Numbersjunkie, Fellow Mder. I have tilt turn windows. I did not purchase Intus windows but when I investigated them three years ago, their windows were cheaper than Marvin and Kolbe and Kolbe. I think by a factor of 50percent. Take a look at them again. The eFforte line is very slim. My tilt and turns are wood and custom. Unfortunately, my window builder is retiring so they could not help you. I love my windows. Especially in the bathrooms where I can keep them in tilt position to get fresh air. Mine were made with pull down exterior screens that have performed flawlessly. At the time Intus did not offer this option but you could purchase phantom screens later. For window treatments, I used a German company that retails in the US called MHZ. The window treatments are suspended on the interior facing surface of the glass. I used blackout shades but by the nature of this install, there is a gap around the glass with a small light bleed. The window treatments I chose were top down bottom up units. Intus has a showroom in NoVa so you can see samples of the products. I also have a few contacts who have them installed around the area. Even with the cost of shipping from Europe, the windows were a bargain for triple pane laminated glass in uPvc custom colors. I wanted sound reducing windows Good luck with your search.

Thanks. I looked at the windows from inside and out today and appreciate the situation better. The problem window is the center window in a set of 5. The center 3 dont crank open. I just realized the two sashes left and right of center look like a newer mode. The vent is more of a slit very close to the bottom rather than a hole. So I am thinking the old owner had some replaced. Also I see now that the sash from the non cranking newer windows (left and right of center) are actually cranking windows with the cranking hardware removed and add a screws where the latch would pull the window in. The problem window from outside looks like it might be a cranking window with hardware removed also but the inside trim work shows no screws or hint that it might be a cranking window. So I wonder if this older window is just better sealed and traps moisture better. Thoughts? Also are these Pella designer series good windows by todays standards? They are only 16 years old and I see caulk added as outside glazing on many windows. The old owner had Pella service these windows often. Thanks for all the quick replies. This site seems very well monitored. Cheers, Jeff

I got to say that Andersen A series is one nice window. I really like it. The Elevate is ok, seems like the Essential with added on wood trim. But that Andersen is nice. I already purchased one Marvin Essential, I'll get it in and evaluate it. Maybe install it to see how I like it before deciding which direction I want to go.

I'm probably going to regret this, but oh well, here we go ... I don't have either exact product, but we have Marvin windows and an Andersen door, and both work nicely. Our products are wood interior and clad exterior, so different lines from those featured here, but in terms of the brands, both are capable of making quality products. We've had bad windows ... these aren't them. I cant say whether the Essential line is good quality, as I have no experience with that line, but to discredit the entire brand based on one line is not fair ... the ultimates are very nice; they come with a price tag to go with it, but they are evidence that Marvin does, or at least can, make quality windows. I do also want to clarify ... the top sash cover (the piece that sits on top of the lower sash in the double hung windows where the lock and tilt hardware attach, possibly the same as a check rail, listed as part of the weatherstripping in the window specs) is actually ABS not vinyl/PVC ... both plastic, but not quite the same material, in case that's important in the decision. It's up to you whether that is acceptable or not. As to the rest of this mess, mostlikely no one is following anyone around ... but if y'all follow the same topics, you'll find the same threads ... that's how I got here: this thread kept popping to the top. If you all follow "windows" you'll find the same threads; personally, I got here from "design dilemma." Just my two bits ... I'll leave the rest of this discussion to those more familiar with the lines in question. You might want to see if there's either a showroom you can view the windows in and/or if your contractor can point out other houses where they've installed the different products, so you can get a feel for how they might look in your project.