The Marvin would do that best.

+1. Marvin in that comparison.

Thank you both on that. Any others we should consider in the mix? Viewed the Kolbe Forgent and VistaLuxe this week but a mix of those come in ~30% more and want to prioritize funds on the build.

The Forgent looks bulkyFrom pics, but I haven‘t seen it.

Marvin Essentials would get my vote.

For a modern/minimalist feel I would make the sash black and the frame white or whatever the trim color is. Of course, it would help to see the house.

Marvin Essential bid came back almost 2x the Andersen bid. I was expecting it to be 10-20% higher, but at 2x I can get the Kolbes. Does that seem high?

I would check other Marvin suppliers and see if pricing is different if you really like them.

MARVIN ESSENTIAL Fiberglass

ANDERSEN 100 Fibrex

With Marvin Essential windows, you will have cheap, rough-to-the-touch vinyl all the way across the top of every lower double-hung sash, at the base of awing windows, and down the center connector section where two double hung windows are combined. It will be somewhat whiter than the stone white fiberglass with a way flatter, rougher finish. if that would bother you, don't buy this window. I put them on the south side of my house after being told there was no vinyl by the salesperson. I thought the feel was weird, but didn't realize it was vinyl until it started to outgas in the sun. Would have gone with another window if I had known the truth.

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.

BlueberryBundtcake - 6a/MA Interesting. ABS is typically smooth. The sash cover (and center of connecting piece) is definitely not. Also, when the sun hits, it outgasses with a smell just like vinyl. Marvin Windows has finally become responsive and also referred to the covers as being vinyl. Will have to question the materials (again).

As for the Milgard Trinsic series, though vinyl it certainly looks nicer on the inside than the Marvin Essential. A friend of mine has the Milgard fiberglass window that are no longer made. She's happy with them, but wished double hung had been an option.

Off gassing? Hmm. Several threads on here about Marvin fiberglass windows off gassing that aren't vinyl.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5744342/horrible-smell-from-marvin-integrity-windows-installed-1-month-ago#n=14

Windows on Washington, that's interesting ... I wonder if it's coming from the finish of the Ultrex:

(Image Source: https://www.cmcwindows.com/why-ultrex-fiberglass-over-vinyl/)

Maybe that acrylic finish outgases?

It's a thermoset rather than a thermoplastic, but that doesn't exclude it from outgassing. (https://www.plasticstoday.com/automotive-and-mobility/bubble-bubble-outgassing-and-trouble)

dottt1 do you have any photos? I've been leaning towards Marvin Essential for a remodel but your comments on the different colors and vinyl concern me.

We are leaning towards fiberglass -- we are one block from the beach in a very tropical climate. Air leakage is NOT an issue for us. Ability to withstand heat and rot is. And aesthetics is huge obviously. Any aluminum or aluminum clad are out.

We need double hung windows which really reduce our options if we stick with fiberglass. My parents have the Milgard Tuscany series and I can't stand the look or operation of them. Our windows will sit open 95% of the time, and the fact that they don't full open to sit flush with the upper window sort of drives me crazy. (But I think this may be unavoidable with vinyl/fiberglass?)

Ericgriffin - what did you end up choosing and why?

nicoler14 I do have pictures but they won't show the color difference -- tried in both artificial and natural light. Hard to get a good picture because of the lighting when trying to photograph a window. The "vinyl" turned out to be even worse -- ABS plastic (uncoated). These pics show the plastic sash cover (the entire piece running under the locks and latches) and the mull piece (center strip is plastic and that repeats on the exterior). If you look up the Marvin awning window, the entire base is ABS plastic (and seems to have the most plastic of any of the window styles). I can photograph that for you as well if you think it will help.

Here's the double hung pic showing plastic sash cover in natural light.

Also, I think Milgard stopped making a fiberglass window. Not sure why. Have you looked at Enerlux and/or Alpen? Alpen has a very interesting feature -- they have filled the chambers with an insulating foam to increase the energy efficiency. Marvin has left that hollow. Sadly, I never heard of Alpen or Enerlux when buying. Did check out Pella and Anderson fiberglass windows. For some reason with both, I would have had to increase the size of the trim around my windows. Didn't want to do that. Anderson fiberglass was, to me, confusing. There was so much going on with those windows. My experience with Andersen in the past was with vinyl cladding on the outside and wood on the interior. The sun on the south side destroyed the vinyl cladding. Still have them on the north side of my home. Will probably replace them with Alpen.