<strong>UPDATE #2:<br /> Windows, sliding doors and front door are finally finished. The installers did a fantastic job. The windows we ordered were not the ones we received. We ordered the SoftLite Pro window and received the Imperial LS. The LS is a better made window as it's one of the upper tier SoftLite windows but with the standard glass package ends up with a slightly higher u factor (0.28 vs 0.27 for the Pro). Plus, the opening is a little smaller as the Pro has a thinner sash. But it really isn't enough of a difference to gripe as the windows look terrific. SoftLite offered us a credit for the rebates so we could purchase a new AC unit that would fit the narrower sash, which was a solid gesture on their part. <br /> <br /> The sliders we ordered were not even offered by SoftLite. So we ended up with a triple pane 0.26 u factor slider for the cost of a double pane 0.27 u factor (which is not made, it's actually a 0.28 u factor double pane slider). The sliders are seriously heavy. I'd recommend anyone considering sliders to get the triple pane slider since it's all glass, there's a lot of heat transfer - better to have the extra protection here. <br /> <br /> The ThermaTru door had a couple cosmetic dings from the manufacturer - extra caulk, a slightly cracked frame. Again, easy enough to just fix those issue than to get bent out of shape about it. <br /> <br /> All in all, it wasn't the smoothest job and there were real communication issues. The owner had other issues he was dealing with so I can understand it to some extent. Still, as a business, communication is key. The installers were great - really courteous, really professional. They worked right through for two and half days to get the windows and front door done. Then came back for another full day to do the sliders. <br /> <br /> Most contracting jobs will have problems - this one had more than it's fair share. But the key is to acknowledge the problems and make them right. They did that. And in the end, the product - the whole reason for the job in the first place - turned out beautifully. <br /> <br /> <br /> UPDATE #1:<br /> Received a call from the owner on Monday, 27 July. He acknowledge problems and is trying to make things right. There were very real issues with communications, scheduling, and ordering as the sliding doors we ordered were only just submitted on Monday 27, July, even though we ordered them back in early June. The 4-5 week project we were quoted will end up being an 8-10 week project and the window and front door portion will be installed (I hope) the first week of August. I will continue to update as the project progresses. I'm hopeful the worst is over.</strong> <br /> <br /> After calling several times to find out the status of our install, since we were a few weeks past the original time quote and I still hadn't been contacted, the run around started on 17 July. Apparently the windows were manufactured and were shipped to the contractor but there were no sliders. In fact, no one seems to know where the sliders are or if they were ever ordered (I say apparently because I have no way of knowing or verifying this) . Still, the windows were in so we were told we would be able to at least get that portion of the job done and when the doors were available, they would come back to do those. The first date we were told they would be installed was Monday, 20 July. The owner, Steve, called and asked me to call him to confirm the Monday install. That call was on Friday the 17th and I returned his call on Saturday AM and left a message saying that Monday would be fine. Monday AM I still hadn't received confirmation about the install so I called Monday AM. The installer was doing another job and he wouldn't get to me until the following week (27 July). On that call, I was also told that Steve would get to the bottom of the mystery of the disappearing slider doors. I have called 3 times since Monday the 20th to get an update about either the window install or the sliders. It is now Monday, 27 July and I still have no idea if my windows will be installed or if the sliders we ordered and paid for were ever actually ordered.