Both Smart Systems and Cortizo produce quality thermally broken aluminium windows, but they come from different manufacturing traditions and serve slightly different markets in the UK. If you’re trying to choose between them, this guide lays out an honest comparison across performance, design, pricing, and practicalities.
Arc Glazing works with both systems, which puts us in a good position to give you a genuinely balanced view.
Overview of Smart Windows
Smart Systems is a UK based aluminium systems manufacturer. The company designs thermally broken aluminium profiles for windows, doors, and curtain walling, which are then fabricated and installed by a network of approved UK fabricators and installers.
Smart’s window range covers casement, tilt and turn, and fixed configurations. The systems are designed specifically for the UK market and have a long track record of use in residential, commercial, and public sector projects across the country. Technical support, test data, and compliance documentation are all UK facing.
Key characteristics:
– Thermally broken profiles with polyamide thermal break
– Typical whole window U-values of 1.4-1.6 W/m²K (double glazed)
– PAS 24:2016 security certification
– Available through a wide UK fabricator network
– Any RAL colour, dual colour options available
– Tested and certified to UK and European standards
[View Smart Casement Windows] | [View Smart Tilt & Turn Windows]
Overview of Cortizo Windows
Cortizo is a Spanish aluminium systems manufacturer with a large European presence. Founded in Galicia, Cortizo produces a broad range of aluminium systems for windows, doors, curtain walling, and architectural applications. Their products are sold in the UK through a smaller network of approved fabricators than Smart.
Cortizo’s window systems are known for:
– European design sensibility with elegant, slim profiles
– Strong thermal performance, including some systems designed for Passivhaus use
– High build quality and precision engineering
– A broader architectural product portfolio including more complex curtain walling and commercial systems
– Compliance with European standards, with UK documentation available
Cortizo tends to be specified more frequently on higher-specification residential projects, architect designed homes, and commercial schemes where European glazing systems are being drawn on.
Thermal & Security Comparison
Thermal Performance
Both Smart and Cortizo offer thermally broken aluminium windows with comparable standard U-values:
| System | Thermal Break | Typical Uw (Double Glazed) |
| Smart Casement | Polyamide break | 1.4-1.6 W/m²K |
| Smart Tilt & Turn | Polyamide break | 1.4-1.5 W/m²K |
| Cortizo Window Systems | Polyamide break | 1.3-1.6 W/m²K |
At double-glazed specification, there is minimal real world difference in thermal performance between Smart and Cortizo. Both systems exceed the UK regulatory requirement of 1.6 W/m²K for replacement windows. Cortizo’s more specialised systems, designed for higher performance applications, can achieve very low U-values with triple glazing, but this is available from Smart too.
For energy efficiency details, [see our Smart U-values guide]
Security
Smart’s windows are certified to PAS 24:2016, the UK enhanced security standard. Cortizo’s UK supplied systems are also designed to meet PAS 24, though it’s worth confirming current certification status for the specific system being specified. Both are suitable for Approved Document Q compliance in new dwellings.
Design & Aesthetics
Profile Depth and Sightlines
Cortizo has developed a reputation for particularly elegant, slim profile aluminium windows. Some of their systems achieve visible sightlines that are competitive with the slimmest options on the European market. Smart’s profiles are slim by UK standards, but Cortizo may have a marginal edge in sightline fineness for the most profile conscious specifications.
For the majority of residential projects, the difference is subtle and matters mainly to architects and homeowners who have directly compared physical samples.
Surface Finish and Colour
Both systems are available in the full RAL colour range, with dual colour options (different internal and external colours) available. Cortizo’s manufacturing process and finish quality are well regarded. Smart’s finish quality depends on the fabricator and their powder coater. For both systems, requesting samples and understanding the supply chain behind the finish is advisable on high specification projects.
European vs UK Design Language
Cortizo’s design heritage is European, and some of their product ranges reflect a Continental window aesthetic, particularly in terms of rebate depths and hardware styling. Smart is designed specifically for the UK market, meaning fabricators and installers are generally more familiar with the system, hardware options are well suited to UK preferences, and technical support is immediately available.
Pricing & Lead Times
Pricing
Smart windows are generally positioned at a competitive price point within the UK thermally broken aluminium market. Cortizo windows, particularly their higher specification or more architecturally refined systems, tend to come at a modest premium over Smart.
Indicative supply and installation costs (per window, double glazed, standard size):
– Smart casement window: approximately £700-£1,400 installed
– Cortizo casement window: approximately £800-£1,600 installed
Pricing varies significantly by window size, configuration, colour choice, and installer. The gap narrows or disappears for standard specifications, and may widen for bespoke or high performance configurations.
Lead Times
Smart’s large UK fabricator network is one of its genuine commercial advantages. Lead times for standard Smart windows are typically 4-6 weeks from confirmed order. Cortizo’s smaller UK installer network means lead times may be slightly longer depending on location and specification, typically 5-8 weeks. [See our Smart lead times guide]
Pros & Cons
Smart Windows
Pros:
– Strong UK fabricator network, widely available with competitive pricing
– UK-based technical support and compliance documentation
– Well understood by UK fabricators and installers
– Competitive thermal and security performance
– Good glazing flexibility through fabricator network
Cons:
– Less architectural cachet than European brands with some specifiers
– Profile aesthetics are good but not market-leading for ultra-slim sightlines
Cortizo Windows
Pros:
– European design pedigree, appealing to architect-led projects
– Some systems offer particularly slim sightlines
– Strong across the full range from residential to complex commercial
– High manufacturing quality
Cons:
– Smaller UK installer network, fewer options for installation support
– Modest price premium over Smart
– Less familiar to many UK fabricators and installers
– Lead times may be slightly longer
Final Recommendation
For the majority of UK residential and commercial projects, Smart Systems windows represent the pragmatic and commercially strong choice, well-performing, competitively priced, and supported by a well-established UK installer network. The performance difference between Smart and Cortizo at standard specification is negligible.
Cortizo is the better choice if you’re working with a specific architect or specifier who has a preference for the European aesthetic, or if the project demands the most architecturally refined slim profile aluminium. In that context, the modest premium is justified.
For projects where price, availability, and installer support matter most, Smart wins on practical grounds.
Get a Quote for Smart Windows from Arc Glazing
Arc Glazing can supply and install both Smart and Cortizo windows. We’re happy to compare options honestly based on your project’s requirements, budget, and aesthetic goals.
[Get a Quote for Smart Windows, Contact Arc Glazing]
Related Guides
– [Smart vs Origin Bifold Doors]
– [Smart Tilt & Turn Windows]
– [Smart U-Values Explained]
– [Back to Smart Windows & Doors Hub]