FAQs

Questions & Answers

1. How long are lead times?

Market conditions post-pandemic have impacted all window manufacturers, and Marvin is no different.  The Marvin Signature products and products from the Elevate and Essential are experiencing uncertain and unpredictable lead times.  Contact an AVI Window Replacement Expert for more information.

2. How does Marvin compare in price to Pella and Andersen?

There are many different options and products and depending on the product, AVI can meet the budget.

3. Do the colors in Marvin’s window collections cross over?

Yes. Marvin colors in the Signature, Elevate and Essential collections can be mixed and matched on the same project.

Marvin offers nineteen color options — from subtle earth tones to bold, attention-grabbing hues; all are deep, rich and most importantly long lasting.

When it comes to the Elevate and Essential window collections, Ultrex provides a superior finish that can be painted without voiding the warranty. The colors are so durable; the high-performance coating process that all the products undergo has been patented — ensuring they look as good on the outside as they are tough on the inside. Elevate and Essential collections offer six color options including: Stone White, Pebble Gray, Cashmere, Bronze, Evergreen and Ebony.

4. Why should I buy Marvin?

The American Made craftsmanship is what separates Marvin from the competition. There is an attention to detail that you will not find from most window and door companies. Marvin products are known for a superior level of quality, and that quality along with the Marvin name adds value and credibility to your home. In addition, the local service and knowledge that is provided by the experienced team at AVI assures that your project is on time and on budget.

Visit one of AVI’s six showrooms located in the Greater Atlanta area, or our seventh location in Nashville, Tennessee, to truly experience Marvin’s quality and craftsmanship. After a product demonstration, speak with an AVI expert about how Marvin’s wide range of products and design options to fit any budget and aesthetic providing the best total solution. Explore the various price points available from Marvin before you buy and learn about the many customizable interior and exterior options.

5. What are the differences between the Marvin window and door collections?

The Marvin Signature Collection offers the broadest range of product types, sizes, configurations and design options. Every detail is considered, delivering the highest level of craftsmanship, unrivaled appeal and unparalleled performance. The Signature Collection includes the Ultimate and Modern product lines.

The Marvin Elevate Collection is an ideal blend of design and strength. Patented fiberglass exteriors stand up to all elements, outperforming and outlasting vinyl, roll-form aluminum and other fiberglass composites. Warm wood interiors add timeless beauty while resilient, long-lasting fiberglass stays strong even in the toughest conditions.  Elevate Wood-Ultrex windows have real wood interiors, but the exteriors are made from Ultrex Fiberglass, while the Essential windows use Ultrex Fiberglass for both the interior and exterior.

The Marvin Essential Collection offers clean lines and versatile style, making it easy to meet your project demands. Strong, durable fiberglass exteriors and interiors are both visually striking and virtually maintenance-free. With narrow profiles, clean lines and simpler features and options, Essential makes it easier to choose your perfect replacement product.

6. Can you clarify the tempered glass code for builders?

Yes. AVI’s experts will help you comply with your local building codes for tempered glass.

7. Do you offer installation?

Yes! AVI is more than a supplier. Our installation experts have been professionally trained and certified by our in-house Installation Masters trainer. In addition, AVI’s installers are Marvin Authorized Installers. This ensures quick and worry-free installation of all our windows and doors. We are so confident with our investment in the knowledge and expertise of our InstallationMasters  that we back our work with a 10-year installation warranty.

8. What’s wrong with vinyl windows?

Vinyl windows can warp or become brittle over time. Because they are made of plastic material, vinyl windows do not withstand changes in temperature as well as fiberglass windows. Ultrex® pultruded fiberglass outperforms vinyl and vinyl/wood composites in virtually every measurable category. While the vinyl windows will bend, break and/or crack over time, Marvin Elevate and Essential windows made with Ultrex hold strong and perform under extreme weather conditions without showing age or wear. Furthermore, while Vinyl windows are considered low-maintenance compared to wood, vinyl windows also do not have the longevity that fiberglass windows provide, both in structure and in aesthetics, as they discolor over time.

Ultrex pultruded fiberglass is eight times stronger than vinyl and three times stronger than wood/vinyl composites. That is as tough as steel. So when a house settles and years pass, Marvin Elevate and Essential windows stay true to form & color and resist sagging. Another perk of a stronger window frame constructed with Ultrex, is the reduction of frame thickness and therefore an increase in glass surface area — providing a greater view.

If you are concerned about energy-efficiency and making your space more “green,” vinyl windows are not a great option. While vinyl is considered recyclable, the proportion of the amount being recycled to the amount being produced is minimal. Vinyl windows also have the potential to outgas pollutants into the air, unlike fiberglass. Additionally, the production of vinyl windows requires more energy and resource consumption than the production of fiberglass windows. Ultrex, on the other hand, is made from silica sand — a safe and abundant natural resource — and requires 39% less energy to produce than vinyl. Furthermore, the Ultrex manufacturing facility is ISO certified for Quality Management and Environmental Management Systems, and fully complies with the 1990 Clean Air Act.  Read more about vinyl, aluminum and fiberglass windows.

9. Are double hung windows energy efficient?

Yes, double hung windows are energy efficient and can save you significantly on your monthly energy bills. Double hung windows with two stacked and movable sashes fit tightly into their frames, which limits the amount of air that can escape. These windows also have tight seals that increase their energy efficiency.

10. What is the difference between double hung and casement windows?

Double hung windows slide vertically with upper and lower window pane units, known as sashes, that are both operable. These are versatile windows that allow you to slide either portion up or down to reach a desired temperature and airflow. Casement windows open like a door and swing out horizontally when you turn a crank. These contemporary windows are easy to operate and have interior latches to keep them locked.

11. How do you open a European window?

European windows are sometimes called tilt and turn windows because they can be swung open from the side like a door or tilted open from the top. You open this type of window by turning the handle inside the window upwards and vertical to make it tilt from the top or horizontal and out to the side to make it open like a door. However, there are various styles of European windows that have gained popularity throughout the world in recent years because they are stylish, perform well, and offer improved safety and energy efficiency.

12. What is Daylighting System?

Daylighting is a way to allow in natural sunlight in a controlled and strategic way. It is a great way to reduce the amount of electricity your home uses, while saving on your energy bills and getting the health benefits of natural light. Homeowners can incorporate daylighting into their rooms by adding windows, skylights, light tubes, fiber optics, and changing the structural design of the room to improve the entrance and flow of natural light.

13. Are steel windows energy efficient?

Yes, steel windows are among the most energy-efficient windows that you can buy for your home. This type of material has greater thermal efficiency than aluminum and other types of metal. In fact, steel interacts with hot and cold energy from the outdoors in a way that creates a barrier and keeps your home desirably warm or cool. However, it is important to use high-energy-efficiency glass with your steel windows to maximize their beneficial impact.

14. How much does it cost to replace an interior door?

Due to damage or a renovation project, you may be looking to replace an interior door in one of your home’s bedrooms, bathrooms, or closets. At AVI, we can assist you with door replacement for these interior rooms, as well as doors to laundry rooms, garages, and other spaces. Door replacement costs vary widely based upon the type of door you want and where it needs to be placed. For example, hollow-core and slab doors are the least expensive types of doors, but the prices increase if you want your door to be solid wood or have glass accents. Interior door prices also vary based on the type of material you want, if it is a pre-hung door with all the necessary parts included, and what brand of door you choose.

15. How much does it cost to install a front door?

Many homeowners choose to replace their front doors because of sun fading, weather damage, or just to give their home a new look. The cost of front doors and other exterior entry doors on the back and side of a house varies based on the material used, type of door, brand, and insulation used. Front doors made of steel are typically less expensive than those made from fiberglass, wood, or a door with sidelights. While costlier, it is worth the investment to get a front door with high structural integrity for safety and that is properly sealed and waterproofed to withstand weather conditions.

16. What is the best material for a front door?

Front doors can be made from various materials, such as wood, steel, fiberglass, aluminum, and vinyl. Wood is a traditional and beautiful front door material, but it does require protection. Steel front doors are an economical and low-maintenance choice that should be painted to prevent rusting. High-quality fiberglass doors are great for energy-efficiency and can even have the appearance of wood. Aluminum and vinyl are typically used for patio doors and storm doors more than front doors because the other options have a more polished appearance with more style choices.

17. How much does it cost to replace a patio door?

Patio doors provide homeowners with easy access to the outdoors, allow in natural light, and keep interior spaces insulated. Patio door replacement prices vary based on what type of material you choose, with vinyl being the least expensive, followed by aluminum, fiberglass, and wood as a more expensive option. In general, patio doors tend to be costlier to replace than other doors in a home because of the size and the energy efficiency requirements.