I'm losing my mind. All of the other decisions or problems feel easy compared to windows. This is a simple (nearly Passive House) double stud wall with lots of air sealing. It's a small cottage/cape style house in the woods by Lake Superior with most of our glazing on the South side. Our architect specd Pella 250 triple pane, but after reading some of your thoughts on them I'm having my doubts. My architect has in the window notes for minimum requirements: Frame: 3 1/4" wide, min U .20, Glass: min U:.14, min SHGC: .60, Spacer PSI: .015

We have estimates from Pella, Marvin Modern, Alpen 625, and EnerLux 270(3).

The price range is 14.5k to 18.5k for 9 windows so that isn't an issue. Any opinions? Are there any questions I should be asking these reps? I chose the same window size for each line to compare. Thank you.

EnerLux:

Line: 10 Series: Casement Series Location: 01

Qty: 1 Unit: $1,589.98 Install: $0.00 Line: $1,589.98

Interior Color Dove White

Exterior Color Dove White

Glass Package 2703

Glass Strength Annealed

Laminated No

Preserve No

Neat No

Decorative Glass No

Breather Tube No

Grilles No

Interior Trim No - "

Exterior Trim No

Screen Type Flexscreen

Screen Size Full Screen

Screen Mesh BetterVue

Hardware Finish White

Vertical Mullion Zero Mullion

Hinge

Unit 2 Washable

Overall Dimension 52" X 52"

Rough Opening 52 1/2" X 52 1/2"

Install

Square Feet 18.78

Notes:

Unit Specifications

Width Height OP Egress U-Factor SHGC VT

Unit 1: Fixed Casement 26" 52" No No 0.15 0.27 0.49

Unit 2: Casement 26" 52" Right No 0.19 0.24 0.43

Alpen:

1 3

Line | Qty | Product Description | Overall Unit Size | Customer Price | Extended Price

$1,695.66 625 Series Fiberglass (ZR-6) Fixed 52 x 52

Frame Width = 26, Frame Height = 52

Glass Type = HighGain-6 TGT, Spacer Color = Black, Glass Strength =

Annealed, Glass Thickness = 1/8", Breather Tubes Required = Yes

Exterior Color = Gunbarrell 201, Interior Color = Gunbarrell 201

Unit Type = Complete Unit, Frame Profile = High Profile, Full-Frame

NFRC U-Factor = 0.14, Full-Frame NFRC SHGC = 0.46

Vertical Factory Tight Mull, 52" length

Non-Integral Nailing Fin = Aluminum Nailing Fin (Factory Applied)

Jamb Width = 3.25"

Marvin:

Entered As: FS

MO 52 1/2" X 52 1/4"

FS 52" X 52"

RO 53 1/2" X 52 3/4"

Egress Information A1

No Egress Information available.

Egress Information A2

Width: 18 7/16" Height: 47 19/64"

Net Clear Opening: 6.06 SqFt

Performance Information A1

U-Factor: 0.18

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient: 0.34

Visible Light Transmittance: 0.57

Condensation Resistance: 75

CPD Number: MAR-N-444-00938-00001

ENERGY STAR: N, NC

Performance Information A2

U-Factor: 0.22

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient: 0.27

Visible Light Transmittance: 0.44

Condensation Resistance: 75

CPD Number: MAR-N-446-00504-00001

ENERGY STAR: N, NC

Performance Grade A1

Licensee #1150

AAMA/WDMA/CSA/101/I.S.2/A440-11

CW-PG40 3083X1589 mm (62.57X121.38 in)

Deflection at Certified Size and Performance: 1.19

CW-PG40 DP +40/-40

FL28365

Performance Grade A2

Licensee #1152

AAMA/WDMA/CSA/101/I.S.2/A440-11

CW-PG50 914X2591 mm (36X102 in)

CW-PG50 DP +50/-50

FL29656

Ebony Exterior

Ebony Interior

2W1H - Rectangle Assembly

Assembly Frame Size

52" X 52"

Assembly Rough Opening

53 1/2" X 52 3/4"

Unit: A1 733.60

Modern Direct Glaze Rectangle

Basic Frame 26" X 52"

Rough Opening 27 1/2" X 52 3/4"

TG - 1 1/4 in - 1 Lite 74.20

Tripane Low E2/E1 w/Argon

Black Perimeter Bar

Unit: A2 1,347.50

Modern Casement Crank Out - Right Hand

Basic Frame 26" X 52"

Rough Opening 27 1/2" X 52 3/4"

Sash

TG - 1 1/4 in - 1 Lite 74.20

Tripane Low E2/E1 w/Argon

Black Perimeter Bar

Matte Black Folding Handle

Aluminum Screen

Ebony Screen Surround

Bright View Mesh

***Screen/Combo Ship Loose

Standard Mull Charge 144.20

3 13/32" Jambs

4 1/2" Overall Jamb Depth

Thru Jamb Installation

Pella:

Pella 250 Series, 2-Wide Direct Set, 55.5 X 53.5, White

$1,413.55 $1,413.55

1: 2854 Fixed Direct Set

Frame Size: 27 1/2 X 53 1/2

General Information: Standard, Vinyl, Nail Fin, Foam Insulated, 3 1/4", 1 1/8", 2 1/8"

Exterior Color / Finish: White

Interior Color / Finish: White

Glass: Insulated Triple Low-E Advanced Low-E Insulating Glass Argon Non High Altitude

Performance Information: U-Factor 0.20, SHGC 0.21, VLT 0.36, CPD PEL-N-239-00075-00003, Performance Class LC, PG 35, Calculated Positive DP

Rating 35, Calculated Negative DP Rating 35, Year Rated 08|11

Grille: No Grille,

Vertical Mull 1: FactoryMull, 1/2" Integral Mullion

2: 2854 Right Casement

Frame Size: 27 1/2 X 53 1/2

General Information: Standard, Vinyl, Nail Fin, Foam Insulated, 3 1/4", 1 1/8", 2 1/8"

Exterior Color / Finish: White

Interior Color / Finish: White

Glass: Insulated Triple Low-E Advanced Low-E Insulating Glass Argon Non High Altitude

Hardware Options: Standard, Wash Hinge Hardware, Fold-Away Crank, White, No Window Opening Control Device, No Limited Opening Hardware

Screen: Full Screen, InViewTM

Performance Information: U-Factor 0.20, SHGC 0.21, VLT 0.36, CPD PEL-N-239-00075-00003, Performance Class LC, PG 35, Calculated Positive DP

Rating 35, Calculated Negative DP Rating 35, Year Rated 08|11, Clear Opening Width 15.869, Clear Opening Height 48.376, Clear Opening Area 5.331102,

Egress Does not meet typical United States egress, but may comply with local code requirements

Grille: No Grille,

Wrapping Information: Factory Applied, Pella Recommended Clearance, Perimeter Length = 218".