An overview of the Smart Architectural Aluminium systems behind every aluminium window, door, bifold and sliding door we fabricate — one manufacturer, four systems, each suited to a different job.
All of our aluminium windows, doors, bifolds and sliding doors are built on Smart Architectural Aluminium systems — here's what each one is for and how they compare.
Smart's core thermally-broken aluminium system and our standard casement range, suitable for both new build and refurbishment. Fixed, side hung, top hung, tilt & turn and flush casement window styles, plus single and double doors.
| Spec | Alitherm 400 |
|---|---|
| U-value | 1.4 W/m²K |
| WER | Band A (windows), Band B (doors) |
| Frame depth | 70mm |
| Security | PAS 24:2022 approved |
| Colour | Dual colour standard option |
See our aluminium windows page → · See our aluminium doors page →
A period-style system designed as a like-for-like replacement for steel windows on listed buildings and conservation projects, with slim 59mm sightlines to match the original steel-window look.
| Spec | Alitherm Heritage |
|---|---|
| U-value | 1.5 W/m²K (1.0 W/m²K with a suitable sealed unit) |
| WER | Band B |
| Sightline / frame depth | 59mm sightline, 47mm frame depth |
| Weather test | BS 6375 Part 1:2009 |
| Colour | Standard, non-standard, metallic, dual colour, textured & anodised-effect finishes |
The UK's most popular bifold door system, with a Quick-Glaze Bead for faster on-site glazing and a choice of internal or external folding.
| Spec | Visofold 1000 Slim |
|---|---|
| Sightline | 122mm |
| U-value | 1.5 W/m²K (1.0 W/m²K centre pane) |
| Sash size | Up to 1.2m wide, 2.5m high, 100kg max |
| Security | PAS 24:2016 tested |
Smart's aluminium sliding door range for large, uninterrupted glazed openings, available as inline sliding or lift-and-slide.
| Spec | Visoglide Original | Visoglide Plus |
|---|---|---|
| U-value | 1.6 W/m²K (1.0 centre pane) | As low as 1.1 W/m²K (0.7 centre pane) with Plus Upgrade profiles |
| Frame | 52mm frame width, 102.5mm frame depth | 100mm frame depth |
| Glazing | Up to 29mm | Up to 38mm double or triple glazed units |
| Security | Multi-point locking | PAS 24:2022, BS Kitemarked |
Smart Architectural Aluminium is one of the UK's established aluminium systems houses, with independently tested, PAS 24 and Kitemarked ranges across windows, doors, bifolds and sliding doors — giving us one consistent, well-supported platform across our aluminium range.
No — performance varies by system and by the glazing fitted. Alitherm 400 achieves 1.4 W/m²K, Alitherm Heritage 1.5 W/m²K, Visofold 1000 Slim up to 1.5 W/m²K, and Visoglide Plus as low as 1.1 W/m²K with the right upgrade profile and glass — see the table above for each system.