re: Windows on a new build

Why is black more? Eh, supply and demand. Black has always had a little premium in the window world, but it's in demand these days and they know they can get a little more for it than they used to.

Something to consider with premium windows: They are next to impossible to replace if the seal ever fails or the glass is broken. Specifically talking about premium windows such as aluminum-clad and/or ones with simulated divided lites. If the glass ever breaks or the seal fails, it will require you to replace the entire sash. There's no way to replace the insulated glass without just totally destroying the sash or stick-on muntins. We turn down a dozen or so clad/sdl glass replacements a week.

Sometimes it's not a big deal to replace, but most of the time it's like pulling teeth from the window manufacturer. They don't like dealing directly with consumers and they don't like dealing with one-offs. They are set up to pump out volume for contractors, and one-offs just get in their way. I'd discuss this with your supplier before moving forward to understand how the replacement process would work for their lifetime warranty. I'd also manage to get the supplier's personal cell phone number and save it so you can bypass the runaround warranty process.

As far as lifetime warranties, I can't tell you how many "lifetime warranty" jobs I've replaced because the original company is non-responsive or non-existent. I am very familiar with insulating glass and make thousands of them, and there is not a unit I've ever come across that I would trust for a lifetime. The most legit warranties you'll find on seal failure are 15 years, and those are on high performance units not typically seen in the single-family residential market.

My opinion? Don't go cheap, but don't go higher than necessary. Energy performance between mid range to upper range products is not all that drastic, especially for southern locations.

I recently built. Went with Ellison Windows. Used black on the front and sides of the house and white on the rear to save a little. I found that all manufactures price the black higher, but not 50% higher. Also they are simply white that have been painted, not extruded with color. It is the new look on new houses these days and they really do look fantastic.

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If your plans specified black windows and your GC missed that it’s on him.

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I agree 100%. Your builder is pulling a classic bait and switch. Whether it was intentional or not is irrelevant. You have a binding contract with him to build according to the plans and he’s not holding up his end of the bargain. If he loses money on the deal that’s his fault. You should not have to come out of pocket for his mistake.

Yes, but I hope the paint is a special type that was tested for this.

If you were talking about a bunch of cheap $100 windows, I could see how an upgrade to another brand/model could run you $150 a piece.

But if you already have big picture windows spec'd for example, then there's no reason to have a bump from $1000 ea to $1500 ea etc. What I'm trying to say is that at the very bottom end of the range I can see how you could have a 50% bump, but no way it should be that across the board.