AluminiumWindowsforPoole&BournemouthHomes
Two independently-specified systems, built to handle a proper coastal climate. We'll help you work out which one's yours.
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The styles we fit in aluminium
Two systems, and they don't both do everything, so here's what each one actually offers.
What these windows actually look like, fitted
Our own aluminium installations, and the manufacturer photography for the systems behind them.
The first four are our own installations. The last two are Smart Systems' own product photography of the Alitherm Heritage system.
One whole-elevation before and after
The one genuine before-and-after we have. It's the Heritage doors on this elevation, not the windows, but it's the identical Alitherm Heritage aluminium system profiled on this page.
This is our own work, the same elevation before and after, matched by the roofline, the rooflights and the first-floor window bank. It shows the Heritage door range rather than the windows, but both are cut from the same Alitherm Heritage aluminium system. Town and customer details are not confirmed, so neither is named here.
A genuine option
Blinds built into the glass
Ask about integral blinds. The slats sit sealed inside the glazed unit, between the panes, so there's nothing hanging on the inside to dust, snag or take down when you clean the window.
- The blind sits fully sealed inside the unit, protected from dust and knocks
- Raise, lower or tilt the slats with a wand or a switch, depending on the control you choose
- One of our reviews praises a bifold door we fitted with blinds built into the glass. The same integral system is available in these windows too
Is aluminium actually worth it over uPVC?
Here's the honest answer, not the upsell.
| Aluminium (with a thermal break) | uPVC | |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal performance | A polyamide thermal break stops heat conducting straight through the frame. It's what lets aluminium properly compete with uPVC on warmth. | Naturally poor at conducting heat. No thermal break needed. |
| Lifespan | Roughly 30 to 45 years for the frame, since the metal itself won't rot or warp. | Roughly 25 to 35 years. |
| Maintenance | Wipe clean. The marine-grade coat is built not to fade or rust in a coastal climate. | Wipe clean, generally low maintenance. |
| Sightlines | Slimmer frames, more glass for the same opening. Heritage sightlines start from 47mm. | Wider profiles than aluminium, so less glass for the same size opening. |
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Pricing
What actually drives the cost of aluminium windows
Every job is quoted individually
Aluminium windows typically run £700 to £1,300 each, fitted. Two Alitherm Heritage windows can still cost completely different amounts depending on size, glazing and finish, so Josh surveys the job, measures it up, and comes back with a fixed price. No hidden extras.
- Which system you choose, Heritage or Cortizo
- The size and number of openings
- Your glazing spec, and whether you want a dual-colour finish
- Which hardware you pick
Finishes, honestly shown
Indicative colours. You'll see the real range when we survey.
Smart Alitherm Heritage
- Indicative colour
Naturals & RAL Range
Hundreds of colours available
- Indicative colour
Sensations Textured
- Indicative colour
Alchemy Gold Tone
- Indicative colour
Alchemy Bronze Tone
- Indicative colour
Alchemy Silver Tone
- Indicative colour
Alchemy Grey Tone
- Indicative colour
Alchemy Black Tone
Cortizo Casement
- Indicative colour
RAL Colour Range
Qualicoat powder coat, over 60 microns
- Indicative colour
Mottled & Rough Texture
- Indicative colour
Wood-Effect
- Indicative colour
Anodised
Class 15 standard, Class 20 or 25 optional
These are indicative colour blocks, not photographed swatches. Josh brings the real catalogue to your survey.
Heritage hardware, named and specified
316 marine-grade stainless steel, in Victorian and Art Deco styling.
Monkey Tail
Heritage Black
Bulb-End is also available, in the same 316 marine-grade stainless. We just don't have a photo of it yet.
Two systems, honestly compared. Which is yours?
Real figures, not marketing copy. Here's how Smart Alitherm Heritage and Cortizo Casement actually differ.
| Smart Alitherm Heritage | Cortizo Casement | |
|---|---|---|
| Sightlines | 47mm frame, 59mm sightline. The slim look for a period property. | 70mm frame and sash. Built for bigger openings. |
| U-value | 1.6 W/m²K on a 1.0 W/m²K glass unit, the manufacturer's current published figure. | As low as 0.9 W/m²K, depending on the configuration and glass you choose. |
| Security | PAS24:2016 tested. | PAS24 certified. |
| Glazing depth | 24 to 36mm. | 23 to 44mm. |
| Acoustic performance | Not published by the manufacturer. We won't guess a figure. | Up to Rw 45dB, at its maximum specification. |
| Largest opening | Side-hung up to 600 x 1400mm. | Up to 1800 x 1800mm and 100kg on the manufacturer's datasheet. Ask us before you plan around the largest sizes. |
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Built for the coast
Why we specify marine-grade hardware and finish
Poole and Bournemouth are genuinely coastal, and salt air is hard on aluminium. We specify a marine-quality powder coat on every Heritage window, built to handle it. Anodising lasts well against fading too, but it's less forgiving of scratches and knocks. Powder coat resists chipping better, which is why it's the harder-wearing choice this close to the sea.
- Marine-quality powder coat that's built not to fade or rust in a coastal climate
- 316 marine-grade stainless hardware, not the more common 304. Salt air causes 304 to corrode against aluminium, and 316 resists it
- Wipe clean, no special upkeep
Which of these is your house?
A steer towards a system, not a rule.
Period stone or coastal cottage
Prone toUsually still on the original steel or an early aluminium replacement, corroding and letting draughts through.
How we treat itAlitherm Heritage's slim 59mm sightline keeps the steel-window look, without the corrosion.
1930s semi
Prone toOften on tired single-glazed timber or an ageing uPVC replacement, with condensation on cold mornings.
How we treat itEither system works here. Heritage for the traditional look, Cortizo for a bit more security and glass.
Contemporary extension or a large glazed opening
Prone toOften stuck with standard-size windows, because nothing local goes big enough for the opening.
How we treat itCortizo's larger sashes suit bigger openings better, though the biggest sizes need checking with us first.
Not sure which you've got? Send us a photo, or book the survey and we'll tell you.
What you're actually buying
The honest numbers behind both systems, hedges and all.
U-value
1.6 W/m²K on a 1.0 W/m²K glass unit, the current published figure. That's above the 1.4 W/m²K Part L ceiling for replacement windows, so we won't claim blanket Building Regs compliance.
Security
PAS24 tested on both systems. Heritage to PAS24:2016, Cortizo PAS24 certified.
Glazing depth
24 to 36mm on Heritage, 23 to 44mm on Cortizo.
Sightlines
47mm frame, 59mm sightline on Heritage. 70mm frame and sash on Cortizo.
Acoustic performance
Cortizo reaches Rw 45dB at its maximum specification. Heritage has no published acoustic figure, so we won't guess one.
Largest sizes
Cortizo sashes go up to 1800 x 1800mm and 100kg on the datasheet. Check with us before you plan around it.
What's usually wrong with the windows you've got
No scare stories, just what we see.
Tired aluminium or steel
Old single-glazed aluminium or steel frames corrode, mist up and let draughts through round the edges.
A dated look
Perfectly sound, but not what you'd choose if you were buying it today.
Cold frames
No thermal break means the metal conducts heat straight out, whatever the glass is doing.
How it works, start to finish
No hard sell, just how it actually works.
The survey
Josh comes out, measures the job himself and brings the colour swatches with him.
The quote
A fixed price back, based on exactly what you need. No pressure to decide on the spot.
The fit
We get it in, tidy up after ourselves and talk you through anything you need to know.
The bits people worry about
Will I be sold a bigger, pricier system than I need?
Josh surveys and quotes every job himself, so you get what suits your house, not the biggest number.
Will the colour actually look like it does on screen?
The swatches here are indicative. You'll see the real catalogue when Josh comes round to survey.
Will it end up looking cheap or plasticky?
Both systems are named, specified and PAS24 tested, not an unbranded range from a supply-only firm.
Why people pick us for aluminium
Josh surveys and manages every job himself, from first measure to final fit. We fit two independently-specified systems, Alitherm Heritage and Cortizo, not one unbranded range with a made-up name. Every installation carries a 10-year Assure-backed workmanship guarantee.
- One point of contact, start to finish
- Two named systems, not one unbranded range
- 10-year Assure-backed workmanship guarantee
The thermal break, explained
Aluminium conducts heat brilliantly, which used to make it a cold, draughty choice for windows. A thermal break changes that: a strip of polyamide splits the frame into two separate zones, inside and outside, so heat can't travel straight through the metal. It's not a gimmick. It's the reason modern aluminium can properly compete with uPVC on warmth, rather than just looking the part.
Building Regulations set a ceiling of 1.4 W/m²K for replacement windows in an existing home. Alitherm Heritage's published figure is 1.6 W/m²K on a 1.0 W/m²K glass unit, which sits above that ceiling on the standard spec. A better glass unit can bring the whole-window figure down, but we're not going to claim it meets Building Regs until we've confirmed exactly what that means for your job.
Finish and hardware
Finish, lifespan, and why the hardware grade matters
Powder coat and anodising both hold up well, they just fail differently. Anodising can't peel, since the protective layer comes from the aluminium itself, but it's less forgiving of scratches. Powder coat resists knocks and chips better, which is why we specify a marine-grade coat this close to the sea. The hardware grade matters too, more on that below.
- Powder coat resists chips and scratches better. Anodising can't peel, but wears less gracefully if it's knocked
- Aluminium lasts roughly 30 to 45 years as a frame material, against around 25 to 35 for uPVC
- 316-grade stainless hardware resists the corrosion that ordinary 304-grade would suffer against aluminium in salt air
What customers say
Every review here is real, straight from our Google profile.
5.0
Natasha Evans
Josh and his team worked incredibly hard replacing all of the windows and doors in our house, including fitting a beautiful bifold door in place of our old French doors. We could not be happier with the results. The quality of the workmanship was excellent, and Josh was fantastic with communication throughout the whole process. He was reliable, professional, and kept us updated every step of the way. We would highly recommend him to anyone looking for high-quality work and great service.
Andy
Josh installed our new windows, triple track doors, roof lights and front door at our house in Bournemouth. A very professional, tidy and efficient service from beginning to end. Would highly recommend Wilshaw Glazing.
How much do aluminium windows cost?
Typically £700 to £1,300 per window, fitted. Where yours lands depends on the system, size and finish, so Josh will survey the job and come back with a fixed price, no hidden extras.
What are the disadvantages of aluminium windows?
It costs more upfront than uPVC, and without a thermal break it conducts heat badly. Every system we fit has one, which is what closes that gap.
Which of your two systems is right for my house?
Heritage suits a period or coastal cottage look with its slim 59mm sightline. Cortizo suits bigger openings and where you want a bit more security and glass. See the comparison table above, or ask us.
Will aluminium windows hold up on a coastal property?
Yes, if they're specified for it. We use marine-quality powder coat and 316 marine-grade stainless hardware, built for salt air. See the section above on why the grade matters.
Do aluminium windows meet current Building Regulations?
It depends on the exact glazing spec. Alitherm Heritage's published U-value sits above the 1.4 W/m²K ceiling on its standard glass, though a better unit can bring it under.
What happens next if I want a quote? Will someone measure up?
Yes. Josh measures the job himself and talks you through the options before quoting a fixed price. It's a 50% deposit to get started, then typically 3 to 5 weeks for the windows to arrive before we fit them.
Other window styles we fit
uPVC Windows
The value option, still fitted properly, not just supplied.
Learn moreTimberlook Windows
The timber look, without a timber window's upkeep.
Learn more
Sash Windows
The vertical slide, for a genuinely period property.
Learn more
Triple Glazed Windows
Slim aluminium sightlines, also available with the triple-glazing upgrade.
Learn more
Tilt & Turn Windows
The same Alitherm Heritage range, in a tilt and turn opening.
Learn more
Aluminium Doors
The same coastal-grade specification, in a door.
Learn more
Where we fit aluminium windows
Poole, Bournemouth and the towns around them.
Ready to compare the two systems properly?
Get a free, no-pressure quote. Josh will survey the job and come back with a fixed price.
Get a free quote
Tell us what you need and we'll come back with a price. No pressure, no hard sell.
Prefer to talk, or email? Call Wilshaw Glazing on 01202 156 611 or email Josh.Critchley@wilshawgroup.com