Who makes the best aluminium windows?

When it comes to windows and glazing for residential properties, and you want to find the best aluminium windows to replace dated windows or for a new extension or new build, this article tells you all the essential things you need to know.

We will also delve into the practical aspects of design and options, security, energy efficiency, and colours. These tips are designed to make your search for the best aluminium windows easier, especially when you need French, bifolding, or sliding doors to match.

The best aluminium windows depend very much on their intended use, the style you want, and, in many cases, the brand. If you would like personal help and advice, please get in touch with your specific questions.

I’m often asked to name the best aluminium windows. There are many designs so it’s hard to point to an absolute best. In my opinion, for contemporary windows it’s the Schüco AWS 80 SC Windows. For steel look it’s the Product of the Year 2024, Elite, by Aluco. However, “best” is subjective; aside from budget, it depends on the intended usage, and specifications.

Nick Dardalis

How the Door and Window Experts Website reviews windows

We regularly visit systems companies, fabricators, and installers to see their windows being manufactured and fully installed in a display setting. We also see products in homes and commercial buildings. This hands-on approach gives us routine and valuable feedback from those who manufacture, install, and sell these products to the trade or public.

The technical manuals for each new window system contain critical details about design, aesthetics, sightlines, and technical specifications. At the Door and Window Experts Website, we’ve been part of the glazing industry since 1989, gaining experience across a wide range of window brands. This expertise allows us to interpret and explain technical manuals accurately and impartially.

Evaluating Quality When Choosing the Best Windows

Windows vary in design, quality, price, and features. The good news is that there are no inherently bad products on the market. When well-made and properly installed, even more affordable window options can offer reliability and excellent performance. So choose the supplier as carefully as your windows.

Each homeowner or specifier will have different criteria for selecting the right windows. The best choice often depends on the intended use and location, whether for a new build, a period property restoration, or as part of a contemporary extension. Some windows may prioritise aesthetics, while others focus on meeting specific performance requirements like enhanced thermal efficiency or sound insulation.

For residential or light commercial projects, modern aluminium windows are a popular choice due to their slim sightlines, durability, and versatility. In this guide, we focus on aluminium-framed windows.

When it comes to security, energy efficiency, and weather resistance, aluminium windows generally offer excellent specifications. Make sure your installer demonstrates how your windows will meet the all-important U-Values, weather or security specifications and ask for documentrary proof.

Nick Dardalis

How to choose the best aluminium windows.

Based on the opening type and the look you want to achieve, here are the best aluminium windows by category:

Best casement slimline windows

Looking for the slimmest possible windows? New build openings typically allow you to have narrower frames. You’ll find window replacements call for a slightly thicker front-to-back or frame width dimensions, but the most suitable replacement window very much depends on the survey.

Best floor to ceiling windows

Choosing a well-designed system with floor-to-ceiling windows is limited only by the capabilities and maximum sizes of the glass and the competence of the window company. Essentially any current aluminium window will work as a fixed floor-to-ceiling window. Therefore, there isn’t an overall best system, but there are products designed to create the best possible floor to ceiling glazing and glass walls.

Best tilt and turn aluminium windows

Tilt and Turn windows aren’t as popular in the UK as they should be, but they’re better than casement windows in several ways. First of all, the size capability of tilt and turn windows is significantly better than side or top-hung outward-opening windows. With heights up to the size of a standard door, tilt and turn windows are great for flat roof terraces or when you simply want bigger opening windows.

Their main function is tilting inwards for ventilation. Then you can rotate the handle in the opposite direction, and the entire opening element swings inwards. Not everyone likes the idea of an opening inwards window, however, they also have the advantage of letting you clean the outside pane of glass from inside the room.

Hybrid windows use aluminium outside and real wood inside. These have been available as tilt and turn for many years already and, in our view, are also some of the best, not to mention the warm-to-the-touch inside of real wood and its timeless style. You can get in touch with us for more information on hybrid windows or doors.

Best flush casement aluminium windows

The flush casement or timber-look window is relatively new in aluminium. However, the flush design where the opening vents are flush with the mullions or frame has been around for longer with plastic windows and also hybrid materials.

Cortizo Casement

Cortizo designed the Casement Windows suite for the UK market. Slim profiles, modern design, good U-values triple glazed and PAS security tested. These should be considered as a cheaper and arguably better alternative to Origin’s OW-70, older Alitherm windows and Aluk windows. The flush model looks modern and appealing.

Origin OW-80

Origin’s OW-80 window is our top choice for the best flush casement aluminium window. The styling is excellent, also being unique in having a flush look on the inside too. It’s well-priced, widely available and has features top-brand hardware and excellent insulation when upgraded with Aerogel.

Smart Systems Alitherm 400

Another excellent flush casement aluminium window, Alitherm 500 comes as fixed or opening windows, including large openers and a top or side-hung opening design. You can use this window in dwellings or light commercial projects. The window has reasonable U-Values depending on the glass used and the typical 65mm sightline also makes them much slimmer than the Origin version. Another great styling feature of the Alitherm 500 is the integrated trickle vent section, essential in all new windows now, and a very smart cill section that looks streamlined with the window.

Best aluminium sliding sash windows

Unfortunately, aluminium still has quite a way to go in providing pleasing vertical sliding sash windows. Right now PVCu systems do it much better with Roseview, Masterframe and others providing authentic styling. However, if you must go for aluminium there are two excellent choices available.

Smart Systems VS 600

Suitable for dwellings or commercial buildings, Smart Systems Alitherm 600 looks really good in modern houses designed in the period style and provides a slimline sliding window, also available with optional sash horns. VS 600 is also widely used in non-dwellings where a school, care home, hotel or hospital would prefer the inline opening without opening windows projecting outwards.

How to identify a good window from a bad

The good news is there are no ‘bad’ aluminium windows. Most brands share similar material specifications, quality and production standards or security specifications and more. It is incorrect manufacturing or installation creating a bad product and customer experience. It’s rarely a design fault with the window system itself.

Aluminium systems companies invest substantial sums in testing, certifying and bringing their windows to market, even those at the mid-range or trade price. Consequently, window problems come lower down the supply chain.

Some installers dislike certain brands as they find them complicated to fit. This is however of little concern to the homeowner customer. Or reports of leaking windows or those letting in drafts are again down to incorrect manufacturing or installation.

Our top tips for choosing the best aluminium windows

1. It does not matter if your doors and windows are different brands. Consider allocating more of your budget to premium doors and less to the windows.
2. Ensure the information provided is factual. There is no ‘bad’ window on the market. Many share specifications and product standards.
3. It makes sense to have combination windows mixed with doors from the same system. But not essential.
4. Consider either opening options. Examples include sliding, reversible, opening in, pivoting, tilting and automatic windows.
5. Beware the many re-brands of existing systems giving you the impression of being unique or exclusive.
6. If you are buying different brands, here’s how to check your colours will match. 
7. View your chosen windows in a showroom or exhibition. It’s the best way of understanding their make-up, styling and operation.
8. Many older windows don’t meet current Building Regualations unless triple glazed. Always ask for proof of performance.
9. Remember there is an aluminium window solution for most projects. Contact us for advice or where to buy.