Updating this thread for others considering aluminum frames: We did install the Milgard aluminum windows. They are really neat looking! My one regret is that there are a few windows where the old had a fixed pane and a casement. I ordered double casements instead, and probably should have stayed with the original layout. This because the double casements have a lot more 'frame' showing than we originally had. A few other things: 1.) We had some problems making casements work in some bedroom locations - due to emergency egress requirements. Basically a Milgard casement must be 30" wide for egress. Narrower and it won't meet code - even though the hinges are on the jamb. Wider and it becomes too heavy to work right. So we had to use sliders instead. 2.) Energy-wise, Milgard offers 'thermally broken' aluminum frames, but, strangely, not in California. I did order our windows with Milgards "Suncoat Max" upgrade though. It is interesting to place ones hand on the frame and then place it on the glass. Big difference in temperature. However, combined with other things in the construction (e.g., IB Systems membrane roof, and Techshield radiant barrier decking), the house is staying suprisingly cool during the current heat wave. (Got up to 100° yesterday.) And the insulation and drywall have yet to be installed! So in our case the aluminum frames don't seem to be a big problem. But if one were to insist on thermally broken aluminum, then Fleetwood seems to be a better way to go. (FWIW, I gave the local Milgard area rep a hard time about not being able to order thermally broken in California. Seems silly that you can order them in other states, but not here.) 3.) Milgard delivery was *fast*. Like less than two weeks from order to delivery. 4.) A nit: Our frames are dark bronze color, almost black. For some reason the screws mounting the casement lock handles are bright colored. Yet other screws, such as the ones holding the screens, are black. I need to call Milgard to see if they can provide some black screws to make the bright ones 'disappear'. 5.) For the master bath, I ordered reeded obscure glass, on the thought that it kinda carried the theme of the reeded obscure glass in the sidelight of my front door. (Of course a workman accidently broke the original 1950s sidelight a couple weeks ago, so now I get to match the sidelight with the master bath instead...)

consider your floor plan, and where you want the opening(s) to be located. if you are veering around a central grouping of furniture, having an option to go right or left is good. if the furniture is more to either side, the center door works. i like 3 sets of french doors, they are far easier to open and close than giant sliding panels. but that swing has to be arranged around.

hi All, Thank you for your questions/comments. I should have expanded more into why I have commented on the SHGC, and the context. Most people do not pay attention to SHGC therefore my point was bring it to your attention so you can research and select the correct SHGC/U-Value that works for your home and climate. In Canada, the earlier conventional wisdom (which some still hold today, but awareness is starting to shift) is that using high solar gain windows allows "free heat" into the homes particularly during the cold months. This may be valid in some homes in some areas, but it should not be blanketed across all homes in cold climates. As our building codes continue to increase in overall energy efficiency and more high performance homes are being built, these builders and the industry as a whole have found heating loads are dropping to very low numbers (20,000-30,000 btus is very common in single family homes (in some areas). In multi's like town homes the numbers can be even lower). With heating loads that low, the home doesn't need the added "free heat" from the high solar windows in the winter. In fact for some time it was difficult to get forced air systems small enough to avoid oversized units and therefore short cycling of the units. We are finding the free heat becomes a detriment in the summer cooling seasons in many areas. With the low load homes, it is becoming common for cooling demands to exceed the heating demands and therefore forced air duct systems that were historically designed for heating loads are now being designed to cooling loads in many cases!! Although the high solar gain windows are adding free heat in the winter which is a marginal benefit, they are actually overheating some homes in the summer, resulting in more demand on cooling units or even having to install larger systems. Every home is different, with unique orientation, window/wall ratios, insulating types and values, size, geographic location, age, etc. Therefore this is why I recommended seeking out professionals in your area to work through what are the best windows for your home to achieve the overall best comfort for you, and to avoid the pitfall of affecting the operation of your mechanical system. Point is, pay attention to the SHGC and the U-Factor because they both make a difference. When you are spending that kind of money on windows, you want to be sure you are comfortable in your home. Again, thank you for feedback. It allowed for the opportunity to expand with more context. And, Happy Fathers Day to all of the dads out there!

If you have the budget for your "dreams", go for it. If not, Stay with the Tuscany theme. You can mix a stacking door in but not sure a black door would work with your other white Tuscany doors.