Marvin Windows FAQ

Yes. Marvin windows are perfectly good. Marvin windows will be more expensive than many other choices so whether or not they’re a good value is a little more relative. The windows Marvin makes look beautiful. The downside is that they’re not as energy efficient as some other options and the warranty is shorter on Marvin windows than other brands.

If you’re comparing Marvin windows to a vinyl window option a nicer vinyl window will typically be more energy efficient and have a longer warranty than the Marvin window. If the look of the Marvin windows is not worth that trade off to you then you might want to look at other options. Find more options here.

No. Andersen and Marvin both make very nice windows that look great. They both have the same downsides when compared to vinyl windows and the same upside as well.

Marvin makes wood and fiberglass windows while Andersen makes wood and composite windows. All three materials will look beautiful. They also all cost quite a bit so these will be some of the more expensive windows in the market. The composite windows from Andersen are similar in efficiency and performance to the fiberglass windows from Marvin.

Find more info on all of the available window types and styles here.

Yes. Pella windows recently settled a class action lawsuit relating to leaking windows and they’re generally not an option I would recommend. The various styles from Marvin will offer a higher end solution that would be preferable in a high-end home.

The Marvin Ultimate is the top of the line Marvin window. These are wood windows that can have an optional aluminum cladding on the exterior.

The Marvin Essential, formerly the Marvin Infinity window, is the lower end option. If you’re going for a higher end window brand like Marvin it’s always my suggestion to get real wood, like you’ll find in the Ultimate line, vs imitation wood or fiberglass like you’ll find in the Essential line.

What’s the point of paying the premium for a beautiful window only to get imitation wood? I wouldn’t suggest it.

The warranty from Marvin windows is decent, but certainly not as good as you’d see from many vinyl window brands. We write mostly about vinyl windows here and in comparison the Marvin window warranty is much shorter and more limited. It seems that wood and fiberglass windows aren’t expected to hold up as long as a quality vinyl window.

When comparing Marvin windows to vinyl windows you’ll find that Marvin windows will have higher (worse) air infiltration rates meaning they’re less efficient. The Marvin windows will also cost quite a bit more.

For some people the high end look of the Marvin windows is worth that tradeoff. If you find yourself in that boat then Marvin windows might be the right product for you.

If not, then another option might be a better fit.

No. When compared to other window styles Marvin windows are not that energy efficient. When compared to other wood or composite or fiberglass windows Marvin windows are pretty typical.

The sales pitch for Marvin windows has less to do with efficiency and more to do with the look and the style. For someone whose first priority is efficiency Marvin windows might not be the best choice. Other options will provide better efficiency ratings, often at a lower cost.

Most Marvin windows are custom made so it will take time for the windows to be custom manufactured and delivered. The exact lead time depends on the model and options that you order. We would expect to see most Marvin window orders in 6-8 weeks but that can vary throughout the year.

You should ask your dealer or installer about the current lead-time when you place your order. You can find more info about how long it takes to get windows in 2022 here.

The pricing for Marvin windows will vary a lot depending on the options you pick. You can see windows from $1200 to $4000 per window or more. A company like Marvin offers a very wide range of options so there are many factors that will impact the pricing. Find more info about window prices in 2022 here.

Marvin windows are made of wood or fiberglass. The wood windows are also available with an aluminum clad exterior for additional protection from the elements. If your house is in a historic district you’ll likely need an all wood option to maintain the historic wood exterior.

If you’re not in a historic area, the aluminum clad or fiberglass window is recommended to reduce maintenance and increase the longevity of the windows. Find many more window reviews and info here.

No. Fiberglass windows are designed to look like wood windows and they can look very nice. Fiberglass windows are more expensive than the more popular vinyl windows, but they’re still imitation wood rather than real wood.

If you want the look of a wood window and you’re willing to accept the sacrifice of decreased efficiency and a shorter warranty then it makes more sense to get real wood windows rather than imitation wood fiberglass windows. Find detailed window reviews here.