Please be very careful when considering Marvin windows!
We have just has 45 wood clad sash windows installed last year, our experience has been a disaster after disaster, we wish we had never placed our order with Marvin, despite extensive research. The after service has been non existent. We are now considering legal action for replacement.

This sounds unusual, are you sure the problem is not the distributor or your installer. I have never heard of Marvin being non existent in the service department. What exactly is the problem with your windows ?

Last summer we ordered a number of Marvin windows, all wood interior, aluminum clad exterior. Low e. Some were large picture windows, others were casement windows. My husband and I installed all of them ourselves, even the large picture windows. Two of the picture windows came with minor scratches on the glass. We called the dealer, a representative from Marvin came out to see the scratches, and within another day or so, the glass was replaced. We found their customer service to be excellent.

Nancy

I'm surprised that the original poster found Andersen more expensive than Marvin. When I was looking at replacement insert windows I looked at both. I preferred the Marvin but the cost was much higher - so I went with Andersen even though I thought the quality was slightly lower.

But I suspect the Andersen price may have been high because it was from Renewal by Andersen - I'd recommend checking the prices through an Andersen distributor instead.

13 years out from the date we installed clad Marvin Windows we have discovered major leaking. In California, after many years of drought, leaking problems were not an issue. Both the window and contractor warranties have expired.

The vendor explained the source of problem which was unknown in 2004, the year of our installation. She said that the type of nail-fins in our particular windows were made with 'plastisized pvc' and that the type of seal tape (not sure of correct term) used appears to have contained some asphalt material. It turns out they were informed a few years after 2004 that the combination of plastisized pic and tape with asphalt creates an adverse chemical reaction that liquified the nail-fin. At that time Marvin distributed new installation specs to vendors and asked them to inform customers of the issue.

Well, clearly we, as the end consumer did not get that memo. Perhaps our contractor who placed the PO with the vendor did. We never heard from him.

Now we are dealing with the mess, including related dry rot, and are in process of making an insurance claim. They suggested looking for a fund for those who incurred the same problems. That is what I'm researching now, so far with no luck.

Marvin Windows were not the only company who used the plasticized nail-fins.

my word of caution would be to check the outside window seams for any black tar-like goop protruding out. I have included a photo of what that looks like. It is soft to the touch and can stick to your fingertip.

Hopefully my story will help someone contact their window manufacturer before their warranty has expired.