Marvin/Gilkey/Window World - Who to use??

10 years ago

Hello all,

I've had a few people quote my windows (and a guy here for an hour to do a quote and never actually drop it off and one Anderson never got back to me!!). I have a 1965 built home in North Central Illinois. Currently I have original windows, only 6" of insulation in the attic, and are hot all summer and kinda cold in the winter. I'll be adding cellulose insulation myself, another 10" or more, and are going to do complete window replacements, not inserts.

I'm thinking the following options are my best potential options - Marvin, Window World, and Gilkey. The particular installers for Marvin & Window World have extremely high Angie's List reviews, and have people in the area that love both of them. The Gilkey installer has about 110 reviews in my area, 12 of them are pretty poor, the rest are very good. I don't know anyone that has them.

Gilkey is A+ BBB Rated, Window World A rated, Blue Ribbon Millwork (Marvin) isn't on the BBB site.

Window World is suggesting their 4000 series, Marvin their Integrity window, both of which give a U-Factor of 0.27 & SHGC of 0.21. Gilkey is suggesting their Vinyl Frame window with a U-Factor of 0.19 or 0.16 and a SHGC of 0.18 or 0.17 depending on which I go with. (Small cost difference).

Gilkey would be installing a triple pane window, which gets the lower U and SHGC factors. Marvin & Window World suggested double pane which is still a HUGE improvement over what I have now. Cost is almost identical with Gilkey & Marvin, Window World a few grand cheaper.

Any thoughts? I like the Marvin guy the best, and he did my parent's and a fellow firefighters, and they love the product. He normally uses fiberglass insulation the others use low-e foam, but he said he would use low-e foam if I wanted.

Thanks for any info anyone might be able to add for me!

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Comments (5)

PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
10 years ago
Man...those are 3 pretty different choice.
1. Be sure to read up on Air Sealing and insulation before you insulate. Much more to do up there before blowing in that insulation.
1. Where in Illinois are you? I definitely think that your climate necessitates a triple pane (sub U-Factor 0.20 with a CR of 70+) window of high performance.
User
10 years ago
I have some limited experience with gilkey where i used to live. Its a pretty good window and is much better than what window world is offering.
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Matthew Tracy
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Ok, my realistic thoughts were Gilkey and Marvin. Both seem like solid products, Gilkey is a much better U-Factor/SHGC w/the triple pane, and Marvin being around for what, more than 100 years. I'm also getting a triple pane quote from Marvin now based on your comments and some others.

Other thing - Windows on Washington - I currently have 6" of insulation. The brief readings I've seen on Air Sealing talk about at least caulking around electrical openings, and lots of things that might be difficult w/6" of existing insulation. Any ideas on where to find info on exactly what might be best for me to do? Think I can do this myself, I'm sure I can, I'm somewhat mechanically minded, although I'm not a huge fan of working in attics as hot and itchy as mine is!

Oh - and I'm in Genoa, IL. Close to Rockford. About 30 miles from Wisconsin. We have a harder time staying cool in the summer than we do warm in the winter, but both are an issue for sure. We just have the ability to put more blankets on, or space heaters, or cook more often in the winter to warm things up. We almost never use the oven in the summer because then it'll be 85 in the house w/the A/C on.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
10 years ago
You do need to move the insulation as you do you work, but you can break the attic into quadrants to do it. Nothing very technically difficult about it. It is just work.

I think you are on the right track as far as the window logic goes.

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/building_america/ba_airsealing_report.pdf
PRO
HomeSealed Exteriors, LLC
10 years ago
Great advice above... I'd also say that you are looking at a pretty broad spectrum of products there. Don't see Marvin and Window World compared often, very different offerings in nearly every way.

If energy efficiency is on the top of your list and you are open to vinyl, that will generally provide the best bang for the buck. Compare u value, air leakage, and condensation resistance ratings. That last one is a big one in your location. For that Marvin unit to hit the .27 u value and meet Energy Star, I believe that they are using a surface 4 (the glass surface that you can touch from inside your home) low e coating. This destroys condensation resistance. Ask for the CR rating, you really want that to be in the upper 50's- low 60's at minimum IMO... The Marvin can still be a fine choice, I'd personally just recommend the base 272 glass which no longer meets Energy Star, but will be better on CR.