Thanks! To answer your question on exterior, it's actually up in the air right now, but assume some windows will be in a stacked natural stone/mortar exterior, some in a hardwood (like ipe) rainscreen siding and some in an EFIS/stucco-like exterior. Does any of this change your answer on getting those returns? And if replacements are 3.25" how thick are new construction windows generally?

Re: stone sills, is the cold issue more of a comfort thing or a performance/efficiency issue? Former I might be able to live with, latter would have me reconsidering.

On the black upcharge, I was actually referring to the upcharge to the consumer, not the mfg cost. I'm quite confident a different paint color costs the mfg nothing more when offered as a standard non-custom option! But I've heard the additional cost to consumer (all that matters as you correctly noted) is around 40% and I was wondering if it's really that bad.

In a new construction format, even 2x4 wall, you will have about a 2" jamb extension around the window to equal out to about 4 9/16 total wall depth. When the window is installed via flange, it is slightly offset to the outside and the total depth inside the 2x4 wall is about 2 1/4 (give or take). With the thickness of the drywall, you have about a 2" total jamb which is more than enough to mount blinds if you do it properly.

My objection to the stone is for cold. Nothing fundamentally wrong with it besides being big thermal mass conduits.

I don't think you know until you quote them out. That said, I do not normally see a 40% premium or anything close to that over a painted window to a painted black window. There is a legitimate reasoning for the black paint being a bit more expensive, but I think you should get some quotes before you guess about what the premium will be.

BTW, I just talked to someone at Marvin and determined that black/black WILL be a standard option on the Integrity line by end of Feb, but ONLY for the all ultrex line.

Bummer. Is the all ultrex line really that bad? Based on your advice I'm likely to go with solid walnut sills (to match floors) instead of stone and no casing (drywall returns TBD). Would it look terrible to use black ultrex on the interior with a stained walnut sill?

The Marvin Integrity All Ultrex series is a great window. We've sold and installed many of these since they first came to the market. I am excited for the new black/black and bronze/bronze coming at the end of Feb. They can be ordered with sheetrock returns as well. You will appreciate the sleek lines of the finished product.

With regards to the walnut and black together, I feel this can be successful if you take into account color choices throughout the space.

Good luck with your project.

So, some quotes starting to roll in. They feel a bit all over the map.

One thing that feels odd is that one company's Anderson E Series came in about the same as another company's Marvin Integrity Wood/Ultrex. Actually, the E Series is priced a bit lower AND comes primed, whereas integity has bare wood. These are materials only quotes.

Isn't E Series generally a better product that Integrity (competing in the Marvin Ultimate Space)?

It is common to see those price differences. Cost of the Windows can vary quite a bit even from dealer to dealer and profit margins can vary quite a bit as well.

Not sure if the E-series is better , I'd say just different.

Seeing as you are in a colder climate and you are doing a complete re-model (I assume removing drywall or plaster?) something that I have done is strap 2"X2" to the studs on the inside of all exterior 2X4 Walls. This is actually part of the building code here in Calgary but it allows for much better insulation as you now have 2X6 walls and you would have much better options for windows.

Just curious what option did you find that was most cost, aesthetics and quality window ? I am in the middle of midcentury modern reno in Chicago suburbs as well, and I cant find any good options, or solutions to save the existing windows without compromising the integrity of mcm architecture. Thank you