Replacing the windows in your home is one of the most worthwhile investments you can make, but because high-quality windows don’t often need to be replaced more than once every 20 years, many homeowners don’t know where to start.
The good news is that once you have the information you need about the great options and reputable brands currently available, you will have a better idea of where you should spend your money. Should you go with fiberglass windows? What are the color options that will best match your home’s aesthetic? Which brand is the best fit for your budget? Get answers and start planning with this beginner’s guide to choosing the right window brand for your home.
The Difference Between Andersen and Marvin Windows
Marvin and Andersen are the top window manufacturers in the United States, and both of these trusted brands have built a name for themselves since they opened their doors in the early 1900s. Marvin windows and doors offer high-quality products at competitive prices in modern and highly customizable options, while Andersen Windows offers durable options at a wider variety of price points so that you will always find a window that fits your lifestyle and budget.
Andersen offers a range of window series tailored to different needs, starting with the 400 Series, which features wood with vinyl exterior cladding. This series offers high energy efficiency and traditional style, ideal for homeowners seeking long-lasting performance and customization. Andersen’s A-Series, with a wood interior and composite exterior, is also highly customizable and excels in thermal performance. It is perfect for high-end, custom homes where architectural detail is crucial. Their E-Series combines a wood interior with aluminum exterior cladding, offering over 50 color options and various wood species, ideal for those desiring premium, highly customizable windows. Lastly, Andersen’s 100 Series, made from Fibrex composite material, is budget-friendly, sustainable, and perfect for cost-conscious homeowners who still want durable and energy-efficient windows.
Marvin also provides various window options, including the Signature Ultimate line, which features wood interiors with aluminum cladding, offering premium customization and durability, ideal for homeowners seeking superior craftsmanship. The Signature Modern line is another excellent choice. It combines high-density fiberglass exteriors with wood interiors, perfect for contemporary homes desiring sleek, energy-efficient windows. Marvin’s Elevate line, with fiberglass exteriors and wood interiors, balances durability, aesthetics, and cost, making it a great midrange option. Finally, the Essential line, made entirely of fiberglass, is designed for budget-conscious homeowners seeking durable, low-maintenance windows with a clean, simple design.
Let’s compare these brands, highlighting what may make one option a great fit for one lifestyle or better for another.
Price
When you make a significant investment in your windows, especially for a premium series, you want the most out of your investment. Marvin and Andersen offer top-of-the-line products at competitive prices, and Marvin’s Elevate and Andersen’s E-Series products are comparable in price. It’s also important to note that single-hung windows for Marvin and Andersen will be less expensive than double-hung window options because they have fewer moving parts and lighter frames. When comparing Marvin’s Elevate series with Andersen’s Fibrex, Marvin wins out as a superior product at a comparable price because, in this case, the frame on Marvin’s product is more durable, and the color is not at risk of washing out. For specific details on your windows’ pricing, speak with your New Jersey Andersen windows installer.
Material
High-end windows from both Marvin and Andersen are built with wooden frames and aluminum cladding. Wood windows lend a classic, gorgeous element to your home, the thin in-style frames will require minimal maintenance, and you can count on these windows holding their seal and providing energy efficiency to your home. Marvin’s Elevate offers ultradurable fiberglass options that will not break and include more glass, offering the most natural light. Andersen’s Fibrex is also a quality window option but is not quite as strong as Marvin’s Elevate.
Energy Efficiency
Both Andersen and Marvin offer window options that will increase the energy efficiency in your home, making your home more comfortable in the cold winter months and the hot summer ones. You’ll also reduce the impact of inflated energy bills by replacing your windows and doors. A New Jersey Andersen windows installer can guide you through the process and help you calculate how much you can expect to see in savings when you have new windows in your home.
Customization
Andersen’s E-Series windows offer customization options, including various wood species and 50 color options. In addition, you can choose specialty windows to fit your home in obscure shapes and sizes. Marvin also offers 19 colors that will keep the original shine through exposure to outside elements. Also, Marvin’s Elevate windows are built to look as good as new through extreme heat, ice, and high winds with the patented acrylic exterior coating. Marvin’s Signature allows you to choose the window type, molding, grid patterns, and more. If you have a vision of what you want your windows to look like in your home, let your New Jersey windows installer help you sift through the dozens of customization options.
Warranty
Andersen’s E-Series and Marvin’s Signature both have a 20-year warranty on the glass components of the lines, Marvin has a 10-year frame warranty, and Andersen has a 5-year frame warranty. An ironclad warranty of 20 years shows that each manufacturer has the utmost confidence in its product and speaks to how rare it is for the windows to break. Not every window offered by the company has the same warranty, however. For example, Fibrex windows have a 10-year warranty in comparison. You can learn more about your specific windows and their warranty from your New Jersey Andersen windows installer.
It’s also important to note that one requirement of warranties is that they are valid only if the product was installed by a professional with industry knowledge. When you choose the right contractor, they will have the knowledge required to install the windows correctly, and a New Jersey Andersen windows installer may have their own warranty for the installation coverage in case of a mishap.
Delivery Options
Marvin and Andersen are based in Minnesota and ship windows to their certified window installers in a reliable and timely manner. The products are readily available, and constant communication helps contractors know when to expect the window shipments.
Depending on your window installer, you can schedule a time to look at the windows before they are installed in your home. The contractor will take special care while transporting the fragile materials to guarantee they arrive at your home unscathed. Plus, when you work with the local New Jersey window installer, you can find a delivery and installation day convenient for your family instead of having to haul out of the house on a busy Saturday.
FAQs About Window Replacement
Q: Which windows are better for soundproofing, Marvin or Andersen?
When comparing Marvin and Andersen windows for soundproofing, both brands offer excellent options. Marvin’s Signature Ultimate and Modern lines with double or triple glazing and thicker glass panes provide strong sound insulation. Andersen’s A-Series and 400 Series are also highly effective options thanks to their unique SmartSun glass and Fibrex material. Andersen may have a slight edge in this category due to specific glass options, but Marvin’s customizable options, such as thicker or triple-pane glass, could also offer superior soundproofing, depending on your needs.
Q: How do Marvin and Andersen windows compare in terms of warranty service?
Marvin and Andersen windows provide strong warranty options with similar coverage. Both brands typically offer a 20-year warranty on glass components and a 10-year warranty on nonglass components. Andersen’s warranties are consistent across its product lines, while Marvin’s warranties may vary slightly depending on the product series, with Marvin’s Signature line offering particularly robust coverage. Overall, both companies provide reliable warranty protection, but Marvin might offer more tailored warranty options for its specific product lines.
Q: Are Andersen windows worth the higher price?
Andersen windows are generally considered worth their higher price tag due to their quality, durability, and energy efficiency. The A-Series and 400 Series are known for using high-quality materials like Fibrex, which combines wood’s strength with vinyl’s low maintenance. Andersen windows also offer superior energy efficiency, especially with options like SmartSun glass, which can reduce heating and cooling costs. Andersen even provides extensive customization options that can enhance the value and aesthetics of a home. While Andersen windows are a solid long-term investment, Marvin windows also offer excellent quality at a more competitive price, particularly in the Elevate and Essential lines.
Q: How do I choose between Marvin and Andersen for a historical home renovation?
When choosing between Marvin and Andersen for a historic home renovation, it’s essential to consider aesthetic accuracy and customization options. Marvin’s Signature Ultimate line offers extensive customization, allowing you to replicate historical window styles with modern performance features. Their wood interior windows, trim, and customizable cladding help you match a historic home’s original architecture. Andersen’s A-Series also prioritizes architectural authenticity, providing historically accurate styles, finishes, and various hardware and grille options that replicate period windows while offering modern energy efficiency. Both brands can meet the needs of a historic renovation, but Marvin may offer more flexibility in replicating specific historical details.
Are You Looking to Replace Your Windows?
Choosing a reputable window installer is the next step to a seamless, headache-free window replacement process, and Magnolia Home Remodeling Group is ready to be your trusted New Jersey Andersen windows installer. Our team carefully installs your new, high-quality windows and doors so that they will last for decades with very little maintenance from you. Reach out to our team to get in touch or request a free estimate via this form. We proudly serve North and Central New Jersey and provide over 30 years of industry experience. We are also happy to facilitate affordable home remodeling financing with flexible programs tailored to suit your needs, including options for monthly payment plans.
This blog was updated on August 15, 2024.
