its not an apples to apples comp unless its the sunrise restorations or vanguard. the Okna 800 has the edge for the following reasons. 1) thicker out walls ( meaning thinker vinyl walls, not the width of the frame) 2) better energy efficienvy numbers. okna 800 is a .26 on double pane. also a lower air leakage, okna 800 is a .01 . 3) okna 800 has a handle opposed to the typical vinyl lift rail. the okna handle can come in nickel or antique brass which is ultra sharp. 4) okna has a full length interlock at the sash, sunrise does NOT. where are you located, maybe this can tell us which sunrise product you saw. by the way, sunrise is a good product as well.

I can only offer the information that was provided to me as it relates to windows. We chose Sunrise replacement windows for our first home and the Vanguard line for our second home. I much prefer the Vanguard windows. We were told that the replacements would be less intrusive as well, as bpchill stated. However, we were also told that the new construction provided a 'tighter' install. In the end, we were told that full replacement was only needed if there was damage to the existing window frames. The contractor mentioned that he was going to remove the siding. The question that comes to mind for me is, "Is he also selling you new siding?"

I try not to comment too much on price due to the fact that there are so many variables, but I'd have to agree with window1 that this is a good price even for the most basic of units.... For reference, the higher lines of Sunrise (Restorations and Vanguard) and Provia (Endure) are very good and would have been the apples to apples comparison as opposed to the economy lines.

Fiberglass lack the superior air infiltration numbers that higher end vinyl will achieve. The marvin infinity is a pretty good fiberglass window as is InLine fiberglass while the pella impervia is total garbage and cheap looking in my opinion as well as others. United make what i call " a contractor window". The 4800 is their lower end series and not something we install. Their upper model is the 8000 series which is a mid grade window. Im not fond of the fact that they use a tin plated spacer system and feel the need to utilize fuzzy/ cheat pads in the corners of their windows on the sash. First off, those pads can easily come off and why would they need them in the first place ?? Probably because the window leaks air. Also, on their supposed upper line ( 8000), their locks are plastic which i thought was strange. the Okna is a much better window and i cant imagine any pro trying to dispute that. If i were ever to use united, it would be the 8000 but again, im still not fond of it. as far as MI Windows, you are correct. Its a lower end window . Their supposed higher window which they call the 1650 feels weak and they skimp on weather stripping. Most pro's would not use that either. other good vinyl windows to consider besides okna would be soft lite( imperial or elements), sunrise( vanguard or restoration) vytex (potomac/ fortis), kensington windows. Okna has been around a long time and is a solid company. Same with most of the others i mentioned.