Getting new windows isn’t a frequent renovation, but sooner or later, every home deserves the upgrade. New windows have a ton of advantages, from a refreshed appearance to better insulation and climate control, so even if your windows seem fine, they may be letting you down in subtle ways.
Your choice of windows isn’t just for a renovation, either. If you’re building an addition, finishing an attic or garage space into living space, or building a whole new home, you need to pick the right windows for that space as well.
When it’s time to choose new windows, you have a decision to make. What kind of windows do you pick? Here at Magnolia, we offer a range of brands and styles, including Andersen, Silverline, Alside, OKNA, Marvin, Pella, and more.
Today, we wanted to do a deeper dive into two of the most popular choices: Marvin and Pella windows. What are the pros and cons of each brand, and which should you consider for your home? Let’s dig in! Or, if you want a direct discussion about your home instead of general information, you can reach out to us directly.
All About Marvin Windows
Marvin, as a company, has been around for over a century. They were founded in 1912 as a family-owned business focusing on lumber, and have expanded primarily into windows and doors in the time since.
Today, they’re one of the most trusted brands you can choose to buy a window from, and they have dozens of options to choose from.
Marvin Materials
Despite their origins as a lumber company, Marvin has become an industry leader in windows with a synthetic material, fiberglass. Their trademarked Ultrex fiberglass is among the strongest available, with a high degree of stability that helps prevent gaps, drafts, or damage from shifting over time.
While most of Marvin’s windows are fiberglass, they also offer wooden construction for custom window frames and windows in architectural homes. They also have a range of aluminum windows for more contemporary home designs.
The Benefits of Marvin Windows
Marvin is a top-end brand, consistently ranked among the top three in terms of all window brands.
The advantages they bring to the table are significant:
- Durability. Marvin windows, particularly their fiberglass windows, are some of the most durable options on the market. If you’re in it for the long haul and want windows that could last upwards of 40 years, Marvin is the way to go.
- Aesthetics. Marvin’s windows bring a premium, stylish aesthetic to your home. They have a range of different designs, and they just look good. From a curb appeal standpoint, and just from homeowner satisfaction, they’ll bring you joy.
- Customization. Marvin’s options may seem limited when you browse the windows available from dealers, but that’s because their true value lies in customized windows for unique designs and spaces. If you need something oddly sized or shaped, but want that durability and elegance, Marvin is the way to go.
Many comparisons will also list energy efficiency here as a perk. While it’s true that Marvin windows are energy efficient, so too are most other window brands available today. Everyone knows that windows are a big factor in the climate of a home, so modern window manufacturers put a lot of engineering effort and design work into making their windows low-E, using inert gas fills like argon, and UV reflectivity to help maintain temperature. Marvin is no different.
The Drawbacks of Marvin Windows
Gloves come in pairs, and so too do pros come with cons.
Marvin windows are exceptional in some ways, but they might not be the best choice for you for a few specific reasons:
- Design Range. Marvin’s selection of available windows “from the catalog” is on the low end, with just a few dozen options. Sure, those options cover most of the common window spaces, but there’s a higher chance you’ll need at least one custom window somewhere in your home.
- Pricing. While Marvin offers both lower-priced and higher-priced premium window options, their best offering is in custom design. The trade-off there is that custom design takes longer to make and costs more than off-the-shelf windows.
- Lead Times and Availability. With custom made-to-order window designs from Marvin, you have a lengthy lead time that could delay a renovation project if it’s not properly planned for. That’s not a problem if you work with Magnolia Home Remodeling, but it can be in other situations.
Overall, Marvin is a high-end brand with some budget options, but they really excel for custom windows in high-end homes.
All About Pella Windows
Pella is nearly as old a company as Marvin, having been in operation since 1925. Since then, they’ve expanded to be one of the top window companies across the country, with hundreds of showrooms and windows available in major retailers everywhere.
Their catalog is extensive, making them a popular choice for new windows here in New Jersey.
Pella Materials
Pella makes fiberglass and wood windows, but rather than an aluminum offering, they have vinyl windows instead. Additionally, while Marvin’s fiberglass is among the most durable in the industry, Pella’s is more of a standard offering.
It’s still durable, but you’re looking at more of a 20-30-year lifespan rather than 40+. Chances are, you’ll have other reasons to replace windows before durability becomes an issue, outside of extenuating circumstances like storm damage.
The Benefits of Pella Windows
Pella windows have a few advantages over other window brands, which can be compelling when you’re shopping for new windows or replacements for your existing windows.
These advantages include:
- Pricing. While Pella windows have high-end offerings comparable to high-end Marvin windows, their catalog for mid-range and budget-friendly windows is much more extensive. While they aren’t the cheapest on the market, they’re a great middle ground between budget and quality.
- Availability. The aforementioned extensive catalog, as well as wide availability from retailers and big box stores, means you’re much more able to pick up a standard-sized and designed Pella window in hours rather than days or weeks.
- Features. Pella offers some windows with unique designs and features, like blinds built into the space between panes, or integrated security sensors to fit with your home security system.
Pella typically offers one of the broadest ranges of options, from high-end, high-featured windows to simple, budget-friendly options anyone can afford. It’s no wonder that they’re a common choice among our customers.
The Drawbacks of Pella Windows
Pella windows are great for a lot of different situations, but that doesn’t mean they’re the perfect choice for everyone.
What might cause you to look elsewhere?
- Catalog Complexity. Pella’s extensive catalog of windows across different materials, styles, features, and designs means there’s a lot of digging to do before you find the perfect window. It’s also easy to feel like you missed something and didn’t get quite what you wanted, even if your choice is a good one.
- Low-End Quality Issues. If you’re going for the budget-tier windows from Pella, particularly their cheapest vinyl windows, be aware that they won’t be as long-lived as fiberglass or wood options. They can require more maintenance, and the UV exposure, sea air exposure, and freeze/thaw cycles of New Jersey weather can all shorten their lifespan.
- Limited Warranty. While Pella does have a decent warranty, it often runs out well before you would actually need it, and it has a limit on transferability to new owners, which can restrict their ROI for your home improvement project.
Pella is never a bad choice, but there are a few situations where they might not be the best choice for your project. For a deeper discussion of your home, your needs, and your new windows, give Magnolia Home Remodeling a call. We’ll discuss your specific situation and offer you a free estimate.
The Costs and ROI of New Windows
Every home improvement project has a cost, and they all add value to your home, but how much value they add comes down to the return on investment. So, how much would you be looking at to replace your windows, and what kind of ROI can you expect from the project?
First, the costs. It’s difficult to give a firm price range in a generic post like this one, but you can consider the different factors that affect the price.
- Style of window. Double-hung or single-hung windows are common and on the cheaper end, while large casement windows, bay windows, and more complex or custom windows can be more expensive.
- Labor. Window replacements can be done fairly quickly, but it’s still a task that requires a skilled professional. Larger and more complex windows require longer and thus more labor.
- Materials. Vinyl windows are the cheapest options. Wooden windows run the full range, depending on their design. Aluminum can also be quite cheap, though it has its drawbacks. Fiberglass is the most expensive, but also most durable, of the available options.
- Added features. Things like smart controls, security integration, or internal blinds all add complexity to the windows, and thus add to the costs.
- Unexpected issues. Any renovation project risks finding hidden issues, and windows are no exception. Uncovering rotted window frames adds to labor and materials costs. We always recommend an additional 10-20% in your budget to save for the unexpected.
At the barest low end, you’re looking at around $300 to $500 per window for window replacements from Marvin or Pella. You can get cheaper windows from other manufacturers, but we aren’t talking about them here today. We’re more than happy to discuss them with you directly, however.
Meanwhile, on the high end, you could be spending upwards of $2,000 per window. Even beyond that, some of the more complex and larger Pella windows, and some custom designs for Marvin windows, can be even more. These are your “sky’s the limit” on customized home renovations, though, so you already go into it expecting a large budget.
What about that ROI? New windows typically have around a 70-80% ROI. If you opt for windows that cost you $500 each, and your home has six windows to replace, that’s a cost of $3,000. You could expect your home’s value to rise by around $2,400 after the renovation.
If you’re replacing dated, old, or damaged windows, the benefit can be even greater. Increased aesthetics, better curb appeal, and especially better energy efficiency (and lower utility bills) can be even more attractive. Plus, if you’re planning to stay in your home long-term and don’t worry about the resale value as much, the cost savings from new, efficient windows are huge.
Which is Better for Your New Jersey Home: Marvin or Pella Windows?
When it comes down to the final choice, which is the better option for you? Should you go with highly durable or custom Marvin windows, or the more readily available or fully-featured Pella windows?
The answer is up to you.
If you’re budget-conscious and looking for simple, widely available windows, Pella is probably the better option.
If you’re in need of a lot of custom windows for unusual spaces, Marvin is going to be your best bet.
If you’re looking for windows that have smart home features or unique design elements, Pella likely comes out on top.
If you’re aiming for durable fiberglass windows that will outlive even your new roof, Marvin is definitely the way to go.
Both Pella and Marvin offer decent warranties, though their windows will, on average, all outlive those warranties outside of manufacturing defects.
No matter what your concerns are, there’s one good way to decide, and that’s talking to us. At Magnolia Home Remodeling, we’ve been your local experts in home renovations for over 30 years. We’ve installed thousands of windows from both Pella and Marvin, and are more than happy to discuss all of their pros and cons with you. We can also bring other brands in for consideration, as well.
To have that discussion, all you need to do is drop us a line. We’ll chat about your needs and discuss your options, and we can give you a completely free estimate for the cost of all new windows so you can make an informed decision.
