Smart Systems

Smart Systems Aluminium

British aluminium window and door systems. Industry-leading slim sightlines. Steel-look heritage credentials. The Plastic Centre stocks Smart Systems’ aluminium ranges across our 21 UK branches — from the workhorse Alitherm 300 casement to the steel-look Alitherm Heritage and the slimmest-on-the-market Visofold 6000 bi-fold.

Who Are Smart Systems?

Smart Systems is a UK-based aluminium profile systems house, headquartered in Yapton, West Sussex. Founded in 1980, Smart Systems designs and extrudes aluminium window, door, curtain wall and shopfront profiles for the UK fabrication market. They’re part of the wider Smart Architectural Aluminium group and are one of the three dominant aluminium systems houses in the UK trade alongside Origin and Reynaers.

Why Smart Systems?

Industry-leading slim sightlines	The Visofold 6000 bi-fold delivers a 94mm sightline — the slimmest on the UK market for a thermally-broken bi-fold. Alitherm 300 frame width is 53mm. When the spec is “maximum glass, minimum frame”, Smart is the answer.
Steel-look heritage range	Alitherm Heritage is engineered specifically to replicate the look of traditional Crittall / steel windows for conservation areas and heritage refurbishments — without the rust, the cold spots or the maintenance.
Polyamide thermal break across the range	Every Smart aluminium profile is thermally broken with a polyamide bar — eliminating the cold-bridge problem that plagued early aluminium windows and delivering U-values down to 1.1 W/m²K on Alitherm Heritage 60.
Powder-coat any RAL colour	Aluminium opens up the full RAL palette plus textured, dual-colour and bespoke finishes. Anthracite Grey 7016 is the volume seller; almost any specification colour is available.
PAS 24 enhanced security across the range	Casement, tilt-and-turn, sliding sash and bi-fold systems all achieve PAS 24 enhanced security with appropriate hardware specifications.
Commercial-grade durability	Smart systems are widely specified on schools, hospitals, social housing and commercial buildings — the same product engineered for commercial use is what you get on residential.
Visofold = the bi-fold benchmark	The Visofold 1000 and 6000 ranges are the UK’s most-specified aluminium bi-fold systems — the default trade specification for both residential and commercial bi-fold openings.

Smart Systems Ranges We Stock

System	Type	Best U-value	Best for
Alitherm 300	Casement window	WER A with correct glazing	Mainstream contemporary aluminium casement; replacement-friendly 76mm deep frame option
Alitherm 800	Casement window (premium thermal)	Sub 1.5 W/m²K without triple glazing	Thermally-demanding contemporary projects requiring slim profile + low Uw
Alitherm Heritage 60	Steel-look casement	1.1 W/m²K	Conservation areas, heritage refurbishments, Crittall-replacement projects. Modular stacking, 24/28/32/36mm glazing.
Alitherm Tilt & Turn	Tilt-and-turn variant	System-level Alitherm figures	Contemporary and steel-look tilt-and-turn applications, heavy-duty vent option for larger sashes
VS 600	Vertical sliding sash window	1.6 W/m²K (WER C)	Commercial and institutional sash — schools, hospitals, multi-storey heritage. Tilt-in cleaning, flush opening, Caldwell hardware. Max sash 1600×2800mm, 50kg.
Visofold 1000	Bi-fold door / window	1.5 W/m²K (Document L 2010 compliant)	Mainstream aluminium bi-fold doors and commercial bi-fold servery windows. 122mm sightline, 70mm frame depth, floating mullion.
Visofold 6000	Bi-fold door / window (premium slim)	System-spec	Architectural contemporary projects where the priority is minimum visible frame. 94mm sightline — industry leading for a thermally-broken bi-fold.

Distinctive Technology

Polyamide Thermal Break

Every Smart aluminium profile uses a polyamide thermal break — an insulating polymer bar that mechanically connects the inner and outer aluminium faces of the frame while preventing direct heat transfer between them. This eliminates the “cold frame” problem of early aluminium windows and delivers competitive U-values without the bulk of triple glazing.

Steel-Look Sightlines (Alitherm Heritage)

Alitherm Heritage is engineered specifically to replicate the proportions and detailing of traditional Crittall / steel windows — including modular stacking that mimics the multi-pane look characteristic of inter-war and early-twentieth-century industrial aesthetics. Specified extensively on conservation projects where steel-look is required but original steel windows aren’t viable.

94mm Bi-Fold Sightlines (Visofold 6000)

Most thermally-broken aluminium bi-folds on the UK market run 110–130mm sightlines at the meeting stiles. Visofold 6000 achieves 94mm — a ~25% reduction in visible frame versus competitors. The aesthetic difference is significant on a wide-opening bi-fold where the closed view shows multiple meeting points.

Floating Mullion (Visofold 1000)

The Visofold 1000 uses a floating mullion design — the meeting points between panels travel with the panels rather than being fixed. The result: when fully opened, the bi-fold delivers a clean unbroken aperture without the visual clutter of multiple fixed mullions in the open position.

Powder Coating to Any RAL

Smart aluminium can be powder-coated to virtually any RAL colour, plus textured / matte finishes. Anthracite Grey (RAL 7016) accounts for the majority of Smart specifications; black, white, sage green, dark red and bronze are also volume colours. Dual-colour finishes (different inside / outside) are available across the range.

Quality & Compliance

• PAS 24 — enhanced security achievable across casement, tilt-turn, sliding and bi-fold ranges (security clip required on Alitherm fixed panes)
• Approved Document L 2010 compliance on Visofold 1000 and Alitherm
• Approved Document Q security compliance achievable
• Visofold 1000 weather performance: Air Class 4 (600 Pa), Water Class E (750 Pa), Wind Resistance Class 4 (1800 Pa)
• BBA certification on key product lines
• Q-Mark certification on door systems
• Caldwell hardware on VS 600 sash — industry standard for commercial sliding-sash applications

Where Smart Systems Sits in Our Range

We stock Smart Systems alongside REHAU and Liniar uPVC profile systems, and Hurst uPVC panel doors. Quick choosing guide:

If you want…	Smart spec
Mainstream contemporary aluminium casement	Alitherm 300
Steel-look conservation aluminium	Alitherm Heritage 60
Premium thermal performance + slim profile	Alitherm 800
Aluminium tilt-and-turn	Alitherm Tilt & Turn
Commercial / institutional aluminium sash	VS 600
Mainstream aluminium bi-fold (residential or hospitality)	Visofold 1000
Slimmest possible bi-fold sightline (architect-led)	Visofold 6000
Pub bar / coffee kiosk / hospitality servery window	Visofold 1000 or 6000 specified as a bi-fold window
Lower-cost uPVC alternative	Specify Liniar or REHAU uPVC instead
Passivhaus-certified spec	Specify REHAU GENEO or Liniar Zero|90 — Smart Systems is not currently Passivhaus-certified

How to Order

Smart Systems aluminium products are made-to-measure and fabricated by approved Smart partners in the UK. Lead times typically 4–6 weeks from final specification, depending on profile, glazing, hardware and powder-coat colour. For a quote, use the enquiry form on the relevant casement, tilt-and-turn, sash, bi-fold door or bi-fold window page, or contact your nearest branch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Smart Systems aluminium more expensive than uPVC?

Yes — aluminium typically runs 30–60% above equivalent uPVC for like-for-like specifications. The premium buys slimmer sightlines, longer lifespan (50+ years), virtually unlimited colour choice and a more contemporary aesthetic. The economic case for aluminium is strongest on architect-led projects and where the building’s aesthetic / lifespan justifies the upfront premium.

Are Smart Systems products thermally efficient enough for current Building Regs?

Yes — the Alitherm and Visofold ranges meet or exceed current Approved Document L thresholds with appropriate glazing. Alitherm Heritage 60 achieves U-values down to 1.1 W/m²K. For Passivhaus-grade performance (sub-0.8 W/m²K), specify REHAU GENEO or Liniar Zero|90 uPVC instead.

What’s the difference between Visofold 1000 and 6000?

Visofold 1000 is the workhorse aluminium bi-fold — 122mm sightline, 70mm frame depth, Uw 1.5 W/m²K. Specified on most mainstream aluminium bi-fold projects. Visofold 6000 is the slim-sightline premium variant — 94mm sightline (industry-leading) for architectural contemporary projects where minimum visible frame is the design priority.

Is Alitherm Heritage acceptable on listed buildings?

Acceptable in many conservation areas as a steel-look replacement, particularly where original Crittall windows have failed and authentic replacement is cost-prohibitive. For Grade I and Grade II* listed buildings, always check with the conservation officer before ordering — some listings require like-for-like steel restoration. For uPVC sash (rather than aluminium steel-look), specify REHAU Heritage Vertical Slider.

What colours are available?

Virtually any RAL colour, plus textured / matte finishes. Anthracite Grey (RAL 7016) is the volume seller; black, white, sage green, dark red, bronze, and full custom RAL matching all available. Dual-colour (different inside / outside) is also possible — popular when interior decor calls for white internally but the exterior wants a contemporary dark colour.

What warranty applies to Smart Systems?

Smart Systems aluminium profiles carry manufacturer warranties typically of 10 years. Powder coating is separately warrantied (typically 25 years on Qualicoat / Qualimarine certified finishes). Hardware components carry their own warranties. Contact us for the full warranty schedule at point of quotation.

Can I match Smart aluminium with uPVC windows from another brand?

Colour matching is achievable — specify the same RAL on the Smart powder coat and on the foiled uPVC finish. Profile sightlines won’t match exactly (aluminium is slimmer), but colour coordination across an elevation works well. We commonly spec Smart aluminium bi-fold doors alongside Liniar uPVC windows in matching anthracite grey for full-elevation coordination.

Ready to specify?

For a Smart Systems aluminium window or door quote, use the enquiry form on the relevant windows or doors page, or contact your nearest branch.