I’m going to be replacing 25 windows in a 200 year old brick house, soon to be my home. I believe it’s single wythe brick with a wood framed interior. I, unfortunately, am in a different state at the moment, so it’s hard to get good photos. Bear with me. 

Window salesmen, who know that I’m installing into brick, keep asking me if I want new-construction or insert windows. It’s possible I lack imagination, but I can’t see how a new-construction window would be used in a brick exterior renovation. Am I missing something?

I we don’t go with inserts, and we strip down to the rough opening, how do I ensure proper air sealing and water management with the brick? What specs/features should I be requesting from the window vendors to make the job work?

Thanks!