These are all-vinyl windows? I can see a large upcharge as very few vinyl windows vary much in color from white. That's a lot of pigment. Try a window like Marvin Ultrex or Integrity. I don't think there's an upcharge for any of there standard colors.

seabornman is spit on, big upcharge in vinyl, not so much of any for composites and wood, but there upfront cost are typically much more.

Lucky you. Instead of buying a lower quality vinyl window you'll be able to spend less money and get Integrity fiberglass windows because of a color. Much higher quality longer lasting better performing all because of color.

Check Andersen 100 series.

Get several quotes on the windows. IMO.....the vendor is trying to make a very large profit. In these days, it doesn't cost that much for a color change. They are trying are trying to take advantage because you don't have any idea how.....they depend on that....

t e. I hate to say it, they are trying to rip you off. It's sickingenig !!!!!!

Black plastic doesn't do well in the sun but for that price you could probably buy an aluminum clad wood window.

Jesus now we're a window expert................................

Vinyl window frames are typically cast in solid white or off white (tan/taupe). Some builders take advantage of the high volume standard sizes in those standard colors.

Those vinyl manufacturers who offer darker colors use an additional surface coating process that adds cost. Not knowing the quantities on your project I'm guessing $4-10K. That puts you closer to the cost of other types of windows... fiberglass, composites, wood, aluminum, etc.

Its easy to double window costs but to be fair its easy to double any line item in the building process if you don't pay attention to budgets and target price range.

The contraction on my Okna windows in full sun is quite significant on east and west exposure in summer.

I couldn’t imagine getting a dark colored window in vinyl

In full sun, I suspect you would be referencing expansion vs. contraction. That said, the surface temperatures that we see on the darker color ranges aren't much higher than white windows given the coating technology built into the paints.

That other advice above with regards to the gaps in pricing narrowing with paint is spot on though. Painted vinyl windows can very quickly approach the pricing of fiberglass windows in some cases.

The upcharge for a colored exterior on a vinyl window or any window for that matter is very expensive. Most of the higher quality vinyl window companies use a special coating, not a standard pvc paint that some still use. These coatings are meant to withstand heat, cold, ultraviolet rays, and are very expensive.

Fyi, the andersen 100 series is a cheap looking piece of junk in my opinion.

It's a capitalistic market. Of course the more desirable choice is the more expensive one. That's true of every single allowance in your home.

It’s not the paint that is so expensive, it is the process, and. the equipment used just look at what it would cost to have the wood interior factory prefinished.

The looks on the 100 are subjective, it looks a lot better than some of the options out there, would not call it junk.

As a "Sunday funny", I always love it when capitalism comes up. For the record, I am a fan.

I don't hate PVC windows but I don't think they're suitable in the long run, meaning 30 or more years.

The more important issue with PVC exposed to the sun is degradation from UV radiation. The additives used to slow degradation are chemically complex, still evolving and increase the cost of the PVC used for windows. When the cost of PVC reaches that of more UV resistive materials, it makes sense to use them.

I'll leave the choice of alternatives to the experts.

Which is why nearly ever quality PVC lineal that is used in the construction of a window or door is combined with UV stabilizers in the grind to make them very resistant to UV punishment. We have 20+ year old vinyl windows that are in sterling shape based on a recent visit to a client's home where they are having us put on a roof now.

UV is 1 part of a multifaceted formula with regards to long term durability. Clad products as well as fiberglass have a whole "nuther" set of challenges when it comes to durability as well. There is no "perfect" material at the end of the day, but there are good ones.

Have to wonder if anyone reads what they write before posting.

keep in mind that flher glass is fiber reinforced plastic, Fibrex uses pvc, wood windows have many plastic parts. The products , finishes, preservatives and processes are being evolved on all windows .

As far as I can tell, the OP is referring to a Ply Gem composite (cellular PVC plus wood) window factory painted bronze or possibly a 1500 series vinyl window with a bronze "capstock over a white co-extruded under layer". I suspect its the former but without more specific information its not possible to know.

Interesting.... the PlyGem Pro series doesn't show availability in dark colors. White/Sand/Clay are the shown options. It looks like you must step up in series (and cost) just to get the option. All else fails you could ask the builder why...

> $5-9k is what I often see. My clients have been practical saying no.

Wow, that would be pretty expensive for vinyl... Most builders don't even spend 8k on 50+ windows...

Ply Gem offers a 1500 Vinyl Collection single-hung window with a dark bronze "capstock over a white co-extruded under layer, which reflects sunlight and limits heat gain.". It may only be available in the East. Unfortunately, Ply Gem doesn't provide section details of their windows.

Its odd that Ply Gem is willing to paint their window a dark color when their sales literature says: “black poses special challenges to windows: black (and other dark colors) absorb heat, which can cause warping in vinyl windows.”

Exterior color coatings are pricey as has been alluded to. This is not a "profit center" to manufacturers or dealers, in fact, some actually take a lower margin on these options to be competitive. As far as how vinyl compares to fg or wood price-wise, again, its not as though there is some crazy upcharge on vinyl window colors. The difference is that fg and wood windows ALL have to have an exterior paint or color coating, where vinyl windows will have a few options with the color extruded as an inherent benefit of the material. Dark colors however, generally are not for some of the reasons mentioned. All that said, any material (vinyl, fg, wood, metal) will have said color options and all are pretty reliable these days due to the advances in the paint/coating technology. I'd simply compare the end price, along with the thermal and structural performance ratings and other options that you desire to evaluate which is best. In short, a fg window could have a 75% upcharge as well over a base color, except its already built in, so be careful about placing too much weight on an upcharge. Lastly, if longevity of product is a big concern, an inorganic material (vinyl, fg, or composite) will be desirable, and good performance ratings are typically good indicators of quality and longevity.