Kolbe Vs. Marvin Windows: Which One Is Better?

Windows often get forgotten but are some of the most important features of your home. They can dictate how secure your home is, how energy efficient it is, and can also play a role in the overall curb appeal as well.

When it comes down to choosing a dependable window, you may be between Marvin and Kolbe. Both are dependable brands, but which is the right choice? They both have several major benefits to them, but the major difference is price. You can expect to pay quite a bit more for Marvin windows than Kolbe, but the longevity and durability are there to justify it.

One of the calling cards to both Marvin and Kolbe is their level of durability. Simply put they are two of the most durable brands of windows on the market today. Since they are exposed to the extremes and elements that each season has to offer, it is important that they be durable.

Home exteriors can warp and swell, which wears down the overall quality of the window. But both are constructed of durable materials. Marvin in particular is made from ultrex fiberglass, which expands at the same rate as glass. That allows it to remain stable no matter the weather conditions.

The two are extremely durable and you could do no wrong with either. That said, Marvin gets the slight edge in overall durability. It is resistant to cracking, chalking, peeling, and fading. Best of all, rot isn’t even something you need to consider. That means never having to repaint Marvin windows after they have been installed.

Perhaps the most important feature for windows today is energy efficiency. Households everywhere are looking to cut down on energy consumption in one way or another. Your windows are an important factor in helping your HVAC system run in the most efficient way.

Marvin holds the edge in this department. Since Marvin windows have exceptional durability, it only makes sense that they have some of the most efficient windows around. They work to keep drafts out, seal for longer than any other window type out there and keep your home comfortable regardless of the season.

Kolbe is certainly no slacker in this department. Their windows are among the most efficient in the industry, though they may not be able to stack up with Marvin. That said, you can certainly get your money’s worth if you went with Kolbe.

As important as efficiency and durability are, stylist options are just as important. If your windows don’t match your siding, it can make the entire visual aesthetic of the house look just a little off. Thankfully, both Marvin and Kolbe have tons of options.

Kolbe holds the slight edge between the two, with a huge array of designs and styles to choose from. Not only do they have a plethora of options for windows, but also in terms of trim, window shape, and coloring as well.

Marvin has several options too, but not quite the diverse array that Kolbe does. Kolbe has tons of different finishes and materials to choose from. Metal exteriors and even a whole series of wood lines to choose from. If you want more diverse options to choose from, you would be hard-pressed to find a better vendor than Kolbe.

It is also important that the windows you choose have an environmentally friendly footprint. We are realizing the impact that we have on the planet and are taking larger measures to ensure that those footprints are smaller and smaller.

This is another area in which Kolbe holds the edge. For its quality and overall value, Marvin still has room to grow in terms of environmental impact.

Kolbe, meanwhile, makes a concerted effort to reduce the overall environmental impact with each of the windows that they produce. They use low-VOC and water-based paints, for instance, to reduce damage to the environment. On top of that, every Kolbe window is Energy Star certified for the utmost efficiency. Reducing your footprint and saving money sounds like a pretty good combination.

Once again, it is razor-thin between the two companies. Impact resistance generally comes when the weather is inclement. If your area experiences high winds, for instance, then your windows may be more prone to airborne debris like sticks, dirt, and even rocks.

For most Kolbe products, there is an option to increase the resistance to impact. That means upgrading some of their window styles in the Ultra, Forgent, and Heritage series windows that they offer.

Marvin also has the same options. Their windows are highly durable and have a long life span but can also be upgraded for those that live in windy or even hurricane-prone regions. That extra level of protection will come in handy when winds pick up and begin throwing smaller debris around the area.

There is a lot to like about Kolbe. Though it is a bit more pricey compared to the lower-end brands, you can get high-end quality without the price of some of those other brands (Marvin included). For those looking to stay on budget without sacrificing quality, Kolbe is a great choice.

Kolbe is also one of the most energy-efficient and environmentally responsible. There are few brands on the market that can match their level of environmental responsibility while saving homeowners on their energy costs each month.

Finally, there are simply a ton of style options to choose from. You can find the right style to match your home without much trouble. For those who value curb appeal, having the right trim and windows can go a long way to improving how your home looks from the outside.

Though it is possible to upgrade the impact resistance for several lines of windows through Kolbe, they are not standard with each model. You can add impact resistance to a few different lines through Kolbe, but that just means an additional cost.

Though it is not so much a con, Kolbe windows are not quite as durable or long-lasting as Marvin. That said, they are still highly durable windows in their own regard. But if you want windows that will stand the test of time, you would be hard-pressed to find something as good as Marvin.

Marvin windows are one of the most, if not the most, durable windows on the market. Windows are an investment and one of the more costly ones that you will make. You want to be sure that your investment is protected and worth the price of admission.

Right alongside Kolbe windows in terms of efficiency are Marvin windows. More and more homes are shifting to an energy-efficient model and Marvin delivers that in spades. They keep your home free of drafts, helping you to stay comfortable no matter what the temperature outside.

Finally, there are the styles. While they may not have the sheer number of styles that Kolbe offers, Marvin has some of the best-looking exterior finishes out there. Their windows are made of fiberglass, which is great for suiting both classic and modern styles while also lasting far longer than vinyl.

There is really only one major con to Marvin and that is the cost. Like it or not, cost is important because just about everyone has budgetary limitations. While it would be great to simply spend to get the best, that is not necessarily possible.

Since Marvin uses fiberglass to construct their windows, their prices can sometimes be quite a bit higher. The reason vinyl is so popular for both windows and siding is because it is a cost-effective material to use.

Marvin offers financing for their windows, which helps you to better fit them into your budget. Just know that the costs will be higher than just about any of the others on the market. Though the investment is worth the cost, it may be hard to get past that price tag for some.

Like just about everything else in life, the choice comes down to budget. While getting the best quality window is certainly important thing, it will definitely cost you when it comes time to pay for it.

Marvin is probably the superior window just based on durability and energy efficiency. Its fiberglass construction makes that so. But the fiberglass construction is what makes it such an expensive option to go with.

Kolbe is nearly as good in both durability and energy efficiency. Combined with the plethora of color options, Kolbe may be the best value on the whole. But if you are looking for the best window between the two, Marvin is likely the best choice.