Smart Systems aluminium windows, folding doors?
Discussion
Can anyone offer any advice on aluminium windows and doors made by this firm?
https://www.smartsystems.co.uk/
They seem very nice but are certainly not cheap - over £4k to replace the front bay window alone on my house! I'm not renovating in order to increase the value to sell as I love the area so intend to stay so cost isn't my No-1 priority but, obviously, I don't want to spend loads of money on crap. Not interested in plastic as it's much bulkier and looks like s
t anyway, quite frankly.
Also thinking about their bi-fold doors for the back.
Everything will be triple glazed.
Any experience or advice muchly appreciated.
https://www.smartsystems.co.uk/
They seem very nice but are certainly not cheap - over £4k to replace the front bay window alone on my house! I'm not renovating in order to increase the value to sell as I love the area so intend to stay so cost isn't my No-1 priority but, obviously, I don't want to spend loads of money on crap. Not interested in plastic as it's much bulkier and looks like s
t anyway, quite frankly. Also thinking about their bi-fold doors for the back.
Everything will be triple glazed.
Any experience or advice muchly appreciated.
Smarts themselves make the aluminium profiles, you need to find a window company that makes their aluminium windows.
For a relatively small job, 3 opening windows, two non-opening window and a gabled windows for a dormer, I really struggled locally, found a company in Birmingham that were a pain to work with then ended up using Cotswold Windows who were great.
The windows are really nice, no complaints at all, I used Smarts because their profiles are on that website as CAD files, so you can quite easily work out exactly what you need and avoid someone else selecting profiles that suit them rather than giving you the best bang for your buck.
You price seems very high, but if Windows have gone the same way as everyone else, then you might just be seeing that.
For a relatively small job, 3 opening windows, two non-opening window and a gabled windows for a dormer, I really struggled locally, found a company in Birmingham that were a pain to work with then ended up using Cotswold Windows who were great.
The windows are really nice, no complaints at all, I used Smarts because their profiles are on that website as CAD files, so you can quite easily work out exactly what you need and avoid someone else selecting profiles that suit them rather than giving you the best bang for your buck.
You price seems very high, but if Windows have gone the same way as everyone else, then you might just be seeing that.
paulrockliffe said:
Smarts themselves make the aluminium profiles, you need to find a window company that makes their aluminium windows.
For a relatively small job, 3 opening windows, two non-opening window and a gabled windows for a dormer, I really struggled locally, found a company in Birmingham that were a pain to work with then ended up using Cotswold Windows who were great.
The windows are really nice, no complaints at all, I used Smarts because their profiles are on that website as CAD files, so you can quite easily work out exactly what you need and avoid someone else selecting profiles that suit them rather than giving you the best bang for your buck.
You price seems very high, but if Windows have gone the same way as everyone else, then you might just be seeing that.
So, do I take it that Smarts makes the raw materials and the selling company makes them up and installs the glass? For a relatively small job, 3 opening windows, two non-opening window and a gabled windows for a dormer, I really struggled locally, found a company in Birmingham that were a pain to work with then ended up using Cotswold Windows who were great.
The windows are really nice, no complaints at all, I used Smarts because their profiles are on that website as CAD files, so you can quite easily work out exactly what you need and avoid someone else selecting profiles that suit them rather than giving you the best bang for your buck.
You price seems very high, but if Windows have gone the same way as everyone else, then you might just be seeing that.
I'm looking at their AltiTherm windows bit the quote I have doesn't show the actual AltiTherm model number. I've asked the supplier.
Yes, it doesn't sound cheap but I'll get a few more quotes in too. If I go through this company I'm also getting a rather pricey front door from them so if they're doing the whole house I want a decent discount given the amount they'll be getting from me.
Smarts are the system.
The windows will be fabricated by another company who might install or might be installed by another.
Because of this there is significant variation in quality of fit and finish.
It’s a good system that offers reasonable value for money.
Why triple glazed? If you don’t need it to make SAP calculations work I personally would not bother, the weather in most of the U.K. does not make it worth it. Especially in bifolds I recon we get 3 times the problems in triple glazed bifolds over double glazed. If they are planning to give you 28mm units then really don’t bother, they need to be 36+.
Be warned anything non standard, 7016 or white is on 12-16 week lead times! Most of my trade customers are booked for months ahead. So don’t be surprised if people are talking Feb/March install!
The windows will be fabricated by another company who might install or might be installed by another.
Because of this there is significant variation in quality of fit and finish.
It’s a good system that offers reasonable value for money.
Why triple glazed? If you don’t need it to make SAP calculations work I personally would not bother, the weather in most of the U.K. does not make it worth it. Especially in bifolds I recon we get 3 times the problems in triple glazed bifolds over double glazed. If they are planning to give you 28mm units then really don’t bother, they need to be 36+.
Be warned anything non standard, 7016 or white is on 12-16 week lead times! Most of my trade customers are booked for months ahead. So don’t be surprised if people are talking Feb/March install!
nikaiyo2 said:
Smarts are the system.
The windows will be fabricated by another company who might install or might be installed by another.
Because of this there is significant variation in quality of fit and finish.
It’s a good system that offers reasonable value for money.
Why triple glazed? If you don’t need it to make SAP calculations work I personally would not bother, the weather in most of the U.K. does not make it worth it. Especially in bifolds I recon we get 3 times the problems in triple glazed bifolds over double glazed. If they are planning to give you 28mm units then really don’t bother, they need to be 36+.
Be warned anything non standard, 7016 or white is on 12-16 week lead times! Most of my trade customers are booked for months ahead. So don’t be surprised if people are talking Feb/March install!
Many thanks for the info. The windows will be fabricated by another company who might install or might be installed by another.
Because of this there is significant variation in quality of fit and finish.
It’s a good system that offers reasonable value for money.
Why triple glazed? If you don’t need it to make SAP calculations work I personally would not bother, the weather in most of the U.K. does not make it worth it. Especially in bifolds I recon we get 3 times the problems in triple glazed bifolds over double glazed. If they are planning to give you 28mm units then really don’t bother, they need to be 36+.
Be warned anything non standard, 7016 or white is on 12-16 week lead times! Most of my trade customers are booked for months ahead. So don’t be surprised if people are talking Feb/March install!
I haven't gone into specifics as to the bi-folds yet but the windows have been quoted at 36mm. May I ask as to what problems you are seeing with triple glazed bi-folds over double? The reason is that my thinking is that if it saves me in the long run on heating then I'll do it; I like my privacy, so sound protection and I live at the coast so f
kING seagulls! Bi-folds won't be needed until end of Jan at the earliest so not looking at making the "fitted for X-Mas" deadline.
I’ve had aluminium bifolds fitted and the profile itself was fine, but the installer made the real difference. Triple glazing adds weight, so check the hardware rating, panel sizes, drainage and who handles future adjustment. I’d also ask for the full glass specification, including acoustic rating and solar control, since coastal noise can be more noticeable than heat loss.
For rooms where curtains or blinds would spoil the look, Privacy glass is worth considering too. Switchable glass or retrofit film can give instant privacy in bathrooms, offices, or glazed doors without permanently blocking daylight.
For rooms where curtains or blinds would spoil the look, Privacy glass is worth considering too. Switchable glass or retrofit film can give instant privacy in bathrooms, offices, or glazed doors without permanently blocking daylight.
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