window education needed please Marvin, Pella, etc.

gunderson1909

17 years ago

I am looking for help in sorting out window differences. Our contractor installed Pella Pro-Line windows when we had approved Marvin Integrity. We had specifically stated that we did not want compression jamb style of tilt-in for cleaning and now we have them installed. We are also concerned that the quality of the Pella Pro-Line is not as good as the Marvin Integrity.

Can anyone tell me anything about the differences? I have spoken with people who sell windows, but since no place sells both Marvin and Pella I am getting a salesman's slant. One Marvin rep claims that the Pella Pro-line have roll form/coil stock metal cladding which is inferior to the extruded aluminum cladding on regular Marvin or the fiberglass composite of the Marvin Integrity. There was something about siliconized polyester coating not holding up as well as paint on fiberglass. Also something about Pella windows being painted before - not as good as Marvin. I got a bit lost there. He said the warranty on the Marvin is superior and that there are no forms like with Pella.

Pella has latches for the tilt-in on their higher level 850 architect series which seems to be about the same price as the Marvin Integra, but I do not know what else is different in terms of finish, durability, etc.

We are also concerned about the installation. The contractors left the fins folded and are using sealant instead. In our prior house we had new Marvin windows installed in a gut rehab that were great - tilt-in with a latch. Downstairs at that house we had some replacement windows put in that were the compression jamb that we hated. They also leaked a ton of air in our cold and windy Chicago winter. We are concerned that we will have the same problem. This is a different contractor than the last time so it is hard to understand what exactly the problem was. I do not know the specifics of how they were installed regarding fins.

We do not want to hold up the job or take steps backwards in the progress, but we also do not want to have to live with something that is not what we agreed on. We never cleaned the windows in our prior house that had the compression jamb, while we often cleaned the ones with the latch type of tilt-in. Equally, if not more important though, are the quality, effectiveness and durability concerns.

I am asking these questions here because communication and trust are showing themselves to be less than perfect with our contractors. If we do change these out, what do we put in their place? I think standard sizes might be part of the issue with the Marvin. The Pella 850/Architect series solves the latch tilt-in problem ( I think?), but what about the quality etc. We are open to other brands if we do indeed change these. Would love any ideas of good quality double hung windows that have latch type tilt-in, unfinished wood interior, easy care, durable white exterior.

thanks.

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Comments (8)

fastback
17 years ago
I cant speak for Marvin windows but my pella designer series are nice. I do think they are are just as good as they were 10 years ago when they were installed.
pew1
17 years ago
BUT, Pella is not what they were 10 years ago.

We just did a major addition to our home, and used Pella to match other Pella products installed 10 years ago. A major mistake!

The quality of 10 years ago is gone, we used all of their top of line product, they are just over priced junk trying to live on a past reputation.

We had 5 service calls on the windows in the first 3 months basically all due to poor design. Still waiting for another service call, been waiting 6 months no show. Pella distributes through regional private companies, and the one in our mid-atlantic area is not worth to powder to blow it up!

Would we use Pella again? NO WAY!

The fins can or cannot be used, based on the construction materials. If you are wood construction, and have exposure to install, I would insist on the fins being used.

Paul
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Thank you for the feedback. I am concerned re Pella standing behind its warranty in the event of window failure. My concerns are based on posts I've read re other people's experience as well as the Pella dealer warning that we should have them install as Pella would void its warranty should the contractor not strictly follow the required install instructions. Of course, his quote is 10 - 15k higher than Marvin's, and we can't afford it. We do like the product itself though, and the options available. eal51 - you're right. The cost savings offered by Anderson do not justify reframing the windows. I just received the written quote and realized the additional labor costs to cut down and fill in the windows account for almost $3,000 of the total cost - money that could be going towards the product itself. I was hoping for feedback on Lincoln, which appears to be a well-made window with many options similar to Marvin and Pella. This isn't our "forever" home, but we would like a quality window that functions well and also adds value to the home for future resale, and without breaking the bank! Thanks again for your comments.
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You're not going to go wrong with either one. I would be more concerned about the quality of service from your local distributor. We buy a lot from both distributors in our area and I have no problem recommending both to clients. The local distributor puts a mark-up on the product and for us they are priced out about the same when looking at Marvin Ultimate DH or Pella Architect Series LX. The Marvin Ultimate DH is (IMO) a slightly better unit in terms of operation. To me the Marvin is a little smoother and more refined, but I would put either in my home. There are other products that Pella makes that I prefer over Marvin. The only comment or concern I would have is about the distributor. One of my distributors offers kick backs to architects and builders to push the customer towards their brand. We have been offered ski trips and fishing trips in the past. If your builder or architect is really pushing one over the other, be very leery. IF you are seeing a significant price difference then you might be paying for someones vacation. Price them both out and request line item pricing and elevation drawings with their bid. Both companies have the ability to provide this with the stroke of a few keys.
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steve_o
17 years ago
I suspect the biggest difference between these windows (assuming they have the same features such as glazing, film coatings, etc.) is the quality of the installation. In fact, Pella's or Marvin's best window can finish a poor second to a run-of-the-mill Weathershield or Vetter if it is not installed properly. I would not be so concerned that Pella was substituted for Marvin if you were advised of the choice ahead of time and if it was a brand that the contractor was more familiar with installing. But it does not sound like that was the case here.
iapq1990
17 years ago
We just ordered some Marvins and we were told by our window guy (whom we feel is very honest and trustworthy and has done work for friends of ours so we know he's good) that he stopped carrying Pella a few years back because he got tired of dealing with all the problems the Pellas he had installed over the years were generating. I'm afraid I don't know the nature of these problems but he has been installing windows for 30 years.
masiman
17 years ago
There are bad stories about all windows. Installation is key for any of them. That said, in my rough estimation, more problems are stated by Pella owners than Marvin and Andersen.

Do you know if there is a price difference between the windows? What did the contractor say as to why they did not put in the spec'd windows?

You'll have to decide if you'll put your foot down on this one.

Good Luck. Let us know if you decide to stay with the Pella's or have them change to what was spec'd.
texasredhead
17 years ago
A couple of years back we had the 22 windows in our home replaced with fiberglass windows manufactured by Jen-Weld. They are beautiful windows expertly installed, have reduced our utility bills and virtually close out any outside noise. During the process of getting bids we looked at Pella. Where the Jen-Weld have a lifetime guarantee, Pella has a 17 year guarantee. The Pella bid was 50% higher that the fiberglass plus you have to paint or stain and varnish the insides and the outsides of the Pellas unless you get the outside covered in vinyl. Our high end vinyl windows are also available in a variety of wood tone finishes for the inside which we used in the main living areas. All of the double pane is Low E rated which here in Texas is a big deal. All windows that are not fixed are double hung for easy cleaning. Our whole issue was low maintanience high quality windows.
FrozeBudd_z3/4
16 years ago
I know this is an old thread, though was just talking with a builder, and he was telling me about the different brands of windows and their quality. He said he'd definitely go with the Jen-Weld. I had been looking at these and indeed they appear to be very solid and well constructed product.

Terry
hilltop_gw
16 years ago
My husband & I just had a discussion about windows yesterday. He said some days he's ready to just replace all the Pellas we put in our home when we built 11 years ago. Today I'm going around with my Liquid nails, opening each window to determine which pieces are falling off & gluing them back together. Ours are crank-outs, a designer series with the mini-blinds in the middle but not the triple-paned sealed variety. We'd had Pellas in our previous home with good luck & felt confident in our decision in '96 to put Pellas in the house we were building even though they only came with a 1 year warranty that year. That should have been a red flag. Recently we had to replace a window pane due to a lawnmowers rock chip. When I watched the guy replace the pane of glass I could see part of the problem. The metal cladding on the outside just clips off and doesn't fit real tight. It just wasn't sealed tight enough, plus they only spot glued parts of it so as moisture or air gets in, the glue gets brittle and the parts break down. That's my take on it from a non-professional, frustrated homeowner. Would we use Pella again - NO WAY!

window education needed please Marvin, Pella, etc.

Comments (8)

fastback

pew1

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iapq1990

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