Anyone with retractable window screens (Marvin Ultimate)?

6 years ago

We are planning on replacing the windows on our home and will be going with Marvin Ultimate double hung windows. We've always had full fixed screen windows, but Marvin also has the option of a really nice retractable screen that is discrete IMO. I like the idea of keeping the screen rolled up when the window isn't open to allow the most amount of light possible into the house. Like I said, I've only had fixed screens. The biggest drawback I could see is if bugs get on the screen at night, that I would end up 'rolling' some of them up into the screen (yuck!). Does anyone else have any feedback or pros and cons? Thanks in advance!

Featured Answer

Bob L

3 years ago

STAY AWAY. We have 4 Marvin retractable insect screens. All of them have issues except for one window rarely used (screens ripe, retracing spring mechanism broke.) They cost a fortune to replace and keeps breaking.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
6 years ago
I am always a fan of less working parts. Given the availability of high visibility screening these days, seems like a less important option to me to be perfectly honest. That being said, we have installed the retractable screen equip windows in a couple of applications and have not yet had a service issue on them. They don't amount to much of our product, but those that we have installed have been fine.

A quick tap of the screen would probably clear out any bugs that are still viable before you close up the screen and window.
fridge2020
6 years ago
We have one in our showroom and I have to say it can be a little touchy. Very nice option, but I would not chose it with the idea that you will use it regularly. If you are thinking of seasonal usage (which most probably are), it's pretty cool.
Related Discussions
Retractable Screens for Marvin Sliding Door
Q
Comments (9)
So far we love our Marvin slider. As spring progresses we've found we can't open it as much - too many bugs! It needed some adjustment at the beginning. A rep came out and adjusted it no problem. Marvin has been fabulous! We have a set of two very tall French doors in another room. After they were installed last fall they were fine. Then we got a lot of rain. Slowly the bottom of one swelled and started hitting the bottom of the other and eventually we couldn't open the door. The Marvin person came, saw the problem, and ordered us a whole new set of doors about 1/8" narrower (these are very expensive doors). When he came back to install them (a few months later due mostly to us) the original doors were fine. He said he thought that might happen (companies use very green wood to make doors so they may take some time to get to their proper size). He left the new doors with us - so we have a spare in case something happens to the others. So far the same person has come back to do all the servicing. He's from Marvin itself. (The contractor also has the store that sold us the windows as a back-up but so far we haven't needed them). He's great - fixed a couple of other small problems. I really feel like they stand behind their products. We're having a lot of problems with our Miele appliances - their service is supposedly great but there's no comparison. Miele is a total pain, Marvin is a total pleasure.
...See More
Marvin Clad Ultimate Hi-Transparency Screens Not
Q
Comments (7)
Most window companies use Phifer UltraVue mesh for their "high transparency" screens. You can get a sample from Home Depot and compare it to standard charcoal mesh. You may not see much of a difference from 5 feet away, but look at both screens from 15 feet and the UltraVue screen will be nearly invisible. Not all companies will use UltraVue on a door screen, however (because the mesh is delicate and not feasible for large sizes). So they may have substituted Phifer BetterVue, which is still better than standard charcoal, but not nearly as transparent as UltraVue. The same principle applies to retracting screens -- companies are very reluctant to use lighter mesh on a retracting screen, because it is very delicate and can get twisted up when it rolls back into the tube.
...See More
Contractor pricing for Marvin Ultimate windows in New England?
Q
Comments (9)
Alarm bells rang when I read you will be purchasing the windows. Who will be providing to the window seller the measurements and other specifications? I am surprised your contractor is OK with this arrangement. Doesn't he have a relationship with a lumberyard--preferably Marvin-certified? And if he doesn't, why not? If you are set on Marvin windows, you should find a contractor who actively sells them. My contractor sent me to his preferred lumberyard so I could pick out which of the Marvin lines I wanted and see and touch them live with their pros and cons. The person helping me there said several times that my contractor would be providing the specs, and they'd arrange delivery with him. If your contractor's price is higher than you'd like, get bids from other contractors, and/or look at other less expensive brands. You can go on Marvin's website and see a list of suppliers in your location. But they will expect to work with your contractor. Even if they will sell to you directly, I don't even see how you can save money that way. Any Marvin supplier will not be able to charge you a contractor price.
...See More
Marvin Ultimate or Sierra Pacific Aspen Aluminum Clad Casement Windows
Q
Comments (11)
what did you end up going with? I live in MN. And we are building in Eagle, Colorado. We are just now having to decide on windows and SP Aspen 2.0 are the architect and builders top choice. Interestingly, we have Marvins in our Minnesota home that was built 25 years ago and we've had to replace them all (wood double hung and casements). They were the highest end marvin available when we built. The sashes rotted. We did an addition 12 years ago, used the "new improved" clad exteriors in the casements and.... yep... still have rot issues after only 12 years. Suffice it to say, I'm starting to think nothing lasts more than 20 years, so why pay extra? Any others with this experience? (We, too, love the SP fit and finish and I think we'll be going with them -- though we also bid the Anderson 500 series and they came in slightly less than the SP's)
...See More
harry_wild
6 years ago
I have this feature in my new Ultimates for the living room bow windows. I like the look and features it offers but very pricey for what you get! It cost $400 for the two operation sashes.
Oaktown
6 years ago
We have built-in pull-down retractable screens (Loewen not Marvin) and like them. In terms of the bug thing, we don't get lots of bugs but occasionally some small ones get rolled up into the screens -- they are easy to vacuum off. I think the main drawback (not a biggie) is having to remember to show guests that the screens are there and how to operate them.
nexp
3 years ago
I don’t understand why roll-up screens are necessary for a double-hung window, especially at 30% the cost of a whole window. I would get high-transparency half screens. From a foot back, you’ll never notice they’re there.
Karen Yeigh
2 years ago
I agree - stay away! Even the reps can't seem to fix them - wish I had never ordered. Probably going to have them removed and replaced with traditional. A great idea that they just haven't engineered properly. Hideously expensive to boot.
HU-757845240
2 years ago
We just built an addition to our house with 3' wide Marvin ultimate windows with retractable screens...and the screens keep snapping back open with the slightest breeze! Very disappointing, especially for the premium price we paid for this! Apparently not unique to our situation, as Marvin customer service rep acknowledged it's been a constant issue. We're now looking into an after-market latch to make the retractable screens keep from retracting on their own.
DD Scorpion
last year
I have a Marvin window with the retractable screen. After a few years, now one of the screens won’t retract back inside. I don’t know if, or how this can be fixed. Any tips on repair? I would stay away from this feature next time.
PRO
Henderson Design
7 months ago
we have 30 retractsble marvin screens in our house. constant headache. either the screen pops open with a bang in a breeze, or worse, the screen rips away from its frame. the Marvin techs cannot fix them STAY AWAY

Anyone with retractable window screens (Marvin Ultimate)?

Bob L

Comments (10)

Windows on Washington Ltd

fridge2020

Related Discussions

harry_wild

Oaktown

nexp

Karen Yeigh

HU-757845240

DD Scorpion

Henderson Design

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US