We put in Milgard windows about three years ago during a reno, mostly because they were a bit cheaper and our contractor said they’d hold up fine. Honestly, they’re okay, but I’ve noticed some drafts this winter and the sliding mechanism already feels a little sticky. My neighbor went with Andersen and swears by them—hers seem smoother and maybe even quieter? Kinda wish we’d splurged. Has anyone else had this kind of buyer’s remorse, or am I just nitpicking?
Drafts and sticky sliders after just three years isn’t what you want, but honestly, I wouldn’t pin that entirely on Milgard. In my experience, a lot of performance issues come down to installation quality. Even the best windows—Andersen included—can get drafty if they’re not set right or if the flashing isn’t done properly. Sticky mechanisms can sometimes be fixed with a bit of silicone spray or an adjustment.
Andersen does have a reputation for smoother hardware, but you’re also paying quite a premium for it. Milgard’s not top-tier, but they’re not bottom of the barrel either. If you’re noticing drafts, might be worth checking the seals or getting someone to look at the install before writing off the whole brand. Sometimes it’s just a minor tweak.
I’ve seen plenty of people happy with Milgard long-term, especially in milder climates. You might just have gotten unlucky with one or two units... or maybe your neighbor’s just got quieter rooms.
I’ve seen this a lot—drafts showing up after a few years, and most times it’s not the window itself but how it was installed. Had a job last winter where Milgard sliders were sticking and letting in cold air, but when we pulled the trim, you could see gaps in the insulation and some missed caulking. Fixed those and everything tightened up. Hardware can get a little gritty too if there’s dust buildup—sometimes just cleaning out the tracks and lubricating makes a big difference. Milgard isn’t perfect, but I wouldn’t call them junk either.
I’ve run into the same thing with Milgard where the problem turned out to be the install, not the window. Like you said:
when we pulled the trim, you could see gaps in the insulation and some missed caulking. Fixed those and everything tightened up.
That pretty much sums up my experience. I put in Milgard Tuscanys about six years ago. First couple winters, no issues. Then I started feeling a draft near the dining room slider. Was ready to blame the window, but when I took off the casing, there was a big gap where the foam hadn’t filled in. A little spray foam and some fresh caulk and it was night and day.
I get that Andersen has a great rep, but honestly, even their windows will leak if the install’s sloppy. Milgard’s hardware can feel a bit flimsy compared to Andersen, but for the price point, I can’t really complain. If I did it again, maybe I’d pay extra for Andersen in high-traffic spots, but for most of the house, Milgard’s held up fine—just needed a little TLC.
Couldn’t agree more about the install making or breaking things. I’ve seen Milgard and Andersen both perform great—or terribly—based on how careful the crew was. That sticky slider, though, is something I run into a lot with Milgard after a few seasons. Sometimes a little silicone spray helps, but if the tracks are already warping or getting gunked up, it’s tough to fix for good. If you’re in a spot with big temperature swings, the higher-end hardware on Andersens does seem to hold up better. Still, for folks on a budget, Milgard isn’t a bad call…just gotta keep an eye on the little stuff.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to go back and tweak a Milgard slider for folks after a couple years—especially in older homes where nothing’s square to begin with. That sticky track issue is no joke. Sometimes it’s just dirt or pet hair gunking things up, but I’ve seen the vinyl itself start to bow a bit when the sun hits it hard every summer. I’ve tried the silicone spray trick too, but if the frame’s tweaked or the rollers are shot, it only buys you a little time.
Had a job last year where a homeowner swapped out all their old wood windows for Milgard because of the price. Looked great at first, but after two winters (we get those wild freeze-thaw cycles here), a couple sliders started sticking and one wouldn’t even lock right. Ended up having to shim the frame and swap out the rollers. Not a huge deal, but definitely more maintenance than they expected.
On the flip side, I’ve put in Andersen stuff that’s still gliding smooth five, six years later, even in spots that get hammered by sun and rain. The hardware’s just beefier, and the frames don’t seem to flex as much. But yeah, you pay for it upfront. Not everyone wants to drop that kind of cash, especially if they’re doing a whole house.
Honestly, I think half the battle is making sure whoever’s installing knows what they’re doing. Even the best window’s gonna be a pain if it’s out of plumb or they cheap out on flashing. Milgard can be a solid choice if you’re on a budget, just gotta stay on top of cleaning and maybe expect to do a little tinkering down the line. If you want less hassle long-term and can swing the price, Andersen’s probably worth it. But I get why folks go with Milgard—sometimes you just need something that looks good and keeps the weather out without breaking the bank.
Yeah, that lines up with what I’ve seen. Milgard’s decent for the price, but you’re right—vinyl just doesn’t hold up to repeated sun and temp swings. I’ve had to adjust more than a few after a couple seasons, especially when the rough opening was out of square. Andersen’s hardware is definitely sturdier, and their frames resist flexing better over time. Still, not everyone’s budget can handle that jump. If you go with vinyl, regular cleaning and checking the rollers is key... but honestly, nothing beats a solid install from the start.