾ (with 2 panes of 1/8â€Â￾ double-strength glass) instead of Marvin’s 5/8â€Â￾ and Kolbe’s 5/8â€Â￾ (with 2 panes of 1/8â€Â￾ double-strength glass) .

Unfortunately, my Loewen quote for 12 DH’s, 6 Casements, & 1 Octagan is $1,600 more than the Marvin quote. And that’s after the Loewen quote was reduced $2,000.

Just curious on your stats. on service calls for manufacturers per year. Is there someplace you’d recommend I could check to see these numbers? Are these based on your experience in the Minnesota region?

Also, what is an approximate price per window increase to go with the triple pane argon filling vs. double pane argon (HP1) for both casements and Double-hungs?

I believe I am looking at 3 quality windows. Now I need to choose a great installer.

Can anyone share what the importance of a vendor's window installation warranty is? I have them quoted ranging from 1 year at low end to Lifetime at upper end.

The same has happened to me. I am going to replace 19 windows and am considering Loewen, Marvin, and Kolbe wood/aluminum clads. All are quoting full frame replacement. Loewen, which I thought was a high quality window, seems to be all standard sizes with total gaps per window as high as 1.5". T...

Dean,

I really appreciate the info! We are in the south part of Naperville and were leaning towards full frame replacement on whichever window we ultimately choose. Your post confirms our thoughts. Most of our windows are probably 31 years old, but I just spoke to someone who was replacing 18 year old windows. Any thoughts on why the old ROW ‘s you have seen were all falling apart?

I’m not sure which local dealer you were saying to avoid, as I didn’t mention one. Is there a more appropriate venue to discuss this?

You mention that you are biased towards Marvin. Why is that? I was curious as to why you’d pick Marvin over Loewen if the price were even. From what I have seen, Loewen is the superior product for the reasons discussed prior in this topic. But then I re-read your post and saw your points about Marvin being better established in this area in case we needed to deal with someone beyond the installer down the road. Do you know if warranty work is handled by Marvin or the window installer?

Thanks for the clarification on the 5/8â€Â￾ being the space between the glass and not the glass itself.

As an FYI on the Kolbe product, I did see a somewhat side-by-side comparison between the Marvin Ultimate DH (unfortunately insert not new construction) and the Kolbe Sterling DH.

The advantages of the Kolbe over the Marvin as presented to me:

1) Kolbe’s 7/8â€Â￾ space between the glass vs. Marvin’s 5/8â€Â￾.
2) Kolbe’s Air Infiltration rate of .03 vs. Marvin’s .18.
3) Kolbe’s use of double-strength glass. Does Marvin have this?
4) Kolbe’s Design Pressure Rating of DP 50 vs. I believe DP 40 for Marvin.
5) Kolbe’s 30 year exterior non-transferable warranty vs. 0? for Marvin.
6) Kolbe’s use of 70% Kynar finish on the exterior vs. 50% for Marvin.

Are these significant? Well, the salesperson had my attention until he showed me the price. $2,000 more than the price for the Marvins. He did re-iterate the importance of a quality install, that his installers were employees of his company, a written lifetime installation warranty, 12 months interest free financing, and the most comprehensive referral list I have seen.

The fiberglass option is still a consideration for me becuase of the price.

What do I lose going with the fiberglass vs. wood?

Have a great week!

Guy, Thank you for your response! I like your ground rules about pro's and con's. I did get a Pella quote about a year ago, but I cast them aside as I heard from a local contractor that Pella used to be excellent in his opinion but he had switched to using Marvin products as he believed Marvin had a...

Your time and expertise in answering any of my concerns would be greatly appreciated. My 31 year old windows need help. I would appreciate any advice and/or recommendations in my journey to replace 19 windows. Here is my situation:

- I Live in DuPage County, Illinois (40 miles west of Chicago). Winters are cold, summers hot, sports teams are not.
- 12 wood framed ROW double hung windows, with triple track storms and divided lights. 5 of the windows have rotting of the sill and frame.
- 6 wood framed casement windows. (1 won’t seal completely as a casualty of last summer’s windstorm).
- 1 wood framed operating octagon window. (Exterior frame is rotted).
- Most of the second floor windows have condensation.
- Most of the windows are drafty, especially the casements.
- Existing interior trim and baseboards are painted white so a premium wood product wouldn’t be seen.

After going through a group of sales presentations on vinyl, wood, and fiberglass products, we have “narrowed the fieldâ€Â￾ to the following products to replace our 12 DH's, 6 Casements, and 1 octogon with double glazing, low-E, argon with SDL’s in 5 DH’s:

1) Marvin Aluminum Clad Ultimate, (Wood)
2) Loewen Aluminum Clad, (Wood)
3) Kolbe Ultra Sterling (Wood)
4) Marvin Fiberglass Infinity

I tried using the NFRC.org website to evaluate the performance of the windows in a cyber comparison, but did not have the CPD # and was amazed at how many different products each company has. I asked those folks that gave me quotes for the CPD # on their proposed window. So far I’ve only received the Kolbe #.

I was surprised that no products I have seen come with a storm window, thus the screen and window are exposed to the elements. I also enjoy looking through clear glass without an obtrusive screen.

The Marvin Ultimate and Loewen appear to be about equal in terms of energy performance from what I’ve cobbled together from the NFRC website. The following are advantages for the Loewen over Marvin that have been presented to me:
1) Loewen uses the Western Douglas Fir as opposed to Marvin’s Pine.
2) Loewen’s corners are Double-mortise and tennon vs, Marvin’s slot & tennon.
3) Loewen supposedly has a built-in weep system for moisture control. I’m not sure about Marvin.
4) Loewen does not run cladding to the interior weather strip.

But the best price I have been quoted for Loewen is $2,500 more than the Marvin Ultimate (same salesman). Ouch.

I am going to see a side-by-side comparison of the Marvin Ultimate, and Kolbe Ultra Sterling (Wood) this weekend from a salesperson who quoted me Marvin but after finding out he was high on price, said he will be able to now quote Kolbe and be competitive with the Marvin wood product. The Kolbe’s apparent advantages over Marvin:

1) Kolbe’s 7/8â€Â￾ glass vs. Marvin’s 5/8â€Â￾. Anyone know Loewen’s?
2) Kolbe’s air infiltration rating of 0.03 vs. Marvin’s 0.18. Loewen’s?

I like the Marvin Infinity Fiberglass because of:
1) No need to paint interior or pay an extra $2,600 to do so.
2) Seems to be more durable than wood.
3) Price is $3,200 less than Marvin Ultimate wood product.

My concerns for this fiberglass window are:

1) No long-term performance record.
2) Will parts be available down the road if this window doesn’t catch on?
3) Doesn’t look as good as wood.
4) Is a non-natural product that could emit something harmful.


My final concern is the installation. The salesman with the best price so far subcontracts his installers vs. others who say they have their installers as employees. How can I mitigate this perceived risk? I have checked the Better Business Bureau and found no major differentiation. My next step will be references. I definitely need help and guidance from this forum to evaluate the pros and cons, suggestions for any other manufacturers or installers to consider for replacement products, advice on whether to keep or remove storm windows, etc.

When done with this project, we would like to have energy efficiency, low external maintenance, paintable on the inside, all rotted wood replaced, no loss of glass surface, and full-frame replacement. Help and Thanks.