The first estimate for Sunrise came in at $26.8k on 4 picture, 18 casement, 1 bay for pocket installs. Our second estimate which was for infinity ultrex fg - with 4 of the casements switched to double hungs and 2 of the picture (with flanking casements) switched to sliders came in at $25.8k on 2 pictures, 10 casement, 2 sliders, 2 double hungs for full frame install. Both quotes were for color on the outside (non-white) with a fake wood interior. I'm going to ask the Sunrise person for a quote with the adjusted window styles and for a full frame version as well as ask him about if they have experienced problems with the extra tall casements (80") - according to this other thread they do have ones that tall on their price sheet. The tall casements were switched to double hungs in the infinity quote. Are there other questions / concerns that I should be raising with these people? At this price point I'd rather over do it than under do it. Here is a link that might be useful: Thread about tall (80

vic, if you are unable to locate one of the brands that are universally well regarded by pros, my best recommendation would be to take a close look at performance ratings. You can look at window performance the same way you look at mileage and horsepower when buying a car. U factor and air leakage are two big ones... There is a little complexity when it comes SHGC and others as the optimum numbers can vary based on climate, but the these ratings are a great guide either way.

The glass package that you have in your current windows is called heat-mirror. As you described there is a plastic film suspended between two lites of glass and that film has failed. I am somewhat surprised that anyone would suggest glass replacement in a sash that was originally configured for heat mirror, especially considering the age of those windows. I would suggest that in the long run the glass replacement option may end up costing you more than the window replacement option, but before you make your final decision make sure that you have several bids to consider.

Buy right...or buy twice. Pithy little saying that is mostly annoying...but even more so when you are replacing those "budget" replacement windows. Soft-Lite, Sunrise, Okna, and Polaris are all well regarded replacement windows in the vinyl sphere.