Marvin Ultimate/Elevate insert windows:inside or outside installation?
maestrope
last year
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Windows on Washington Ltd
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Utterly confused about installing Marvin Ultimate Insert Window
Comments (9)gardensean, You are right. I should blame insufficient research. Mine and I accept full culpability. I am however, inclined to warn others who may be thinking of replacing windows that they should pursue every avenue available to them NOT to do what I did and get an insert. I should have figured out that an insert window would be unacceptable - to me. I'm sure you're comfortable with the idea. For my part, I would never get one again. There is no way that it could be as robust as a proper in-place installation. As per a previous poster, apparently the Canadians agree with me - and Loewen makes no such creature. This was not a DIY job. We hired a very good window installer to do the job and he just finished it today. How much? I don't feel it is any of your business, but if the window was about $800, the installation was close to one and a half times that. Expensive enough for you? He did a very good job - insulated, shimmed, sealed, screwed in etc. It looks very clean and like a very good installation. Unfortunately for me, (a) I can't stand the sight of the frame of the insert window which is unavoidable in this insert business, (b) I don't actually like the look of Marvin's thick and chunky frames and (c) I can't imagine he could have done a better job, but I have no delusions that the caulk he put in and that is [all that is] responsible for sealing the opening will last the lifetime of the window. Actually even as I say (c), I understand he did put in some additional protections to shore up and seal of the opening. However, that is not what these types of windows are designed for - he went over and above because he knew that we were having such acute misgivings about ordering the insert. And I stand by my assertion that insert windows are just a bad concept. I do wish I'd internalized the trade-offs before I ordered one in lieu of a "new construction". I also wish I'd ordered the Loewen (which ONLY makes new construction windows) instead of the Marvin....See MoreMarvin Ultimate PIne or Mahogany Wood Clad?
Comments (3)Hi NC1924, I couldn't respond to your email because you told Gardenweb not to expose your email address. So I'm responding here. I ended up with a mix of Andersen 100, 200, and 400 series, plus one Marvin Ultimate window. The Andersen stuff is nice for what it is. It looks nice and operates almost flawlessly. I haven't seen the Milgard clad in person, because the two sources I was considering (Bruce Bauer lumber in Mountain View and Direct Buy) didn't have any on display. After seeing the one Marvin window I put in my kitchen, plus all the ones on display on Bauer, I would definitely say: get the Marvin if you can afford it. Their windows are extremely well made and look beautiful. I'm very, very happy with the big, cherry awning window in my kitchen. I wish I had sprung for Marvin for the rest of the windows in my great room / kitchen and master bedroom. In hindsight I could have afforded it; my employer keeps throwing more money at me. They would have looked nice all in cherry, and my plans to stain the Andersen windows to match didn't work out. (More on that below.) I know nothing about window economics, but I do do a bit of woodworking. Mahogany is very expensive wood and is also harder and tougher to work than pine or fir. A price delta of 2x doesn't surprise me at all. Finally, go look at them in person somewhere, don't just use the internet and take people's word for things. With windows, the fit and finish really matters and you can't get a feel for that on the net. One thing to check when you look at them is how much of the unit is wood. I ordered some Andersen 200 series windows and doors in stain-grade pine. The wood is nice, but at ordering time I didn't notice that the frame and tracks are plastic composite. The white frame would have contrasted too much with the cherry-stained wood I had planned, so I ended up painting the wooden parts white. Laura...See MoreMarvin Ultimate vs Integrity
Comments (14)Would love to see photos, beautiful home! Not that you asked, and this is an old post, but I'm a purist so I wouldn't change out those original windows if you paid me - new windows just don't have the character and look--not sure that if well maintained that the heating/cooling would make it worth the cost either from various things that I've read over the years. The Ultimates can be made in wood interior & exterior as well, so that is a good compromise one can afford it. Ultimates and Elevate are what we're looking at and cannot makeup our minds. Our home was built in 1978 and originally had all aluminum windows. They were replaced with tacky beige vinyl Milgard windows (guessing about 15-20 years ago. Some get stuck and you can hear them expanding when days got hot or very cold, plus most have broken seals. We didn't like Pella at all and the extruded aluminum is def what got me to look at Marvin. Each window was about $300 more for Ultimate, but hopefully these will last well after we're gone!...See MoreMarvin Elevate Narrow Frame New Construction
Comments (9)@Todd Just came across this thread researching something else. I realize I'm likely too late, but thought I'd weigh in just in case. You absolutely *can* use the Elevate narrow frame units in new construction, rather than only as inserts. I just did this on my own house. Also, while the details are not pictured with nailing fins, you can specify with your Marvin dealer to have them. (You can see a slot in the frame that receives the fin.) In fact, I believe the default is to include them. I assume they aren't pictured because they are being shown as inserts instead of "stand alone" units. I question why you have narrow frame casements but "non narrow frame" direct sets. Why not use the same frame depth for both so the interior details are similar? Alternatively, you could use narrow frame picture windows (stationary unit with casement sash) so the frame condition at the exterior matches. Again, just my two cents. Would love a follow up to hear how you settled to proceed....See Moremaestrope
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last yearWindows on Washington Ltd
last yearlast modified: last yearmaestrope thanked Windows on Washington Ltd
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