Is this a custom home?

Is there an architect involved? Ask him for window recommendations.

Is there a builder involved yet? Also ask him for window recommendations.

We used Marvin casements and we are very happy with the windows. We spent more on windows than either of our 2 neighbors, who built around the same time, but we felt that windows was an area that should have a bigger budget, specially after living with cheap(er) windows in our previous house.

Marvin has a line with thinner frames called Modern. These are fiberglass. Modern

You can also look at some of the European manufacturers. High Performance Windows with European Architectural Supply. - YouTube

Thank you! I haven’t even thought oh European manufacturers

@chispa I agree that windows deserve a nice budget. I have reached out to a Marvin dealer!We don’t have an architect and our builder generally uses one
Location and they only have Anderson windows.

Don't discount the use of sliders. I prefer them to casements.

If your builder uses Andersen and your local supplier has Andersen maybe you should look into Andersen. They have a couple different lines of windows for different styles and price points.

We are building a house in Southern Utah and we are using Amsco Windows. They a vinyl and composiste window. Budget is always a concern and after reseaarching them were happy with what we read.

You can maximize your budget by limiting opening windows. Fixed windows are the most efficient and the least expensive. They can also provide the largest open view. Don't neglect European brands by people with no personal experience trying to frighten you. All challenges have been met. Check for the solutions that are available. A contractor won't be living in your home after it's completed. He has no place in picking the products for your life.

Consider awning windows (which open up from the bottom instead of crank out from the sides) as an alternative to casements. You can open them in rain, they are easier to operate (you can get push-out hardware vs a crank), and you can get them in sizes/shapes that casements typically aren't available in.

First things first. What type of build? Is this a builder/tract type hoe where you choose the house and maybe colors? Custom? Semi custom?

We have both Marvin Essential and Elevate casements and like them a lot. Stay with standard sizes and you'll save $.

There is no ”o” in Andersen. I am not trying to be a pain, but if you are inquiring about the manufacturer it helps to spell the name correctly.

Agree 100% with millworkman, it matters a lot to know the circumstances of the build.

Do you have a material choice, wood, vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum, hybrid? If so do you have a particular material preference?

Pricing aside do you have a style preference? How much of a choice do you have on style, location, etc.?

If you are building custom do you have an architect or designer involved?

If you go with fixed windows, remember that you cannot wash them from inside the house.

I love this picture! Just jumping in to say windows are a super complicated part of the build that isn't usually given enough consideration early on. So you are super smart to get ahead of it. Both prices and leadtimes have increased substantially since we built the first time. We've worked on multiple projects in between but this past year prices have skyrocketed. This year our price per window (same quality as the first time) was 3-4x the price since 8 years ago, and the lead times are about 4-5 months (it was 6 weeks with out first build). So they need to get ordered, ideally, before you break ground.

We've used a few different brands - midrange imo. We really like Jeld-Wen Siteline for value and function (Our first builder used them exclusively), Andersen (however you spell it I don't think anyone cares unless you sell the product. ;) 400 windows are okay, but not a good value in my opinion. Pella is overpriced and they won't even quote a specific leadtime in our area, it's terrible. We are going with Sierra Pacific for value, color choice, and most importantly, lead times. They are sitting at about 12-16 weeks and that is better than all the other brands I received quotes from. The pricing was 30% better also. I've had a few friends use Sierra Pacific, and they have been very happy with their hybrid product, and the customer service, and delivery time. They are not popular here on Houzz, just a heads up. But sometimes I wonder if these posters have even quoted a window project in recent days. Often architects will specify a window and not be involved in the bidding process at all. It's easy to have an opinion on a windows you aren't paying for. :)

I think windows and doors are a great place to invest, but if you have alot in your plan, it can really get crazy expensive. If you can avoid "grilles between the glass" and do a sdl (simulated divided lite) or a tdl (true divided lite) the look is so much better imo. The window world has a lovely world of vocabulary that specialists like to throw around (and even architects struggle with sometimes). Maybe you know this already, but I did not at the beginning. Use pictures to communicate what you'd like and that helps a ton.

Going with a fixed vs. functioning window doesn't change the price that much at all any more (maybe 5-10%?). But always worth asking! We usually do a mix of both depending on what you can reach. And of course bedroom windows usually need to function as egress windows, but hopefully your builder can guide you on the codes there.

I agree with the other poster... awning windows are lovely and great in rainy climates! The double/single hung vs. casement choice is usually dependent on the style of home you want.

Sorry for the long response... I obviously love talking about windows!

Just using what your builder uses will be appropriate with your project.

“Andersen (however you spell it I don't think anyone cares unless you sell the product. ;) 400 windows are okay,”

Amazing how you can know that nobody cares on a Windows Forum that is dedicated to the discussion of windows. This from Dannylynn Tenesee 😆 who says she really likes a Jeld-Wen product.

" This from Dannylynn Tenesee 😆 who says she really likes a Jeld-Wen product. "

And using Sierra Pacific on this house...........................

@webuser_ 786635126 and @millworkman .- The OP actually posted in design dilemmas and building a home, not on a windows forum. Nobody needs a spelling lesson here, no matter the forum.

I offered what we have used, happily, and what we plan to use, because of budget. I've lived with a Jeld-Wen product, multiple times, and been pleased. The windows I've often seen suggested here would cost over 500k for our build, and it seems every architect has a favorite based on experiences from a decade or more ago, and nothing recent. I've lived in over 30 homes with all sorts of windows. Andersen and Pella and Marvin fail as much as the others. Have you actually lived with all these windows for extended periods of time? Because I have. My favorite builder has built dozens of homes with JeldWen windows and his customers are super happy - including us. I think you should give a little more credit to people building a home. They can do alot of their own research and get their own quotes and talk with their own builder. Some builders are great at this piece, and some are not, and the details can be missed. So many factors.

My brother just installed Andersen in his gorgeous new home and had a window fail right after drywall, trim and paint was complete. Water entered the home in streams. The window was replaced, but all the labor and time to get it replaced cost far more than the window itself. It can happen with any company.

But on a design and building a home forum, wouldn't a little actual advice and experience help the OP more than spelling corrections and sarcasm? :) .I'm just putting myself in their shoes. I've been there, and listened to all your comments years ago. I wonder sometimes how you could possibly have so much time to contribute on here, and yet I am glad you do. Even drenched in sarcasm (though I really think you need to laugh at yourself a bit). Some of the comments are full of knowledge and I learn a ton. But in this case... no. Nobody needs to know how to spell Andersen to build a house and order windows. What grade are you? :)

Now. Why don't you share some great window brands and lines that you have used and loved and lived with? Some recent budget numbers would be helpful too. Maybe some pictures? A checklist of decisions that need to be made before ordering? There are so many elements to ordering windows, I think someone in the industry could provide a great deal of insight there, and help a homeowner go into that window meeting ready to make all those decisions. Let's hear your wisdom! I'm all ears too.

PS You both had a little state spelling error in your post. But it doesn't bother me. Even though I do love Tennessee!

" Andersen and Pella and Marvin fail as much as the others. "

Actually Pella is quite possibly worse than Jeldwen, if that is possible. I have commented on here my reasoning many times the issues with those brands as well as others. Any window that pours water into a house is either open or installed horribly, point blank. Even Pella or Jeldwen will not do that brand new if installed properly. I have commented many times on brands I would recommend and those I would not. Marvin and Andersen do not fail as often as Jeldwen or S/P and never have. And if they do, both have reputable a solid customer service to back the product up. As do the other companies I typically recommend.

“Now. Why don't you share some great window brands and lines that you have used and loved and lived with? Some recent budget numbers would be helpful too.“

For wood-clad, Marvin and Kolbe. For vinyl, Okna. I like Andersen too, ranking them close after Marvin and Kolbe. I wouldn't install anything Pella or Jeld-Wen even if YOU paid ME. Sharing ”budget numbers” would be useless and inane as there are too many variables by geographical region, HCOL or LCOL, by window choices, sizes, UV coatings, and the many configurations possible. SMH.

“PS You both had a little state spelling error in your post.”

Evidently, the irony whooshed right past you, even with the added laughing emoji Dannylynn Tenesee.

I do think some budget numbers could be shown - for same situation.

Like for my house, Pella was going to be $120k, Marvin $100k and Jeld-Wen $50k. (Totally made up numbers.)

I know there would be all sorts of caveats because each window size and type might vary - but it could still be helpful for someone with a budget of $50k for windows so they can see how much it would be - ballpark - to consider other brands.

I lived with builder basic in my last house that was rather fancy and nice in many ways (brick, stone fireplace, Walnut flooring etc, subz/wolf) and they worked. They were wood and I had to paint them after 4-5 years in some areas. Some seals broke - I think more than typical because of sun loading and a dark paint. All were easy to get warranty replacement on and a little bit of my labor and paid labor to paint/install. They leaked air more than I liked. But did anyone care when I sold the house - no. Buyers aren't generally that sophisticated. Do I wish I had better windows - yes. Was it that bad? not really.

The windows were like $10k for 40 windows (2010). Name brand by my memory would have been more than double. Was the hassle worth the savings - yep. And that is if I had zero problems with name brand.

I am not suggesting everyone should buy the cheapest, builder-basic, no-name window out there but not everyone has the budget to buy Marvin either. Yes, generally, it is worth paying for quality but it isn't a reasonable possibility.