When we were getting ready to build here in Michigan 7 years ago I found a guy who sold/distributed a number of brands. He talked my ear off, but wouldn't recommend any brands (wanted me to draw my own conclusions). But as I recall some of the highlights:
1. Different vendors do different window types (casement, slider, double hung, awning, etc.) better than others.
2. Much of the hardware (casement cranks, latches, etc.) are produced by a very limited number of suppliers, so virtually all window vendors use the same 3 or 4 sets.
3. Anderson has nice finishes and did a good job with double hungs, but are glorified vinyl windows with interior wood trim.
4. Most aluminum windows are formed from pre-painted (thin) sheets. The paint has to be thinly applied to allow for the bending involved. Thin paint leads to oxidation in time that causes it to wash off with each rain (we’ve all seen that on older aluminum sided houses). Extruded aluminum uses thicker paint that is applied after it is formed.
Basically windows are poor insulators (typically R2 – R4) but the big energy losses come from infiltration (leakage). Hinged designs (casement, awning, and transom) seal better than double hung or slider styles. Also consider fixed units (less expensive and minimum leakage) where ventilation isn’t needed (particularly if you have/use central air or you have an abundance of windows).
I typically buy upper middle (hopefull high value) class in life (like a Toyota Camry) as I don’t seem to have good luck with cheap stuff and know that the top end stuff is overpriced.
We ended up with all Norco (Jel Win) casement/awning/fixed units (extruded aluminum with interior wood trim). I consider them a “poor man’s Pella window”. They don’t have the internal shade/blind option, the huge air space between panes, or options of the top of the line Pellas, but they seal great against wind/rain/sound, allowed for custom mutton bars, and were reasonably priced. But their fixed units do end up with exposed/slightly recessed screw heads to allow for future replacement (the painter should fill in wood putty before painting/staining).
Unfortunately we also bought 2 sets of Norco French doors. After 5 years one leaks below the hinge between the frame and door and they all leaked around the glass.