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Windows
qbryant

Integerty vs softlight patio door

10 years ago

Looking at using marvin wood ultrex windows but what about the patio doors,we have a 12 and 8 footer but that can be changed if needed.

looking for opinions on marvin integerty vs softlight kingsroyal ?

Featured Answer
  • PRO
    10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    @frieda, the difference between wood furniture and floors as opposed to windows, is that they are not as a general rule exposed to the same level of moisture (from condensation), sunlight, etc that can degrade the finish and result in damage if not maintained. They are also mostly constructed of pretty fast-growth pine these days, which is very porous and absorbs moisture. Furniture and floors are hardwoods more often than not. That is neither an endorsement nor indictment of wood windows, just the situation at hand.

    I do like the Integrity line when wood interiors are desired. It's design limits the wood's exposure to moisture only to condensation from the glass, whereas the design of a lot of clad units have more opportunity for wood/moisture exposure.

    @ qbryant, you are kind of comparing apples to oranges here. What is the situation that presents a different set of project goals for the sliding doors than it did for the windows? ... Same trade-off either way. The vinyl door will be the superior performer (air leakage most notably), while the wood interior will offer the consistent look with your windows and the rich look and feel of wood.

    Comments (6)

    • 10 years ago

      We used the soft lite door on multiple occasions amd its very good. I am just not one to promote the use of wood.

    • 10 years ago
      last modified: 10 years ago

      Winkster53 - the Marvin Integrity Wood-Ultrex has wood on the inside only.

      Qbryant - I just replaced last week an old Pella Proline sliding glass door with an Integrity Wood-Ultrex. I am very happy with the new sliding glass door. The Ultrex on the outside means little maintenance, and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the wood on the inside. I opted not to get my trim factory-painted as I have a painter I like who is coming to do other work and he will paint the trim of the door at the same time. The wood (pine) looks nice with a pretty grain so that you could just stain it as well.

      I can't compare to Softlite, but the company is spoken well of on this forum. I am not a fan of the look of vinyl on the inside - just my personal preference.

      I have separately a Marvin Ultimate wood-clad sliding glass door so I can compare them. The Ultimate was significantly more expensive. The noticeable differences I see are that the lock is heavier and nicer on the Ultimate, the Ultimate came with trim primed but the Integrity does not offer priming just painted or raw. The Ultimate will definitely need fresh paint on the outside in a couple years, while the Integrity won't, but I live in the Chicago area so YMMV.

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    • 10 years ago
      last modified: 10 years ago

      I am aware of the outside being clad. I installed a marvin in a very old home in alexandria a while back because all the windows were marvin wood. Unless properly maintained, wood is an issue.

    • 10 years ago
      last modified: 10 years ago

      Winkster53 - can you clarify your post? The Integrity Wood-Ultrex is Ultrex (Marvin's fiberglass) on the outside, and wood trim on the inside. Are you saying the interior wood trim will need extra maintenance? I have wood floors, wood bookcases, wood tables and desk, but none needs much if any maintenance so I expect the interior wood trim on the sliding glass door to be about the same. And it looks darn good.

    • 10 years ago
      last modified: 10 years ago

      Yes, the interior needs to be maintained. If you dont, the wood can rot and dry out. If you keep up with it, should look nice for years.

      unless you are saying the interior door itself is also fiberglass? If so, forget my comment on wood.

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