The SoftLite model is one of the Elements line, called ultra-s glass in their catalog - http://www.soft-lite.com/wp-content/uploads/ElementsBrochure_2013.pdf The Soft-lite is $4K more and I'm trying to see if its really worth it Thanks!!

Ultimately avarkey, I would suggest that you have to make that determination. Do you think it is worth the extra money to go with high-end product or would you be satisfied with a window that was adequate for your needs but was something of a mid-grade? A few things to keep in mind...ALWAYS get the LowE coating. There is no reason in today's world to get a window that isn't coated...the coating is worth every penny...and several companies now offer LowE as standard anyway. If one window cost is double the next window cost, then ask yourself "why"? What does window A offer that window B does not? Do you want wood, vinyl, fiberglass, other? All of those options are available with the companies you have mentioned...although not all the companies mentioned offer a choice among all three materials. A vital part of your window purchase is installation...do any of the companies you checked out offer install? How much does it cost and do they guarantee it? Are the installers independent of the company? Are they factory certified? Does the local distributor buy the units from the manufacturer and then install? If so, then the window company might be out-of-the-loop if there is a problem...or it might not. Different companies have different policies in this area. Check customer service records of the window companies in question - do they stand behind their product? Nothing is perfect - if a window has issues, how responsive is the company to a complaint?

vic, if you are unable to locate one of the brands that are universally well regarded by pros, my best recommendation would be to take a close look at performance ratings. You can look at window performance the same way you look at mileage and horsepower when buying a car. U factor and air leakage are two big ones... There is a little complexity when it comes SHGC and others as the optimum numbers can vary based on climate, but the these ratings are a great guide either way.

To Mike and Carl, Why do you assume that a woman is incapable of remodeling and giving intelligent advise? Certainly you would say of any man what you have said of me. Over the years I have read many posts here on the "Old House" written by women that were successfully doing all or most of the remodeling on their old homes. To Carl, do you only perform remodeling for single men? Recently I've spoken to multiple couples that have remodeled. In every instance the wife was the one that came up with the plans, would you refuse to do those jobs? Homesealed, my 1st post asked the age of the home, I didn't get a response. Usually it's assumed that if your posting in old homes that the house would qualify for the pre-1930 designation and have those wonderful, irreplaceable old growth windows. Your comparison to vehicles is interesting, I don't care about fuel economy - I care about how many sheets of 4'x8' ply it can carry & does it have a full sized V8.