Marvin Windows Review (2024)
Typical Cost Range: $400–$1,500
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Marvin is a well-established window company with more than 110 years of industry experience and locations in almost every U.S. state. It’s known for its five window collections that cater to various homeowner preferences and its innovative skylights and window covers.
We analyzed Marvin’s website, product selection, pricing, warranty coverage, customer reviews, and more to see how it compares to other top window brands. See how we ranked it below.
Our Take on Marvin Windows
Marvin has been selling windows and doors since 1912. Its recognitions include a 2016 Minnesota Family Business Award, 2017 Brand Leader Business Award, and American Business Ethics Award. The brand is committed to sustainability and energy efficiency as an Energy Star partner. Marvin products feature multiple window panes, low-emissivity (low-e) coatings, argon gas agents, and tripane glazing to ensure maximum insulation.
We scored Marvin a 4.3 out of 5 based on its wide product selection, strong glass warranty, years of experience, and affordable pricing. We deducted points because it doesn’t offer a labor warranty and isn’t available at home improvement retailers.
Pros and Cons
Here’s what stood out to us about Marvin:
Customer Reviews
Marvin Windows has an A+ rating* from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), but its customer reviews are mainly negative on the site. It does not have customer reviews or ratings on Trustpilot or Google at the time of publishing, but we did find reviews on Yelp and Angi. Customer reviews on both the BBB and Yelp lean negative and point to issues with product and window installation quality as well as poor customer service regarding getting issues fixed.
Here are a few of the customer reviews we found:
“The Marvin Ultimate Aluminum Clad Windows are high quality. I’ve purchased four such windows over the years. I buy them one at a time to replace old windows on my home.” — T.W., June 24, 2020, on BBB
“My experience with Marvin Windows customer care has been the worst customer service experience in my lifetime. We spent over $25,000 for our window package on our new home last year. Of course we have a warranty issue that they will not resolve. This issue is over 6 months and still no action. Our customer care representative ***** was absolutely zero help.” — Troy B., Jan. 5, 2023, on 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.” — Christine H., November 27, 2022, on BBB
“If the glazing breaks on your window, the glass cannot be replaced—you must order an entire new window. After a 5 month wait, the wrong replacement window was shipped—a seriously bad game of telephone between the local dealer, the distributor, and Marvin. The correct window is listed on the order I placed, but clearly that was lost in translation on the way to the factory.” — Las V., May 27, 2022, on Yelp
*BBB rating is accurate as of July 2023.
What Services Does Marvin Offer?
Marvin offers a wide window selection plus skylights, doors, and the new Marvin Skycove, a glass structure that adds usable space to a room. Marvin starts the process with a free consultation to discuss design, energy-efficiency, and installation. In addition to a design consultant, you can get support from an architectural expert and a historic preservation professional to determine the best look and performance for your home.
Unlike some dealers, Marvin doesn’t require you to purchase a certain number of windows to schedule installation. The provider has teams of certified installing retailers as well as Marvin-authorized replacement contractors to ensure smooth installation.
Marvin also offers a product help library in which you can browse care and maintenance guides, energy data, parts manuals, and more.
Windows Selection
Marvin offers the following window styles:
You can choose from extruded aluminum, high-density fiberglass, ultrex fiberglass, and wood windows with Marvin. The provider is particularly known for its durable fiberglass windows. It does not offer vinyl windows.
Marvin’s windows come in five collections: Essential, Coastline, Modern, Ultimate, and Elevate.
Those who want a balance between style and performance may prefer the Marvin Elevate collection, which provides the warm look of wood interiors with the strength of a fiberglass exterior. Homeowners who experience coastal weather should consider the Coastline collection, and those who want superior craftsmanship and numerous customization options may like the Ultimate collection. The Marvin Essential product line features clean, straightforward options with durable fiberglass exteriors and interiors.
Marvin also offers two innovative window options: the Awaken Skylight and the Skycove window extension. Both are designed to increase natural light and fresh air. The Awaken Skylight opens on all four sides to provide air circulation and includes built-in sensors that close the panel when rain is detected. The Skycove window adds usable space and visual appeal. The glass extension projects out from your home instead of being flush with the wall to allow for more light.
Door Selection
Marvin also sells the following door types:
- Bifold
- Commercial
- Entry
- Garage
- Interior
- Lift-and-slide
- Multiside
- Sliding
- Swinging
These doors are available in the same collection types as windows and can be customized by material, color, design, hardware, and more.
State Availability
Marvin has dealers in almost every U.S. state. We did not locate dealers in Arizona, Nevada, Texas, or West Virginia. You can find a retailer near you using the Find a Dealer page on Marvin’s website.
What Warranty Options Does Marvin Offer?
Window products must be installed by a Marvin-approved professional to meet warranty standards. Warranty coverage varies by window collection. Your installer will confirm your warranty coverage prior to installation. Marvin customers can expect a fully transferable warranty on the following:
- Exterior finish: 20 years for Ultimate collection, 10 years for Essential and Elevate collections
- Interior finish: 5 years for Ultimate and Elevate collections
- Insulating glass seal: 20 years for Ultimate, Essential, and Elevate collections
- Glass: 10 years for Ultimate, Essential, and Elevate collections
- Hardware and other nonglass components: 10 years for Ultimate, Essential, and Elevate collections
How Much Do Marvin Windows Cost?
Marvin’s pricing fluctuates because its windows are made to order. Prices also vary by size and type of window, the number of windows you buy, whether you’re buying new construction or replacement windows, and your location. We spoke to a Marvin representative who said the windows the company most commonly produces are priced between $400 and $1,500.
Compare Marvin Windows to Other Top Window Brands
See how Marvin compares to other leading window providers:
| Brand | Our Take | Score (Out of 5) | Cost Range* | Warranties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Champion |
Best Financing and Discounts |
4.2 |
$500–$800 |
Limited lifetime warranty (parts, labor) |
|
Castle |
Best Warranty |
4.3 |
$300–$500 |
Lifetime warranty (parts, labor) |
|
Marvin |
Most Innovative Windows |
4.3 |
$400–$1,500 |
Limited lifetime warranty (parts) |
|
Power Home |
Most Customizable |
4.3 |
$500–$800 |
Lifetime labor warranty, product warranty varies by manufacturer |
|
Renewal by Andersen |
Most Hands-Free Experience |
4.7 |
$800–$1,000 |
Limited lifetime warranty (parts) |
Our Conclusion
Marvin scores highly according to our ranking factors. We like the company’s diverse product selection and comprehensive glass warranty. We also like its skylight and window cove options, which aren’t common among competitors. However, the high number of negative customer reviews is concerning. We suggest speaking with staff at your local Marvin retailer to get a better feel for the customer service in your area. Consider asking your local showroom for customer testimonials of its work.
We recommend comparing customer reviews, warranties, and product selections before choosing the best window replacement company. We also encourage getting an online quote from at least three providers.
FAQ About Marvin Windows
Are Marvin windows as good as Andersen?
Marvin has a wide selection of window styles, and its prices are lower than Andersen’s on average. However, Andersen’s windows are more energy-efficient and the provider’s warranty coverage is more comprehensive.
What makes Marvin windows so good?
Marvin windows are made with durable fiberglass or high-quality wood and metal materials. Window glass is covered by a 10-year warranty and features a low-e coating and argon gas agent for superior insulation and performance.
Is Marvin cheaper than Pella?
Marvin windows are typically cheaper than Pella’s. Marvin windows generally range from $400–$1,500, while Pella’s can be as high as $3,800.
How do Andersen windows compare to Marvin windows?
Both Andersen and Marvin offer quality products. Marvin’s windows are typically more affordable and feature more fiberglass-based materials, which are stronger and longer-lasting than the Fibrex materials Andersen commonly uses in its windows.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our window ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each provider. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, browsing product selections, analyzing window line specifications, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys. We then score each provider against our review standards for window variety, value, trustworthiness and transparency, window features, and customer service to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.