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In Lancaster, Pennsylvania I was the founder, president and owner of LANCASTER BUILDING SUPPLY started in September, 1958. Over the years we developed a window and door department and sold and installed thousands of replacement windows โ€“ both vinyl and metal or vinyl clad wood windows. Of the many companies whose windows we sold was Marvin Window and Doors products. The Marvin Company was looking for an outlet for their windows and doors and LANCASTER BUILDING SUPPLY was established as a sub-distributor. We lauded their products to both contractors and homeowners and sold many of both their windows and doors.

In 1993 I decided to build a house on a property I owned. The blueprint called for a large number of casement and trapezoid windows and insulated patio doors. I decided to use what I considered the โ€˜bestโ€™ windows available.

In or around 2003 to 2004 I began to notice that many of the windows were leaking air. The sashes of the casement windows were warping and separating from the frames that held them in place. I attempted, unsuccessfully, to close the openings that had developed with cord-type Styrofoam insulation. Additionally, I noticed that the bottom rail of the sashes had begun to ROT. Marvin had used a soft PINE as a bottom rail and the moisture that developed from rain and condensation had begun to rot most of the rails in many of the windows. I should have altered Marvin about the problems, but I was remiss in doing so. Subsequently, the rotary hardware that was anchored to the bottom pine rail of the window by screws rotted to the point that the screws were no longer able to hold the rotary hardware in place and I had difficulty in opening and closing the windows

At this point I contacted Marvin Window and Door was told that they would have someone examine the problem but that FIRST, I HAD TO GIVE THEM THE NUMBER OF MY VISA CARD. Eventually an installer who services their windows visited my home and determined that there was a combination of 28 window sash and/or framed windows that had to be replaced along with a patio door panel and a patio door screen, plus a series of vinyl window moldings. Their patio door screens were manufactured with roller wheels gliding in an aluminum bottom track and were constantly jumping out of the track and causing difficulty in opening and closing the screens.

I was informed that the windows had a 10-year warranty and the time period between the installation in 1993 and 2004 when the problem exacerbated had been exceeded โ€“ exactly the same period when the wood rotting and air infiltration had already developed. The company offered a 30% discount on the material and labor (which is the most expensive part of an installation}. The amount I would have to pay would be $11,173 before any ordering or installation arrangements could be established. My wife who owns a building with 82 replacement windows had a problem with the windows and I intervened with the manufacturer who replaced all 82 windows at not charge โ€“ at what would have been a cost of $40,000 or more. A payment was made to Marvin and, eventually, the windows were installed; and later a door panel was delivered and installed by the installer.

A few weeks after the door panel was installed, the temperature reached almost a hundred degrees. One morning I discovered that the glass in the door panel next to the one that was installed had developed what is known as โ€œinternal combustionโ€ . . . . the glass had completely โ€œexplodedโ€ if you will. My own experience with this type of problem is that the door panel that was replaced had not been โ€œconditionedโ€ or subject to any heat before it was installed and the heat to the door expanded the door panel and put pressure on the door panel next to it causing the glass in that door panel to โ€explodeโ€ . . . glass chards all over the patio beneath the door.

Marvin denied any responsibility for the internal combustion. They have a ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON ANY GLASS USED IN THEIR PRODUCTS. To have their sales representative or service installer look at the problem would cost me an inspection charge of $180.00. Unbelievable! Finally, they gave me a โ€œlast offerโ€ of $746.44 to replace the glass โ€“ sight unseen, since it is a standard size piece of glass. I called a local glass company and they replaced the glass for $295.00.

Itโ€™s important that you do due diligence before buying Marvin Windows and Doors. Dealing with the Company in the event of having a problem can be an exhaustive, or frustrating that Andersen undertaking. Most contractors Iโ€™ve talked to since then have indicated that Andersen windows are their preferred window to install on new replacement jobs.

Reason of review: Not as described/ advertised.

Monetary Loss: $11000.

Marvin Windows And Doors Cons: Perefunctory and frustrating.

Location: Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

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Guest

Had several (14) double hung Integrity Marvin Windows installed in Spring 2011. I like the way they look, both inside & out.

I do have a couple with air infiltrating either at split or at bottom of sash in closed position. My biggest gripe is their screens! Very poor design. Small plastic "spring-loaded" screen keepers consistently break.

I'm told they haven't changed this design. Wonder if I could use another brand screen(?).

Guest

Lots of incorrect information in this rant. Look up the facts on independent websites.

In 2002 Marvin offered 20 year glass warranty

Marvin offers additional discounts to dealers if they choose to service the products they sell.

Glass is Tempered , using high heat " hence the tempering process" so again no idea what he is talking about!

Glass panel exploding more than likely cause by improper installation.

Too much pressure being applied to a given spot will cause this.

Moisture will cause any unsealed wood to rot, it is wood it will rot, you have to seal it using paint or varnish every other year.

Guest

"They have a ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON ANY GLASS USED IN THEIR PRODUCTS."

That's incorrect they have a 20 year warranty covering the glass.

Guest

Thank you for your review on Marvin Windows. I was considering Marvin windows as one of my top choices but I will NOT be choosing them now.

I'm in the Southern Jersey area so similar climate as Lancaster, PA.

I hope you were able to rectify your issue.

momof3

Guest

So what do we as consumers do. They bamboozle us into thinking this is a quality product, it obviously is not.

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