First of all, this posting string is very confusing. 1) There are two types of windows: New construction (with a nailing flange, and replacement windows (without). 2) Home Depot sells windows in their stores. This is for contractors and do-it-yourselfers. Simonton windows are not sold in stores. They are only installed by the Home Services Division of Home Depot. I have worked with both Simonton and the American Craftsman (an Anderson Co) windows sold in the stores in stock sizes and special order for custom sizes. There is no comparison in my opinion. Simonton makes a terrific window. 3) Installation craftmanship is critical with any window. Any drafts tell you it wasn't installed, insulated, or caulked properly. This is not the fault of the window manufacturer. "Cladding" is a reference to wrapping the exterior wooden trim of a window or door with aluminum. HD/HS uses a vinyl coated aluminum, which is superior to the usual painted sheet stock used. This means you won't need to paint the trim, ever. 4) All vinyl windows are not the same. Material quality matters. Look for the energy performance rating and the rating by the American Architectural Manufacturing Institute. Simonton windows, in the 6500 (best) line sold and installed by Home Depot's Home Services division is one of the few Gold-star Rated vinyl windows on the market. This applies to performance and security ratings. 5) Nobody's perfect folks. These postings are confusing because they mix comments on windows bought for various purposes and in different ways. Nobody should come away from an HD Home Services install unsatisfied. If there is a problem it will get fixed if you are persistent. Usually that is not necessary. Installers in most areas are very experienced and all are vetted carefully. They do 12-15,000 installs a day on average. If the big complaint is a few people who aren't happy that they had to come back and make it right, they're doing pretty well. Also, Simonton windows come in white, tan and two shades of faux oak wood grain.

I am looking to install about a dozen or so "XX" dual slider windows in tandem. Basically, I plan on putting one window on top of another. This is similar to what the company "Soundproof Windows" does, except I'm ordering standard windows and having my contractor install two in tandem. Hopefully Oberon can chime in on this one. I did hire an acoustical engineer... however he is not aware of the STC rating for these unique XX dual slider windows. Basically, it's a horizontal slider where both windows (left and right) slide independently. I need these because I have planter boxes directly outside the windows and I want access to the entire section from inside the house. The planter boxes are not accessible from the outside because they are either two or three stories up (homes are three stories tall). Does anyone know if the XX dual slider is appropriate in achieving a high STC rating? My goal is 50 STC with these two windows in tandem: First window (outside) Dual pane 1/4" lam, 5/8" air space, 1/8" plate glass Second window (inside) Single pane 3/16" lam Note that there is about 2 1/2" of airspace between the two sliding windows. So technically, when both windows are closed, I have created a "triple pane" window with a 5/8" airspace and a 2 1/2" airspace. And 3 varying window thicknesses - 1/8", 3/16" and 1/4". Total mass in glass is 9/16" and this doesn't include the two laminate films between two panes which I assume add about 1/8" more. And the reason why I need a ridiculously high 50 STC is because these are bedrooms and the property is located right next to a highway. Any advice is appreciated!

Oberon, thank you for responding. I really appreciate your input. FYI - The Andersen rep and customer service both tell me that the thickness of their lites is proprietary information. Laminated windows are a strain on the budget with a price almost twice that of standard windows, but it appears that I have no choice if I want to reduce noise. Would a triple pane window, with EVEN panes, take the place or even come close to the noise reduction of a double pane anealed/laminated window? I am wondering if it is possible to make an educated guess as to the STC/OITC that I need. Here is my story: My house, built in early 1050s, is 200-300 feet from a local 4-lane highway. The hwy has a posted speed limit of 40 MPH (plenty of cars go 50 MPH) and has lights which slow traffic down. There are bushes between us, and a neighbor's house partially blocks the hwy side. My windows are the originals and they do a minimally acceptable job of blocking the traffic noise from my sensitive ears. Most of the windows are wood, double hung, single pane, covered by storm windows that are closed all year. The den, which is the most exposed room, has a wall of single pane casement windows in steel frames. Each sash is a steel frame/grill that divides the glass into individual rectangles of approx 10" x 12". The den casements are painted shut and covered by storm windows all year. In the winter, there is a draft coming through and they are often wet from condensation. As part of a major home renovation, I am replacing all the original windows with casements and would like to reduce the noise more. Can you take an educated guess as to a minimum STC/OITC rating that I should look for? I am considering Anderson 400 Series or A series casements, and using the laminated windows in the more sensitive rooms - den and master bedroom. I am leaning strongly toward the A Series for two reasons: 1) The STC/OITC ratings of the A Series standard IGU are 27/23 vs the 400 Series 26/22. The ratings of the A Series .060 lami is 33/29 vs the 400 Series 31/27. 2) I visited my neighbor’s house and stood in front of his standard 400 Series casements to get a “feel” for the noise reduction and, while I did not pick up individual car noise, there was a non-stop whirring sound. I visited a friend who lives further down the same highway to get a feel for his 400 Series casements. The same whirring sound. There was once a discussion in this forum about an increase of sound in windows with equal lites. See http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2586644/noisy-andersen-windows. I suspect that my friends are having exactly this problem. I am hoping that the A Series, with a different construction and a higher STC/OITC rating, will provide better noise reduction and no whirring. Oberon, other readers, please share your thoughts and experiences. Thank you.

I have Milgard Tuscany series casements, one on either side of a picture window. The minute they were installed, I open both casements all the way. I am in Southern California, so open windows for evening breezes are key to enjoying them. What do you know, when I tried to leave the house a couple hours later, the windows would not close. I had to leave them open for a few days until someone was able to come out and look at them. Milgard sent someone who “fixed” them by preventing them from opening a full 90°. They know each only open 80°. I tried to complain about this, but was difficult to get any kind of response and they seemed to be trying to kick the can back to the dealer. It is four years later and I still have these casement windows, but specifically two provide air into the house that do not even open all the way. I regret it daily and wish I had just gone with a double slider.