None of the other brands you mentioned will be even close on the AI rating of .05. I would think you might be able to find a Soft-lite dealer in NC. Of the windows you mentioned, the Integrity from Marvin (if it's the wood/ultrex) might be worth a look.

Thanks for the response. Soft-lite was impossible to get a response from, using both national and local contact information, so that left a sour taste in my mouth. Is there another window you'd recommend, even if the AI is a little higher?

You might look for the following brands: Okna, Polaris, Kensington. If you can't get one of those, Simonton's 9800 or 5500 with optional sash reinforcement may be the only other option I could recommend. Simonton is a mid-grade quality window WITH the reinforcement though, and not in the same league with Sunrise, Soft-lite and Okna.

How far are you driving to pick them up?

+1 on Ultra Windows observation that nothing in those other guys is going to get you close to that air leakage number.

Are you building a high efficiency structure?

ultrawindows: thanks for the recs. I'll take a look at Polaris and Kensington.

windowsonwashington: driving about 70 miles to pick them up. Not building passivhaus, but hoping for 2.5-3ACH, R19+ in walls, R50 attic, sealed crawlspace, good-great windows.

Thanks for the help.

Sounds good.

I would try to get sub 0.20 on the windows then. I can make some recommendations.

Do you have a window schedule prepped already?

Thanks for the AI rec. I will update that in our specs. Below is our window schedule. Tan exterior/white interior.

4 - 28 x 74" R handed casement
4 - 28 x 74" L handed casement
1 - 24 x 36" R handed casement with eyebrow
3 - 28 x 62" R handed casement with eyebrow
3 - 28 x 62" L handed casement with eyebrow
2 - 64 x 74" DH (twin mulled 32 x 74)
2 - 96 x 74" DH (triple mulled 32 x 74)
1 - 28 x 62" DH
2 - 48 x 36" fixed
1 - 48 x 48" fixed
1 - 96 x 62" DH (triple mulled 32 x 62)
1 - 42 x 62" DH
1 - 42 x 42" Fixed
2 - 32 x 32" Fixed
1 - 28 x 48" DH

Thanks again for your input.