SHOP PRODUCTS
Houzz Logo Print
skiadesign

Has Marvin quality and service deteriorated in the last year or two?

Skia Design LLC
10 months ago

As a custom home designer for more than 20 years, I have often specified and seen installed Marvin windows (usually the Essential/formerly Infinity and Elevated/formerly Integrity) in a number of my projects. I had never heard of any compaints and I even installed Essentials in my own guest suite addition a couple years ago. I'm happy with them. A builder whom I trust and who has built a number of my designs started getting impressed with Marvins (he preferred Pella, and Pella and Andersen dominate the market around here in SW Virginia, even though there's a Marvin Essentials plant in Roanoke).


But, he now tells me he's been having horrible experiences of late, not only with lead times but also some very serious manufacturing issues, along with attendant problems of trying to resolve the problems.


So, is anyone else (esp. you other pros, whether builders, designers, or architects) seeing this out there? On a current home in the early stages of construction the builder wants to go back to Pella (Lifestyle). In all my previous research I have seen that Pella doesn't have such a hot track record, so have tended to avoid specifying them.


If true about Marvin this all gets me thinking that maybe a better long term strategy would be to install inexpensive but relatively well-reviewed windows (if there really is such a thing), such that whenever the inevitable failures occur the lifecycle costs end up less. The alternative is to specify what I have found to be nearly bulletproof (not literally!:-), very expensive windows. I have found that the German-made steel reinforced cPVC Tilt & Turns fit the bill. But, most of my clients do not have deep pockets so this is usually a non-starter.


Opinions welcome, but also some real world info, along with keeping in mind the niche I serve. Bring it on.

Comments (8)