Stay away from Pella. their #1 service issue is blinds between the glass. Their 2nd is the class action lawsuit that originated in Chicago. They have not made any changes to their product design to eliminate their water leakage problems. Look to the Eagle product line byy Andersen Windows they are holding up very well in my house and we had them replaced about 3 years ago.

I suspect no window manufacturer is perfect but I know two architects who have had to force Pella to admit obvious mistakes in the ordering process. There are other members here who have mentioned protracted fights with Pella but I don't know the cause. If you use them I would recommend carefuly documenting the ordering process and reviewing the final order and/or shop drawings. Also keep all records, especially records proving that you gave them copies of the architectural drawings showing the mulling and muntin configurations. Check all windows for correctness of size and configuraiton immediately upon delivery. That's not a bad approach with any window order but I would take special care with Pella. Good luck.

Was the quote for Pella from the Pella distributor or from a lumberyard that carries Pella? I find it amazing that a true "Pella distributor" would quote anything but Pella products, as they are supposed to carry exclusively Pella product, unless it is not available through Pella itself.

@Robin: Our Kolbe and Kolbe windows look great--in fact they look new, if they were clean, after 13 years. No problems with condensation between the panes. We had to replace one large window but that was due to installation error, not the window. The issue we have had is with service. We had some broken handles and some of the windows are difficult to close (casement, due to settling, I suppose, in earthquake country). Our GC went out of business so I don't know where they sourced the windows from. I called several local places that 'carry' Kolbe and Kolbe and they could not help me. I called Kolbe and Kolbe and they were impossible. When we had the window replaced, the new contractor was able to assist with the other windows (11 years later). Also, in retrospect, I wish I had gotten sliders instead of french doors. One of the handles has been dysfunctional (a K/K thing), and I think french doors in general are not very secure (not a K/K thing).