An Introduction to Marvin Windows and Doors: Ultimate Signature, Modern Signature, Elevate and Essential (Video)

Posted by: Rate It Green Team

Green Builder Matt Hoots put together this introduction to Marvin Window and Doors windows with Marvin’s Regional Sales Manager Kevin Kline and Senior Project Manager Brenda Pellan-Brunk.  

Marvin Window and Doors now offers 3 main product lines, which were recently renamed and reorganized some to make understanding the products a simpler exercise:

• Signature
  • Ultimate
  • Modern
• Elevate
• Essential

All 3 lines showcase the company’s commitment to quality, design flexibility, and confidence through best-in-industry warranties.  The windows in all series deliver nice crisp lines, with no distracting joinery and gaps.  All Marvin products are third-party performance tested and verified. 

Ultimate Signature:
Wood core, wood or aluminum exterior

Ultimate Signature windows and doors have a wood core, and then are wood or aluminum on the outside. all of the wood is paintable.  The Marvin brand started over 100 years ago with wood products, and evolved into offering aluminum clad as an option.  Ultimate Signature offers traditional sightless, without the maintenance of a traditional window, with the extruded aluminum frame and sash, that also includes a commercial grade finish, standard. The aluminum has a durable coating called Kynar, which  is tested to be fade and failure resistant for several decades in areas with direct sunlight. This finish has a 20 year warranty. The Ultimate Signature line comes in 19 standard colors, multiple wood species options, and multiple stain grade and paint options. Additionally, extensive customization is available across architectural styles.  

Modern Signature 
Aluminum interior, fiberglass exterior

Modern Signature offers a clean modern look and lines, with an aluminum interior and and fiberglass exterior.  A design goal is to maximize daylight; even the screen is designed to let in the most natural light.  Many sizes are available, and the windows can get pretty sizable, up to 3.5 feet wide and 7 feet tall, or 3 feet wide by 7.5 tall for an operable window.  Modern doors range up to 65 feet wide, and up to 12 feet tall.  Operable panels are up to 6x12 or 8x10.  Modern Signature is a modular line, so the style and rail profile are consistent across sizes.  The line comes in 5 standard colors, and clients can mix and match finishes from exterior and interior.  

Elevate
Wood veneer interior, fiberglass exterior
Paintable Product

Elevate windows and doors are fiberglass on the outside, with wood veneer on the inside.  These windows look like traditional wood millwork on the inside, but they have the energy efficiency and durability benefits of the fiberglass on the outside.  Elevate’s high performance glass has a high strength to weight ratio and incredibly durable.  Elevate windows also come with a 20 year warranty on the glass, and a 10 year bumper to bumper warranty - including 5 years for labor as well.  That said, they’re rated to last 50 years.  A key feature of Elevate products is that they can be painted.  The come in 6 standard exterior colors, with an acrylic capped finish, and 4 standard interior finishes.  

Essential
Fiberglass interior and exterior
Paintable product

Essential windows and doors are all fiberglass.  The line was created because a growing number of clients were asking for the benefits of fiberglass performance and energy efficiency but did not want wood on the inside. These windows and doors have narrow profiles and clean lines, so like Modern Signature they also maximize daylight views.  They also come in the same colors as the elevate collection, and are also a paintable product. They also carry the same warranty as Elevate products. Essential windows and doors are strong, durable, and maintenance free. 
 

How to decide which Marvin product is right for your project?  Often, design is a deciding factor.  For a traditional look, Marvin Signature might be the best option.  For other lines, the specific shape and size needed might determine the final selection, though Marvin does offer extensive customization.  Green Builder Matt Hoots reports that he often works with Marvin Elevate on his projects, as this allows his clients to paint and change the exterior in the future. This said, a client preferring a modern look might end up with a Modern or Essential window, depending on the project.

Do you have questions about Marvin windows and doors? Ask them here, and let’s continue the conversation!