Replies

1. 
   Lateapex911 | Mar 02, 2004 05:48am | #1

   I'm putting in Marvins in my own house. I love 'em!

   Upsides:

   Great looks...very architecturraly correct.

   Insulated glass...no more triple tracks! (which were worthless anyway)

   Good sealing, no more rattles and air leaks.

   Each one takes all of a half hour to install. It takes me longer to unbox them, pull the triple tracks off, and clean it all up than it does to actually pull the old sashes out and replace them with the Marvins.

   The downside is the cost. About what an Anderson window would cost, but i think the end result is better looking, and I have zero work to do to the house. No reframing, no drywall or siding issues.  HUGE time saver.

   In the end, I think it's a great way to go.

   My supplier did not, at the time, provide Kolbe and Kolbe, so I have no experience there. I hear they are a great company. Marvin can be kinda snooty.

   Pricing, for my double hungs, which were 2 over 2 Victorian style, randes between 300 and 400, depending on size. The bigger ones were 32" by 62".

   Jake Gulick

   [email protected]

   CarriageHouse Design

   Black Rock, CT

1. 
   cameraman | Mar 02, 2004 06:36am | #3

   Jake,

   Does the Marvin's have a storm/screen or just a screen? I am installing in brick construction and according to the web site it looks as if there is an extieor trim/sill  wrap. is that what you installed?

1. 
   Lateapex911 | Mar 02, 2004 07:00am | #4

   Yeah, I saw that picture as well. But I didn't need, or want that. Not sure, but Marvin is so ala carte that I'm sure it's an extra cost option.

   My set up is:

   two sashes, two vynyl (sp?) tracks, a top parting strip. and some misc hardware.

   Of course, my frames are racked, but i accounted for that before ordering, and ripped wedges (with like 54 angles!) for the sashes to meet on the top and bottom. Some good angle work for the table saw, added 15 minutes to the job.

   Screens are available, as I remember.

   And the last issue of FineHomebuilding had an article about rebuilding old windows, (no thanks!!) (Although I appreciate the old wavy glass) and the author cited "Allied Window Inc. Their Historic One Light was his choice. Jake Gulick

   [email protected]

   CarriageHouse Design

   Black Rock, CT

2. 
   JDRHI | Mar 02, 2004 06:20am | #2

   I have high praise for the Marvin products themselves...however in my neck-o-the-woods their customer service is lacking. Orders aren`t always complete...shipping dates often not definite. But the product itself is first class.

   I would look to get some feedback on the Kolbe & Kolbe....weigh your options.

   J. D. Reynolds

   Home Improvements

   "DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"

3. 
   RW | Mar 02, 2004 07:41am | #5

   Like the Marvin sash paks real well. Kolbe makes some great stuff too, thou I haven't used their replacement kits . . . (yet). I would bet you a nickle the Marvins are cheaper than the Kolbes. Material cost is usually half or slightly under replacing the whole unit. That ain't bad. Not to mention all the other stuff it saves you from tangling with. Real important to start with good measurements. You can't make them grow, and really planing them down isn't a great thing. If you give yourself too much fudge room side to side, the tracks will still seat enough to insulate, but I've seen installations where the tracks were sitting off the jamb, and the window didnt ride quite as well as it should have as a result. Measure twice, order once.

   "The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb "      lyrics by Roger Waters

4. 
   gchdrake | Mar 02, 2004 07:43am | #6

   I used Pella's and couldn't be happier.

   In my son's room I used the "replacements" so there was no tearout and no need to manufactur matching trim and repair stucco. In the kitchen we used new windows and did manufacture trim and repair stucco.

   In the rest of the house I used a product I learned about many years ago that went by the name of "Quaker Strips" - they are now found at Window Renu http://www.windowrenu.com/main/default.asp

   We have tried to look at our home as a "restoration/renovation" and keep the feel of what was built in 1939.

   good luck