I would love to hear reviews too. I'm also trying to compare Milgard's Essence windows to Jeld Wen's Siteline and looking for insights on either line.

On the west coast the quality vinyl companies are not always available and I understand the better Milgard lines to be more than acceptable, however anything Jeldwen, not so much.

We ordered windows in February... still haven't received the entire order as specified. I wanted something with an industrial look with a significant rail that mimicked a much more expensive window. Essence, even though I didn't care if I received a paintable interior wood window, does have a rail that has some weight to it. So we ordered that line.

Their online system (that the supplier uses to place the order) provides no means of illustrating the thicker check rail for the Essence series, which is a great design element and should be promoted and encouraged.

Now with a ship date of the last replacements stretching to 17 weeks since placing the initial order, Milgard’s manufacturing has demonstrated that they simply couldn’t care less about customer satisfaction. They delivered windows not to spec, not once but TWICE. They are not expediting 2nd replacement (3rd version), another 5-week delay, seriously? Not offering any refund.

They delivered every window that was supposed to have the check rail without one. Replaced the picture window correctly. The replacement sliders/sashes for another bigger window came without the check rail installed AGAIN. What is wrong with their manufacturing staff that they can't confirm an order was produced as SPECIFIED?

Once corrected we like the window we received with the check rail A LOT. The check rail is thicker than any other they offer and provides a look that is more affordable than a Marvin window (which would have doubled or tripled the cost.)

Isn't there manufacturing in California? How do you know the supplier placed the order correctly if the system has no way to input the check rail spec?

Yes they are built in CA. I have a copy of the order, can see the check rail specified just not illustrated in the drawing. The supplier said Milgard's system won't show the check rail in the drawing even though it will show the skinny ugly rails. He had to supply as separate drawing which the crew must not have paid attention to or seen.