Aluminium Door & Window Manufacturers
Discussion
Hi everyone, just wondered if I could get some opinions on the various manufacturers of Aluminium doors and windows.
Smart Aluminium seems to be the most common and seems reasonably well regarded. This afternoon the local door man told me that they've started doing Beaufort (ALUK) rather than Smart and thinks they are better. Any thoughts on this? And is there anything that is especially good or bad? Should Smart or ALUK be more expensive? I've spoken to Anglian Windows previously who were adamant that they produce their own bespoke product. They were also adamant that theirs was the best, but then I suppose they would be.
I'm looking to have my front and back doors done soon, the windows perhaps done in the medium term depending on how I get on with what I have.
Smart Aluminium seems to be the most common and seems reasonably well regarded. This afternoon the local door man told me that they've started doing Beaufort (ALUK) rather than Smart and thinks they are better. Any thoughts on this? And is there anything that is especially good or bad? Should Smart or ALUK be more expensive? I've spoken to Anglian Windows previously who were adamant that they produce their own bespoke product. They were also adamant that theirs was the best, but then I suppose they would be.
I'm looking to have my front and back doors done soon, the windows perhaps done in the medium term depending on how I get on with what I have.
I recommend Origin http://origin-global.com/aluminium-windows
We have a two panel bi-fold door and large single door that replaced french doors and they are really great quality.
I didn't know they did windows too, but i would have been surprised if they didn't.
I'm not 100% sure but i believe they make the aluminium extrusions themselves.
We have a two panel bi-fold door and large single door that replaced french doors and they are really great quality.
I didn't know they did windows too, but i would have been surprised if they didn't.
I'm not 100% sure but i believe they make the aluminium extrusions themselves.
We supply and install smart aluminium door systems.
For the money they are a fabulous mid range product. Not top end but then the price reflects this but also not crap. There are a lot of systems out there that are more expensive but inferior.
Just took delivery of a 8 x 2.45 high metre set of bipods for my place today. Will post up some pics if I can round up the man power to install tomorrow
For the money they are a fabulous mid range product. Not top end but then the price reflects this but also not crap. There are a lot of systems out there that are more expensive but inferior.
Just took delivery of a 8 x 2.45 high metre set of bipods for my place today. Will post up some pics if I can round up the man power to install tomorrow
garyhun said:
Agreed.
Which is why I'm using Wareham Windows to do mine, based on your recommendation. We've been out there and have confidence in their operation. I'm afraid I can't say the same for your engineer recommendation however. Different strokes etc., I guess. However 6 weeks for a quote alone didn't inspire confidence. Perhaps it's him living opposite a pub.You can see my crane from Loch Fyne !
I've recently had 2 sets of bifolds. I did look at the Smart system, but in the end I went for Schuco. They could hold bigger panels, so for my 'holes' I could have 3 instead of 4 panels (and they're triple glazed). 3.5 and 3.3 metres.
Very impressed with the schucos and they weren't much more than the Smart.
Having said that. The Smarts looked good too.
Very impressed with the schucos and they weren't much more than the Smart.
Having said that. The Smarts looked good too.
catfood12 said:
Which is why I'm using Wareham Windows to do mine, based on your recommendation. We've been out there and have confidence in their operation. I'm afraid I can't say the same for your engineer recommendation however. Different strokes etc., I guess. However 6 weeks for a quote alone didn't inspire confidence. Perhaps it's him living opposite a pub.
You can see my crane from Loch Fyne !
Sorry to hear that. He's worked with my builder for years so maybe that relationship is the difference.You can see my crane from Loch Fyne !
garyhun said:
Sorry to hear that. He's worked with my builder for years so maybe that relationship is the difference.
I am struggling with the 2 engineers I use, one has done my calcs for 20 years and has become unreliable beyond belief.Tried another who is local to me , promised it within the week and took 10 weeks !
When I went out to tender with the engineering stuff I was given 2 other names apart from my builders engineer.
I was then told, independently by others I knew unconnected with my build, not to touch those 2 with a barge pole as they were useless.
So it is definitely a bit of a minefield, it would appear.
I was then told, independently by others I knew unconnected with my build, not to touch those 2 with a barge pole as they were useless.
So it is definitely a bit of a minefield, it would appear.
Thanks everyone for the replies. Any experience with Beaufort/ALUK stuff? I think (so far) I like/trust the supplier to do a good job so it comes down to how good the bits of Aluminium are. I suppose as some have mentioned it matters what the supplier creates with the extrusions more than the extrusions themselves.
Also, does anyone have an opinion on colours or dual colours?
I was inclined to go for 7016 grey one the outside, white on the inside. The supplier did say how great it can look grey on both sides. Looking at an image on the link posted above I agree it does look great...
... however the windows in the link are mostly very large/bifolds. I'll be having conventional doors and (eventually) windows, perhaps the effect would be lost in my scenario. I have one largish sliding patio door that could also eventually be replaced (leads to the conservatory).
I was inclined to go for 7016 grey one the outside, white on the inside. The supplier did say how great it can look grey on both sides. Looking at an image on the link posted above I agree it does look great...
... however the windows in the link are mostly very large/bifolds. I'll be having conventional doors and (eventually) windows, perhaps the effect would be lost in my scenario. I have one largish sliding patio door that could also eventually be replaced (leads to the conservatory).
Depends on the colour I think. We went with Matt RAL 7038 on the outside, which looks perfect against the brick but thought it would look awful inside, hence have white on the inside.
Can they give you colour chips? We spent ages with the chips comparing colours, and also making sure that we could find matching paint. This might help show what it would actually look like inside.
Can they give you colour chips? We spent ages with the chips comparing colours, and also making sure that we could find matching paint. This might help show what it would actually look like inside.
Thanks for the replies.
Yes they have colour chips, but as I'm sure you found, it's incredibly hard to visualise what the finished article will look like.
I think I've decided 7016 is too dark, and may go for 7011 (still quite a darkish grey).
Gary, I assume it's Vulcan Black you had. Can be seen here. I don't think it's Smart I will end up with, as installers who seem to be the best to me (always hard to judge, but time will tell) have just moved from Smart to Beaufort (Aluk). They seem pretty fussy on quality and assure me that the Beaufort stuff is very similar to Smart or slightly better so I'm inclined to believe them, just thought I'd gauge opinion here. Anyway they're getting a Beaufort bifold in their showroom in a few weeks so I'll be able to take a better look at it then.
Yes they have colour chips, but as I'm sure you found, it's incredibly hard to visualise what the finished article will look like.
I think I've decided 7016 is too dark, and may go for 7011 (still quite a darkish grey).
Gary, I assume it's Vulcan Black you had. Can be seen here. I don't think it's Smart I will end up with, as installers who seem to be the best to me (always hard to judge, but time will tell) have just moved from Smart to Beaufort (Aluk). They seem pretty fussy on quality and assure me that the Beaufort stuff is very similar to Smart or slightly better so I'm inclined to believe them, just thought I'd gauge opinion here. Anyway they're getting a Beaufort bifold in their showroom in a few weeks so I'll be able to take a better look at it then.
garyhun said:
Sorry to hear that. He's worked with my builder for years so maybe that relationship is the difference.
On the other hand what a great fella Jeff McD is. Couldn't be more helpful. Great design & package for the windows. Being made NOW ! FYI, you can still see my crane when you come down from the village....Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff