Just started looking at window options for a cottage we plan on building next year. It will be an about a 1500 sqft, plus sunroom(actually in the shade), ICF crawlspace and walls, with 6" concrete (11"total). I've looked at a couple of brands, all vinyl - Jeld-Wen (locally made in Winnipeg, Manitoba); Jeld-Wen made in the US, sold through Menards and All Weather Windows sold locally as well (Canada). I know there are far better (and much more expensive) windows out there, but I was looking for opinions on Jeld-Wen's 'builder grade' versus 'premium grade', sold through Menards.  Are the 'premium' a decent window? Any other brands I should be looking at in the similar price range.
Also, what do most people do with jamb extensions for ICF homes using vinyl windows - stain/paint wood or install vinyl jambs. Pricing for the factory ordered vinyl extensions seems steep (over $2500 upcharge for 13 windows). The rest of the windows, I've been looking at, (20 vertical sliders for sunroom and garage) are dual pane, lowE with argon and they don't offer 11" jamb extensions with dual pane.
I would appreciate any input.
Thanks, Greg

Have you tried a lumberyard for windows. I used to get some windows through Menards but found I was getting much more window for less at my lumberyard. I've never used Jeld Wen but their fit and finish looked good.

Posted By sleddermb on 24 Oct 2012 05:15 PM
 I was looking for opinions on Jeld-Wen's 'builder grade' versus 'premium grade', sold through Menards.  Are the 'premium' a decent window? Any other brands I should be looking at in the similar price range.

I made a thread regarding Jeld Wens "builder grade" windows, which are also sold through the big box stores like Home Depot and Lowe's.

Copy and paste this link in a new window:

http://www.greenbuildingtalk.com/Forums/tabid/53/aff/16/aft/80750/afv/topic/Default.aspx

DO NOT get the builder grade windows. I don't know about the premium windows.

I assume by lumberyard, your referring to Home Depot/Lowes?

I'm not sure if your being funny, so to be clear when i said lumberyard I'm referring to a store that generally services contractors and only carries supplies related to construction. No tp, no mattresses, no lawn mowers, but good prices on good windows.

No, not being funny. Most of the small lumber yards around here (Winnipeg, Manitoba) are gone like the dinosaurs, but I'll do some research in the rural areas. Thanks for the tip.

if you find a small yard and get a quote and its a bit high you can usually negotiate the price with them, make them an offer, offer to get additional material from them to sweeten the deal with them. I have found engineered trusses, floor systems, siding, windows and doors to be cheaper at a yard and lumber, sheathing and roofing to be cheapest at menards. Lumber from menards is actually equal or better quality than a lot of yards around here.

I buy my windows without the extension jambs. It's very easy to build your own, you only need a table saw and a cheap miter saw. The jambs can be attached two ways. The window has a receiver around the edge on the inside this accepts a track for either drywall or wood jambs. The other way is to use the Kreig tool and install the jambs with the screws on the back side.