Marvin Windows

RedLady

Hi,

I am thinking of installinf Marvin Windows in our house - has anybody else had experience with these?

Regards,

tcoen

Their alu clad wooden windows are good as are their sash windows.

rooferPete

Hi Red Lady,

They do make a very good window with a lot of options, some you may not need but they usually come as part of the package.

Also their glazing system is very high quality, Argon filled, I think they are triple glazed though not sure on that one.

What you need to do is design your openings to suit their catalogue, they will make any windor or door that you want but straying from their list can cost a lot more money.

Another company called Lowen make windows to a similar high specification, I like the aluminium cladding tcoen referred to it makes very easy to maintain timber windows.

.

Eve1

Hi redlady,
we just got our delivery of Marvin windows during the week and I have to say they are absolutely fab. I have mentioned before that we are really over budget and at times I regretted having spent extra on the windows but once I saw them I was thrilled. We choose sliding sash alu-clad and they have a U value of .32, thats nearly as good as an insulated wall. You can buy painted or alu-clad and the inside can be painted or left as wood. As rooferpete mentioned make sure that you get the window sizes from their catalogue otherwise you have to pay a premium. We didn't realise that but our sales rep basically contacted the tf company and changed our window schedule so that our window openings were suitable for their standard windows. Their service is excellent and professional at every level, they make sure that you are completley satisfied. We got our front door and backdoor off Munster Joinery and the difference is unreal, I would never recommend anybody to buy anything off them.

Builderwoman!

Hi Red Lady,

Marvin windows are lovely and very expensive. We were going down that route but the budget was not big enough. I did discover a great alternative
Kolbe windows - also from the US and much more competitive on price. I have mislaid the guys phone number who represents Kolbe over here but his name is martin and he works from Kilkenny but travels nationwide. His email address is celticcanadian@eircom.net
Send him a mail and get his phone no. Have a chat with him and he will save you money.

Take care,
BW

By the way when we told the Marvin rep that we had a more competitive quote from Kolbe they said that they could not find any fault with Kolbe windows that we were comparing like product with like product.

Wobs

Hi

We also just got Marvin windows installed. Have to say can't fault the product or service one bit. We went with the alu clad sliding sash windows and I also got quotes from Lowen, Kolbe and Anderson. Lowen looked equally as good, Anderson's finish didn't look quite as good and I didn't see a sample of the Kolbe but read a few bad reviews on some American websites. As for price Marvin were the most expensive but not by much we were looking at maybe a couple of grand between them and Anderson with the others somewhere in between.

RedLady

Thanks for all the replys. I too have bad experiences with Munster Joinery - would not go near them with a barge pole!

ACProctor

I know this is far too late to have any effect but I feel obliged to set the record straight

I live in a very exposed (weather-wise) area and have Marvin Windows all around.

They have ben a total disaster! The external panels separate and allow water in. This swells the wood on the inside and further pushes the panels away. The wood then rots and discolours.

Furthermore, all the doors and windows are drafty and are not anywhere near airtight. One even allows rain coming in. The doors also swell and jam making them difficult to open.

Virtually all of my doors and windows have been replaced under guarantee.The replacements do exactly the same as the old ones. I have applied copious amounts of silicon sealant to try and stem the problem. However, as soon as I come up on the lottery then I will replace the lot!

A. Proctor
Co. Waterford

RedLady

Hi,

Yes, they have been our biggest and most costly mistake so far. They are totally not suited to this climate. We have had outside seals and internal seals fitted by them but to no avail - they still let in wind and water. We have had 10 windows and 1 set of french doors replaced and the number will be higher once the winter is over. I thought with the amount that they cost that the windows would be the last thing to cause problems but not so. They just seem to be happy to throw replacement windows in without tackling the problem of them not being weatherproof. I know that the repair guy is VERY busy so this is happening to a lot of people.

ACProctor

Yeah, it makes me sick when I think how much we spent on them. There's no point in ringing them again since - as you say - they'll replace with the same product again, and all the upheaval will have been for nothing.

mad m

Would the goods act not work in your favor here? Repair/Replace/Refund!!!

Would bring them to small claims and try and at least get something back...

ACProctor

I have thought about this, more than once. I have zero confidence in the company's ability to repair or replace to an acceptable standard. That means me gunning for a total refund, and with possible legal hassles about tapering according to the length of time they've been installed, etc.

I would then need to coordinate a complete re-fit with another company. There aren't that many hours in my day :-(

I will replace them, one day, but I just wish I'd read something like this post before I wasted my time and money

clint_eastman

I'm in the middle of quoting my windows and Marvin although expensive look the nicest in terms of appearance.......... is the general advice to stay away from them?

ACProctor

If it's the same ones as mine (i.e. pastic-covered aluminium on the outside and wood on the inside) and you live in any type of exposed location then "don't".

Interestingly, I completed building of a separate study-cum-games room across the garden this year. I had a similar style of Windows put in, but this time it was planitherm from saint-gobain. Even though this was their top-of-the-range product, they were still cheaper than Marvin. I'm also 100% happy with the build quality and the air/water-tightness

mr_edge_to_you

we gou a quote of 45k from them. crazy money! we got a much better window at 25k. even better than aluclad - alu/timber composite frames.

our builder told us steer well clear of them too.

the price made our decision fairly lively.

clint_eastman

mr_edge_to_you wrote: »

we gou a quote of 45k from them. crazy money! we got a much better window at 25k. even better than aluclad - alu/timber composite frames.

our builder told us steer well clear of them too.

the price made our decision fairly lively.

Hi Mr Edge, Can you PM me your window supplier please?
Clint

francisp

I was intersted to read what ACProctor had to say as we had been in a similar situation with Marvin windows.

We purchased windows for our new house about six years ago and altough we thought them to be very expensive we also thought they were the best looking sash window out of all the ones we looked at.

We started to see problems with them after about 4 years and we thought we had made a huge mistake.

We contacted Marvin and they sent a man out to have a look and we expected the old fob off story like we had not looked after them etc..

We were told that they had modified the window for the irish climate and that any damaged windows would be replaced, he actualy had a small corner sample piece with him and he showed us what they had done to prevent future problems.

It took a little while to get the replacement windows in but they have been done about 18 months and they seem fine, no damp areas in the bottom of the windows at all, they have actualy put a small plastic section on the bottom of the window so water cannot get into the timber and you do not see this piece with the window closed.

It is a shame ACProctor was not getting them replaced today as i can only assumme that he purchased before we did and all he got was the same unmodified windows.

ecole2001

Did you ever get this issue with Marvin windows sorted out. They have been recommended to us but thought I'd check them out first.

Fatherned

Hi Everyone,
We had our Marvin Aluclad windows installed about 8 years ago. When they went in they looked amazing and my wife and I both agreed we had done the right thing in selecting them.
Unfortunatley I have different feeings about them now.
The windows are now letting water in at the base and sides leading to rotting at the rear of the house. Today I have contacted Marvin about the issue and I have to pay €80 to get a technician out to look at the problem and tell me what my next option is.
I am genuinely gutted that these are not the windows I was told they were going to be "Solid and reliable and worry free for many years to come"
I would think twice about chosing these windows and feel guilty about having recommeneded them to other people

ACProctor

Seems about 4-5 years is the time they last. We ignored the signs at first. Marvin tried to tell us it was our fault for not finishing them off (i.e. the ends of the wood grain were soaking up the wet).

When the rain ran inside, swelled the wood, and started to push the panels off the front then Marvin finally replaced them. However, the replacements have exactly the same issues. We've lived with them for about 10 yrs in total now. I don't want them but can't afford to junk them. It costs a lot to replace about 30 windows.

I don't want any of their products, or the people who installed them. We have some of their replacement windows here where there's almost 1cm gap between the window and the fixed-frame because they were not installed properly.

On top of all this, we get excessive condensation because they just don't perform. Even ignoring the significant drafts blowing through them (& rain sometimes), the glass is freezing to the touch and so attracts moisture.

Fatherned

Thanks for your post
Did they replace all of your windows under warranty and what about the surrounds of the windows when this work was done, was this also covered by marvin.
It is a crap situation to be in and I want to have as much information for them when they do call to look at them and tell me if they will replace them or not. Some of the windows at the front of the house seem to be unaffected but I am not sure if I want these in a house now

Many thanks

ACProctor

They replaced virtually all of them, including the fixed frames. They even had to replace a door because the exterior panels had been pushed so far away from the glass by the wet swollen wood that you could look down inside.

I was asked to take some digital photos and email them to their company to justify the replacements. In retrospect, I probably should have contacted trading standards and took a case to get a total refund as they're "not fit for purpose" and have serious design faults.

I have gone round all the replacements - which are of the same design as the first lot - and put silicon sealant along the bottom edge of each glass panel but it's all in vain. I think another two years and the glass will be falling out of several panels.

thomur

Fatherned wrote: »

Hi Everyone,
We had our Marvin Aluclad windows installed about 8 years ago. When they went in they looked amazing and my wife and I both agreed we had done the right thing in selecting them.
Unfortunatley I have different feeings about them now.
The windows are now letting water in at the base and sides leading to rotting at the rear of the house. Today I have contacted Marvin about the issue and I have to pay €80 to get a technician out to look at the problem and tell me what my next option is.
I am genuinely gutted that these are not the windows I was told they were going to be "Solid and reliable and worry free for many years to come"
I would think twice about chosing these windows and feel guilty about having recommeneded them to other people

Agree, had them installed in Clare 4 years ago. Windows rotting and patio door was not placed properly, resulting in it not being able to lock. Disaster

New build in sight

Hi everyone, we have just got a quote from Marvin for our windows and was surprised to learn that they were similar in price to Wrights & Munster! But after reading this thread i'm anxious!
I seen their stand at the ideal homes and thought the windows looked beautiful, the best sash ones we had seen.
Now I am very nervous about buying them, we are still getting quotes though thankfully havent agreed anything, their UV values was only 1.6 though per window which surprised us considering Wrights and Munster could offer better UV values.
I would love to know if there is anyone out there with a positive experience regarding Marvin?

valy1972

Hi,

We got Marvin Windows and they have given us nothing but trouble. Please stay well away from them. If I won the lotto I would have them all taken out but as that is unlikely I will have to live with the draughts and condensation!!!:(

New build in sight

I'm absolutely gutted by all the bad comments, but I think its hard to ignore them now

I have a meeting with their rep tomorrow to discuss the quote, I will mention what I've heard and see what he says anyway.

So am i allowed to ask who everyone would recommend regarding windows?

brinks_18476

valy1972 wrote: »

Hi,

We got Marvin Windows and they have given us nothing but trouble. Please stay well away from them. If I won the lotto I would have them all taken out but as that is unlikely I will have to live with the draughts and condensation!!!:(

DO NOT consider Marvin windows. I also have them and they are very problematic. NEVER again! After sales service also very bad. Dont care about customers.

Avoid, avoid, avoid!!!!

martinn123

Hi Guys, couple of comments here.
I appreciate some posts are 2 yrs old or more but it's interesting to see feedback on windows which are installed a few years.

I wonder if the problem is the design of the joints on the window section.

timber which is jointed at 45Deg, will have no endgrain exposed and so in our wet climate should not absorbe water, expand, rot, etc etc

However if the joints are at 90 deg, the endgrain is exposed, possibly leading to the problems outlined here.

So a sample window from Marvin, pre order, may show how the corner joints are assembled.

Hope this makes sense, anyone who has posted comments, please consider if this has contributed to your problems, as it may assist others prior to placing an order

ACProctor

Joining the corners at 45 degrees rather than 90 would certainly help the design.

However, the exterior seal at the bottom of each glass panel was awful. That then let rain run down the glass and into the internals, which then swelled the wood and pushed the exterior panels further away.

The plastic draft seals on the doors and windows themselves were also awful. As well as drafts blowing in, we even get rain blowing in if the wind is in the right direction. That's almost unbelievable, and it's on a door that's already been replaced.

The installation quality was bad, as I said somewhere above. Some of my windows don't even sit against their fixed frames.

The performance is inadequate which means that even when a room is warm, the glass is freezing to the touch. In the winter, we have a big problem with condensation on the glass.

I honestly can't think of a good point I can offer in contrast to these bad points.

brinks_18476

New build in sight wrote: »

I'm absolutely gutted by all the bad comments, but I think its hard to ignore them now

I have a meeting with their rep tomorrow to discuss the quote, I will mention what I've heard and see what he says anyway.

So am i allowed to ask who everyone would recommend regarding windows?

I can understand why you are gutted if you has your mind made up. They were def the prettiest window at the time we bought them but looking pretty but not performing is no good to anyone!

Please consider my advice as i am well placed to comment.

Ps dont be sucked in by sales rep saying they have modified window design as the modified windows are still below par. I know this from experience!

New build in sight

brinks_18476 wrote: »

I can understand why you are gutted if you has your mind made up. They were def the prettiest window at the time we bought them but looking pretty but not performing is no good to anyone!

Please consider my advice as i am well placed to comment.

Ps dont be sucked in by sales rep saying they have modified window design as the modified windows are still below par. I know this from experience!

Thank you, I really am so disappointed, but I couldn't ignore the advice on this thread, I mean there is not a single positive response so its says it all.

I was meant to speak with the rep today but couldn't bring myself to, so I never called him.
We went to see another window company a little more local that we have heard great things about but sadly I must admit the windows dont look as nice and I am so disappointed that the cream windows I had my heart set on are no longer within budget. Apparently the sliding sash I want only comes in cream inside and out, not cream outside and white inside which is what I wanted. Thats what I loved about the Marvin ones, with the timber look on the inside.

Fatherned

Hi,
I have to say now that the aftersales service is as bad as the windows. I had rang Marvin to call out and look at our problem windows in January with nobody turning up until March! I have rang now on three different occasions with no responces to my request on where I stand with my replacement windows, (if they will be replaced or not). before we bought them they couldnt do enough for us but now they do not seem to care at all. Very frustrated and disappointed.

DannyI

Hi,
My sister got Marvin windows a few years ago which she was very happy with so we decided to get the same on her advice. We recently got the aluminium sliding sash installed and are thrilled with them. They were a little more expensive then most but we're not planning to do it again any time soon so we felt they were worth the investment. Also have to say the service to date has been excellent -the salesperson was very helpful and said we can contact her at any time regarding any issues. I'm surprised to have read such negative comments as we've had a very good experience overall and would definitely recommend them if the budget can stretch.

ACProctor

Ours are so bad that I'm going to have to price up a complete refit from another company. I would not throw that amount of money away without a very good reason.

Fatherned

Hi,
I have had the marvin representative out and they have now agreed to replace every window in the house!. What I am not sure about is the side panels which have also rotted also. I will update on this when they have responded.
Our initial communications with Marvin were also fantastic and I could not fault their helpfullness but I was more than disappointed when I was trying to get a response from them once we had a problem. I know it is now being resolved but I cannot help but tyhinking that this could happen again.

ACProctor

I don't want to depress you, and the design may have changed since, but mine were replaced about 5 years ago. Sitation now is virtually the same as when I had to replace them before. That seems to be about the lifespan of the ones I have fitted.

Tony

Pinky123

Howdy,

Just got off the phone with Marvin and they have agreed to replace all 30+sashes, French doors and sliding doors in our house. Problem I have now (apart from the wait ) is that they are asking to be paid to varnish the windows, this was originally done by Marvin but they are now saying that the finishing of the windows is not covered under the warranty! Has anyone had this problem and what was the resolution?

Also does the 10 year warranty start again once the new ones are fitted?

dave45dave

Pinky123 wrote: »

Howdy,

Just got off the phone with Marvin and they have agreed to replace all 30+sashes, French doors and sliding doors in our house. Problem I have now (apart from the wait ) is that they are asking to be paid to varnish the windows, this was originally done by Marvin but they are now saying that the finishing of the windows is not covered under the warranty! Has anyone had this problem and what was the resolution?

Also does the 10 year warranty start again once the new ones are fitted?

Give DannyI a call , think hes a Marvin Rep.

Pinky123

Hiya,
Are you talking about the poster above ??

ACProctor

Well, I finally had to take the plunge before the Winter came - I've replaced every one of my Marvin windows. This was a massive cost but it's a reflection of how strongly I feel about their quality.

They had all been replaced once by Marvin, with each set only lasting about 6 years, but they had told me that there's no extended warranty on the replacements I had.

While replacing them, I came across a catalogue of quality and installation issues that I just had to pass on. These included:

1) Severe rotting. The attached picture shows the frame at the top of our deck door. Despite only being in for about 6 years, the timber had completely rotted through. In fact, the frame was holding on to so much water that the man taking it out thought he'd cut into a water pipe by accident.

2) Between the vertical panels in some of the larger windows, there is a spacer gap of about 6" (this seems to be a standard way of making a limited set of sizes fit various apertures). There was virtually nothing but fresh air in these gaps - just wooden trim on the inside and an external panel on the outside. What's the point of spending tens of thousands on double-glazed glass if there are big gaps between the windows?

3) Seating. There was a large corner window in the living room. The wooden frame sat directly on the concrete below - no membrane, no silicon, no nothing. Worse still, this is an elevated location to the weather had been blowing wet underneath the frame, and it just stayed there. No wonder that frame was black with slimy rot.


DSC03631

valy1972

Hi Acproctor,

Can you PM me the company that you used? We are thinking of doing the same. Was it a big job in installing new windows? Was there much damage/mess involved? Any comments/recommendations welcome.

Regards,

ACProctor

Done. Let know when you get it (I can't see anything in my Sent Items folder)

muffler

ACProctor wrote: »

Done. Let know when you get it (I can't see anything in my Sent Items folder)

You can change that in your User CP by going to "edit Options" and then tick the box next to "Save a copy of sent messages in my Sent Items folder by default"

Patricia V

Hi has anyone managed to secure a refund from marvin for their windows? Or is there anyone with Marvin windows which were installed within the last 10 years?. thanks

ACProctor

Patricia V wrote: »

Hi has anyone managed to secure a refund from marvin for their windows? Or is there anyone with Marvin windows which were installed within the last 10 years?. thanks

Not a refund, but an almost complete set of new windows under guarantee. I got rid of mine quite a while ago, now, since the replacements went rotten after about the same period of time (about 5 years).

Patricia V

Hi thanks for the response. Replacement would not be an option for me without a refund so Ill have to keep searching. thanks,

Gortnahoe

Wait and see!!!