Permacast (fiberglass), HB&G or Turncraft are both good.

Do these columns have to be painted Mwman? Thanks.

We used Hardie Board

The reason round classical columns are not made in aluminum is they are tapered in a convex curve (the Greeks called it "entasis"). The same company you used before makes them in FPR (fiber-reinforced polymer), a composite material commonly referred to as fiberglass. FPR needs to be painted. There are synthetic stone columns made of resins and marble dust that simulate stone and do not need to be painted.

Be sure the taper is correct and verify the loading bearing capacity if that is relevant.

Thank you JDS. I wondered why the round weren't available in the aluminum. Your explanation makes sense.

i would like to have the columns that do not have to be painted. Maybe it's not possible.

Stone columns? Hmmm.

would the synthetic stone column be right for my house? Or would they just be wrong? A shingle style cottage. Porch detail in pic.

if so, do you know where these stone/stonish columns can be sourced?

Your columns should simulate smooth wood rather than stone and they should be painted with a high quality acrylic paint like the rest of the house trim. FRP takes paint well and should not be a problem.

Thank you JDS. Will do FRP.

JDS...while I have your attention. Is it the Marvin Ultimate that you talked about a couple of years ago that was your favorite window? Can't find the old thread.

Yes, it's even better designed now but I liked them long before they introduced the Ultimate series back when they were all wood and had PVC jamb liners because the windows are all made to order which allowed a broader range of custom designs and introduced features it took years for the other manufacturers to adopt (some still haven't caught up). One of the nice features is wood and aluminum clad windows that look the same so they can be used near each other in historic renovations and additions. The new sill nosing is thin but it works well with a cellular PVC sub-sill which creates a good drip and allows the sill to extend to each side under the jamb trim which IMO is the proper way to detail a window (flat trim under windows looks odd and can cause leaks).

Andersen's Woodwright is a good value for tighter budgets but their Eagle Talon aluminum clad series leaked pretty badly on the coast of Cape Cod.

I won't need any custom Windows...is the Ultimate still the best way to go, if they fit into the budget?

i need casement. What is your opinion of the screen mechanism that fits into the side and pulls over to cover the window? Good option or not?

i won't look at the Eagle Talon by Andersen.

thank you!!

I only use casements for below grade escape windows or occasionally I use French casements so I don't know much about the casement mechanisms but the interior screens are a problem especially in the country.

JDS curious why you never use casements.

Oh no, I thought casements were supposed to be the way to go.

do you dislike casements? Aesthetics? Or other reasons?

so the interior sliding screens are carp. I was afraid you were going to say that.

ILoveRed, please post on Windows too, they have additional helpful info over there. We have retractable screens on a bunch of our windows (different mfr, push-out French casement, built-in top-down screens) and think they are great, definitely not carp.

I prefer casements in general (depending on the project) - I think the glass looks way nicer (exterior side) when the screens are placed inside.

There is a company in MO that claims they are as good as Marvin (or better), and they offer a lower price - according to the lunch and learn presenter, Marvin spend a lot in marketing, and they do not. The name of the company is Quaker windows.

Oaktown...thank you. I will check out the windows forum. Do you have pics handy of your screens/ Windows? In general, I leave my screens off year round with my Andersens. I don't like my view blocked. Never fails, when I open a window even for a few minutes we end up with wasp in the house. They love to nest in our exterior crown molding I'm afraid. So, I was intrigued and excited when I saw the slide over screens. Glad you think they are not carp! Would love to see a pic or two.

Martha...I'm glad you like casements. You've got the plan..it would be hard to switch to another window. I don't love the grill pattern. It needs to be more open. you mentioned Marvins marketing. Our builder went up North somewhere (they flew him) to attend their Marvin Center or some such thing. He said it was like a vacation :-). I look forward to hearing about the Quaker Windows. If you have any info, will you send it to me? Thanks!!

Martha...I just checked out their website. Love the inspiring video and the idea of the family business. Looks like a great company. Is the Brighton the one that's the most comparable to the Marvin Ultimate? The website is very user friendly. Not available here but I wonder if I could talk to our supplier about looking into them. DH will want to buy local.

They have the retractable screens!!

http://quakerwindows.com/window_products/wood-casement-window-brighton/

Sorry I don't have pics ILR but the retractable screens look like what is in the brochure:

http://www.loewen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/bulletin_loewen_retractablescreen.pdf

[Edited: because the screens are top-down they come with unobtrusive pull strings. Builder said most people take them off but I am really short so had them left on.]

JDS...that's pretty for sure...the first house I mean. Love the shingle color. Do you know how it was achieved? What the color is?

love the color of the shingles on the first Greene house too. Don't like the third house :-). But then what do I know.

ok, I get why you don't like casement windows.

The first house is one of mine in Maine with Maibec sawn white cedar shingles factory dipped in Cabot bleaching oil which has a small amount of gray pigment and a chemical that bleaches the wood's surface. The shingles will eventually become silver gray.

Nice.

No dog in the hunt either way but here are my opinions:

Quaker windows, from when I was in the residential end, lower end window, mediocre quality and fit and finish (no where close to a Marvin or Kolbe). Commercial is where I am today and they are about the same........

Retractable screens, some love them, some hate them. You truly get what you pay for. The cheap ones are crap and the very expensive ones are ok, not great.

Just my .02 cents from 30 plus years in construction supply...........

For the record, that is what the Quaker guy claimed. I have not used these windows.

I'm curious millworkman, what makes a great screen? :-)

There is no "great" screen in my opinion, lol. They are all a necessary evil, with the cheap retractable's being an avoidable evil.............

Thank you MWM!! I'm definitely leaning towards the Marvin if I can afford them. I appreciate your opinion.