Aluminium Door & Window Manufacturers

[Esseesse]

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.

[Esseesse]

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.

[Esseesse]

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).

[Esseesse]

Thanks for posting the pictures, really helps to see the doors in a real house. While they look good internally, I think they look better from the outside however. hmmm

Edit: I think I will go with similarly coloured/black hinges and brushed steel handles as you have.

[Esseesse]

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.