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December 11, 2023

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    Are you shopping for new windows? You’ve undoubtedly looked at a wide range of manufacturers, which is why you are researching Milgard and Anderson.

    These two window manufacturers are frequently contrasted because both companies make high-quality products. They are well-known in the market for their high standards, excellent craftsmanship, and broad selection.

    Milgard and Andersen are great manufacturers to choose from when buying windows, whether for new construction or to replace an existing set. To help you evaluate which windows are better for you, let’s take a closer look at our detailed review of Milgard and Andersen’s.

    Highlights
    • Milgard approaches windows with an innovative method — every window it distributes is built from components it manufactures.
    • he company has numerous subsidiaries, including Renewal by Andersen, EMCO, Weiland, MQ, and Heritage brands.
    • While Anderson does have a more comprehensive product range, more colors and styles, and a shorter lead time, Milgard is easier on the budget and offers a better warranty.

    Milgard Windows

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    Maurice Milgard, Jr. and his son Gary launched Milgard Glass Company in 1958 from a small building in Tacoma, Washington. A couple of years later, Gary’s brother Jim joined the team, and the company expanded into the aluminium windows business.

    Milgard approaches windows with an innovative method — every window it distributes is built from components it manufactures. In order to ensure the highest quality windows, Milgard manufactures each component, from specially formulated, premium vinyl to glass that is tempered in a Milgard facility.

    • Options include wood, fiberglass, vinyl, and aluminum
    • Has a range of 7 regular window styles and 3 specialty styles
    • Known for excellent customer service

    Anderson Windows

    Best Quality Frames

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    Hans Andersen, a Danish immigrant, established Andersen as a lumber business in Hudson, Wisconsin, in 1903. However, he discovered a market niche in producing window frames.

    Andersen, which now has its headquarters in Bayport, Minnesota, produces complete vinyl and wood window systems as well as patio doors. The company has numerous subsidiaries, including Renewal by Andersen, EMCO, Weiland, MQ, and Heritage brands. Andersen is dedicated to sustainability.

    • Options include wood, fiberglass, vinyl, aluminum, fibrex, and combination clad
    • Has a range of 8 regular window styles and several specialty styles
    • Known for a wide range of color options

    Milgard vs Anderson: Frame Materials

    One of the more important aspects of a window is its construction, which affects its cost, durability, style, color, and installation fees.

    Andersen is the better brand when it comes to frame materials. Andersen employs a more extensive range of materials to make its windows. Wood, Fibrex (Andersen’s composite material), vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass, or a combo of two materials are used to make Andersen windows.

    For its windows, Milgard solely uses fiberglass, aluminum, vinyl, or wood.

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    Since Andersen is also a lumber firm and employs a wide range of woods in the manufacturing of their windows, it also offers more options than Milgard for wood frames as well.

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    Milgard vs Anderson: Styles

    Milgard offers fewer window options than Anderson, and it is sometimes referred to as a “builder grade” company. In contrast, Andersen has developed proprietary blends to increase window options as well as the durability of its products.

    • Tuscany Series: Made of vinyl; premium line; elegant design; SmartTouch® lock hardware; 9 colors and finishes
    • Trinsic Series: Made of vinyl; narrow profile; 9 colors and finishes
    • Ultra Series: Made of fiberglass; 4 colors
    • Aluminum Series: Made of aluminum; Light and thin design; contemporary style
    • Quiet Line Series: Made of vinyl; noise reduction; glazed glass
    • Style Line Series: Made of vinyl; budget-friendly; 2 standard colors and 7 premium colors; uses Positive Action lock
    • E-Series: Part of the Architectural Collection; made of wood and aluminum; comes in  50 standard colors and finishes
    • A-Series: Part of the Architectural Collection; made of composite, wood, and fiberglass; energy-efficient windows; can withstand hurricane-force winds; available with triple-pane and HeatLock®
    • 100 Series: Made of Fibrex® composite; environmentally-friendly; can withstand heat up to 150 degrees F
    • 200 Series: Made of wood and vinyl;  budget-friendly; streamlined designs; nearly maintenance-free
    • 400 Series: Made of vinyl and wood; many customization options
    • Heritage Windows: Made of aluminum; marketed for high-end homes and commercial businesses in the Southwest USA


    Milgard vs Anderson: Customization

    When buying new windows, you can select a few customizing choices from both brands. Depending on the type of material, the various product lines have a few options.

    The Milgard fiberglass windows series, which is regarded as high-end, has the most options at 16, but the company offers limited color options for its aluminum windows.

    Milgard is inferior to Andersen in this regard. Anderson’s aluminum windows — the E series and A series — have more than 50 color and finish options. Plus, the majority of their other window materials come in at least two color options. Anderson is much more flexible when it comes to grilles and finishes as well.

    Milgard vs Anderson: Colors

    The colors a manufacturer offers are an extremely important consideration since having your desired color will be a big factor in your home’s overall curb appeal.

    When it comes to color offerings, Anderson is the winner — hands down. Anderson offers 50 different colors and finish styles throughout its various lines of windows. The available color options depend on the type of material. The E-Series windows, which are aluminum-clad, have the highest number of options, while Anderson’s 200-Series has the least with just 2 color options. 

    Milgard, on the other hand, has far fewer color options. You’ll get 16 color and finish options in the Fiberglass Essence Series — the most available options. But the Aluminum Series has the least customization, with only 3 colors to choose from.


    Milgard vs Anderson: Lead Time

    Whether you are in need of replacement windows or completing a new build, knowing how quickly your product is available is a key factor. The lead time for windows generally depends on the manufacturing process as well as the widespread availability of distributors.

    Anderson eeks out a win here with an average lead time of 4-8 weeks. Milgard doesn’t lag too far behind, however. Its lead time is 4-10 weeks.


    Milgard vs Anderson: Durability

    When choosing windows, durability is a crucial issue that not everyone takes into account. It’s vital to keep in mind that windows do not last indefinitely — how durable they are will depend on the material used to make them.

    Windows must be able to endure the punishing exterior elements they are subjected to on a daily basis, including wind, sunlight, rain, humidity, and dirt, as well as harm from animals like birds or cats.

    Durable window products are produced by both Milgard and Andersen, particularly the lines composed of vinyl or fiberglass. These two materials are roughly equal between the two companies. However, Andersen’s windows made of Fibrex are less resilient than Milgard’s products.

    The biggest difference between the two companies is shown in their wood products. Anderson takes another win here since they clad the exterior side of the wooden frames with aluminum or fiberglass to boost resiliency.


    Milgard vs Anderson: Cost Comparison

    You might prefer Milgard over Andersen if you’re seeking a cheaper window solution. When you side-by-side examine the options, you will discover that Andersen windows cost just a little bit more than Milgard.

    Milgard windows typically range in price from $350 to $1,200 per window. In contrast, Andersen windows range in price from $500 at the low end to over $2,000 or more at the high end. Although, the wide range is primarily due to the fact that Anderson offers more options than Milgard.


    Milgard vs Anderson: Warranty Comparison

    Customer satisfaction is the one thing that Milgard and Andersen both prioritize! Both companies have excellent offerings, but Milgard wins the contest for best warranty.

    Most Milgard window series come with a lifetime warranty on parts and labor, with the Quiet Line series — which has a 10-year warranty — being the lone exception.

    Andersen only offers certain limited warranties. For the majority of its windows, you get a 20-year warranty on the glass, a 10-year warranty on the functioning parts, and no warranty on labor.

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    Milgard vs Anderson: Final Thoughts

    Truthfully, both Andersen and Milgard are excellent brands. They both produce a wide range of good quality windows, and they both offer many industry-leading features. So, choosing between the two may prove a difficult decision.

    There are a few more considerations that may help you decide, including each company’s customer service reputation. Both Milgard and Andersen seek to provide satisfaction, but reviewers believe Milgard to provide a slightly higher level of customer service.

    While Anderson does have a more comprehensive product range, more colors and styles, and a shorter lead time, Milgard is easier on the budget and offers a better warranty. Anderson is generally thought of as the “better” brand, but that isn’t to say that Milgard is not a solid option when it comes to windows for your home or business.

    Editorial Contributors
    avatar for Elisabeth Beauchamp

    Elisabeth Beauchamp

    Senior Staff Writer

    Elisabeth Beauchamp is a content producer for Today’s Homeowner’s Lawn and Windows categories. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in Journalism and Linguistics. When Elisabeth isn’t writing about flowers, foliage, and fertilizer, she’s researching landscaping trends and current events in the agricultural space. Elisabeth aims to educate and equip readers with the tools they need to create a home they love.

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    Lora Novak

    Senior Editor

    Lora Novak meticulously proofreads and edits all commercial content for Today’s Homeowner to guarantee that it contains the most up-to-date information. Lora brings over 12 years of writing, editing, and digital marketing expertise. She’s worked on thousands of articles related to heating, air conditioning, ventilation, roofing, plumbing, lawn/garden, pest control, insurance, and other general homeownership topics.

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