Couldn’t agree more about installation being the make-or-break factor. We did Marvin Elevate a couple years back and honestly, the installer’s attention to detail mattered more than the brand. I do love real wood, but after dealing with rot on our old sashes, I’m not going back. The energy savings aren’t huge, but the peace of mind is worth it for me. Fiberglass just feels like the pragmatic choice unless you’re restoring a showpiece.
That’s exactly what I noticed—doesn’t matter if you’ve got the fanciest window if the install’s off by even a hair. I did a Pella Architect Reserve swap on my old bungalow last winter, and honestly, the wood looks gorgeous, but I’m already fussing over condensation and tiny paint chips. Did you find the Marvin Elevate finish holds up better over time? Also, how was the hardware fit—any weird gaps or alignment issues? I keep wondering if fiberglass would’ve saved me some headaches...
- Swapped to Marvin Elevate in my 70s ranch a couple years back—fiberglass definitely shrugs off Midwest winters better than wood (no swelling or weird drafts so far).
- Finish has held up, but I did notice a little fading on the south side. Not peeling, just lighter.
- Hardware fit was pretty tight. No gaps, but one latch needed a shim to sit flush... nothing wild, just mildly annoying.
- Honestly, I miss the look of real wood sometimes, but not enough to babysit paint touch-ups every spring. If you’re tired of fussing with condensation and chips, fiberglass is way less drama.
nothing wild, just mildly annoying. - Honestly, I miss the look of real wood sometimes, but not enough to babysit paint touch-ups every spring.
That fading on the south side—yeah, that’s what made me hesitate on fiberglass. I get the lower maintenance, but I’ve seen a few neighbors’ Elevates start to look patchy after a couple years. My old wood Pellas need babysitting, sure, but they still look sharp with a little TLC. Sometimes I wonder if the “less drama” is just trading one hassle for another…
I’ve installed both, and honestly, there’s no “set it and forget it” window—just different quirks. The Elevates are solid for folks who hate scraping and painting, but yeah, the south side does take a beating. I’ve seen that patchy fade, especially on darker colors. On the flip side, the Architect Reserves need yearly attention, but with a decent stain and a quick reseal, they keep looking sharp. Sometimes it’s just picking your poison: yearly touch-ups or living with a bit of fade. Personally, I lean wood if you’re up for the maintenance.