All Fiberglass Window Frame = Stronger - Marvin Essential Series

The Marvin Essential Series is an all fiberglass window and door. It was previously called Marvin All-Ultrex. Fiberglass is much stronger and more durable than other non wood options such as PVP and Aluminum. Fiberglass and expands and contracts at the same rate as the glass in the window which helps the lifespan of the glass and prevents glass failure.
Matt Hoots from SawHorse Design + Build interviews Kevin Kline, Regional Sales Manager for Marvin Windows and Doors at the 2020 IBS in Vegas.
Here are links to ALL of the windows and doors series in the new Marvin collections:
Marvin Signature- Ultimate (Wood Core Windows and Doors)- • Marvin Signature™ Ulti...
Marvin Signature- Modern (Wood Core Windows and Doors)- • Marvin Modern Windows ...
Marvin Elevate (Fiberglass Core with Wood Cladding)- • Rot Proof Windows and ...
Marvin Essential (Fiberglass Core Windows and Doors)- • All Fiberglass Window ...
Blog Post explaining the pros/ cons for each Marvin Selection:
sawhorse.net/m...
For more information visit
www.marvin.com...
To see ALL of Matt's interviews at the 2020 IBS and KBIS click here
• Popular Building Produ...

[@joereeder]

Well Renewal by Andersen has a 20 yr glass and frame which covers material and labor for the 20 yrs, also does this window use the Cardinal industries IG glass or does Marvin buy the FG and seal it themselves?

[@SawHorseDesignBuild]

Most of the manufacturers use the same glass so that is not a major difference. Renewal by Anderson uses Fibrex which is a composite that has a coating added to the outside of it. Marvin's window described here is fiberglass. I've been to the Anderson window and door manufacturing facility and they have a good product as well. I don't know if Fibrex is paintable. I can ask my rep and let you know if that is a concern.

[@joereeder]

@@SawHorseDesignBuild the outside is a capstock so it’s not anything that just comes off, it actually has 10 yrs just on fading. The glass are all sold by Cardinal but where the difference lies is in the spacer and whether or not it’s IG or FG glass, most guys that sell glass don’t know or pay attention. Basically it means if you chose IG you’re buying the glass with the stainless steel vacuum sealed spacer that has a 150% warranty back to the window manufacturer and if you by FG glass it’s just the sheets of glass that get shipped to the window manufacturer with the same low-e coating but on vinyl and fiberglass windows they typically use an aluminum spacer and try sealing it themselves and off a warranty they have to back without the warranty support from the glass manufacturer. Yes fibrex comes with a small booklet that states how you can paint it if one choose too

[@SawHorseDesignBuild]

@@joereeder Great points. That is why you need to buy from a reputable brand so you have an intact warranty.

[@SawHorseDesignBuild]

@@joereeder I've tried to interview Anderson recently but did not hear back. Let them know I want to talk to them and you all will get a video here as well.

[@Grande79]

You again🤣 IG Cardinal glass sealed from factory is the answer to your question.

[@MrAquinas1]

When will manufacturers of fiberglass sash and frame windows consider that it is not so wonderful to have such a "narrow profile." So what if you lose a small amount of glass area. No one sits obsessively gazing out their windows. The frames should have a more beefy look for the aesthetics of the house from the outside. All windows should resemble classic wood windows no matter what their material of construction.

[@SawHorseDesignBuild]

You would be surprised. Architects and owners that prefer modern homes really like the thinner profiles. Marvin came up with a "Modern" version that is fiberglass and Aluminum to meet this demand. There are options for thick and thin profiles now.

[@MrAquinas1]

@@SawHorseDesignBuild I love the idea of fiberglass. Having owned boats that sit in saltwater, I know of its durability. But I have a traditional style home, and I want a thick wide frame of fiberglass. Who makes one? Or at least, who makes the widest "profile."

[@SawHorseDesignBuild]

@@MrAquinas1 I spoke to Marvin and the fiberglass options only have the thinner profiles. You can get woof with Aluminum cladding in the wider profiles. They said most architects prefer the thinner options so they don't off wider in fiberglass.

[@MrAquinas1]

​@@SawHorseDesignBuild Thank you for your investigation. I do believe they should reconsider. It's true that the narrow profile looks good in modern home architecture, and if I had a giant picture window looking over a mountain valley, I would appreciate it in that context. But where I live, even a lot of new homes are being built with a neo-traditional early American design, and builders are forced to use frames with materials that have a wide look when they might prefer the superior qualities of fiberglass. I'm looking to renew with my more traditional home. Like I said previously, as a boat owner, I love fiberglass, but I also love beefy trim. Fiberglass can even be texturized. All of my baseboards and crown moulding throughout my house are nice and thick. And in places, like bathrooms, they're PVC. Again, thanks a lot.

[@sa3270]

I think bulky frames look hideous from the exterior or the interior. Nothing screams replacement like big bulky frames. Not to mention bigger frames could compromise egress requirements. And who are you to dictate all windows should look like wood? What are you, an HOA president in some northeast state?