Typically these two series of windows will be roughly comparable in price.  Something is not Apple to apples.  I like the Marvin better, but not 2.5 times better.

I encourage you to pour over the details to see what might be different with the two quotes.

Thank you D B. Agreed. I was expecting the same when requested for a quote from Andersen.

I took a close look now and you are correct, its not apples to apples. The Glass strength ( standard vs tampered) seems to be different. I will have to check with the dealer tomorrow, but not sure if thats adding the difference.

The U-factor and SHGC seems to be better in Andersen.

I got a quote from 3 different Marvin dealers and everyone gave in similar ball park within $100 - $200 difference with same options.

Andersen :

Overall Rough Opening = 96" x 72"

Exterior Frame Color = Black

Interior Frame Finish Color = Black

Glass Construction Type = Dual Pane

Glass Option = Low-E SmartSun

Glass Strength = Standard

Glass Tint = No Tint

Specialty Glass = None

Gas Fill = Argon

Installation Material Options = No

Unit U-Factor = 0.26

Unit Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) = 0.22

Marvin

Rough Opening 96" X 72"

IG - 1 Lite

Tempered Low E3 w/Argon

Stainless Perimeter Bar

Additional Mull Info: Stand Alone

2" Jambs

Nailing Fin

U-Factor: 0.27

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient: 0.24

Visible Light Transmittance: 0.55

Thanks again for the response

I suspect much of the price difference is indeed due to the Marvin window glass being tempered. Since it's such a big window it may be a good idea to have it tempered. Moreover, depending on its location, it may be required to be tempered by code.

I would never install a 8' x 6' single picture window without tempered glass personally, and I do not think many window manufacturers would sell that without tempered glass.

Thanks Spec, millworkman. Agree, not going with a standard glass for sure.

Most windows (atleast the first few) in the quote are tempered. I completely overlooked for this picture window. My bad :)

That being said, I am assuming the tempered glass might come ~30-50% more than whats quoted for standard. Even with that, A-100 could be less expensive than Marvin

If that happens, all windows & sliding doors would be Marvin except the picture windows which would be A-100. I am debating if thats a good choice or if i am missing again on something.

With prices being equal or slightly more or having little more budget, it would have been a no-brainer for us to choose Marvin over A-100.

Pella might be in the same range as Marvin. I am also trying to get a quote from Enerlux Fiberglass windows. There is limited information about them in terms of quality / warranty.

@A4Apple As you probably know, window manufacturers have very long lead times now. Especially Andersen has major delays with black 100 series. On this forum, some people have been able to get Pella windows quicker. So this could be another consideration.

I think mixing brands may be OK, as long as there isn't an angle from which you can see different brands at the same time.

I would not put Pella in a dog house personally, and as DB alludes to the color will not be the same for long IF the Marvin and Andersen 100 Black matches to begin with.

"I am also trying to get a quote from Enerlux Fiberglass windows."

We installed replacement Enerlux fiberglass windows and sliding doors in our 100-window condo DC building. Nearly all windows are casements with a few picture windows. The Enerlux picture windows are different than the non-operable casements: their frames are thinner, increasing the glass area and giving a very modern appearance. The windows used the Cardinal 270 double-pane glass package.*

There are rules for when tempered glass is required based upon the height from the floor and the size of the window.

The problem with Enerlux? It didn't have any dealers/installers in DC so we had to scramble to find a company to install them.

*I went rogue and used the 270 triple-pane for all windows except my south-facing windows where I used 180-triple pane. I know that 180 is usually use only in passive solar houses, I was willing to accept the increased summer AC cost in exchange for added warmth in the winter to assist my roof-mounted packaged heat pump. I also substituted awning windows for some casements which are GREAT as they allow me to keep windows open in sloppy weather.

We had a $150 delivery fee stacked on top of our Andersen 400 windows...and when I ordered 1 more, that also was going to have its own fee. So, make sure that you are not trying to save 300 and half of that goes into a delivery fee from a different brand :)

@DB @millworkman @spec @lucky998877 Thank you all for the inputs and helpful information.

Gave me good info to think about . A-100 quote deviated me a bit to use 2 different brands which potentially could save few grand and not hundreds (although still waiting for an updated quote on tampered glass) :)

Not sure if all dealers do that or a sales tactic, but the Marvin dealer also mentioned they will be visiting the site to look at the installation quality.

Most of the windows are facing East followed by North and South, so there are only 1 or 2 facing West.

@wdccruise Thank you for the info.

The problem with Enerlux? It didn't have any dealers/installers in DC so we had to scramble to find a company to install them

Any idea how they are in terms of warranty (not on paper) when they dont have preferred installers / dealers in the area? Do they play blame game when the issue arise?

"Any idea how they are in terms of warranty (not on paper) when they dont have preferred installers / dealers in the area? Do they play blame game when the issue arise?"

One of the glass packs had a crack. Enerlux sent a replacement glass pack and paid a fee to the installer to put it in.

P.S. I went to a Marvin dealer and looked at a sample Marvin Essential casement. Frankly, it looked cheaply made and even the salesman wasn't enthusiastic. Enerlux sent a sample window (not a whole window, but a complete corner including the frame and glass) and it appeared much better than the Marvin AND better than the Inline fiberglass window of which I also got a sample.

I also considered Renewals by Anderson. Far too expensive.

You might want to look and see if the large window doesn't come standard in Marvin Essential. You can get the standard list of sizes for each window line online. I don't know that you'd want to upgrade just one window, but we found that one of our sliiders was actually less expensive in the elevate line versus the Essential line because the door was standard size in elevate but not Essential.

Just an update if anyone in the future bumps into a similar situation.

Got the quote back on A-100 Picture window with Tempered glass. Marvin Essential is still 1.95x (down from 2.5x) more than A-100. All other window types (casement / gliders ) are in the same price range, with less than $100 difference between the two.

@Lora P Thank you. You made a valid point, I will check on Elevate pricing for the same size. But what I understood for picture windows to be a standard size has to be <= 48 sq.ft for most manufacturers. These windows are required only on rear side with no other windows on same wall.. so might be OK to upgrade ( i guess !!)

As much as I hate to mix the brands, switching to A-100 definitely will save few grand. Might have to look for other factors like Warranty etc before making a decision.

We are also DC based and would love to hear from wdccruise and if possible see the condo building (we live in the same neighborhood). Struggling to find an installer for Enerlux here too. Very grateful for your advice (I’ve also personal-messaged).

@wdccruise we are looking to install EnerLux in DC and have obtained a quote. We would be most grateful if we could see these installed (from the outside) if you would DM us the building. We are also struggling with the installation and would appreciate your advice.

I'm in a similar situation. I am putting in 26 windows and Marvin was by far more. $10k more. Went with 100 series to save some money and faster lead time. Maybe 30 years from now the lead times would be less and would re-consider adding Marvin then lol

We got a better deal on Anderson 400 windows thru Home Depot.

Given Covid supply delays I'm uncertain if HD has the 15% off window sales anymore.

We saved close to 40% with our contractor's pro account added to the sale.

HD was matching window prices for Anderson and beating window dealers prior to Covid.

@Rigo Del Toro may i know what are the lead times you got for Marvin & Andersen ?

@acdclosgatos40% is a huge discount on windows. Is this current or pre-covid ?

We ordered right before lock down & I got multiple discounts with sale plus contractor discount. An individual would not of been able to get the price we got. We saved over $15,000 compare to lowest window dealer bid.

I have not keep up on HD sales since Covid-19.

If you can't wait then look at area outlets that take extra windows b/c of size measured wrong, incorrect order, etc. like:

http://www.overhausersoutlet.com/windows.php

Thank you for the response and the pointer @acdclosgatos . we might have to place the order in a week or two. Have to check with our builder if they get any contractor discount from HD for Andersen

@Aadhya Sree Gogineni We ordered Andersen 100 from HD using our builder's discount last November, and got about 30% off the list price.

@HU-178502340: I sent you a houzz message re: the Enerlux windows.