Milgard Aluminum vs Trinsic Windows Review

Vinyl windows have quickly become the most popular option for homeowners looking for new or replacement windows. Aluminum windows are still a popular choice with their own benefits. We’ll compare these two materials and more in this Milgard Aluminum vs Trinsic windows review.

Milgard Aluminum vs Trinsic Windows

You can use the links below to skip ahead to a particular section or visit each series’ product page to download a brochure (one brochure from each series will detail all the windows in the collection).

Materials
Color Options
Operation Styles
Hardware
Warranty

Download brochures for each product series on our Milgard Windows pages:

Materials

Trinsic windows and Aluminum windows are made from completely different materials. Trinsic windows are made from vinyl while Aluminum windows are made from a thermally-improved aluminum.

Aluminum windows gained popularity after World War II and made up half of the market well into the 1980s. Today, vinyl windows dominate the industry.

One of aluminum’s biggest disadvantages is that the material experiences high thermal conductance meaning that when it is cold outside moisture or frost can develop on the interior side of the window. Thermal breaks, like those used in Milgard’s Aluminum windows reduce thermal conductance.

Benefits of Aluminum

High strength-to-weight ratio allows for use of thin frame profiles
Lightweight compared to wood
Durable and low-maintenance

Benefits of Vinyl

Energy-efficient
Durable and low-maintenance
Customizable

Aluminum

Trinsic

Frame Construction:

Thermally Improved Aluminum

Frame Construction:

Milgard’s Signature Vinyl

Color Options

Color is one of the most important features of your new or replacement windows. Some companies offer lots of finish options for their windows while others have more limited options. Milgard doesn’t offer a huge selection of color finishes but they do offer more than many low-budget companies.

Aluminum windows are available in just 3 options, a powder-coated white or clear or bronze [anodized finishes] while Trinsic windows are available in a wider selection of neutral colors.

Thermally Improved Aluminum

Trinsic

Standard Interior & Exterior Colors: 3 options

White
Clear Anodized
Bronze Anodized

Standard Interior & Exterior Colors: 3 options

Tan
White
Clay (not available in all locations)

Premium Exterior Colors: 8 options

Bronze
Espresso
Classic Brown
Tweed
Silver
Sand
Fog
Ivory

Thermally Improved Aluminum Colors

Trinsic Colors

Operation Styles

Windows are available in over a dozen styles. Milgard offers Aluminum and Trinsic windows in some of the most common window styles used in American homes.

Although both series offer 7 options, there are a couple of differences. Bay windows are available in the Aluminum series but not in the Trinsic series. If bay windows are something you really want but prefer vinyl windows, you can ask your contractor if they are able to create a custom bay configuration using options available in the Trinsic series.

Slider windows are available in both series but double-sliders are only available in the Trinsic series. Double horizontal sliders have two operable sashes and one fixed sash. If you want a similar configuration in the Aluminum series you would ask your contractor about using two operable windows like casement windows and a fixed window like a picture window.

Thermally Improved Aluminum

Trinsic

Operating Styles: 7 options

Single Hung
Horizontal Slider
Bay
Awning
Casement
Picture
Radius

Operating Styles: 7 options

Single Hung
Horizontal Slider
Double Horizontal Slider
Awning
Casement
Picture
Radius

Thermally Improved Aluminum Operation Styles

Trinsic Operation Styles

Hardware

Window hardware is another important component in the usability of your window. The Trinsic series offers better and easier to use locking hardware than Milgard’s Aluminum series. SmartTouch® locks are used in Trinsic windows, these locks have sleek design and are easy to use - no pinching, squeezing, or twisting necessary.

Thermally Improved Aluminum

Trinsic

Hardware Type:

Spring Action Lock
*Hardware finish same as frame color

Hardware Type:

SmartTouch® Locks
*Hardware color same as frame

Hardware for Single Hung and Horizontal Slider Windows:

Warranty

Milgard offers a Full Lifetime Warranty on all its products.

Full Lifetime Warranty Details:

Milgard will repair or replace any defect in materials or workmanship and will pay the costs of all parts and labor for as long as the purchaser owns his home.
Some exclusions apply.
Coverage extends 10 years from the install date of the original warranty to the successive owners, free of charge.

See more at Milgard.com↗

Thermally Improved Aluminum	Trinsic
Manufacturer’s Warranty: Full Lifetime Warranty↗	Manufacturer’s Warranty: Full Lifetime Warranty↗

What Do We Recommend?

Ready to choose your windows? Before you make a final choice get a few bids from trusted window dealers. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your budget, energy code restrictions, and, of course, personal design preference. Trinsic and Aluminum series windows both have clean lines and work well in contemporary homes. Aluminum series windows will offer greater glass surface for greater views but vinyl Trinsic windows will offer greater energy savings.

Brennan Enterprises offers window sales and installation services to homeowners and businesses in North Texas, give us a call or fill out a form to schedule your free in-home virtual consultation.