I purchased the Marvin Utimate casements too and finding it difficult to find window treatments that fit inside these windows.. The grooves inside for their integrated shades prevents mounting of conventional window treatments using an inside mount. I also purchase a couple of Marvin Ultimates with the retractable screen and there does seem to be a Marvin solution for an integrated shade with it either. Anyone have a suggestion on this? I figured it out!. You do an inside mount on 1" part of the surrounding window inner surface.. It might leave a little sticking out depending on the 1" depth mini bind or cellular shade, but it is doable.

I have 2nd story windows, I have a telescopic aluminum pole. Believe me, even a pole at that length is a challenge. It's hell on your shoulders to hold the pole, and press against the window, and get the pole up/down, it'a a lot of work. One time to scrub the windows, then bring the pole down, put on the squeegee and pull it up/down to finish the window. Then bring it down again for the next window or two. IMO 30' - 3 stories is impractical.

Moisture between the glass would not be caused by poor installation. Rather, it would be caused by a defective manufacturing issue or due to some type of unusual situation where the normal wear was affected. For instance, extreme variations in temperature due to orientation or something going on regarding the interior of your home. I design and specify windows for homes in Florida almost all of them on the water or close by. Sierra Pacific offers a 30 year warranty on its 2605 finish and 20 year warranty on its patented Coreguard wood treatment and I would consider those windows. Andersen performs well too but they reduce their 20 year warranty to 10 years when on the coast. In my 40 year career, I have had great success with Andersen and SP and would run away from Pella if you are looking for an aluminum clad wood window. Just my opinion based on more than a hundred installations.

Hi, E Weiss, It looks like you've got a lot of responses to sift through! I just wanted to chime in and ask if you've considered other window materials? I think wood is beautiful but you're right they are pretty expensive especially when you want to replace all the windows in a house or building and without regular/frequent maintenance they won't last long. Even aluminum or fiberglass cladded aluminum windows eventually need to be replaced because water/moisture can find its way behind the cladding. I think I read that you're in an area that experiences lots of rain or snow? If you would consider something other than wood I would recommend looking for a fiberglass window vendor. A quality fiberglass window can outperform a quality vinyl and will certainly outperform an aluminum window. They'll also last longer than wood windows with much less maintenance. I can't recommend any specific product line for you, we're in Texas and used to sell Milgard's Ultra Series but Milgard was acquired by another company and they've left the state. Milgard may have also stopped selling the fiberglass Ultra series. It looks like fiberglass-windows.com suggests Marvin, Milgard, Fibergrame, and Pella as fiberglass window manufacturers. Good luck with your replacement project! - Ariana