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,"

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.

Different dealer. Found another Integrity dealer who was a little cheaper, and may actually be a little more cheaper when he reruns the quote. This actually raises another question. My plans call for 26" wide windows. Apparently the Integrity is available in 29" and 33". One Integrity dealer quoted 25 and the other quoted 33. Any thought as to why? The thing I just noticed is that on my 6' tall windows the Integrity requires tempered glass whereas the Ultra does not. Should I be worried about tempered glass in the Ultra? While tempered glass may make up some difference, I doubt it makes up $7,000. This dealer is suggesting to look at the Windsor. Thoughts on that?

One thing to consider is the dealer network in your area. For me, Loewen has only one dealer close by, and the next nearest is about 40 miles away. If the one close-by goes out of business, and I've bought from them, and I have a problem, I am now having to turn to a dealer quite far way, with no one else to go to. I believe Loewen has a strong presence in the northwest and west, so check for your location. For my area, Marvin is very well represented, so that was a factor in my decision. I am not really familiar with Kolbe. As to DF, I was told DF is stronger, but that difference will only become apparent in 20 years or so. If you are going to be painting your trim, so don't need to see the wood grain, then DF should not be a deciding factor. I'd go with the contractor I like best and who seems to do the best work.