Deciding on Kolbe Vistaluxe collection vs Marvin Ultra windows

hankws

5 years ago

Deciding which windows to purchase for a new build.

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Miranda33

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Your story is terrible, but it's all about your windows contractor, not Kolbe. From the minute the wrong window was ordered, and all the ensuing problems, are on the contractor. How did you find this contractor? Did you get references? Several bids? Was he the low-cost one?

You could purchase the best window made, and if not ordered and installed properly, it'll be terrible.

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Comments (7)

Steve J
5 years ago
Ok, well thanks for letting us know. Hope it goes well for you.
hankws
Original Author
5 years ago
Which product is better made? Are they both comparable?
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Well you guys were right to go back to question the Integrity quote saying it should be less than the Kolbe Ultra - We took out about 80 lites across our entire package - again, without materially changing the look of the house - in fact we think we like it better. The architect had lites EVERYWHERE - in any case what a difference that and a little nudging makes on the pricing. To those out there shopping - certainly don't take that first quote as the answer - and 'value engineer' your grid patterns. Original Koble quote $38,700 - after removing those lights and continuing to press for some price movement $35,300 - more from the lite reduction that a price reduction - but we got 3% off if we pay in full at time of order Integrity - and this was the SHOCKER - original quote was a bit over $42,000. With the reduction in the number of lites, and the Marvin rep citing a 'calculation error and some more aggressive pricing' - the new quote came in at $29,300! This includes the hardware we want - Ultrex/Wood with primed interiors and screens. So now we really do have to think long and hard about which one to go with - thought it was getting easier (to go with the Kolbe) with the first Integrity quote $6K more than the Kolbe - but now with it thousands under, not sure which way to go - maybe it actually did get easier, but just swung in the other direction. Thank again for all the guidance - and had it not been suggested that some were surprised that the Integrity was higher than the Kolbe I probably would have disqualified it as an option without going back and questioning the quote.
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Hapahaole: I have mostly fixed and casement windows that I'm ordering... However, for my renovation, I had a few awning windows (opened upwards) (The opening mechanism was a "slider" that pushes out the window not a "crank"). The awnings were both in standard window sizes and transoms. I had a group of 3 windows where I did the slider mechanism too (not a crank). I also did a giant full wall slider door....and a massive window (36 ft roughly) where they had to design/build based on structure and weight. We haven't had any issues with our slider (EXCEPT) we got "dividers" in them and since it came unfinished wood, the painters forgot to paint part of the interior slider that when the doors were opened a certain way, you could see it! After construction, they had to carefully remove the door to paint the part they missed (I couldn't watch I was so nervous). After getting a lot of quotes, I recall being surprised that I didn't think the Kolbe VistaLuxe was incredibly much more money, especially since Kolbe was considered higher-end than some of the Marvin lines. It definitely ended up costing more for Kolbe though but that is because I had a lot of "custom" special needs/wants for my windows and we paid an upcharge to my contractor holding him responsible for any fixes/warranties instead of buying the windows on our own and then having him just install. Most Marvin dealers I know are soup to nuts...they will order and do install and then be responsible for workmanship. Some dealers might sub it out to window installers they only use, some have their own crew in house, and others just hire someone to do it. But, with that said, check everyone's warranty for their product line. Good Luck!
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Steve J
5 years ago
They're both quality windows. I would look at quality licensed dealers/installers in your area and start getting bids for both of them.
hankws
Original Author
5 years ago
I read that Kolbe has issues with rotting window sill. Is it true?
kym
5 years ago
We had more than 25 Kolbe Vistaluxe windows and sliders and back doors installed this past summer. We have had severe problems from time of order going forward. First, the local representative sales rep at Horner in Massachusetts “pressed the wrong button”when ordering the 3 direct set window sets ( $30 K of direct set large window sets). He ordered them for commercial application and didnt admit that until 6 months later. Set project back by 12 weeks while Kolbe came up with a way to make a nailing flange after market to apply to allow installation. Those windows were ordered in January 2018. As we are about to reach a year since ordering these 2 of the 3 large window sets are LEAKING!!! Then my kitchen window which had a nailing flange originally is also leaking when it rains. we have a GC but just the set back in time cost us 100 K in extra man hours as the project manager was already off signt by the time the window flange fix was ready. I am still asking HORNER Millwork massachusetts to get Kolbe to send warranty information for their after market fix that were installed i. The summer and paid for a year ago.

The local distributer has done very little and expresses no sense of responsibility for ordering the windows wrong to begin with. My one interaction with Kolbe involved being told that the order was placed to habe flange cut off by manufacturer.

This. Was a beautiful project transforming a traditional cape on a small lake into a gorgeous modern home. The cost went way over in part because the nailing flange issue but also other windows leaking and the double pain low e glass windows are not anywhere near as sound proof as my 20 year old andersen windows which saleperson guaranteed they would be... even in my master bedroom where I paid for triple pane glass still noisy.

at some point I will post photos of the rain coming in to my kitchen through brand new vistaluxe.
kym
5 years ago
Miranda33 actually we interviewed and checked references on 6 General Contractors. The one we chose was the most expensive one who we chose because this project had 5 sidings, a 20 ft wide glass garage door, metal roof and extreme detail to achieve the most minimalistic appearance. It was a traditional cape with Andersen windows (which had functioned fine) and to get the look we wanted we couldn’t go with a general GC. The person we chose just finished a museum which gave us confidence plus he had worked regularly with our designer ( of 10 years).

We truly did everything we could to get the best result possible. My husband and I stayed home full time with the project from start to finish and we had an excellent architect, a designer, onsite project manager and a GC. We didn’t skimp anywhere on the project.

At this point I am heartbroken and concerned as I assume you all would be.

Deciding on Kolbe Vistaluxe collection vs Marvin Ultra windows

Miranda33

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Steve J

hankws
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Deciding on Kolbe Vistaluxe collection vs Marvin Ultra windows

Miranda33

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Steve J

hankwsOriginal Author

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Steve J

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kym

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hankws
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