Simonton 6500 from HD and Simonton 5500

Is the Home Depot Simonton 6500 the same as the Simonton 5500? If not, what are the main differences? From the Simonton website the performance sheets indicate a higher U for the 6500. I want to ensure I'm comparing apples to apples.

I live in the East TN area and need to replace nine windows. Got a quote from Home Depot for the 6500 @ $5,700. Quote from a local contractor for the 5500 @ $4800 and the 5300 @$4,500.

The local contractor also recommended Alside and gave a quote for the Excalibur at $3800. Do the prices seem reasonable? What do you recommend and why? Thanks!

Effectively...yes.

Of those 3 choices, I would definitely go with the local Simonton option from the local contractor if everything else checks out (i.e. work samples, vetting of the contractor, etc).

thanks.............is the super spacer recommended over the intercept that as the Al rail

Those prices seem pretty reasonable for the products offered.

The superspacer is superior to the intercept, due to it being a foam spacer, therefore being less of a conductor than the steel found in the intercept.

I was thinking window world had exclusivity on the excalibur in most areas, it's Alsides entry level window, where I would consider the Simonton a good mid grade product.

Did you look at any high grade windows, triple pane, Krypton, etc?

Intercept is not steel, it's a tin plated alloy. Most pro's aren't even aware of this.