Hi everyone, Thanks for the responses. It's been more than four months since my original query so I thought I'd post an update. After talking with several other contractors and vendors, we decided that going with replacement windows was clearly the wrong choice, so we switched contractors to someone with more large-scale remodeling experience and went with new construction windows. In the end we chose Anderson 400s and used Azek trim on the outside. The old windows came out and we found some damage to the underlying sheathing and framing, but not too much. The new windows were installed and insulated properly and the difference is huge. While we were at it we also replaced most of the edge and corner trim and drip caps on the house as this was rotting off as well. The project is taking a lot longer (we're hopefully wrapping up this week) and is costing a lot more than we thought, but I'm glad we caught this when we did as the damage would have been a lot worse if we had waited. Interestingly, the cost of the new construction windows was actually less than the replacement windows. The labor was more, of course, but we were already being forced to replace the rotting exterior trim so that was all equal. We did have to replace the interior trim, which was not inexpensive, but in the end the project wound up costing the same because the windows were less expensive. The difference in the new trim is amazing- it's nice to have real window sills and stools, with a less generic casing around them. The question of new windows vs. restoration was never an issue- the old windows (only 18 years old) were of poor quality, poorly installed, and leaked cold air to the point that we had to install plastic sheeting over the openings in the winter. Also, many of the window sills, mullions, and jams were rotting, so the amount of work to restore the existing windows would have been huge, We were going with new windows one way or the other. Thanks again for your help, Josh

Simonton would consider the ProFinish Brickmold 600 as their best window that is marketed for new construction. It is nicer looking than the ProFinish Contractor but there is no advantage in terms of performance. The ProFinish Master is the same window as the Contractor but all of the catalog sizes are DP50 for coastal applications. Although not marketed by Simonton as a new construction window the Reflections 5500 is available with an integral nail fin for new construction and would be better than any of the ProFinish windows. The AI numbers on the 5500 are better than the ProFinish line but it's not at the performance level of the likes of Okna. Simonton produces a good window and wouldn't be a bad choice.

What about the Kolbe Ultra Series series sliders?

You could check out Marvin Essential and Elevate lines, these are fiberglass and wood clad fiberglass windows. There might be some supply houses that sell Soft-Lite lower level lines and Simonton in vinyl. It is gonna be hard for Window dealer thats sells the product installed vs a general contractor that is doing the build. New construction is ultra competive . Around here subs on new construction are getting paid around $50 a window to install.