Thank you Toddimn and EcoStarRemodel. Toddimn, thanks for the warning about the need to install a header if we combine the windows. We'll definitely look into what is involved before deciding if we want to go that route. I went to another window store that had a better variety of display windows. They carry only Milgard. Milgard seems to have the corner on the market in this area. After seeing the both the Style Line and Tuscany windows, I would definitely choose Tuscany. The Style line have thin, unimpressive frames and look very similar to our aluminum windows. The Tuscany frames are much beefier, more like a wood window. The uneven sight lines in the Style Line windows doesn't look good to me. The operable windows have glass that is at least 2" smaller, whereas the Tuscany windows have matching glass sizes. The Tuscany locks are nicer and the weepholes are covered. Montecito is the same frame as the Tuscany. The Montecito lacks a few of the nicer features of the Tuscany and doesn't have the glass breakage warranty. The saleslady told me that the price of the two lines is almost the same ( usually within $2 to $5) so she doesn't ever sell the Montecito. Home Depot gave me a quote for Montecito windows. That might be one good reason to buy from a window supplier rather than Home Depot. Neither window store that I visited had any double hung window displays. I would be interested to see one. I was told that the double hung windows have thicker frames than the single hung. I don't think I would want an even thicker frame for our narrow kitchen windows so the double hung might not work for our home. I guess the single hung could look mismatched since the screen is only on the bottom but I wonder if it would be annoying to have to look out a screen at the top? I will do the contoured grids just in the top of the windows. They don't come in a smaller size. EcoStarRemodel, the window salesperson said that they can order picture windows with frames to match casement windows. She suggested making the two center windows into one picture window and putting casements on the sides. That way the view in the middle wouldn't be obstructed by the center bar of a double casement. However, she said that the picture window in a casement frame would cost almost as much as a casement window. I didn't realize that all of the windows in the house should be of the same type If that's the case, then I wouldn't want to go with casements. We would need 13 of them which would be way too much $$$. Would it also look weird if we combined the two center kitchen windows into a picture window with single hungs on all the other windows?

Grande - I'm not promoting Pella at all I'm just offering my opinion as someone who has used them and from contractors I've spoken to. To say they are garbage is contrary to what I have experienced and heard, of course there are better windows and there are also personal preferences involved. However I would bet that you are a window salesman and your comments should have that disclosure so people can understand what your motive is. Comparing JW to Pella is laughable...just look at the comments on this thread. I also steer clear of anyone stating something as fact...with no eveidence to support their "facts". "Anyone in windows knows this, it's a fact" is a very adolescent type comment. If you don't like Pella fine, you're entitled to your opinion, but try to state reasons other than obscure comments packed with innuendos. I am not saying Pella are the best windows, I'm saying they are decent and in my opinion I would use them over JW just from a support perspective. I don't know the other windows you suggested but I did say there are many local manufacturers that offer good alternatives...perhaps those are but I personally don't know.

We had our windows replaced a few years ago with Milgard fiberglass frames and the highest UV protection we could get (since we live in Hawaii). Yes, the UV filtering seems to be pretty good and the fiberglass frames don't warp in the heat like vinyl has a tendency to do. The house is wonderfully quiet when the windows are closed. However, I'm disappointed with the overall purchase for several reasons: The quality of the workmanship is very poor. The joints on all the windows have glue sticking out that is impossible to remove. After these few years, that glue has attracted dirt that makes the window corners look very poor. I tried GOOP and several other cleaners before I wrote to Milgard asking for hints on any ways to clean it up but never received an answer. The screens on some of the fiberglass frames are very tight and difficult to get in and out. After accidentally bending two of the screen frames, I had a local screen pro come in to build new ones and he told us that the tightness was OK for vinyl frames but should not be that tight for fiberglass. Finally, the lifetime warranty does not apply to Hawaii (and if I remember correctly - nor within 2 miles of any ocean).

@HU-28348099 we decided today to go with Andersen as well. We got slightly better pricing for Kolbe but their delivery time is 8-9 weeks and that’s not feasible. The pricing was only $15-$25 less per window so not significant enough for the almost double delivery window. What door did you do? That was the biggy we have been torn on. We are likely going to do the Andersen 4 panel “French” slider in 12’ and it’s the narrow line. We looked at the Kolbe as well as the western window system. Kolbe’s price was better for the composite but worse for the aluminum clad/wood. Western has this large 2 6’ panel door that is really nice but they don’t do a true black. It’s price is about $100 less then andersen but I’m worried about them not matching and then we’re back to the problem of the delivery time. Needless to say this has been a little stressful trying to decide lol. We’re doing our guest house now and then the main house while we live in it so the decisions we make now will dictate the design in the future.