Sunrise window full frame finless installation?

[ISU42]

Hello,
My wife and I are almost ready to sign a contract with a window installer, and I wanted to get a second opinion. The installer is highly rated and offers competitive pricing. After much research, we are going with Sunrise V4500 windows (previously the Verde line?) in hopes of maximizing budget and quality. Before is what the installer provided for one of the window estimates. I noticed in the frame section it says "finless," but as I understand it, you typically install full frame windows with a nailing fin.

I know the window contractor mentioned something about our vinyl siding being prone to breakage due to its age (installed in 1995), so I'm thinking he may not remove the siding, but I will verify this tomorrow. Should I be concerned with the finless installation, or is this acceptable for full frame replacement?

Lastly, I was also encouraged by a family member who installs windows to go with full frame rather than inserts, because he said they would last longer and are less prone to leaks. Is there any truth to his claims? We want these windows to last a very long time, as getting to this point has been a long, arduous process!

Thanks!

*** PRODUCT ***
Row 1 Sunrise - V-1775 Casement - Left / Fixed / Right - 3 Units - 96W x 66H
*** DIMENSIONS ***
Unit 1,3 18W x 66H
Unit 2 60W x 66H
*** FRAME ***
East, Vinyl, Frame Type - Finless, Foam Enhanced, Sill Adapter, Exterior Color
- White
*** GLASS ***
Glazing Type - Insulated, Dual, Order by Glass Package, Ultra U Plus, Glass
Tint - Clear, Low-E, Argon Gas, Glass Strength - DSB, 4SG
*** SCREEN ***
Unit 1,3 Screen - Extruded Full, Screen Mesh Type - Opti View, Screens
Packed Separately - NoUnit 2
*** HARDWARE ***
Unit 1,3 Hardware Color - StandardUnit 2
*** WRAPPING ***
Wrapping Group 1 Frame Trim - None, Interior Trim Kit - Picture Frame, Trim
Paint or Stain Color - White Painted, Casing Style - 3 1/2" Flat, Profiled Jamb -
No, Scribe Molding - No, Tile Shim Kit - No, Extension Jamb Depth - 5, Ship
Trim Kit Separately - Yes, Ship Trim Kit Unassembled - YesWrapping Group 0,0
*** MULLS ***
Vertical Factory Mull, 0" thick, 66" in length
Vertical Factory Mull, 0" thick, 66" in length
*** NFRC ***
NFRC 1,3 Series V-1775::Casement, U-Factor::0.26, SHGC::0.26, VT::0.49
NFRC 2 Series V-1775::SashSet, U-Factor::0.27, SHGC::0.3, VT::0.56
*** Performance ***
Performance 1,3 Series V-1775::Casement, Calculated Positive DP
Rating::45.11, Calculated Negative DP Rating::45.11, DP Rule ID::V-1775
CASE, Rating Type::DesignPressure, Performance Grade::LC-PG45, Water
Rating::6.90, FL ID::N/A, STC Rating::28, OITC Data::22
Performance 2 Series V-1775::SashSet, Calculated Positive DP Rating::60.15,
Calculated Negative DP Rating::60.15, DP Rule ID::V-1775 PW, Rating
Type::DesignPressure, Performance Grade::LC-PG50, Water Rating::7.52, FL
ID::N/A, STC Rating::26, OITC Data::21

[Ricknez]

Great window. It may actually be the sunrise vanguard.
His approach is 100% acceptable and by far the most common method. You should be fine.
A full frame tear out is good but that requires new interior and exterior trim and can be very costly.

[ISU42]

Great window. It may actually be the sunrise vanguard.
His approach is 100% acceptable and by far the most common method. You should be fine.
A full frame tear out is good but that requires new interior and exterior trim and can be very costly.

Thanks for your insight. I think the Vanguard is model V4550, so these are slightly below that model.

[HomeSealed]

I may be missing something in the post, but are you certain that you are getting a full frame install, or might this be a pocket replacement?

There are a variety of ways to install a window and what is best will depend on the circumstances of the home. How old is the home? What material are the old windows? What type of interior woodwork do you have? Do the old windows have any signs of leaking or rot?

A full frame replacement WITH nail fin will always be the most comprehensive (and costly), but in some cases it may not be the best bet for your home and priorities.

In summary: Nice window choice. As far as the install, there's is not nearly enough info given to advise any further than that with certainty IMO.

I'll say this:

Full frame with nail fin: Most comprehensive and costly. May require new interior trim work, exterior trim, siding R&R or cutback. In many cases the added cost does not have a great ROI.

Pocket Replacement: Great solution when circumstances dictate (which is often). By far the most common install.

Full frame without nail fin: This is a legitimate install and there are various ways to skin this cat, however in general I'm not a big fan. It typically offers the least protection and is often reliant on only caulk and foam for a seal.

[Ricknez]

great info above. As far as full frame without a nailing fin? Thats common when brick or stone is involved but there could be other reasons.

[TheWindowNerd]

The full frame with OUT fin also allows for the window to be set to the sheetrock plane with common jamb extensions.
This method requires meticulous work to provide leak free install. It should be the standard of care always, but there is a lot of subpar installers.

[ISU42]

For additional context:

Home with vinyl siding built in 1995. Siding is original.

Original windows are Windsor wood windows with aluminum exterior cladding. We have a large hail claim and are replacing many of them.

Windows are mostly pairs of casements, 1 large picture, 1 awning/transom combo, and pairs double hung in the front (only potentially replacing some double hung, depending on insert vs. full frame install).

All jambs appear to be in decent shape from what we can tell.

We are moving from stained wood window and colonial trim to white vinyl with white flat wood trim.

We are cost, quality and time conscious, so that's how we decided on Sunrise windows.

[TheWindowNerd]

Sounds like you have a good plan in place.
We do the finless full frame often, no issues, but we are super fussy.

[ISU42]

Sounds like you have a good plan in place.
We do the finless full frame often, no issues, but we are super fussy.

Thanks. Is there a certain finless installation technique I should verify they use to ensure a water tight install?

[TheWindowNerd]

closed cell polyurethane window and door foam carefully and fully applied
eval and retro fit drip caps as needed
NO reverse pitch on sill caps
perfect sealing with exterior grade caulk.