How and Where To Buy Aluminium Windows

When choosing how and where to buy aluminium windows, there are now more ways to get the windows and doors you need for your property project. The supply and installation retail route still provides an easier process, better guarantees and less for you to organise. However, there are now other ways to buy aluminium windows, save money, complete your property renovation faster or have more control for those that love to project manage.

Do you want new or are you replacing old?

When you need windows to replace existing windows, the choice of how and where to buy these can differ from needing glazing for a new extension or an entirely new home.

The replacement windows route where no builder is involved is simpler. Often the project involves a like-for-like replacement of the existing windows – a simple window installation in most cases. Slightly more ambitious could be deciding to change the existing window styles for a new colour or perhaps change or update the look of your home by changing the existing window design and colour to something different.

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Aluminium Windows

The requirement for windows for a new extension or new home is more challenging. Aside from creating the window openings, there are other considerations.

  • Ensuring your choices work with your home and lifestyle longer term.
  • Arriving at the right window design or specification.
  • Compliance with Building Regulations for energy efficiency, ventilation, and safety.
  • Working with an architect, builder or carrying out research.
  • Timing your windows purchase and installation with the build and other trades.

Where to buy when replacing old windows

Our advice for a simple out-in replacement of your existing windows or doors is the supply and install route offered by your local home improvement company.

The primary reason is to get a professional survey and establish the correct manufacturing sizes of the new windows. As well as this, a trained surveyor spots details such as the condition of any existing timber or stone frames. A survey establishes the frame depth needed on the new windows and what size of trims you need to create a finished look inside the room.

Using the supplier and installer also addresses installation issues. Perhaps the new windows are above a conservatory or glazed roof. The installer can’t stand on the roof with most windows fitted from the outside. Will you need scaffolding or other access for hard to reach windows? What size of window cill or internal window board is best? You’ll also need to consider first-floor windows as a means of escape or an easy cleaning facility. What about child restrictors? All of these considerations and many more are familiar to your window installer.

buying aluminium windows for a penthouse flat

Where to buy aluminium windows for a new home or extension

When you need windows and doors for your new extension, renovation or building project, you’ve actually got more choices. The choice of the supply and installation route remains the best for simplicity.

The benefits of the retail supply and installation service

Work with a good installation business, and you get many benefits:

  • Access to product expertise, saving you time researching
  • A professional survey working out the required sizes for your glazing
  • The longer guarantee, up to 20 years with some products
  • After-care service with optional routine maintenance of your new windows and doors

Moreover, the retail route works best when you buy windows for a new extension and when also buying any patio doors with a low threshold, Your door provider and your builder or architect need to work collaboratively to give you the desired flush look. Similarly, with windows, you may need to work out their positioning, opening modules, how any shaped windows will work, such an apex window above a bifolding door.

picture of a builder fitting a window

Getting your builder to buy and fit your new windows

Many builders can install doors and windows. After all, you entrust them with building you a safe structure, so why not get them to fit your windows and doors? There are pros to getting your builder to fit your windows.

  • In most cases, you’ll save money vs the retail route with access to trade prices
  • You already know your builder and trust them vs an unknown window firm
  • Delivery dates on the windows or doors are usually faster,
  • Most builders with experience fitting windows do a good job

However there are also cons

  • If your builder has a supplier, you may be limited in the choice
  • You won’t get the ten year guarantee or 20 year product guarantees of the retail route
  • Your builder may not have the expertise in establishing manufacturing sizes leading to mistakes
  • Construction firms generally don’t take as good care of window frames, leading to damage

You buy the windows, and your builder fits

There are now ways for homeowners to buy windows and doors direct and their builder installs. This provides all the advantages of the builder supplying and fitting. Even better, you get access to exactly the style of glazing you need such as windows and doors in the steel-look from specialist suppliers.

You may prefer this route where your builder doesn’t have access to products you’ve seen but still have the trust in your construction firm to fit your new windows and doors.

  • You’ll need to find a windows and doors supplier offering such a service
  • You won’t get a longer product warranty via the trade route
  • Most suppliers expect you to provide full order details, sizes and specifications
  • Resolving product delays or mistakes is harder than a supplier and installer.

We’ve created a full explanation of potential pitfalls with buying direct and getting someone else to fit.

The hardest element of this route is probably establishing manufacturing sizes. Again, the installation and retail route via a glazing firm undoubtedly solves this problem.

As good as your builder is, large patio door openings can be irregular across the width and height. Does your builder have the expertise to accommodate any irregularity in the opening when establishing the manufacturing sizes?

Whilst all of this sounds daunting, the reality is good direct suppliers of doors and windows have worked hard to make it easy. Some will provide a survey service at extra cost. Many provide all sorts of information about measuring and fitting doors and windows for builders. A few even offer an ‘assisted-fit’ service for more complicated glazing.

You buy your windows direct from the manufacturer

You or your builder can now buy fully fabricated windows and doors direct from the manufacturer. The advantage of this is that many manufacturers now have excellent showrooms to view and talk about products.

They frequently work with builders, so there’s expertise there too. Some even offer an assisted fit service or a survey where you want help with the actual sizes.

Whilst this route still places responsibility on you, if you’re confident managing this process to buy windows, this too can save money.

Buying aluminium windows online

There are the usual precautions to buying anything online, but with doors and windows, it can get more complicated.

First of all, it’s worth establishing whether the online supplier is a manufacturer of these or buying in via the trade route and then selling online. Then it’s ensuring the doors and windows advertised are those you’ll get. For instance, are the images representative of the product? Will you get the look you expect?

The biggest risk to buying online is getting the right product. Windows and door aesthetics are frequently governed by sizes. You may see a slimline aluminium window online, but what you get is thicker in profile because it’s larger than the sizes possible with slimline profiles. Unless your online supplier provides absolute clarity on the products you’ll get, this is by far the riskiest route, even if the cheapest.

Overall online places a larger responsibility on you. Of course, all the considerations with the builder or trade route above still apply to buying online.

buying aluminium windows for a detached house

Window Guarantees when you buy aluminium windows

When you buy aluminium windows the best guarantee is the one you get from the retail, supply and installation route.

Many window installers provide long product and fitting guarantees actually exceeding what they get from their suppliers. An excellent example is glass. It’s impossible to find a glass unit bought from a glass manufacturer with a guarantee longer than five years. Some installers pass on this same time period to you. Others choose to take a risk by offering a ten year guarantee to you.

Similarly, there are products available from specialist manufacturers who honour their products for up to 25 years only when bought through an approved and trained dealer. You miss out on this extended, and for many, peace of mind guarantee when buying anywhere other than the retail route.

So when you decide how and where to buy aluminium windows, the guarantee you get won’t be the same.

Whether you buy windows and your builder installs, or leave the windows sourcing to your builder. Check the warranty you’ll get both with the product and the installation.

Ongoing maintenance after you buy windows

No window or door is a fit-and-forget product. The low maintenance of modern aluminium and PVCu materials is widely marketed, giving you the impression your new windows, once installed, never need anything but a routine clean. This is not true.

Over time, all windows and doors, especially large sliding or folding doors, will require routine maintenance and adjustment. Many retail suppliers and installers offer such a service either free, as a service package, or one-off cost.

When you choose where to buy aluminium windows, do consider potential maintenance and servicing in the future.

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Andrew DOBSONAndrew DOBSON
16:42 30 Oct 23
Nick responded incredibly quickly to my enquiry (on a Saturday too!), and was able to offer invaluable advice on both aluminum systems and manufacturer / suppliers. Thanks Nick!
chris steerchris steer
16:18 09 Oct 23
Had a meeting with Nick during the grand designs show. Was extremely helpful and professional would highly recommend
Chris WesthorpChris Westhorp
19:55 13 Sep 23
Extremely helpful with pointing us in the right direction to find the products we required and suggesting firms that could reliably fit them.Nick was quick to reply and very detailed in his advice.Highly recommend reaching out to them.
Cathy GreenwoodCathy Greenwood
07:03 11 Sep 23
Update - A second email to nick for help on bifolds resulted in a detailed informative reply even on a Sunday ! This guy is so knowledgable and helpful .I approached Nick for an independent view on sliding doors v bifold and the different brand options . His reply was extremely detailed and prompt and allowed me to navigate this often confusing world in a much more informed way . Thanks so much Nick
Anthony CraigAnthony Craig
12:45 05 Sep 23
This is a must site for anyone looking for advice. Great service and very quick answers to questions. Nick has been of great help quiding us through the maze of aluminium products. Thank you
Philip DuffieldPhilip Duffield
20:24 26 Jul 23
I contacted Nick @ ATS for guidance on what aluminium sliding door systems would be suitable for an opening in an extension that is going to be both wide and tall. He came back really quickly with very detailed and incredibly helpful advice. He is clearly extremely knowledgeable about the systems on the market and their respective features and capabilities. If you’re feeling a bit lost by the overwhelming range of choices out there, I’d definitely recommend contacting him.
Dariush HekmatDariush Hekmat
17:25 19 Jul 23
Nick's advice is great. He is always quick to respond and spends time on responses, which really help to make an informed decision.
Alan FosterAlan Foster
07:51 12 Jul 23
Absolutely fantastic. Asked for advice about replacing Crittall (?) windows late last night and early this morning received 3 great suggestions and contact information for suppliers
Rachel LauRachel Lau
09:24 16 Jun 23
Fantastic website full of valuable and pragmatic advice about product selection and comparison: no other website gives information like this. Truly written for public interest. Don't hesistate to reach out to Nick via the mailing system. He responds very quickly, is friendly, and has very sound and high knowledgable advice. I have already shared this with my friend planning her own grand design.
guard Charlieguard Charlie
12:28 14 May 23
I emailed this company just on the off chance they could help me with new magnetic sliders for my patio door. They were not able to supply those but were so very helpful providing me with the name of a company who could. I am so very grateful at the great service. Dare say customers must be very happy. thank you so much.
Benjamin LewisBenjamin Lewis
10:06 04 May 23
Nick is very helpful indeed. Extremely knowledgeable on bifolds which was in relation to my query. Great website as well, some very useful articles. Particularly appreciated the article that lists all the major bifold options in order of their sightlines! Thank you!
P JonesP Jones
08:07 15 Apr 23
I asked Nick some questions about an installation we were considering and he replied within hours with some very useful suggestions that will probably lead us to using a different make and supplier. Thanks, Nick. Great work.
Nicholas WallNicholas Wall
13:18 02 Apr 23
Looking for fair and honest expert advice on all aspect of aluminium windows and doors? These guys will arm you with all the information you need to make the RIGHT choice in a highly complex, crowded marketplace. post a question and you will get a very quick professional answer you can rely on being based on fact. Thanks guys!
Giorgia SiriacoGiorgia Siriaco
16:25 21 Mar 23
After a lot of research to find doors that would meet our unusual size requirements and feeling increasingly uncertain about the best way to spend our small budget, I stumbled on the ATS website, and I'm so glad I did! I contacted ATS to request advice and Nick promptly replied with a wealth of information, providing us with options and relevant contact details. I only wish I'd found them sooner!
Carol NortonCarol Norton
10:01 17 Mar 23
I've been so confused about how to achieve the look I'm after, and going round in circles with various window/door companies, trying to get away from the huge chunks of plastic currently around my windows. I didn't expect an email to a company found through a Google search to really help - but I was desperate, so I tried. I'm SO glad I did. Finally I have clear explanations from ATS of where I've been going wrong, exactly what I'm looking for, and a list of local companies that might be able to provide it! The response has excelled my expectations and I feel as if I'm finally inching closer to a home with which I'll be happy and comfortable: thank you.
David NunnDavid Nunn
20:54 14 Mar 23
It is rare that I write reviews, however after my very positive communication with Nick - enquiring about suitable slim sash aluminium windows for my project, I felt that a review was definitely warranted. I can reinforce the many positive reviews posted so far, Nick was very quick to respond, providing comprehensive detail, with excellent independent advice.In summary, great service, thank you Nick.
Chantal AuerbachChantal Auerbach
13:04 09 Mar 23
Nick from Aluminium Trade Supply was incredibly helpful informative and pleasant to deal with. He responded quickly to emails and was very knowledgeable. Highly recommend being in touch with Nick if you are considering new aluminium windows or doors.
Lee JonesLee Jones
20:21 22 Feb 23
I dropped Nick at Aluminium Trade Supply an email re high security slim sightline bi-folds and their alternatives and he responded that quickly (and so comprehensively) that I felt bad I’d not paid him for his time!Nick Sir your product knowledge is outstanding and you are providing a level of service that goes wayyyy above and beyond expectations. I’ll definitely make sure I mention Aluminium Trade Supply to anyone I encounter looking for a fenestration solution 🙏🏼
G JG J
15:13 13 Feb 23
We are looking to replace some old UPVC patios doors with aluminium ones. The ATS website is a great source of advice in an area where clear information is sorely lacking. Having used the website, I then followed this up with a number of specific questions relating to our search, and Nick came back very quickly with clear, detailed and very useful advice.I have been very impressed with both the website and with Nick's advice. My only regret is that I didn't come across ATS before replacing various windows in 2021 - I'm sure it would have saved me a lot of grief and money! Thanks again Nick.
Azza McCabeAzza McCabe
17:47 01 Feb 23
So impressed with this company.Responded to my query quickly andgave valuable advice. Nick was extremely helpful and we were able to move forward with our project.
Adri LoloçiAdri Loloçi
11:21 08 Jan 23
Nick was super fast to respond and provided some great recommendations. I would recommend this website to anyone looking to find bifold or sliding aluminium doors.
Stephen HoustonStephen Houston
16:16 03 Jan 23
Looking for aluminium crittall style internal door and external patio French doors. Noted good reviews and thought would ask for advice. Comprehensive reply with excellent independent advice and lists of fitters who could provide products and installation. Great service.
Inga GeachInga Geach
08:25 21 Dec 22
Nick from Aluminium Trade Supply has been extremely helpful with navigating the jungle that is aluminium glazing for our upcoming extension project. His advice was prompt, detailed and always impartial. Very grateful for your input, thanks Nick!
Amanda BurtonAmanda Burton
10:54 16 Dec 22
Brilliant website and an excellent service. Nick provided not only detailed advice and supplier contacts, but highlighted the considerations of various products so I could make an informed choice. Our Sunvista minimal sliders were fitted this week and I couldn't be happier, stunning. Thanks once again for your advice and recommendations, invaluable!
Keith BarnesKeith Barnes
17:18 10 Dec 22
Very helpful advice given to my question, including the name of 3 different companies that i could try for the product being enquired about. Many thanks
Munim ChowdhuryMunim Chowdhury
11:45 13 Sep 22
Nick has been very helpful on signposting me to a number of partner organisations for steel/aluminium doors.
SUSAN wallaceSUSAN wallace
17:26 31 Aug 22
My experience with this firm was exceptionally good and this is notalways the case as a female, dipping a toe into technical waters.I was spoken too with courtesy and at a level that helped me consolidate what was needed .On top of that I was given a list of companies and places where I could obtain the type of product I needed.I could not thank them enough and would certainly go there again and reccommend others do too.
Paul SalterPaul Salter
22:39 22 Aug 22
Contacting Aluminium Trade Supply is like contacting the Oracle direct. Advice is always comprehensive and balanced. On multiple occasions they have provided me with options that fully meet our objectives. Many thanks.
Nick McCormackNick McCormack
20:25 14 Aug 22
Really helpful and useful came back to me on a Sunday with some invaluable information. Highly recommended.
ray addisonray addison
13:14 14 Aug 22
received a prompt reply to my query,and helpful information from ATS
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