From an 2010 thread on warranty here is some excellent input from @xoldtimecarpenter and jives with the biz law course that I audited years ago on contract law. If there is forum member with legal background it'd be nice to get their opinion on this. After my prior post I read about "stress cracks" caused by thermal differences and realize these can happen fairly easily especially on larger windows and so a warranty that is skimpy here as Kolbe seems to be is not positive. His/her post also made me laugh: "Window warranties aggravate me about as much as faucet warranties, which are only slightly less annoying than setting my hair on fire with kerosene and putting it out with a brick. I don't know of a single window manufacturer that really stands behind its product. Almost all claim to have life-time warranties, but if you read the warranty, they actually promise very little. At most they will, eventually, send you a replacement part, but actually getting the window fixed is up to you. Not to be impolite, but this is crap. The window fogged up because it was not manufactured properly. There is no other explanation for fogging of an unbroken window. The homeowner did nothing to cause the problem. It is entirely on the manufacturer, who, if he was actually standing behind his product would also pay for the labor to install the window. I am not at all impressed with the fact that a window company makes a video showing the homeowner how to install replacement glass. Why should the homeowner have to install it? He didn't cause the problem. If we install windows for a customer, and they have manufacturing problems, we take care of the problem. We deal with the manufacturer, we install the replacement parts. And we keep track of our time and costs and bill the manufacture for them. If they have not paid in 90 days, we sue. Most people are not ware that the manufacturer's written warranty is not the only warranty a homeowner has. By law the manufacturer warrants the windows to be merchantable, workmanlike, and fit for the purpose for which intended. If the manufacturer violates these warranties by, for example, providing a dual-glazed window with seals that leak so the window fogs up (not merchantable, not workmanlike), he has to pay for the parts AND the labor to install the parts. That is the law, and has been the law for over 100 years. Manufacturers' warranties are not written for the purpose of protecting the customer, they are written to avoid, as much as possible, their duties under these common law warranties. The effort is only effective if the customer lets the manufacturer get away with it. We never do, and we never lose. My suggestion for homeowner is not to deal with warranty issues themselves. Get the company who installed the windows to deal with it. You may have to pay them to take care of manufacturing problems (but not installation problems -- that's on them). That way you avoid the finger-pointing that is common in window warranty claims. The manufacture says its an installation problem, the installer says its a manufacturing problem and no one does anything. Take pictures, get invoices, keep close track of your costs. Add them up and bill the manufacture. The company will probably deny their liability since labor is not covered by their written warranty. Don't spend any time trying to explain your rights under common law warranty -- just sue in small claims court. The judge will provide all the explanations necessary. At $15-45 to file a small claim, it is one of the best judicial bargains around. Keep in mind also that most window companies are members of the Better Business Bureau and as members have to submit to binding arbitration if your ask for it. Ask for it. Let the BBB collect for you. Stop taking crap from manufacturers over warranty issues. Regards,"

The window order came in on monday less than four weeks from ordering altho 8 windows are on back order not sure which ones. I am assured by next Wed. latest. We are having the dealer store them for a couple weeks until roofing is finished we have been having major rain delays. From what I could see of the windows in the warehouse they are beautiful. I am regreting the unfinished interior as I will have to prime and paint. I will post pictures if I can figure out how to do it. This is after I track down the dupont flex flash and make sure the installers know how to use it. We have used Zip-Panels for exterior sheathing and are wondering if we should have used tyvek instead. All of this is so installation intensive and since I am at the mercy of the installers... Thank you to all who have posted to help my decision.

I can't say much more than what's already been said. Both high quality windows. The difference in price most likely is in the fact that Marvin still uses a dealer system and kolbe you're usually buying from a distributor so there's less cost added on. I actually think the exterior with the bars in aluminum is better, that would be a narrow piece of wood that could easily warp or rot over time, with aluminum you don't have that issue, once painted it's the same.

Well first off i have sold Kolbe for years now, people will have their opinions but i will put them a small notch below Marvin, very very good product just not there. As far as Centra i cannot offer an opinion as i had never heard of them until you posted their name. I have sold windows and doors for 20 plus years and it is odd in this day and age for me to have never heard of a major window brand so i will let you draw your own thoughts on that. Perhaps they are just a fairly local manufacturer, don't know but.....seeing there website and developments, track homes and condos would not lead me to believe the quality is there. Again just my opinion, plus they are vinyl