Not soft, but I can picture natural wovens in your bath. They can be dust collectors but a vacuum brush or squirt with the hose cleans them easily. If you want fabric or color, maybe Roman shades. S&N has a selection of different styles to look at. Here is a link that might be useful: Smith & Noble Roman Shades

I sell over 20 brands of windows in Los Angeles area. From vinyl to aluminum clad. I won't put either in my house. Just remember that the window you choose is only one part of the job. Installation is the other. You can get the best window but installed improperly you wont receive the benifits of best window. Questions to ask your installer? How long in business? How long installing windows? Do you have a showroom? How many window brands do you carry? How long have you been a dealer of the brand they are selling? Ask about the features of the window? What is your INSTALLATION Warranty? Do you have workers compensation? Are you licensed? Explain how your are going to install my windows in my house? Low expansion foam used? What type of caulking will be used(outside and inside)? Is it paintable? Will you haul away old windows? Remember if you have a salesman in your house, they are paid when they sell windows. Most salesman are 100% commission so they tell you what want you to hear. As you can see there are many other things to consider then just price when buying windows. Get at least 3 estimates and ask your friends and family if they know anyone that does windows. In Los Angeles it seems I am hearing that another window company is going out of business ever week with the economy the way it is. So choose wisely. Hope this helps. If you have any questions just email me. Bryan bryan@doorandwindowplus.com

Moisture between the glass would not be caused by poor installation. Rather, it would be caused by a defective manufacturing issue or due to some type of unusual situation where the normal wear was affected. For instance, extreme variations in temperature due to orientation or something going on regarding the interior of your home. I design and specify windows for homes in Florida almost all of them on the water or close by. Sierra Pacific offers a 30 year warranty on its 2605 finish and 20 year warranty on its patented Coreguard wood treatment and I would consider those windows. Andersen performs well too but they reduce their 20 year warranty to 10 years when on the coast. In my 40 year career, I have had great success with Andersen and SP and would run away from Pella if you are looking for an aluminum clad wood window. Just my opinion based on more than a hundred installations.

I'm still mulling over the best window options over here and figured I would simplify my questions to the following four I am still mulling over--keeping in mind I plan to be in my home for decades, so hoping to get a window that lasts! Material--would you recommend vinyl, fiberglass or fibrex for a midwest/broad temperature range climate? Warranty--would a lifetime warranty sway you into an inferior product? Sliders--when it comes to replacing two single-hung windows with sliders--do you think one brand outperforms others in this type of window? Anything to be aware of when choosing sliders over casement...other than the very slight difference in efficiency? Brands--I think I'm down to Window World, Marvin (Essential) or Andersen (100). Which would you choose and why?