Vinyl-Milgard vs. WindowMaster
#1
07-13-05, 10:52 PM
Vinyl-Milgard vs. WindowMaster
I live in So. Cal and many of my neighbors have Milgard vinyl windows. Home Depot is pushing the WindowMaster Series 600 over the Cl***ic Vinyl from Milgard. Milgard is substantially more expensive. I have read the specs for both and can't see much difference. Anyone have long-term experience with WindowMaster vinyl or Milgard? Why the difference in price? Your help is appreciated.
#2
07-18-05, 07:57 PM
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You say "reading the specs", I assume you mean U rating and SHGC. For both numbers, lower is better. .31 or .32 indicate a good window. .29 is even better. Another is also telling. It is called DP (Design Pressure) rating. In most areas, minimal or no DP rating is necessary. In florida with huricanes, it is important.
DP rating is a forumula derived on how much wind, water or temperature infiltrates a window. Not all manufactures have done the test. It is expensive to administer and have certified. If you don't live in Floriday, it's stil a good indication of how well the window is made. If you don't live in Florida or Cuba where these big storms like to hang out, why bother with them? Simply put, it is an indication of how well the window is built.
Next check out the thickness of the vinyl material with the window is made of. You will find a number something like .65 or .70. The higher the number, the thicker and stronger, the glass.
Next check out the glass spacer. Commonly used in a "warm edge window" are aluminum retainers with a sealant surrounding the aluminum. This works pretty good and insulates the aluminum from transmitting cold, like older technologies. The problem with this is the window expands and contracts with temperature change and the sealant takes the stress.
A newer technology by PPG called "intecept" is used by some window manufacturers. (It doesn't matter what the glass maker is. There are only a few in the country). The idea behind the integer is for the spacer which is non-metalic, to take the stress as the glass expands and contracts,.
If the stress is the seal, it will fair sooner. A telling factor of window seal failure is the warranty. If prorated after 5 or 10 years, chances are it uses aluminum spacer. A twenty year, non prorated warranty is a good indication the manufacturer is confident the seals will last.
What happens when the seal fails? - foggy insides of glass and poor insulation. If you want a better write up, go to PPG's web site which explains it in detail.
DP rating is a forumula derived on how much wind, water or temperature infiltrates a window. Not all manufactures have done the test. It is expensive to administer and have certified. If you don't live in Floriday, it's stil a good indication of how well the window is made. If you don't live in Florida or Cuba where these big storms like to hang out, why bother with them? Simply put, it is an indication of how well the window is built.
Next check out the thickness of the vinyl material with the window is made of. You will find a number something like .65 or .70. The higher the number, the thicker and stronger, the glass.
Next check out the glass spacer. Commonly used in a "warm edge window" are aluminum retainers with a sealant surrounding the aluminum. This works pretty good and insulates the aluminum from transmitting cold, like older technologies. The problem with this is the window expands and contracts with temperature change and the sealant takes the stress.
A newer technology by PPG called "intecept" is used by some window manufacturers. (It doesn't matter what the glass maker is. There are only a few in the country). The idea behind the integer is for the spacer which is non-metalic, to take the stress as the glass expands and contracts,.
If the stress is the seal, it will fair sooner. A telling factor of window seal failure is the warranty. If prorated after 5 or 10 years, chances are it uses aluminum spacer. A twenty year, non prorated warranty is a good indication the manufacturer is confident the seals will last.
What happens when the seal fails? - foggy insides of glass and poor insulation. If you want a better write up, go to PPG's web site which explains it in detail.
