Milgard Tuscany Window Review: 3 Excellent Levels of Energy Efficiency

Our review finds the Milgard Tuscany window, with a u-value as high as .30, to be a reliable, energy efficient, vinyl window replacement for your home.

Milgard Tuscany windows - double hung

The Milgard Tuscany window line is one of the most widely sold windows on the market. We interviewed Milgard a while back about the Tuscany windows, but we decided to revisit the line and analyze what makes this window so popular.  Our review discusses the Milgard Tuscany window line's appearance, energy efficiency across the various models, and warranty and durability.  Video below.

Appearance: The Milgard Tuscany window line is a vinyl window that has a stylish, customizable appearance, along with the proper energy efficiency options for your particular building and region.  The window comes in a wide variety of attractive configurations. Whether you need single hung, double hung, picture windows, an arched window, a bay or bow window, casement or jalousie, the Milgard Tuscany line can meet your needs and provide a perfect fit without extended lead time. Milgard’s innovative SmartTouch lock, makes locking and unlocking your windows easy, and eliminates the risk of forgetting to lock your windows, keeping your home safe and secure.

Energy Efficiency: The windows in a building are a key component of energy efficiency, and the frame, product design and glazing are all essential factors in saving energy usage and money on heating and cooling bills.  In 2009, Milgard simplified choosing energy efficient windows by providing three options for buyers of its Milgard Tuscany vinyl replacement window line.  All Milgard Tuscany windows meet Energy Star standards in all US climate zones, but for buyers who seek an even higher standard of energy efficiency, the Milgard Tuscany window line offers its new 3D and 3D Max packages.

With the three clear energy efficiency options – Energy Star (good), 3D (better) and 3D Max (best), available for the Milgard Tuscany window line, Milgard has taken the guesswork out of choosing energy efficient windows. During manufacturing, the selection of quality components is varied to provide the correct level of energy efficiency for the climate of your particular region.

The base Energy Star qualified Milgard Tuscany window ranges in U-value from .31 - .36, based on the window style you choose.  Using innovative components such as SunCoat, SunCoatMAX Low-E glass, argon gas, EdgeGard and EdgeGardMax spacer technology, the higher efficiency Milgard Tuscany 3D Max window can improve a window's energy efficiency performance up to almost 50% over Energy Star standards.  According to our discussion with the company, the Milgard Tuscany 3D Max window has a U-factor of .30 or less keeping your home well insulated in the winter, and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient of .30 or less, keeping out a good amount of the sun's heat in the summer.

All Milgard Tuscany windows have Milgard’s innovative SunCoat technology, which applies a microscopically thin coating to one side of the glass, reflecting heat away in summer, and keeping heat inside in winter. Milgard Tuscany windows with SunCoat can reduce harmful UV rays up to 84%, protecting your furniture and carpeting from sun damage.

Warranty and Durability: Builder Magazine has awarded Milgard the “Best Quality in the Nation” award six times, and the national “Most Used Vinyl Window” award four times, so you can rest assured that Milgard produces a quality window product.

The Milgard Tuscany window comes with an excellent Full Lifetime Warranty for as long as you reside in your home, and will even extend the warranty for up to ten years to a buyer if you sell your home.

Where to Buy: Sold through an extensive network of dealers throughout the West and Midwest, you can find a local distributor on the Milgard website. Milgard certifies its dealers to provide proper training and to ensure that buyers receive the best possible customer service. A dealer can also help you determine the best option as far as energy saving with the Milgard Tuscany products. The 3D Max option, for example, meets federal tax rebate requirements, but your state or local government may also offer programs to encourage installation of energy efficient windows.

Overall, the Milgard Tuscany window is a good energy efficient window, with a great warranty, from a reliable company that has been around for a long time, so you can rest assured (or at least as assured as you can be in today's economy) that your warranty will be worth something 10 years from now.

Are you a window installer, or are you a consumer who has had these windows installed?  Help others by sharing your experience with the Milgard Tuscany window below.