Good luck.

Be sure the install matches your same level of attention to detail.

Flashing redundancy, spray foamed seal, etc.

+1. Good advice from Windows on Washington, and I'd say that your advice jdez is good as well, if not quite as thorough as could be. I think that you are right on track with with advising consumers to explore other options beside the "builder's special" offered as standard, but a little bit more vetting of the product being considered would not be a bad approach. Not familiar with that product, but it sounds like they are optimized for hot climates being located in AZ?

Windows on Washington - duly noted. Meeting with the builder this week to discuss this. If you feel like any other measures need to be taken, please feel free to share.

Karate guy - Youre right. There were no replies here when I asked if anyone had heard of them. I was given a really high quote at a big box store for Jeldwen ($4400), I could find no dealers of the top suggested brands on this forum and I really had nothing to go on except the word of a salesman. I should have looked into them more but I was a week behind on ordering so I went for it.

can we have an update on your windows installed in 2014? thanks