Service
Premium aluminium window systems in any RAL colour — fitted by the same family team with over 10 years of trade experience. Slim sightlines, large pane sizes and a frame life that outlasts the next two kitchens.
Over 10 years of trade experience · 10-year guarantee on products & installations · All fitting teams covered by Certass · Family-run, Co. No. 12684765 · Quote slots 7am–8pm seven days
Overview
Aluminium is the right answer when you want minimum frame and maximum glass — typically on rear extensions, contemporary frontages, and any opening where PVC mullions would feel chunky. The metal is strong enough to support large panes (up to 2.5m² per sash) and the powder-coat finish doesn't fade or chalk over its 25–30 year life.
Most Essex aluminium installs we do are matt anthracite (RAL 7016), jet black or white externally, often with a contrasting internal colour. Bedroom and kitchen elevations on rear extensions, replacement front frontages on 1960s/70s detacheds, and large feature windows on architect-designed self-builds are our most common applications.
What goes wrong
Two recurring issues: thermal break failures and powder-coat damage during install. Cheap aluminium systems use polyamide thermal breaks too narrow to meet current Building Regs without relying on triple glazing — meaning you pay for high-spec glass to compensate for under-spec frames. We fit only systems with 24mm+ thermal breaks (Smart Alitherm 70, premium aluminium window systems 8).
Powder-coat damage during install is the other one — fitters using metal trowels against the powder-coated face leave permanent scuffs that can't be touched up invisibly. We use protective tape over every visible face during install and remove it only at sign-off.
Process
01
Measure, structural reveal check, and discussion of which aluminium system suits your openings (slimline vs heavy-duty vs heritage profile).
02
Powder-coat colour from the full RAL range, glass spec, hardware finish (chrome, brushed steel, matt black) — all in writing.
03
5–7 weeks lead time on aluminium. We confirm install dates the day frames leave the factory.
04
Protected powder-coat faces, careful frame handling, structural fixings into masonry (not just into reveal trims), and proper EPDM perimeter detailing.
05
Every opening tested, Certass notification within 30 days, 25-year frame warranty plus our 10-year workmanship guarantee.
Benefits
Frame face widths from 50–70mm — about half the visual mass of equivalent PVC. Better view, more daylight.
Single sashes up to 2.5m² and fixed lights up to 4m² without intermediate mullions. Game-changing on rear extensions.
Powder-coated aluminium doesn't fade, chalk, warp or rot. Outperforms PVC and timber on lifespan by a significant margin.
Aluminium is structurally stronger than PVC. Multi-point shoot bolts and laminated glass options on ground-floor openings as standard.
24mm+ polyamide thermal breaks deliver U-values from 1.2 W/m²K — meets and beats current Building Regs without triple glazing.
Aluminium is endlessly recyclable. Most modern systems use 75%+ recycled content. Better embodied-carbon profile than virgin PVC.
In Detail
Smart Alitherm 70: our standard contemporary residential system. 70mm frame depth, 24mm thermal break, U-values from 1.4 W/m²K with double glazing. The right system for most rear extensions and contemporary frontages.
Smart Heritage: aluminium replica of a steel Crittall window. Slim sightlines (down to 35mm), available in any RAL colour. Used on Art Deco and 1930s properties where steel windows are being replaced.
premium aluminium window systems 8: premium high-performance system for architect-led projects and Passivhaus targets. U-values down to 0.8 W/m²K with triple glazing. Larger maximum pane sizes than Smart 70.
Powder-coat colours: the full RAL palette is available. Most-asked: anthracite (RAL 7016), jet black (RAL 9005), pure white (RAL 9010), slate grey (RAL 7015), olive green (RAL 6003). Dual colour (different inside/out) is available as an option.
Hardware finishes: brushed stainless, polished chrome, matt black, satin nickel — your choice per opening.
Glass specs: 4-20-4 argon-filled is baseline. Acoustic laminated, solar-control and self-cleaning options available.

Coverage
Aluminium installs across Essex span the full geography — from contemporary new-builds in Hertford and Harlow to rear-extension projects in Chelmsford, Brentwood and Billericay.
Who Delivers This
Director, Bi Folds & Windows Direct of Essex Ltd
Billy is the director of Bi Folds & Windows Direct of Essex Ltd — a family-run business incorporated on 20 June 2020 (Companies House No. 12684765) that supplies and installs aluminium bi-fold doors, uPVC and aluminium windows, composite front doors and roof lanterns directly to homeowners across Essex, Kent and Hertfordshire.
Recent Work
FAQs
Survey, system recommendation, RAL colour and glass spec — all in writing. 25-year frame warranty plus our 10-year workmanship guarantee.
Family-run · Company No. 12684765 · 10-year workmanship guarantee