I don’t know how to edit a post or if I even can. Adding to clarify, the clad vinyl ones are aluminum clad exterior and vinyl interior.

Try looking at Simonton windows. I had their Brickmould Pro 600 series installed in a new build. They are affordable, and like you I built in the south so I had their Pro solar shade glass as an option installed.

I purchased double hungs and picture windows. They do have casements, and many exterior colors.

https://www.simonton.com/windows/

looks like the casement doesnt have the variety of colors the double hungs have :(

https://www.simonton.com/simonton-products/brickmould-600-double-hung-window/

I see these recommended a lot but yes, they don’t have the interior colors I would be looking to purchase. Thank you for the suggestion!

Where in the mid-south as many of the better brands can be regional. New construction or replacement (insert type) windows? Who is doing the install? Let us know on the Marvin Essentials quote and if it is too high for your budget as that will help us as well. In my opinion going with a dark colored window in any type required a quality brand or you risk issues with heat. Personally I would not go much lower than the Essentials, maybe the Andersen 100 but really not much lower.

I'd look for good perfromance ratings and options that you are wanting. Higher end vinyl windows are generally rated better than fiberglass (except some Canadian lines), but you will find some different options available in each.

One thing I'd rule out is the "expansion" nonsense that some fiberglass sales people will tell you. Its dramatically overstated and any window is going to be engineered with consideration given to the inherent properties of the material used.

Bottom line: there are good and bad options in each material, its best to narrow down your priorites (and options needed) to see which is a better fit.

So two lumber yards here carry Marvin. The quote I have been waiting on from the one where we would likely buy our lumber package has ghosted me essentially. I was told I would have my quote by the beginning of last week. I waited until the end of the week and followed up with no response. I have called twice this week and am told I will get called back right away but still no response. I followed up with an additional email and still no answer. I understand completely if something takes longer than expected but I’m not sure I want to give a place my business that won’t even respond to calls and emails.
The other lumber yard told me they didn’t want to even quote Marvin because they had the worst customer service they have ever experienced in their life. (They also carry Andersen and a few other brands but I’m not interested in the Andersen 100). I should listen to that but the positive reviews I continually read combined with my desire for a fiberglass window make me want to pursue it anyway just to see pricing.
The only fiberglass alternative I have found locally is the Pella Impervia which gets mixed reviews. We don’t have a dealer here besides Lowes so I went to get a quote and not one single person could answer a question or knew how to give me a quote.
It shouldn’t be this hard to get a window quote!
Would you all reach out to Marvin directly or just give up and go with plan b?

" Would you all reach out to Marvin directly or just give up and go with plan b? "

Yes I would reach out to Marvin directly and see what they have to offer you in the way of another dealer hey may be aware of (or at least let them know that their current dealers are unresponsive or worse). If plan B is Pella, absolutely not.

Your original post asked about vinyl vs fiberglass. What in the responses has led you to seemingly have decided on fiberglass? .... and I'm not saying that you shouldn't go that route, just wondering what brought you to this conclusion as the "expansion" aspect is baseless. Are you still looking for black on black, or have you moved to a different interior color of choice?

Beyond that:

- Stay away from box stores. Your experience is not unique and doesn't get better when it comes time for ordering, installation, etc in my experience.

- Reaching out to Marvin directly for a referral is a good idea if you are looking for more quotes, although they typically point you to lumber yards or their exclusive Infinity dealer. You could also just google "Marvin Windows [insert your town]" and then choose one of the results that has great ratings, reputation, etc.

I have not decided on fiberglass. I just hear repeatedly Marvin is a well made window and fiberglass is low maintenance. The other thing is I like the bronze color and dark gray colors best which Marvin offers as both interior and exterior options.
I will likely go with a Sun Windows (regional company) aluminum clad exterior and vinyl interior window if I can’t get a Marvin quote or they are out of budget. I like those just fine and specs seem good but this Patriot clad line is new so not a lot of reviews. My sole hesitation is they only come in black interior although that’s not a deal breaker. I just wanted to compare prices first.
Unfortunately these two places are the only ones that come up when I go to Marvin’s dealer locator which may tell me all I need to know. There is a location about an hour away that carries them as well I could reach out to.

Makes sense regarding the interior color, bronze and gray aren't going to be available on a vinyl product unless it has a paintable laminate (not a common option).

I don't know much about the other product mentioned, however I'm not a fan of vinyl/metal split designs in general. Most products that have tried that in the past have not fared well.

Tell me more. Why haven’t they worked well in the past and what do I need to specifically look for to make sure it’s quality construction? In my mind it seemed like the best of both worlds as far as durability and maintenance.
They also make an extruded aluminum/ wood clad line which is what our slider and patio door would be.

Update: I finally got the Marvin essential quote with an Elevate 4 panel slider and it is not any more expensive than the other quotes I have been getting. I love the ultimate windows but they I was told don’t sell that line in my area. I’m sure those would definitely be out of budget anyway.
My question now is should I quote all Elevate? Are the essentials just as good? I’m not dying for wood interior as I mentioned earlier so aesthetics aside, is there a reason to go with one line over the other?

Essentials are just as good and if not looking for a wood interior I would use the Essentials no issues at all.

To answer the question about vinyl/metal split designs, MWM is spot on. Very dissimilar materials. They are engineered to attempt to compensate for that in the way that they are assembled, etc, however as explained, none have really stood the test of time.

As for the Marvin options, I'm partial to the Elevate more for aesthetics, but the Essentials is going to provide a similar results if you are good with the appearance.