Our friends just remodeled with Pella, and someone else recommended them, but after reading the posting on gardenweb called "Major Disappointment with Pella" I'm leaning against them. With regard to aluminum clad windows I am trying to decide between Marvin and Eagle. Anyone have any input between these brands? I haven't priced them yet.

Forget about Window World.They only carry Alside Windows and their best window is only considered average, their lower ends are pure junk. The advice given to you about Pella, I would have to agree with. Pella used to be a great company but not anymore. There is a very long thread on this site about Pella windows and purchasers experience with them that you should read.

What brand and line of vinyl window is your guy recommending? What options like glass is included? Do they qualify for the tax credit?

With the price range you are comfortable in, I would take a look at Marvin Integrity windows. They are fiberglass and you can paint them whatever color you like, inside and outside.

Softlite is another company to look at if you want a two tone vinyl window.

My truck is at the shop today with the brochures so don't have the brands handy. We have been carefully checking the low e and qualifications. I'm checking out the softlite company now. I'm not sure if they offer that color match deal on the interior color or not. It seems most all vinyl manufactures offer white or beige on the inside. My interior trim is almond color (same exact match as a standard almond electrical wall plate) and I'm suprised they are not making windows in that color. Most all new houses now seem to use almond on trim rather than stark white. That seems to be why most custom decorated houses utilize a printable window. The beige color just looks really tan/ dark.

Is a fiberglass window comparable to vinyl or better? Climate here is up to 110 degrees F in the summer and down to 0 degrees F in the winter.

Vinylmax- surewood is one we looked at a lot. It offers a wood adaption for the interior. It's problem is the exterior only offers white or clay (nowhere near brown). I spoke with the guy about softlite and he tells me it is a lower quality window. His only comment on fiberglass windows was that he thought they're too new/ not familiar with the product.

If your guy is telling you Softlite is lower in quality, he is either unknowledgeable about windows or is trying to push you to buy his brand os windows, Either way he just lost a lot of credibility IMO. The Softlite Imperial LS is one of the top windows on anyone who is knowledgeable's list. We don't even carry them but I will tell you they are great widows and I would put them in my own house without any hesitation. Softlite even offer a foil laminate in 6 different exterior colors and gives a lifetime warranty on it as opposed to other manufacturers who only offer a painted exterior with a 7 year warranty.

I'd definitely question any advice given to you by this window salesman.

Simonton vinyl window has won more awards and rated higher than all the rest put together. A decent price of about $650 per but if you want to spend a lot of money get a metal clad window at 2x or 3x the cost. The only reason to ever buy a clad window is for the appearance because they are not more efficient nor will they last as long in harsh weather. Fiberglass is just coming on the scene and boy are they expensive. All depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

The Simonton window is a solid product but lets not confuse it with being the same class as the Soft-Lite and Sunrise windows.

JD Power awards have nothing to do with overall performance.