Milgard Windows and Doors stands out for its low pricing and choice of vinyl, fiberglass or aluminum windows. Also, Milgard’s customer reviews are mostly favorable despite a low rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Its main drawbacks are that it doesn’t offer a few popular window styles and is not a full-service company like other top window brands. Milgard is not an installer, so you’ll have to hire a third-party contractor for window installation, which might be a hassle.
We examined Milgard’s product selection, energy-efficiency features, warranty coverage, customer reviews, cost and more to see how it compares to other top window brands.
Our thoughts on Milgard
We scored Milgard using our methodology, which considers the number of window styles, frame materials and energy-saving features a brand offers, as well as warranty details, industry certifications and customer service. Milgard earned 3.7 out of 5 stars.
The brand wins points with us for its customer satisfaction, product selection, pricing and Energy Star partnership. Milgard’s biggest downside is that it’s not a full-service window brand. We’re also uncertain about its low BBB score.
What we like
Milgard has hundreds of overwhelmingly positive customer reviews online, which speak highly of the company’s quality and service. The company also gains credibility through its Energy Star partnership and certification by the Fenestration & Glazing Industry Alliance, a respected third-party performance tester in the windows industry.
We also like that the brand offers three window frame material options, unlike some competitors that only manufacture vinyl windows. Plus, according to our October 2023 survey data, its pricing is the lowest among industry leaders.
Another standout is that the company sells windows and a range of patio doors, making Milgrad a go-to if you want to upgrade both.
What we don’t like
Milgard’s poor BBB rating makes us wonder why the company isn’t meeting BBB accreditation standards despite strong customer ratings. Out of the customer complaints the company does have on the BBB, it only responds to around half, which isn’t the level of customer service we like to see.
The biggest downside to Milgard is that it only manufactures and sells windows; it doesn’t install them. That means you’ll need to vet and hire a contractor for installation and get a separate warranty for labor. Another drawback here is that Milgard doesn’t offer a dealer network to help you find a trusted installer as most competitors do in lieu of providing installation.
Compare top window brands
Milgard rises in the rankings for its energy-efficiency features and frame options but loses points for its BBB score and limited window styles.
Customer thoughts
Milgard’s D rating on the BBB is confusing because its customer reviews on the site are some of the strongest we’ve seen. More than 669 customers scored the company, giving it an average of 4.56 out of 5 stars, and its Home Depot reviews are equally impressive, with a 4.7 out of 5-star rating out of more than 1,850 reviews.
Positive reviews consistently cite fast and friendly customer service, high window quality and great warranty experiences.
Mark H. wrote on the BBB: “Milgard has the most exceptional customer service of any company I have experienced anywhere worldwide. Milgard’s lifetime guarantee is real and they stand behind it. Unlike most companies that create a thousand obstacles and require minute levels of historical records in order to exercise a lifetime guarantee – and even if you comply they often do not follow through – Milgard actually intentionally makes it easy to make good on their lifetime guarantee. Everything went smoothly and the windows with broken seals were replaced without argument or hassle.”
Negative reviews don’t point to any particular theme. Issues are mostly isolated events, such as the one Harry left on Trustpilot, which notes discrepancies between the products ordered and what arrived and long wait times to resolve issues.
What windows does Milgard sell?
Milgard sells seven window styles, four vinyl window lines, one aluminum line and one fiberglass line.
Window lines
You can choose from the following window lines:
- V250 Style Line series: This is Milgard’s most affordable vinyl window series known for clean lines and slim framing.
- V300 Trinsic series: This series features a more contemporary design with a large glass area and narrow frame, allowing for more light and a better view.
- V400 Tuscany series: The Milgard Tuscany vinyl series is for new construction and window replacement projects.
- V450 Homemaker series: The V450 series includes high-performance materials for enhanced energy efficiency.
- A250 Thermally Improved Aluminum series: The A250 series windows have aluminum framing and narrow sightlines.They’re also energy-efficient and durable.
- C650 Ultra series: Milgard’s fiberglass windows are exceptionally strong and low-maintenance. They’re ideal for a variety of design aesthetics and climates.
Window styles
You have the option of these popular styles:
- Awning windows
- Casement windows
- Double-hung windows
- Horizontal slider windows
- Picture windows
- Single-hung windows
- Specialty shape windows
What materials does Milgard use?
Unlike some window companies, you have more material choices when choosing Milgard windows.
Window frames
Many of the industry’s top window brands only offer vinyl window options, but Milgard offers vinyl, aluminum and fiberglass. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Vinyl framing is budget-friendly, long-lasting, low maintenance and quick to install. It’s a popular building material because it’s both durable and flexible and is highly energy-efficient. However, it’s not as easy to customize as other materials.
Aluminum framing is also affordable, low maintenance, lightweight and corrosion-resistant. It won’t swell or warp and comes in unique shapes and sizes. Drawbacks are that it’s prone to condensation and has poor thermal performance, so it’s not as energy efficient as other options.
Fiberglass is a high-quality window material, but it has the price to match. Although expensive, fiberglass windows are long-lasting, energy-efficient, low maintenance and customizable. They’re also a more eco-friendly option and resist moisture and corrosion.
Window panels
Milgard sells double-pane and triple-pane windows. Panes refer to the layers of glass in a window. The more layers, the more insulative the window. If your budget allows, we recommend getting triple-pane windows to help regulate your home’s temperature and lower electricity bills. Triple-pane windows are great for colder climates with harsh winters.
Energy efficiency
The Efficient Windows Collaborative reports that replacing inefficient windows with energy-efficient windows lowers heating costs by at least 15% and cooling costs by 11%–37%. We’re happy to see that many of Milgard’s windows made Energy Star’s Most Efficient list for 2024.
The company’s Energy Star certification tells you its products have undergone rigorous third-party testing to ensure high performance per climate. Some of Milgard’s energy-saving features include the following:
- Low-emissivity glass coatings that improve thermal performance
- Nontoxic argon gas insulation between window panes for extra insulation
- Window spacers for improved efficiency and a longer product life span
How much do Milgard’s windows cost?
We surveyed 1,500 window customers in October 2023 and learned that those who bought Milgard windows spent between $5,255 and $8,000 on their window replacement project. This price varies by the project size. Customers who purchased one to five windows spent closer to $5,000, while those who bought 11 or more windows spent an average of $8,000.
According to Milgard’s site, its aluminum and vinyl lines with lower series numbers are the most affordable, whereas its fiberglass and vinyl options with higher series numbers are the most expensive.
The best way to discover how much your windows will cost is to get a quote. You can easily do this on Milgard’s site or over the phone.
Does Milgard offer financing options?
Milgard’s Consumer Advantage Program is available through select Milgard-certified dealers and offers qualified buyers financing with 0% interest, equal monthly payments and same-as-cash payment options. If this financing option doesn’t work for you, you can talk with your bank about a personal loan, home equity loan or Federal Housing Administration Rehab loan.
You can also help finance your window project by getting a window tax credit. Energy Star-certified windows qualify for a tax credit that allows you to claim 30% of the product cost up to $600. Energy Star products often qualify for rebates and special offers as well.
What is the installation process with Milgard?
Since Milgard doesn’t have its own in-house installation team, your installation experience will vary depending on the installer you choose. The typical window installation process, however, follows these steps:
- After you’ve ordered your windows, your installer will schedule your installation date.
- On the installation date, a team will arrive and put down drop cloths to protect your floors and furniture.
- The installers will remove your old windows and check the window openings and walls for damage. They should repair any damage before installing the new windows.
- The team will install the new windows, seal and clean them.
- The quality manager will ensure that the windows are installed and working correctly.
- Before leaving, the installers will clean the project area and discard the old windows.
What are Milgard’s warranty options?
Though we don’t see a reason why, Milgard varies its warranty coverage by window series. You get a full lifetime warranty for the V300 and V400 series. This warranty covers truly everything for the lifetime of the product.
A limited lifetime warranty backs all other series. The most notable differences in policy terms is that painted and fiberglass frames have 10-year coverage and stainless steel hardware is covered for one year against corrosion.
Final take: You’ll be happy with Milgard’s quality and service, but you’ll have to hire an installer
Milgard offers a good mix of replacement windows, and we read hundreds of reviews from homeowners praising the brand’s construction quality and customer service. We’re still unsure about the company’s low BBB rating, but customer feedback is mostly positive and balances this out for us.
The main factor that might make you not want to choose Milgard is that you have to find an installer separately. If you’d rather have a manufacturer and installer in one, we recommend Renewal by Andersen or Castle.
You can start on a home improvement project with Milgard by requesting a quote. We suggest getting quotes from a few companies to compare pricing before making a decision.
Our rating methodology for window companies
We research, review and rate window brands to help ensure you pick a window brand that meets your needs and fits your budget the next time you need to install new windows. Our research includes interviewing experts in the window industry, collecting data through proprietary surveys, reading hundreds of customer reviews on third-party websites and reviewing each brand’s website to gather as much information as possible about its services, products and warranties.
We assess each window brand in four key areas:
- Window options and installation services
- Brand reputation and reviews
- Energy-efficiency features
- Warranties
Read our full window methodology for more details and information on how we arrived at our conclusion of the best window brands.
BBB and Home Depot ratings are accurate as of March 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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