Weather kills the windows more than does operation. What sort of materials are you considering?

40 years is extremely unrealistic. You need to give up on that idea.

You didn't mention what brand of windows you are having installed in your new build. Also, are they wood-clad, vinyl, fiberglass? What climate do you live in? Whether a window will be good for 10 years or 25 depends on the answers to those questions.

Water, sun and wind (well, weather, as Windows on Washington said) is what makes a window eventually need replacing. Also proper installation will help - i.e. not letting water infiltrate.

Right now everything is up for consideration. We need 8 windows under the porch that are 42" wide x 90" tall or so. Then we need 12 windows that are around 29" x 74" ish. I also need 4 windows 38" x 68" ish. There are 4 more windows but I have not figured out the dimensions yet. The house plans are not finalized yet so I don't have exact sizes for the windows. These sizes are very very close to what we need so we will pick sizes from which ever manufacture that represent out needs.

I want something that will last and provide energy efficiency. From what I understand that disqualifies vinyl and aluminum. Also, I have read that wood windows that have vinyl or fiberglass clad covering the wood on the outside have increased potential to hold moisture beneath the vinyl/fiberglass which will increase the rate of wood rot. It seems these clad windows have reduced upkeep but I would rather provide a little upkeep and not have to replace windows as soon.

My plan, though subject to change, is to get a quote from Marvin and Anderson then compare. Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated. We are in Louisiana so our climate is hot and wet.

Thanks to everyone for the help so far!

Nothing about longevity "disqualifies" vinyl and nothing about energy efficiency "disqualifies" aluminum in your climate. Aluminum is a non-starter in colder climates but does fantastically in hot climates. Well engineered vinyl will outlast anything that is in a clad wood and fiberglass is also a nice option. Everything about "hot and wet climate" screams to go with an inorganic type frame (i.e. vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass, composite....i.e. no wood).

Great advice from Windows on Washington. Windows can last and with reasonably decent functionality and performance for 30-40 years, but you won't get that from your typical builder grade unit, and probably not from anything that contains organic materials. The wood used in today's windows are a far cry from those units built in the first half of the 20th century.

High end vinyl, aluminum, or fiberglass should get into the neighborhood of the longevity that you desire. If anything, advances in technology could make them obsolete before then, similar to an insulated glass unit with low e versus a single pane of clear glass from 40 years ago.