Marvin vs Pella Windows: Brand Comparison

For many homeowners, Marvin and Pella are two of the window brands that best represent quality craftsmanship and longevity. To help you make the decision of which brand is right for your home, we’re breaking down Marvin vs Pella windows. Specifically, we’re exploring the fiberglass lines of each brand: Pella Impervia and Marvin Elevate!

At Eby Exteriors, we’re a Lancaster, PA window replacement company that is proud to be a Marvin Authorized Contractor. Although we install more Marvin than Pella, we have seen a lot of both products and can make a fair and balanced breakdown of each. Keep reading to compare Marvin vs Pella windows – and reach out now to get a quote to replace the windows on your home!

Pella Impervia vs Marvin Elevate

While Pella made their name with their high-quality, custom, all-wood windows, their priorities changed as the market changed. They added the Impervia line to compete with the modern, high-tech fiberglass window options already in the market. Marvin, on the other hand, has been the industry leader in ultra-tough fiberglass windows for homeowners all over the country – and Elevate is one of their flagship lines.

We’re comparing Pella Impervia vs Marvin Elevate to find the smartest choice for your new fiberglass windows. Follow our breakdown to explore all of the key traits from strength, style, longevity, and more:

When it comes to comparing Pella Impervia vs Marvin Elevate for aesthetics, the color options are the best place to start. Impervia is available in three colors: black, brown, and white. Marvin offers 6 gorgeous colors, including their famous black window frames. In addition, Elevate gives you the ability to have a real wood interior if you want to opt for the traditional look on the inside. One other thing to love about the Marvin color options: you don’t pay extra for those in-demand black window frames!

There’s no question that fiberglass is an extremely tough material – and both window brands benefit from that strength. However, there are a few foundational traits that give Marvin the edge on durability. Marvin Elevate windows come with an acrylic exterior coating, whereas Pella Impervia offers a powder-coated option. The acrylic Marvin window will hold its color and stay strong long after the Pella fades in the elements. On top of that, the weatherstripping makes a difference, too. Marvin uses very reliable foam-fitted weatherstripping while Pella Impervia windows come with cheaper pile weatherstripping, which is far more likely to come loose and deteriorate.

The exterior style of both of these products tells a very clear story. The fiberglass on ANY Marvin window is going to look absolutely gorgeous even up-close. The Marvin fiberglass is smooth, colorful, and overall very attractive. However, the Pella Impervia window is pitted and bumpy-looking – in fact, some homeowners even comparing it to crumpled, painted duct tape. This is a disappointment from Pella, as their high-end wood windows are known for their smooth exterior finish.

Here’s a key point in our Marvin vs Pella window. Both windows are backed by strong, no-hassle warranties!  Marvin’s warranty is superior though as it offers 10 years on both the interior and exterior finish – and 20 years on all parts except hardware. The Pella option offers a flat 10 year warranty.

One of the main reasons that homeowners upgrade their windows is because they leak air and rob homes of energy efficiency. So naturally, this is a key point of comparison. Great news: both Impervia and Elevate are very efficient windows built with top-end glass!

Price is absolutely an important factor when deciding on any product for your home. However, when comparing Pella Impervia vs Marvin Elevate, getting a straight answer can be hard. On the official Pella website, it advertises a retail price of $787 per Impervia window. That price is much higher than Elevate – and we have reason to think it is not accurate. It’s very likely that Pella promotes a marked-up retail price to be able to create buying incentive with huge “savings”. Even if their website says otherwise, we generally see that the prices between these two windows are fairly similar when we purchase them.

See what fiberglass windows should cost!

Here’s a key point in our Pella Impervia vs Marvin Elevate comparison that doesn’t fair well for Pella. When you compare both window frames up close, you’ll notice that the fit and joinery of the Marvin window looks impeccable, while the Impervia looks somewhat sloppy. Pella’s messier fit doesn’t necessarily change the window’s performance, but it certainly doesn’t look like a professional product up close.  One of the things that clients who have chosen Marvin Elevate windows repeatedly say is that they look like a wood window with nice tight joints.

One of the trending styles in window design are grids that create an effect called simulated divided light. Essentially, this style creates an effect where your window appears to be made of individual pieces of glass rather than full panes. Marvin windows create several designs that convincingly create this impression. Pella windows can also deliver this, but they can only do so on non-operable windows. The added flexibility makes this a winning point for Marvin Elevate.

While Pella may be a nationally popular brand, when comparing the Impervia vs the Elevate, they fall flat. These comparisons demonstrate why Marvin is the go-to company where fiberglass windows are concerned. After comparing Pella Impervia and Marvin Elevate, we have to wonder if Impervia was created as an attempt to replicate the sheer success of fiberglass windows.

One other point of skepticism related to the Impervia line is that its first primary applications were in bulk-build commercial projects, where low prices drive product selection. Marvin products are used in many applications but are built focused on the beauty, functionality, and longevity that discerning homeowners demand.

See our comparison of Marvin vs Andersen windows.

Other Reasons to Love Marvin Windows  

When comparing the fiberglass options of Marvin vs Pella windows, we think the best choice is clear. From our extensive time with the product (not to mention stellar customer feedback), we recommend Marvin Elevate every time.

If you want to replace your windows with strong, stylish, and energy-efficient Marvin Elevate, we’d love to help. The first step is a conversation with our team to discuss your needs, personal style, and budget!

Reach out today to talk to our team!