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Marcie, a couple of us have posted questions about windows and doors in SoCal. Do not know how much time you have put in yet. Let me warn you, I have been trying to decide for over two years. The Pros here are very helpful. You can probably find my posts. Unfortunately, CA codes are strict. I have looked at all the brand you listed and more. Please make sure your house can pass Title 24 with aluminum windows such as Fleetwood. In my case, Integrity was not significantly less than Ultimate because I was told some window sizes could not be done with Integrity and I got a mix of Integrity and Ultimate windows in my quote.

I really don't like the way vinyl windows feel when you slide them up and down, and I hate the look of the big plastic tracks they run in (talking double hungs here), at least the ones I've seen. The hardware used tends to be very cheesy pot metal or plastic that breaks if you look at it wrong. I'm unconvinced that they will have any longevity. I did install vinyl casements in my son's house-- given the quality of the rest of the house I wasn't sure it had another 100 years in it, and he simply didn't have the money for something better. So I guess I'm not in the "never" category. Energy performance can be quite good when they are new. I don't know how that holds up with time. I know that wooden windows will last 2-300 years here in New England if they are maintained, I'd be shocked if vinyl did the same. I don't imagine I'll be around long enough to find out. $1K/window installed and painted seems pretty reasonable in my experience for a good quality window. I think the ones we installed (Marvin Infinity) ended up perhaps twice that-- but those are Boston prices. There's a lot of detail work in correctly flashing them. It can be a lot more for stained hardwood interiors, for reasons that are inexplicable based on the differential cost of the materials involved.

I don't see why not. I understand that the builder should be certified to work with Hardie. Maybe you can check into that.