" Does anyone have experience or opinions of the YKK brand "

About the lowest quality available. And quite possibly there customer service is even worse, certainly no better. Where are you building (approx location)? What style windows (double hung, casement, etc.)?

+1.

You don't necessarily need to "break the bank", but "good quality windows" and cheap don't go together.

Where are you located? Some brands only have regional availbility... Also, if looking for vinyl, I'd recommend researching the replacement window market as nearly everything intended for new construction (vinyl) is a 10 year "throw away" window.

How strong is your bank?

What are you building?

Where are you building?

You could get pella windows with the frame made out of a more affordable material

Good quality always breaks the piggy bank. How good can you afford? You can find pretty decent in the 1-2K per window, average. $500-1K will be less good, but, how good do you need? That depends on where you live, and the style of the house. WIndows and insulation are one of the things to spend as much as you can to do things. You won't ever have to deal with either again, and they provide a tremendous amount of invisible comfort, if done well.

Drive by OP?

Good windows are never "affordable"; you must reduce expenses elsewhere like nested gables, multiple randomly located exterior claddings and 12 ft. ceilings.

Windows should be a priority. Always go for the best and you will never regret it. Personally, I love Pella. Over the long term they will pay for themselves.

" Always go for the best and you will never regret it. "

I will concur with that. I will disagree on anything Pella being in the conversation with the best.

I've heard a lot of scuttlebut on Doorwin being "tens of thousands" cheaper than American sourced windows. Any input on them? I'm totally skeptical of importing anything from China with any long term quality. I've heard a couple of things like they don't understand American window or door sizing, and so down the road, they can never be retrofitted with standard 80"H doors for instance.