I don't know the size of windows you are buying so I can't comment on the prices but I can tell you that the Andersen 400 TiltWash is not in the same league as the Marvin Ultimate and should have been priced about 20 to 25% less. The TiltWash doesn't even have a cladding on the sash, just a high-tech PPG paint coating. Andersen's 400 WoodWright has the same frame but a composite plastic/wood fiber Fibrex sash cladding (like Trex) so it is closer to the Ultimate and should be about 15% cheaper. I would not use Pella ProLine windows even if they were the equal of the Ultimate; Pella as a company is unreliable IMHO. You certainly made the right decsion given those choices. If the Ultimate has a flaw it is the sill nosing which is ridiculously thin and does not project enough to act as a drip (not that any modern nail-fin windows do). I strongly recommend adding a PVC sill nosing from Advanced Trimwright (ATW) or a similar product. Extending the sill under the jamb trim makes a handsome job and avoids sill the waterproofing problems I have seen so often.

Haven't been back to this site for awhile but got an e-mail from another Andersen window buyer - still looks like Andersen is selling windows that let the outside in. My Andersen 200 series double hungs are great at letting the sunshine in as well as dirt and snow. Oh well - we just huddle around the fireplace all winter and stick pins in our Andersen rep voodoo doll. Come visit anytime, but bring your own firewood and warm blankets! New advertising slogan for Andersen - "We Let The Outside In!" Don't believe me - I have photos! Don't buy Andersen Windows or you will be very sorry! They design these windows to fail and no amount of 'adjusting' will fix them. Buyer beware! Feel free to contact me for the real story about Andersen Windows. Arlo Kallemeyn arlok33@yahoo.com cell phone 708-439-7316

My husband and I paid the Marvin distributor ourselves for the windows. Our GC knows he made a mistake and is sick about it. I did not take pictures of all the windows open that day. But all windows swing on the appropriate side of the opening for the house style except these. The one set of three is a dining room wall the other set of two is our daughters bedroom. The GC thought he would have to buy new windows when we first told him and said it was his six thousand dollar mistake. Then GC called back saying he felt better because the distributor told him he could switch things around easily. But the windows have not been discussed in the 3 weeks since this was discovered and no work on the windows has happened and I became curious why. So, I decided to follow up with the distributor myself to see what they told the GC. The distributor said everything the contractor said but the distributor then decided to call Marvin to verify. Marvin stated the best way around the situation is to buy new windows. To rework the windows would be very involved and could ruin the integrity of the window. (haha...pun not intended) The distributor called the GC several weeks ago and told him. I wanted to get opinions on how others would suggest handling this. Of course I want things right but we are now in a time crunch to get this house finished. My husband is upset but thinks we should let it go. I think we are paying a fee for the contractor and this was a rookie mistake. Our GC is a carpenter by trade and does good work but has become very busy with other work and worry that our project, that has taken too long already (8month to date), will now lose out. Thanks

Thanks kandrewspa, all good points. Makes me feel better :) What saves me on the inside of the house is that there's a slight "divide" between kitchen and dining room, so mismatched windows won't be super apparent on the inside. And when we're in my yard (mostly in the summer), we're enjoying my huge pool, so no one will really notice like you said. More annoyed that it wasn't what I asked for, but right now I just need this project to continue moving along. Windows take months and months to be delivered these days, it seems. I just want back in my house already lol.