I would second Winodws on Washingtons advice. I would also caution you stay away from all the brands you mentioned for a forever home (or away from them in general actually).

I am not set on anything, that's the problem. I know I want a white interior window and a window I don't have to worry about replacing. From what I have heard and read, Aluminum Clad is the way I should go.

What have you heard and or read to make you think aluminum clad are the way for you to go? A quality vinyl or fiberglass unit would be fine more than likey with vinyl being the better performer. Where in the midwest?

IMHO pela's expensive and not very good. I have the same dilemma [we in NE Indianapolis], and still thinking of going A100 casements. I have hard time beating their prices for black fiberex windows [52 windows]. My other inexpensive option is lincolnwindows.com

I am in Missouri, we can have really hot and humid summers along with very cold winters. My builder likes aluminum clad. I don't care what it is made out of, I just want it to be high quality and maintenance free. I would like a different interior color and exterior color. From what I was told by a Pella dealer is that if I want two different colors on the vinyl window, the exterior color is painted on. He said he would not paint a vinyl window and I have had several other people say they would not recommend painting a vinyl window. Hence, this is why I am leaning towards Aluminum Clad. I wonder if painting fiberglass window would be the same as painting the vinyl.

So your Pella dealer says that he wouldn't paint a vinyl window, yet Pella offers a vinyl window.

For the record, aluminum cladding is just aluminum, that is a painted.

We haven't had any issues with painted vinyl and if price is your primary concern, vinyl is tough to beat on the dollar for dollar comparison.

If you don't want the look of vinyl on the interior, I would then go to fiberglass and the Marvin Integrity.

From what I read, painted vinyl isn't has durable as painted aluminum. That wasn't just from the Pella dealer. Quality comes before cost. I have no problem paying more for a window that will last me a long time. If in 10 to 20 years, my windows are failing, I am going very upset. I want the best window made but also realize the most expensive doesn't always equal the best.

That information is mostly outdated then. Warranties on painted vinyl products are just as good, if not better, than clad wood products.

10-20 should be a minimum.

There are quality products in every category. What are you going to like staring at the inside of for those next 10-20 years? Do you require high efficiency?

I don't want a window with a thin trim. Could care less if it is wood or vinyl as long as the trim part of the window is thicker. Another thing, Pella priced vinyl 250 with two colors in case I wanted that. It was only $1,000 cheaper then the Aluminum Clad 450 Proline.

Alyssa you've received some excellent advice above.

A few additional thoughts:

- As WoW alluded to, a painted window is a painted window (factory painted of course). The paint technology used on vinyl windows today is very good and rivals other materials. The guys recommending against are using information that is dated at best. I have painted vinyl installs in circulation well over 10 years old and I have yet to see a warranty claim on one of any age.

-Based on your color requirements and preferences, I'd say that an aluminum clad wood window is the exact OPPOSITE of what would be ideal for you. Inorganic window materials like vinyl or fiberglass won't rot. Wood will if not maintained properly, and with poor windows it may even IF it is well maintained. New homes are generally sealed pretty tightly and experience condensation. Not a good combo with a wood interior. Further, the main reason to get a wood window is for a rich and beautiful stained appearance that you can't match with other materials. If you are painting it white, there are very few scenarios where a wood window is still a great choice IMO.

-I trust that your contractor is genuine in recommending the window that he has, however I'd propose that is only because he is not fielding the calls on product failure after 9, 10, 12 years. This is one of the products that we replace most often, and typically right after the 10 year warranty is up. Yes, they now call it "lifetime", which is entirely disingenuous as it excludes wood rot due to condensation and other circumstances. These types of windows are the reason that companies like mine that serve the replacement industry are thriving right now.

-My recommendation would be if bang for the buck is on your priority list, reconsider a quality vinyl window like Softlite, Okna, Sunrise, Polaris, etc. You will get some of the best performance from these units, less maintenance, a longer service life, better warranty, etc. Literally the only downside is that aesthetic factor, but again, if you are going white interiors that is not in play. If for some reason you are dead set against vinyl, you could look to fiberglass or even fibrex products, but there is somewhat of a drop off in performance overall and typically a little higher price tag.

I appreciate everyone's feedback. You give me lots to think about. I think one thing I have decided is I am not going with Pella. I looked at the Anderson 100 series and the Anderson 200 series. I like the fact the the Anderson 100 will give me everything I want (no maintenance and no worry about rot). Anderson 200...I am unsure about vinyl clad. I love that you bring up condensation because that is one thing I worried about. I am finding the people who do all spray foam insulation have that issue b\c their house is sealed tight. We are not doing that. A house needs to breath. I know too many people with mold and condensation issues that I will pay a little more on my heating and cooling not to have those problems.