Jessica Wimmer is a writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in writing reviews and informational articles in the home and pet insurance industries. Jessica analyzes the best brands and has read over 1,000 customer reviews to learn what matters most to buyers. She’s been published in Deep South Magazine, The Dead Mule Journal of Southern Literature and The Deep Water Literary Journal. She’s also a Pushcart Prize nominee, Write Well award winner and former English teacher. Jessica hails from Virginia but currently resides in the Raleigh, North Carolina area.
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Marvin Windows & Doors is known for its design flare, high-quality materials and commitment to energy efficiency.
The company has some standout features, such as skylights and coastal-friendly windows, that might make it the brand for you. However, it’s missing some industry standards, such as vinyl window options, that may make you think twice.
We wanted to see how Marvin compares to other top window brands, so we looked at what it offers customers regarding product selection and performance, cost, customer feedback, warranty coverage and more.
We scored Marvin according to our methodology, assigning points in categories such as style selection, customization options, online reviews, certifications, warranty coverage and more. We awarded Marvin 4 out of 5 stars.
The brand gained points for factors such as its energy-saving features and high Better Business Bureau (BBB) score, but it lost points for not offering vinyl window options or labor warranty coverage.
We like Marvin’s focus on energy efficiency. All its products are certified by Energy Star, which means its windows are tested to see how well they regulate your home’s temperature by controlling air leakage and heat absorption.
The brand is also certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), a big signifier of window quality. The NFRC is the window industry’s leading independent performance tester. These certifications indicate that any window you purchase is high-performance.
We also appreciate the innovation in Marvin’s window lines. Its skylights and the Marvin Skycove are offerings not typically seen among competitors.
One surprising thing about Marvin is that it doesn’t sell vinyl windows, which are standard in the window industry due to their affordability and durability. Not only is vinyl absent from its product range, but certain popular window types often included with other manufacturers, such as garden windows and basement hoppers, are missing.
We also don’t like that, despite an A+ rating with the BBB, the company’s customer reviews are predominantly negative. Compared to many other leading brands, it has many more negative reviews.
Marvin’s product offerings and services are similar to those of leading competitors, such as Renewal by Andersen and Pella. The company scored highly with us on energy efficiency and innovation but lost points for its lack of labor warranty coverage.
We read through recent customer reviews on sites including the BBB and Yelp. While some reviews from customers and installers cite great service and quality, many note product flaws and difficulty getting issues fixed. Most of these complaints pertain to doors rather than windows, however.
Christine had this to say on the BBB: “While the windows are pretty, the jams were bowed on nearly every window. What is worse is that one of our windows arrived damaged. Our contractor has been waiting for 4 months to get a replacement window. We spent over $35,000 on Marvin windows and have been on hold for 4 months waiting for them to respond. They can’t give us a confirmation or delivery date. The service has been absolutely dismal.”
But Ken, an installer, wrote on Yelp about consistently happy customers: “We have used Marvin Windows and have had zero issues or problems. They gave great quality and dependable lead times. The ULTREX material is the strongest and best I have seen. Even in the dark colors they do not fade or chalk. The Marvin family that runs Marvin are the kindest and most genuine people I have ever dealt with. I would not hesitate to recommend them as a company. All our customers have raved over the quality of the product and its attractive look.“
Marvin sells several popular window types but lacks a couple that are common among other retailers: basement hoppers and garden windows. We particularly like Marvin’s window series, which are made for varying budgets, climates and home aesthetics.
Marvin has three window collections: Signature, Elevate and Essential.
The Signature collection offers the broadest range of products and customization options. The product line breaks down into three series based on design.
Marvin’s Elevate collection combines window durability with a timeless look. The company’s proprietary fiberglass exteriors stand up to the elements, and wood interiors add warmth and a classic look.
The Marvin Essential collection combines design, quality and performance. These windows have durable fiberglass exteriors and interiors and are low maintenance. The clean lines and styles are designed for you to mix and match.
Marvin sells 10 window styles. You can choose from the following:
Marvin also sells:
Marvin sells windows made from aluminum, fiberglass and wood. The brand diverts from competitors by not offering vinyl, which is generally the most popular window material. While you may pay more for Marvin’s vinyl-free windows, it’s clear the brand designs windows meant for customers who appreciate intentional craftsmanship and style.
The materials Marvin uses have their advantages and disadvantages. Aluminum is low maintenance and heavy-duty. It can support large windows and is easy to customize. It provides a sleek, modern look but isn’t the most energy-efficient. Aluminum is a poor insulator and doesn’t hold up well to heat or salty air, so we don’t recommend it if you live in a coastal area.
Fiberglass, on the other hand, is well-suited for hot temperatures. It resists distortion caused by sun rays and high winds. Fiberglass windows are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly but cost more than aluminum.
Wood windows are timeless and add warmth to a room. They’re energy-efficient and easy to customize. However, they’re much more expensive than other window materials and are susceptible to rot and warping.
The more panels your window has, the more insulation is between you and the elements. Windows in older homes often have one panel of glass, while homes today feature two or three panels. It may sound like triple-pane windows are the way to go for maximum energy efficiency, but that’s not necessarily the case. Advances in window technology, such as low-emissivity (low-e) coatings, can make double-pane windows sufficient.
Marvin only sells double-pane windows. Adding a third panel wouldn’t make a noticeable difference in your energy bills or home comfort unless you live in an extremely cold climate.
Marvin is an Energy Star partner. All its window products are certified to meet Energy Star’s standards for insulating ability and heat blocking. These standards vary by climate, so when you purchase a Marvin window, you can look for the Energy Star sticker that tells you it’s certified to be energy efficient in your specific climate.
Marvin’s windows feature low-e glass coatings that manage the light and heat allowed through a window to help regulate your home’s temperature. Low-e coatings also help protect your furniture and walls. In fact, according to Energy Star, these coatings can reduce fading by up to 75%. The brand’s windows include durable frame materials, spacers, gas fill and weatherstripping to increase efficiency.
We surveyed 1,500 window customers in October 2023 and learned that those who bought from Marvin spent between $12,612 and $20,499, depending on the size of the window project. Note that this is not per window but rather how much customers spent on their total window project with the company.
The price of a window largely depends on its size and type. For example, a large picture window with a wood interior will cost more than a simple aluminum awning window. Customizations also increase the price. Opting for certain frame colors, grid layouts or hardware types affects price, but they can make your windows more attractive and add to your curb appeal.
According to Home Depot, double-hung wood windows typically cost between $1,600 and $2,200. That includes the window, permit, installation labor and estimated tax. Larger, more complex window styles, such as bay windows, can cost as much as $11,000.
Getting a quote is the easiest way to see what your windows will cost. You can find a dealer on Marvin’s website by entering your location to see the showrooms near you. You can either stop by in person or call to speak with someone about what type and how many windows you’re interested in to get an estimate.
Marvin doesn’t offer financing options, though we found that individual dealers often do. Because there isn’t a unified practice, your financing options will vary depending on which dealer you get your windows from. Many dealers offer payment plans and work with banks to finance through home equity or similar loans if you’re replacing many windows at once.
Unlike most other window replacement companies, Marvin’s website doesn’t provide a step-by-step look at its installation process. Furthermore, a Marvin-approved contractor, not a team from the company itself, will install your windows. We know from researching other window brands that the window installation process typically includes these steps:
Marvin’s warranty coverage varies by collection. You can see specifics in its sample warranty policy, but here are the highlights:
Marvin’s warranty coverage doesn’t include labor. Most window warranties cover installation workmanship for at least a year, but you won’t get that with Marvin.
Marvin’s emphasis on innovative design features and energy efficiency are big selling points. However, the lack of budget-friendly vinyl options and general above-average window prices may cause you to cross it off your list.
We recommend looking into Marvin’s window options if you’re less concerned with installation budget and more focused on efficiency and appearance. You can start your project with Marvin by requesting a quote. We also suggest getting quotes from a few companies to compare prices and options.
Our aim is to provide you with the information you need to assess and choose a window company when updating or replacing your windows. We conducted research to thoroughly understand the window industry from both a consumer and company perspective.
Our in-depth methodology compares window companies based on various attributes, including window options, energy efficiency, warranties, reputation, reviews, customer service, communication, installation and other services. Each attribute is worth points that add up to a possible total of 100. We then translate that score into our 5-star rating we feature in our reviews.
BBB rating is accurate as of December 2023.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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