Questions About New Milgard Windows – Distortion, Glass Tint, and Sash

fil l

17 days ago

last modified: 17 days ago

1. Glass tint differences between models

Front of house uses Milgard C650 Ultra (fiberglass, required by code). Rest of house uses Milgard V300 Trinsic (vinyl).
The C650 looks jet black from outside; V300 has a greenish tint I actually prefer.
We didn’t discuss glass options in depth with our contractor — we assumed the glass itself would all look the same (Low-E2).
→ Why does the C650 look so much darker, almost like sunglasses? Is this normal?

2. Distorted reflection on C650

The C650 windows show a "funhouse mirror" effect — wavy and distorted.
In contrast, the V300 windows look sharp and mirror-like from the outside.
→ Is this distortion normal for fiberglass windows, or a sign of poor glass quality/installation?

3. Wiggling sash on Trinsic single-hung windows
(Video: https://streamable.com/c6mztq)

Some Trinsic single-hung windows wiggle side to side when open.
They close, lock, and operate fine — but there’s play between sash and frame.

→ Is this wiggle acceptable, or could it lead to issues long-term?

Appreciate any insight — especially from those with similar Milgard experiences.

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Comments (5)

oberon476
16 days ago
last modified: 16 days ago
If you could repost your pictures individually on site rather than as a small photos in a group, it might help to better understand what you are seeing and asking about. As is, it's difficult to make out any details, so hesitant to make any suggestions.
fil l
Original Author
16 days ago
Sorry, I'll try to take some better photos of the fiberglass C650 tomorrow, but these are the photos i have now. I just assumed the glass would all look the same since they’re all Low-E, but the C650 looks jet black from the outside, almost like sunglasses, while the V300 has a greenish tint that I actually prefer. The windows themselves are a big improvement over the old rusted aluminum ones, so no complaints there — just a little disappointed that our contractor didn’t bring up the difference in glass appearance so now im stuck with 2 different colors.
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oberon476
16 days ago
last modified: 16 days ago
The slight green hue means a triple silver coating, but not sure which one since Milgard uses Cardinal, Guardian, and Vitro coated glass; sometimes even mixing coatings from different coating suppliers in the same window (surface 4 coating).

There is no technical reason that I am aware of that would require the glass in the fiberglass windows to be darker. Do you still have the NFRC stickers that came with the windows?

That looks like tempered glass distortion in the bottom sash of the double-hung....can you get an inside picture looking out?
fil l
Original Author
16 days ago
@oberon476

Hi,
I’m asking the contractor for the NFRC stickers — I wasn’t given them, and I believe those are the ones that include the order number as well. This project was for my parents' house, so I wasn’t present during the installation.

When I had windows installed at my own home (different contractor), the contractor provided these stickers, so I’m not sure why they weren’t given to my mom. Hoping they weren’t discarded.

Regarding the double hung windows — there’s nothing wrong with them. In the photo, the lower sash just looks darker because all the windows have bug screens installed.

The distortion issue is with the C650 windows (the ones that appear black from the outside). From the exterior, the reflection looks distorted, but from the interior, the view is crystal clear.
oberon476
16 days ago
okay, thanks

Unfortunately I really can't tell anything from that picture.