I have still been doing research (and reading the forum) into my window purchase, and I have some clarifications on the quotes I am currently trying to decide over.... I've decided on the company I plan to use, just trying to decide between quotes from that company. Here are the quotes: (all are from the same company/installer; the only portion that differs between the quotes is the double hung windows) Quote #1 (1) Gorell three lite casement window (2 casements with picture window) w/ Energy Master III triple pane glass (w/ full screens and internal white colonial grids) Picture window U-Value: .22, SHGC .24. Casement windows U-Value: .25, SHGC .18 (5) Mercury Excelum Harmony series Double Hung (triple pane, low e glass, full screens, internal white colonial grids) U-Value: .20, SHGC: .25 (1) MI Window and Doors Model 910 Patio Door (double pane w/ full screens and internal white colonial grids) U-Value .28, SHGC .20 PRICE: $5,055.00 Quote #2 (1) Gorell three lite casement window (2 casements with picture window) w/ Energy Master III triple pane glass (w/ full screens and internal white colonial grids) Picture window U-Value: .22, SHGC .24. Casement windows: U-Value: .25, SHGC .18 (5) Gorell Series 5300 Double hung with double pane AC Master Glass (w/ full screens, internal white colonial grids) U-Value .30, SHGC .25 (1) MI Window and Doors Model 910 Patio Door (double pane w/ full screens and internal white colonial grids) U-Value .28, SHGC .20 PRICE: $5,562.00 Quote #3 (1) Gorell three lite casement window (2 casements with picture window) w/ Energy Master III glass (w/ full screens and internal white colonial grids) Picture window U-Value: .22, SHGC .24. Casement windows U-Value: .25, SHGC .18 (5) Gorell Series 5300 Double hung with Energy Master III triple pane glass (w/ full screens, internal white colonial grids) U-Value .25, SHGC .20 (1) MI Window and Doors Model 910 Patio Door (double pane w/ full screens and internal white colonial grids) U-Value .28, SHGC .20 PRICE: $5,762.00 A few questions: 1. Does anyone have any input/opinion on MI Windows Sliding Patio Door? Their website is: http://www.miwd.com/default.aspx 2. Unfortunately, no one had any input into Mercury Excelum brand of windows.....but the company is on the NFRC list as an approved manufacturer. Does the fact that the manufacturer is on the NFRC list make it a quality window? MI Window is also on the NFRC list. 3. Between Quote 2 and Quote 3, the only difference is upgrading the Gorell 5300 glass package from the double pane package to a triple pane package. Is the improvement in U-Value and SHGC worth the additional $200.00? 4. Installation question. Is there a preference as far as a interior installation vs. exterior installation? Or is it impossible to make that judgment without seeing the house/window? Thank you for your help. mm

Remind your Bad Selves about that when you feel like it'll never end -- and it's been a couple of years. [snort] You signed up for it! Run with it and make it beautiful. My Bad Self should have said, "we have the slowest reno planning in the history of mankind." The only kitchen action has been removing wallpaper, replacing a few appliances, and the ceiling fan, after it helicoptered itself out of the ceiling. Happily, it dented the breakfast table, and not my head, nearby. But I digress. WeâÂÂve been talking about the kitchen for nine years. It keeps getting bumped by needed repairs (new windows, HVAC, electrical service, crumbly adobe exterior); by my decision to build a greenhouse (yay!) and by our enjoyment of working on our big desert yard. IâÂÂm a caregiver for my Mom, who lives nearby, so we maintain both houses. MomâÂÂs medical issues land her in the hospital regularly. After I live with her for a while, or get her through weeks in a rehab hospital, I just donâÂÂt have the heart to start changing walls. I lose the wind in my sails. About six years ago, we hired a designer to help us figure out the kitchen dilemma. Met him at a home show; OMG, I was so excited! Paid a deposit of half, after the initial consult, and then he disappeared. We called, and he showed up a few days later with drawings I could have done in about three hours. No ideas, no help. (I know this sounds unlikely, but trust me.) I didnâÂÂt know what to do. I was ashamed of myself for not researching him more thoroughly. About five days later, he started dunning us by mail to pay the second half. We did; I just it over. Poof went a four-figure fee (a chunk of change, for us) and the wind in my sails. Rats! Soon after, the golf course adjoining our neighborhood went bankrupt, dropping home values. (Oh, good.) Major investments in the house seemed less wise. However, things are looking up, finally, with a new medical park, on the derelict land. (Hooray.) Battling on, in February, I did a thread about our kitchen, and everyone here came to the rescue, with tons of wonderful real help, ideas, and thoughtful discussion. Then I had to help Mom through another medical hurdle... IâÂÂm back again, thanks to the encouragement I find here. And eventually, I still think we can make it beautiful! We may crawl, instead of run, but thatâÂÂs truly OK; progress is progress. And that, CEFreeman, is the genius behind this thread you started, to celebrate small accomplishments. Thank you! (And, very kind of you to maintain the peeky-holes for the raccoons.)

Your kitchen layout looks fabulous...Here is a link to a great kitchen with three huge windows over sink as focal point...similar to your inspiration kitchen. (It's the Cote de Texas site with 101 great kitchen elements). http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2009/01/kitchens-101-elements-to-copy. You should also look at jen4268's posting of the update of her gorgeous creamy kitchen. She has three beautiful windows above her sink...

Many of the contributors here also happen to overlap on the other site that you received more feedback. You can probably expect similar sentiments... Nothing to write home about on your list. A higher end product would be recommended for long term satisfaction and performance.