So someone else asked about Peachtree and got a thumbs down.
Who do you like for quality and customer service. This would be in reference to mid to high end remodeling.
So someone else asked about Peachtree and got a thumbs down.
Who do you like for quality and customer service. This would be in reference to mid to high end remodeling.
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Replies
Marvin.
second choice:
Marvin.
http://grantlogan.net/
It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man. - J. Handey
Marvin are very nice windows.... But they bailed on the warrenty of specialty windows when Andersen bought out KML.
I have Marvin customers left high and dry with product they no longer support that is clearly within their warrenty.
Everyone has a horror story. All manufactures have their problems. Overall for service and parts my vote is Andersen.
To qualify that I have rebuilt doors and windows over 40 years old from parts still available.... but I could give you the number of a customer that has 20 defective door panels that were 2 months out of warrenty and got no satisfaction. He wasn't about to give them another 10 grand to fix a known problem.... but I don't think he was diligent in his complaining to a higher authority.
To further qualify, my house originally had weathershield. Slowly but surely, after 10 years they are all on the way to the local dump. They come with a big assed 20 year warrenty sticker on them, but when you read the fine print..... it's more like a.... this is a window..... if you can prove otherwise you maybe, might have a pro-rated warrenty claim depending on the phase of the moon at installation and the latitude of installation in relation to your spouses birthday..
Marvin. Great supplier, absolutely no service-tho haven't really needed it.
Andersen-no real area distributor, which used to be the ticket. And they had local service personel.
Pella-recently changed hands and now no local stock, cut back and more minimal service help-they were gems before.
If I was doing replacements-Comfortline.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Marvin, Marvin and Marvin. I've had them do warranty. One call to my salesman, they sent out a factory tech.
I do live in MN though. They build them here. Actually they build Andersen here too, but you have to wait 3 months for parts to come from China.
I call Andersen direct and can get any part in usually less then a week deliverd by Federal express to my doorstep... and I'm in Maryland. Perhaps you are calling the wrong number.
Yeah, I called the wrong number. Jesus. To be fair I only had to wait forever for door parts. And they came from China.I don't call window manufacturers, I call my salesman and he calls the manufacturers. That's why he gets a commission. I can't believe anyone would put Eagle or Pella above Marvin on their list. I've used all three (Eagle at a customer's request) and there is no comparison. Pella was typical Menards #### if you ask me. Eagle was a slight step up from that. Both crappy suburban tract home quality.
"I don't call window manufacturers, I call my salesman and he calls the manufacturers. That's why he gets a commission."There's your problem. Unless it was a custom made window sash or door panel, I've never had to wait more then three weeks, ever. Most times two weeks or less..View Image
My problem is calling my salesman?
umm ok. I'm guessing you don't don't have a salesman or have a city desk account. I understand that the Pella on the shelf are different than the full line custom windows. I did say they were similar to Eagle. I don't like the detailing in either.As far as the hype comment. I've been using Marvin since the time when you had to convince homeowners they were better than Andersen. I thought it was great when they started really marketing them. If it makes you feel any better I'd probably put Pella and Eagle above Andersen. Take all the hype comment and direct it to them and we are in full agreement. Sounds like they got too popular for some of you. Weird. I have music snob friends that are the same way. I don't understand that mode of thinking.
No matter to me. They've always built nice windows for me. The ones with problems were fixed quickly with no hassle and every year they come out with more options to give me more freedom to get exactly the window I want.
If you are talking Pella from the big boxes, that's Pella Proline which is not on my list. You all talk about Pella like there was only one line.If I want customs I go to Eagle.I'm actually bidding on a remodel now which will probably use Marvins, because they have triple hungs. I think Marvins are all right that's why they made the list. I just don't buy into the hype. I also use a lot of Shelter windows because that's what we are matching, I don't think any of these brands are perfect. I bid a job recently that speced windows I had never heard of out of South Carolina. $160,000 for 15 windows. Should they be the best?I don't buy windows because TV personalities tell me to.It's all about the service
Barry E-Remodeler
Do you mean your local Pella Window Store changed hands?I don't think that Pella Corp has changed ownership.
Barry E-Remodeler
sorry, yessir the local dist. was changed to a concern up in Detroit. We now have a sales office and no parts bin.
Not very "geared" towards the remodeler as they were when locals had it.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
I thought you had Gunton as your distributor for Pella
Nope, don't know the name. Snodgrass here for quite a number of years. They sold local and outside of a few changes, same quality company with some good people inside. They might have served Lima to Monroe, Mi, Sandusky to just into Indiana.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Anderson (probably because it's the only one my local lumberyard has)
Could you tell me when I should buy my windows. I have included a chart for clarification.=)http://www.isabellacatalog.com/prod.cfm/pgc/21000/sbc/21007/inv/11688/tid/706102510
When you can afford them.
I did factory service for Marvins too. they get my vote.
recently did a house with Pozzi aluminum clad sdl. liked them alot. No problems. Did have to call customer service to see how to modify a window in the field, and they got me to the right technical person quickly. I was impressed. Hope they last well.
1. Marvin
2. Andersen
Marvin. Veteran of (2) factory tours ;o)
Jeff
Did they give you a free window sample after the tour?
No ... but other nice 'perks' yes ;o)
PS - not the time to visit now ... current temp. is 7 below, 25 below w/ wind chillJeff
Edited 12/5/2007 9:54 pm ET by Jeff_Clarke
1. Marvin
2. Anderson
Marvin, Anderson. Heard that before by now. I also have used Kolbes a couple of times and they have stuck in my head as exceptionally well detailed, though costly enough to be out of the running for many customers.
Real trucks dont have sparkplugs
Kolbes are very nice looking windows. Now if they could only figure out how to make them operate....
So you were bored huh :)
1. Eagle
2. Pella Architectural Series
3. Pella Designer Series
4. Marvin
Pella over Marvin ???? No way.
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2006/02/pella_windows_2.php (scroll down and read)
http://www.epinions.com/content_350419783300
http://advice.thisoldhouse.com/showthread.php?t=2539
http://www.rjhiggins.com/pella.htm
http://forums.jlconline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33673
Jeff
Edited 12/5/2007 10:16 pm ET by Jeff_Clarke
You know what they sat about opinions. :)I'm in Iowa and can get some good service through my local rep.Marvin was higher on my list, but I think they have slid the last few years. Their biggest strength has been very good marketing and product placement. Kinda like Anderson used to beBut you are an eagle fan? ;)
Barry E-Remodeler
Andersen......Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore