Anlin Vs Milgard

Milgard Windows is a brand of replacement windows that are familiar to many Southern California homeowners. The company has been around for more than a half-century and had more than $500 million in sales in 2016. Their patio doors and windows are in many neighborhoods across America. Builder Magazine named Milgard Windows the “Brand Most Used” by Western U.S. builders in 2017. They have about 3,800 dealer locations nationwide, and their products come with a Full Lifetime Warranty.

So, do all of the stats listed above mean that Milgard Windows replacement windows are the best choice for Southern California homeowners looking to replace their windows with new, more energy-efficient windows and doors? Not necessarily; let’s take a more in-depth look at how Anlin matches up with Milgard.

Anlin Windows & Doors was founded in California in 1990 and manufactures high-quality vinyl windows and doors. The family-owned and operated company is an industry leader in manufacturing energy-efficient windows. Their replacement windows and doors are best suited for homes in moderate to hot climates, making them ideal for California residents. They use cutting-edge energy-saving technology with outstanding noise reduction and insulation. They stand out from their competition with exceptional U-Factor, SHGC ratings, and the industry’s best glazing system. Anlin continues to design new products while improving existing lines to meet the high expectations of their customers.

Availability

The window’s availability may be the most important factor. It doesn’t matter how the two companies pair up if you live in a state where they aren’t available. Before you spend time going through this article, let’s make sure they have dealer locations in your area. They both primarily focus on the west coast; here are the exact states they’re available:

Anlin Windows & Doors:

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Montana
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Wyoming

Milgard Windows & Doors:

  • Arizona
  • Calgary (Canada)
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Texas
  • Oregon
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Vancouver (Canada)

Overall Quality

When we look at overall window quality in terms of the energy performance of glazing, spacers, and frames, Anlin and Milgard have both received professional-quality certifications. The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) have approved their products. Both are Gold Label certified from the AAMA (the highest certification level), which tests for air leakage, water penetration, thermal performance, structural resistance, and forced entry resistance. You can find more details about the certifications for specific models on NFRC’s Directory Search.

One disadvantage that Milgard has in this category is that many of their windows are entry-level or “builder grade” windows. These entry-level windows are more prone to problems like glass fogging and sealant failure. Because these issues can lower the window’s quality, Milgard sometimes gets negative reviews.

Both companies produce excellent products, with some of the highest quality certifications. Milgard is the more well-known product, but Anlin has a better reputation for its product quality and customer service. Both manufacturers offer excellent products, but when it comes to overall quality, Anlin has a an advantage.

Warranty

With any replacement window manufacturer, there will always be an occasional product that slips through quality control. In this case, what’s important is that the manufacturer stands behind their products and honors their warranty.

Anlin’s True Double Lifetime Warranty:

  • Starting on January 1, 2017, your Anlin Window & Door products are covered as long as you live in the home.
  • Parts, labor, and even shipping to make covered repairs will be free of charge.
  • If you transfer your True Double Lifetime Warranty to a subsequent homeowner, the same coverage applies to the new homeowner as long as he or she lives in the home.
  • The Anlin True Double Lifetime Warranty applies to windows and patio doors under the Del Mar, Catalina, Panoramic, Coronado, and Malibu Series.
  • Anlin’s coverage replaces accidental glass breakage on most glass.

Milgard Full Lifetime Warranty:

  • Milgard Windows will replace or repair any defect in materials or workmanship and pay all parts and labor costs for as long as the purchaser owns his home.
  • The warranty applies to residential products installed after 1/1/2012 in the U.S. and after 1/1/2011 in Canada. Some exclusions may apply.
  • Coverage extends 10 years from the original warranty’s install date to the successive owners, free of charge. Moving Glass Wall Systems have a ten (10) year limited warranty.
  • The Milgard Full Lifetime Warranty applies to windows and patio doors under the Tuscany, Trinsic, Montecito, Style Line, Ultra, Essence, and Aluminum Series.
  • Glass Breakage Coverage only applies to the Tuscany, Essence, and Ultra Series.

Anlin takes the victory in this category with their double lifetime warranty. It’s the best warranty in the industry, and Anlin is known for its excellent customer service. As a smaller regional company (only selling replacement windows in the Western United States), they are much more responsive to warranty issues.

Energy-Efficiency

Both Milgard and Anlin windows are Energy Star Partners, with both companies designing their windows with the best energy-saving technology for optimum performance.

When it comes to energy-efficient windows, Anlin is an industry leader. Their windows have exceptional Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and U-Factor ratings. The Next Generation Glazing System, paired with their high-performance glass and multi-chambered spacer, delivers unbeatable energy-efficiency. Anlin’s technology keeps your windows insulated and improved their condensation resistance. The vinyl frames with inner chambers help reduce the flow of hot and cold air through the window. Anlin windows come with a triple-fin weatherstrip and four plush filler areas to provide a tight seal preventing air from infiltrating your home.

For energy-efficiency, Milgard windows meet the local codes and green building certification energy-efficiency standards. Their windows adhere to the Energy Star requirements that meet or exceed SHGC and U-Factor criteria for the areas they serve. Their EdgeGard window spacers help insulate and reduce condensation in the windows.

For energy-efficiency, Anlin and Milgard are close rivals. They both come standard with Low-E dual pane windows filled with argon gas. If you want to further enhance your windows’ energy efficiency and safety, both manufacturers offer additional upgrades. While they are close competitors in this category, Anlin comes out on top with lower SGHC and U-Factor ratings.

Available Options

When getting new windows, you most likely want to keep the same window shape while finding an updated design. Both Anlin and Milgard offers a wide range of styles and designs to fit your needs. While their window styles are similar, they vary slightly, so we listed each product line with a short description below.

Anlin has four main different product lines, which provide homeowners with a variety of functions and styles.

  • Del Mar: Anlin’s Del Mar series are premium windows engineered for maximum beauty. They’re loaded with feature upgrades for added durability and the highest energy-efficiency. Available in single-slider, single-hung, picture, and geometric window styles
  • Catalina: These windows are designed to provide incredible durability, energy-efficiency, and ease of operation. The Catalina is Anlin’s original design and remains their most popular window choice. Available in single-slider, single-hung, picture, and geometric window styles
  • Panoramic: The Panoramic windows use a slim profile frame to allow more light into your home while offering a grander viewing area. They provide a contemporary look with maximum energy-saving performance. Available in single-slider, single-hung, picture, and geometric window styles
  • Coronado: The Coronado window series are incredible companion products to match the other Anlin window series. They have a wide variety of operating styles for both improved aesthetics and superior fresh-air ventilation. Available in double-slider, double-hung, casement, awning, bay, bow, and garden window styles

Milgard has a couple more product lines than Anlin and offers a broader range of materials. Along with vinyl, they also provide aluminum and fiberglass window frames.

  • Tuscany: The Tuscany Series is Milgard’s vinyl windows that come with premium features and traditional styles. Available in single-hung, double-hung, horizontal slider, double horizontal slider, casement, awning, picture, radius, bay, and bow window styles
  • Trinsic: These vinyl windows offer an expansive glass area with a narrow frame. Their unique low-profile frames are so thin they practically disappear from view. Available in single-hung, horizontal slider, double horizontal slider, casement, awning, picture, and radius window styles
  • Style Line: These affordable vinyl window frames come with slim styles and clean lines. Their slim frames allow for more natural light to fill the home. Available in single-hung, horizontal slider, casement, awning, picture, and radius window styles
  • Ultra: The Ultra Series includes contemporary fiberglass window frames that provide long-lasting durability. Available in single-hung, horizontal slider, casement, awning, picture, radius, bay, and bow window styles
  • Standard Aluminum: Milgard’s aluminum windows combine durability, strength, and design freedom. They are available for new construction and replacement windows. Available in single-hung, horizontal slider, casement, awning, picture, radius, and bay window styles
  • Quiet Line: These noise reduction windows come with three glass layers to help achieve excellent sound control. Available in double-hung, horizontal slider, casement, awning, and picture window styles

Both Anlin and Milgard windows offer a similar choice of window styles. When it comes to durable vinyl windows, Anlin carries a more extensive selection and is typically considered the industry leader for this category. If you want to try different window materials, Milgard has the advantage with more options like fiberglass and aluminum.

Conclusion

There are many replacement windows on the market, and it can be challenging to determine which company is best for you. While Milgard has been around longer and is more well known, we can’t deny that Anlin is the victor between the two. They have the industry’s leading warranty with some of the best energy-efficient technology in the industry. We’ve believed in Anlin so much that we even became one of their certified partners (which was no easy feat). We hope this article comparing Anlin vs. Milgard window systems helps, and if you have any questions, one of our friendly and knowledgeable project consultants will be happy to help! Feel free to call (951) 682-0208 or set up your free in-home consultation on our website.