[quote=AN][quote=permabear]Custom vs tract home boils down to one thing: Windows
Tract homes use vinyl windows.
True custom homes use wood or metal.
Once you notice this, it’s hard to consider paying $1.3M for a mass-produced 2×4 box with vinyl windows. It’s like buying the jumbo size at Costco. XXL mediocrity.[/quote]
My tract home built in the early 80s had dual pane aluminum windows. How much more expensive are wood vs vinyl windows? Can’t possibly the that much. Maybe another $20k to cover the entire house? What’s $20k in a $1.3M house?[/quote]
I’m not sure what your point is… it sounds like we agree.
Builders cheaping out and using vinyl windows to pocket an extra $20k on a McMansion is lame.
Quality built, custom homes don’t use vinyl windows (as a generalization).
Aluminum has gone in and out of fad, it’s back for modern homes now, and I will probably end up using them. Steel windows have been high-end the whole time, though.
