Blog Post

Using Aluspace

  • By Ashleigh Patterson
  • •
  • 01 Feb, 2023
  • •

Putting the glazing industry's newest trend to the test

In recent months, we have had many requests to carry out work using the new industrial looks aluminium for internal projects; however, we never quite found the right product to go about this with. Every product we looked at either didn't match close enough with the external aluminium products we were using, were not bespoke enough or had not enough glazing options - until Aluspace.

Our aluminium profile we use - Smart Architectural - brought out a new range late last year. You might think they did not get up to speed quick enough, but this is because they were waiting and testing until they got it RIGHT! - and how right they got it. 

The profile matches perfectly to their Heritage bifold and window system so that a whole project can be cohesive throughout. Their colour options of any RAL colour, their standard being matte RAL 9005 for a quick turnaround - which is what most customers want. The option of 4mm or 6mm single glazing or even double glazing for noise reduction. We are also loving seeing the return of the Pilkington Reeded glass, used above.

When it came to this project, the customer wanted their property completed transformed. We installed Premium Palladio front and side doors with bespoke arched top boxes. We also installed Ultimate Rose Heritage sash windows finished in white ash woodgrain to replace the existing sashes.

The final part of the renovation was the kitchen/utility/dining area. For this, we used Smart Architectural aluminium products for all of the elements making the black slimline look a feature of the property. We installed a three section bifold with solar powered in-between glass blinds constructed in the Smart Visofold 6000 series Heritage option along with a Smart Alitherm Heritage window above the sink. For the internal doors we continued with the Heritage industrial look using Aluspace which looks absolutley incredible! We used a mixture of single and double glazing. We used double glazing for noise reduction through to the utility as that is where the washing machine is. Overall the project turned out amazing. We cannot thank our team enough for carrying out this great work - once again - and also our customers.

This was heavily directed by Austin and his creativity by using the Aluspace for pocket doors so that the doors could slide back into the wall cavities, creating more usable space for the customers. 

We will continue to use Aluspace for all future projects and cannot recommend the profile enough. A true well done to Smarts and the team at Garrard Windows who manufacture all of our aluminium and UPVC. 

This customer had their whole kitchen completed by Nicholas Hythe, they can be found in St Ives with a showroom on the Quadrant. 

Using Aluspace

By Ashleigh Patterson • 01 Feb, 2023
Putting the glazing industry's newest trend to the test

It is good to be back!

By Ashleigh • 06 May, 2021
Discussing in-store safety measures and thanking our customers for their extended support.

Your perfect stay at home office!

By Ashleigh • 27 Jul, 2020
The 'new normal' of Covid-19 has brought a few challenges when it comes to your at home space. We have the perfect solution.

We are back!

By Ashleigh • 27 Jul, 2020
Discussing the changes to our business post Covid-19.

Composite and UPVC doors

By Ashleigh • 25 Jan, 2020
All of the doors we supply and fit are produced to a British Standard and also are fitted with British standard locks; however, check with whoever you decide to buy from that this is the case. We also offer a range of doors and door security to suit every customers needs. In this market the choice of doors and security can be overwhelming. A lot of our customers come to us perplexed not knowing which options are right for them. Here is a breakdown of the differences between our composite doors, UPVC doors and locking systems to clear up some of this confusion.

Solidor - composite door

 A Solidor is constructed of a 44mm solid timber core that is lead free and has a 5 chamber profile. This profile uses 100% recycled reinforcing and is very strong and thermally efficient. The locking system consists of, as standard, 2 hook locks, 3 hinge protectors and a latch lock. The locking cylinder is an Ultion cylinder which is an exceptional lock as it has a laser cut key specific to the door which can not be copied by a key cutter. To know if it is a real Solidor, knock on the door and you should hear a solid core and not hollow. 

Palladio - composite door

 A Palladio door is composed of 65mm fibreglass reinforced Monocoque composite door. It is a double rebated door ensuring exceptional draught prevention. Comes as standard with a 9-point locking system consisting of 2 hook locks, 2 shoot bolts, 4 roller locks and a dead latch  lock. This composite door has a combined U value of 0.64. 

Smart Designer Door - composite door

 A Smart Designer Door is comprised of aluminium polyamide. Every door is made of customised aluminium moulding. The polyamide acts as a thermal barrier making the door thermally efficient. This door comes as standard with a 10-point locking system.


Foam composite door

 A foam composite door is composed of a rigid foam infill panel and is finished with a GRP outer skin. 

UPVC  panel door

 This door is comprised a solid UPVC panel. Available in a range of finishes and can mimic the look of a composite door without the extra security of a composite core. These will match closely with UPVC window rather than being a feature.

UPVC door 
A UPVC door is a door comprised of UPVC midrail and transom paired with UPVC panels. 


If you have any questions regarding door types and how to differentiate them, please feel  free to contact the office.







The best solution for your uninhabitable conservatory

By Ashleigh • 23 Jan, 2020
A lot of homeowners have uninhabitable conservatories. We constantly have potential customers coming to us with the same problems; their conservatory is scorching hot in the summer and arctic cold in the winter. Ultraframe Ultraroof hybrid insulated roof is the solution to this problem. It keeps your conservatory at the perfect temperature all throughout the year. The roof pictured above is a composed of composite tiles and opening roof lights. This roof converts a conservatory into an extension of the house, increasing property value and giving you more space in your home. 

These hybrid roof systems can be composed of other materials such as aluminium panels, UPVC uTech panels and glass strips (these can come tinted). This creates a completely bespoke way of either replacing a roof or constructing a new conservatory. All of these roof systems are the only fire tested roof on the market, giving peace of mind along with our FENSA registered installers and insurance backed 10 year guarantee.

If you would like to discuss these roof systems with us, please give us a call, send us an email or come into our showroom.

Our doors and windows

By Ashleigh • 17 Jun, 2019
In a normal side opening windows, there are 10 security points:

Make sure you're protected!

By Ashleigh • 31 May, 2019
Purchasing and installing double glazing products without an approved installer and an insurance backed guarantee can at the seem like an unimportant and simple oversite, but in the long run it will cause more problems that you could anticipate and problems that a worth seeking out a company that are approved installers and can issue an insurance backed guarantee.

The problems that can occur would be incidents such as: 
- the windows not being fitted correctly and that causing problems of it's own.
- it is very difficult to sell your home without a FENSA or equivalent certification.
- if the company you purchased the double glazing from becomes bankrupt and you have problems with your products, an insurance backed guarantee will ensure that your home is taken care of. 
- if problems occur with the double glazing that you purchased an insurance backed guarantee will cover any costs that endure when fixing 
a product unless the damage is from wear and tear, accidental damage or misuse.

All glazing products installed by County Windows are FENSA approved and come with a 10 year insurance backed guarantee.

Warning about budget replacement roofs

By Ashleigh • 12 Apr, 2019
The photo above is the disaster of a clad over roof. We are seeing in this industry far too many of these horror stories.  What happens is, a trader who is intending on not constructing a replacement roof properly and is offering a budget option, tells a potential customer exactly what they want to hear. How they 'replace' the roof will be a very big red flag. How they do this is:

External clad over:  Removing the glass panels in the roof and then strapping timber batons to the outside frame. They will then fix the solid roof to the batons. 

Internal clad over: This method is done by fixing batons to the inside of the conservatory, then adding a layer of insulation to the batons and then covering with plaster boarding the inside over the insulation. 

External and internal clad over: This involves the two above methods combined.

Solid panel clad over: This method of replacing an existing conservatory roof involves removing the glass and replacing it with solid panels. This option also doesn't offer an internal finish, unless it is internally cladded. 

The problem with these replacement roof methods:

Structural Quality: A solid roof's structure needs to be much more rigid, due to it's weight, so that it is able to withstand high winds  and heavy snowfalls. 

Fire testing: All of our Ultraframe replacement roof products that we install are fire tested to reach the standards they are supposed to. An accredited fire safety certificate is available on request.

Weight: These roofs are far too heavy for a conservatory roof system. A conservatory roof system is called a conservatory roof system for a reason. It is only supposed to have a frame with glass panels.

Building regulations: Clad over roof systems do not usually comply with Building Regulations because of the quality of the structure and the inadequate thermal efficiency. 

Warranty and Guarantee: Not all clad over roofs come with a warrantee or guarantee. Also, not all guarantee's are backed with insurance. However, at County Windows, we guarantee all of our roofs for 10 years.

With our replacement roofs, we tick all the boxes.


To formulate your replacement roof project, with peace of mind, call today on 01480 461 505 or email us at info@countywindows.com

We are now stocking Ultraframe!

By Ashleigh • 11 Apr, 2019
We have been looking for a prestigious conservatory product and we finally found it. Ultraframe. With these products not only did we find a prestigious conservatory product, we found amazing extension, orangery and lantern products also. With Ultraframe, we are now able to offer products that set us apart from other building and window companies. Our installers expertise allow us to choose new products and they have no problem adapting their skills and being able to fit them. These products from Ultraframe allow us to cater to every customer's wants. Additionally, these roofs have been fully fire tested and fire certificate is available upon request.
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