Milgard vs. Andersen vs. Marvin Windows
Author: Bill Hoelzer / Published: August 2021 / Read Time: Five Minutes
This article compares the costs and features of three leading window brands - Milgard, Andersen, and Marvin.
Since 2007, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners in Portland and Bend, Oregon choose the right windows for their homes. When choosing windows, it’s important to do your research.
We’ll define common window terms that are bound to come up in your research. What’s a U-factor anyway? You’ll also get an overview of the costs, styles, warranties, and more for windows made by Milgard, Andersen, and Marvin.
Here’s a sketch of how Milgard, Andersen, and Marvin windows stack up. The winning brand in each category gets a check (multiple checks mean a tie). You’ll find more about each category in the sections below.
Milgard vs. andersen windows
If you’d like to schedule an appointment for windows in your home, please give us a call at 541.330.8767, or self-schedule an appointment in either Portland or Central Oregon. Every project proposal includes an overview of costs and available cash incentives.
Introduction to Milgard Windows
Milgard Trinsic Series Windows and Doors
Founded in the Pacific Northwest, Milgard has been making quality windows for more than fifty years. They still manufacture windows just outside Portland, Oregon.
Milgard is best known for their vinyl and fiberglass windows and doors. They stand out as a vertically-integrated company, meaning that they produce almost all of component parts that go into their windows - from insulated glass units to vinyl compounds and fiberglass frames. This allows them to keep costs down while offering a lifetime guarantee for their windows.
Introduction to Andersen Windows
Andersen Windows - E Series
More people search for Andersen windows than almost any other brand.
Headquartered in Bayport, Minnesota, Andersen offers a huge range of options and styles. For example, you can choose from 50 different exterior colors and nine interior wood finishes with their E-Series windows.
Andersen Windows vs. Renewal by Andersen - It’s important to distinguish between Andersen windows, which can be purchased from Home Depot or a certified dealer and Renewal by Andersen, a full service installation service offered by Andersen.
Andersen makes quality windows, but we want to offer a word of caution about Renewal by Andersen: They’re famous (some would say infamous) for high pressure sales. It’s worth reading reviews to learn more about what it’s like to work with Renewal by Andersen.
Introduction to Marvin Windows
Marvin Signature Ultimate Windows
Also founded in Minnesota, Marvin Windows started as a family owned and operated cedar and lumber company. To this day, they still make the best wood windows and wood-clad fiberglass windows on the market. Learn more about Marvin and what sets them apart.
Costs: Milgard vs. Andersen vs. Marvin
Milgard offers the most affordable options for replacing windows. Windows from Milgard cost between $350 and $1,200+ per window on average, while Anderson and Marvin windows start at around $500 and range up to $1,200+ per window.
You may have noticed - these are big ranges.
It’s tough to sum up window costs because they vary hugely depending on things like:
Material (e.g. vinyl or fiberglass)
Style (eg. double-hung or single-hung)
Location in the house
Window size
Energy efficiency rating
That said, here are a couple pricing trends that hold up:
Materials: Aluminum windows tend to be the least expensive, while wood and materials that give the appearance of wood cost much more.
Styles: Double-hung windows cost more than single-hung windows, and both picture and casement windows cost more than double-hung windows.
Location: It’s more expensive to install windows upstairs compared to the ground floor because of the added time and labor required.
Styles: Milgard vs. Andersen vs. Marvin
You’ll find the widest selection of window styles from Andersen. For example, Andersen allows you to choose from up to 50 different exterior colors for select windows, compared to a maximum of only seven colors from Milgard.
For an overview of colors and styles, check out these comparison charts for each brand:
When you look at the style comparisons, you’ll see different materials listed for the window frames:
Vinyl: An affordable option with low maintenance and few color choices.
Fiberglass: More expensive than vinyl but more efficient and durable.
Wood: Expensive but elegant. Wood requires upkeep to prevent warping, rotting, and chipping.
Aluminum: Inexpensive but generally inefficient.
Composite: A blend of materials consisting of resin and fiberglass. Low maintenance. Look like wood windows, and priced in between vinyl and wood options.
Clad: Wood on the interior with vinyl or fiberglass on the exterior. Attractive, low maintenance.
Compare Window Frame Materials
This table doesn’t include composite or clad windows since their performance varies significantly depending on the combination of materials used.
Efficiency: Milgard vs. Andersen vs. Marvin
For energy efficiency and energy savings, you’d do well with Milgard, Andersen, or Marvin windows. Here we’ll translate a few energy efficiency terms so that you can confidently compare windows that catch your eye.
First off, look for the ENERGY STAR label. The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) independently tests windows to confirm whether they meet EPA standards for energy efficiency.
Only windows that meet the EPAs standards earn the ENERGY STAR label. The metrics that matter most for energy efficiency are the U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient.
U-Factor
How well does a window prevent heat from escaping? The U-factor measures how well a window keeps heat inside a room on a scale of 0.20 to 1.20. The lower the number, the more heat you’ll keep inside (i.e. the more energy efficient the window)
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
How well does a window keep heat from entering a room? Using a scale of 0 - 1, the solar heat gain coefficient measures how well a window resists heat gain from outside. A lower score means that the window does a better job of resisting heat gain, so you’ll spend less on cooling with that window.
Warranty: Milgard vs. Andersen vs. Marvin
You can tell a lot about the quality of a product by its warranty. Does the manufacturer stand by their product for a year, five years, twenty years, or a lifetime?
All three brands make quality windows, but Milgard stands by the best warranty. At a glance:
Milgard’s Warranty
Lifetime parts
Lifetime labor
Andersen’s Warranty
20 years on glass
10 years on operable parts
MARVIN’s Warranty
20 years on glass
10 years on operable parts
You’ll find some nuance in the companies’ warranties. If you’re interested in a particular window or window line, it’s worth scanning through the warranty details.
The Bottom Line: Milgard vs. Andersen vs. Marvin
Milgard
Most of our clients go with Milgard bceause they make beautiful, energy efficient windows at a moderate price point. Their warranty - the best on the market - speaks to the quality of Milgard windows and doors.
Marvin
The biggest limitation of Milgard is that they don’t offer a wood or wood-clad window option. In 2020, Milgard discontinued their wood clad fiberglass windows, known as the Essence Series.
For wood and wood-clad fiberglass windows, we recommend Marvin, which started as a wood products company back in 1912. Marvin makes high performance windows that preserve the historical character of older homes.
Andersen
If you have a very specific style or an unconventional color that you need for your windows, consider going with Andersen, which offers the largest selection of the three window brands.