Thanks, everyone! I just had a *long* talk with my mother in Florida, and without even seeing any pictures, she was able to take me step-by-step through the decision-making process. I've decided the frame is really too beautiful to take down. It's unexpected, it wasn't in my plans, it wasn't my *vision* of the kitchen - my vision didn't include the window as any sort of focal point. It was just a kitchen with a window. Now it will be a kitchen with a big, beautiful window. I should be able to get my head around that. In terms of the window not being centered - that's unfortunate. It was looking so nearly centered without the frame and countertop issue! I think I would live with that, though... it's one of these fact-of-life things that happens in tiny NYC apartments. You get used to seeing all these little compromises (like windows that are shoved all the way to the side and half-obstructed by refrigerators). My other funky little compromise is that they had to hang my upper cabinets 2" lower to fit under a concrete beam under the ceiling. But I also had a tall broom closet. They couldn't "hang" that lower, so they cut the toe kick. You look down near the floor, and the toe kick for the broom closet doesn't line up with the cabinet next to it. Doesn't bother me a bit. It's one of these imperfect details that lets you know the job was real. :-) I think I'm going to have lots of those... Well, I hope this is the right decision. I'm second-guessing myself already, but I already called the contractor, and I really can't keep calling him back and flip-flopping. That would be like rolling the dice to see what I end up getting. (Which is how this reno feels to me sometimes.) As for how difficult all of this is for me... I appreciate everyone's thoughts. I do seem to overreact to a lot of it... I don't know if I overreact more than other people. Maybe this reno really isn't so difficult and it's just me? My contractor keeps saying it's a big complicated project. Next time I do this, maybe I can be more chill.

you just made a list of the lowest end windows; american craftsman, viwinco, reliabilt!!!! they are typical building supply windows and not only look cheap, they are made cheap. ignore consumer reports. they only issue ratings on windows sold in hardware stores and building supply stores. the higher end, well designed vinyl offerings are made very well/ strong, extremely air tight, and they look nice. these high end windows arent sold in stores but are sold through select dealers which greatly increase the chance of a solid install.. some solid windows are - Okna Windows, Soft Lite, Sunrise, or Kensington. i would google search. example- sunrise window dealer MS .

I am sorry you are dealing with this at a very stressful time. I've had hard time following your exact concern and trying to assign "blame" between lack of a specification / incorrect windows delivered vs what was ordered based on the display / overall quality issue / screen issue / damaged kitchen window, etc. Re: screens - from a prior build - I found that my builder provided 3rd party screens that were crappy. It may be customary that, if not 100% specified, you'll get these no name screens. The were "okay", but they too were black mesh and not attractive (and thus stored in my basement for the past 20 years!) YOU may have a clear understanding of what you perceive the issues to be, but we do not. I believe that's why you have had such variable feedback. Until there's clarity there - you are never going to get resolution from the parties involved OR good advice here.

If you don't keep the windows true to the style of the house, it will always jar the sensibilities. It will look like a four year old who dressed herself in a baseball shirt and party sparkle ballerina skirt with fireman's boots.