CR Smith double glazing windows review

CR Smith is one of Scotland’s oldest home improvement businesses, with roots in the community going back more than 100 years. The company employs over 350 people in Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, Cowdenbeath and Dunfermline, enabling exceptional double glazing windows services throughout Scotland.

CR Smith manufactures its high-quality bespoke products in its own manufacturing plant. This plant has expanded considerably in the last few years and the company runs its own apprenticeship and training scheme, which helps ensure that service is standardised and meets quality benchmarks. As such, the company has a solid reputation for customer service and quality products. In 2020, it was named one of the top replacement window companies in the UK by Which?. An impressive 98% of customers recommend the brand.

There are several unique characteristics that we like about CR Smith. The company offers home design visits, as well as online virtual design appointments for complete flexibility. They create beautiful 3D renders using photographs of your home and the designs you’ve chosen, even producing an immersive 360-degree animation, allowing you to “walk through” a mock-up of the completed project before you commit. There are also design consultants available to help you reach a final decision regarding your windows.

Replacement windows can give a property a much-needed aesthetic update, reduce noise pollution, improve heat insulation and reduce a household’s energy bills. Double glazing features an insulating layer of air sealed between two panes of glass. CR Smith also offers optional low-emissivity glass to improve heat retention even further. You can choose from a range of beautiful Lorimer window styles, including tilt and turn, casement, sliding sash and reversible. All the windows are made to measure in Scotland, and installed with internal timber sills and surrounds.

• Guarantee options: CR Smith windows come with a 10-year guarantee on the product, parts and workmanship.
• Price range: From £250 for uPVC windows and £845 for hardwood framing
• Energy efficiency rating: A-rated
• Secured by Design (SBD) rating: Secured by Design accredited

• Highlights: Long-standing company with nearly 50 years of experience and solid customer service. 
• Key benefit: Highly secure, SBD-accredited windows for complete peace of mind.
• Memberships and certifications: All products are manufactured in line with Scottish building regulations. They carry a number of accreditations, including BS Kitemarks, CE Kitemarks, PAS 24 accreditations and Secured by Design.
• Styles: Casement, sliding sash, tilt and turn and reversible.

While CR Smith has a solid reputation and is known for delivering quality products and services, there are always pros and cons to consider before making a final decision.

Pros of buying your double glazing windows from CR Smith include:

• Steady investment: CR Smith windows may have been in business for nearly 50 years, but the company is still growing. Its manufacturing plant has seen over £3 million in investment in the last four years, and the company invests heavily in apprenticeships and training. 
• Great reputation: CR Smith windows were named one of the best double glazing companies in the UK by Which?, with 98% of customers stating they would happily recommend the company. 
• Security guarantee: CR Smith’s Lorimer windows carry a unique security guarantee. They will replace any window fitted to a brickwork aperture free of charge if it fails and causes an intruder to gain entry through the frame. This does not include glass breakage, however.
• 3D design service: CR Smith creates realistic 3D digital models of your project using photographs and your chosen designs. For larger remodels, the design team can create a fully immersive virtual reality animation so that you can explore your space before making a final decision. Consultants are also available to help you choose the best window designs and colours for your home. You’ll have full support throughout the process.
• Offers and finance options: The company offers a number of seasonable offers which are available to view on the website. You can also buy your new windows on finance.

You should also consider the cons, including:

• Scotland only: The company is only operational in Scotland at this time.
• Warranty: CR Smith offers a 10-year warranty, which is the standard minimum. Many other brands offer longer warranties.
• Timber and uPVC only: CR Smith only produces timber and uPVC windows. uPVC are on the cheaper end of the spectrum, while timber is the most expensive option. If you want composite or aluminium frames, you will need to look elsewhere.

CR Smith windows are installed with internal timber sills and surrounds. (Image credit: CR Smith)

CR Smith claims to operate with a very thorough, hands-on approach.

First, there’s an initial consultation (virtually, or in your home). During this consultation, an advisor will help you choose the style, colour and finish of your replacement windows. The consultant will walk through the options available and make recommendations based on the appearance and architecture of your property. CR Smith will measure your windows and detail the specifications. For virtual consultations, you may need to measure your windows in advance.

Once you’ve approved the initial quotation, a measurement surveyor will visit your home to take more detailed measurements and discuss your options. They will also ensure that installation can take place according to Scottish building regulations, and will apply for any local authority permissions that are required. Once the survey has been completed, the planning team will arrange an installation date.

The company states that installation generally begins upstairs (if your home has more than one storey) so that bathrooms/bedrooms are completed first. Four windows can be installed a day, but this can vary based on the size, location and choice of finish. 

Once your windows are installed, decorators will varnish, wax and/or paint your internal sills.

CR Smith tops our list of Scottish double glazing providers, but if you live elsewhere in the UK, you may want to consider Anglian or Everest.

Anglian is a large double glazing installer with offices across England and Wales. The company sells aluminium, timber and uPVC windows in a variety of styles and offers a 15-year warranty for double glazing, which is longer than CR Smith’s 10-year guarantee.

CR Smith is known for its exquisite timber frames, so if you have your heart set on wooden frames, you may also want to consider Everest. Everest is pricier, but claims its quality is second to none. Everest windows also come with impressive warranties. The standard guarantee is 10 years, but some ranges are covered for 20 years. You can even take advantage of the company’s lifetime guarantee offer (for an additional fee).

CR Smith currently only offers double glazing windows in Scotland. (Image credit: CR Smith)

To provide an accurate quote, CR Smith will need to measure your windows and discuss the material options with you. Timber is generally a lot more expensive than uPVC, so bear that in mind. Here is an approximate idea what you can expect to pay for CR Smith windows:

Before making a decision about the material you would like to use for your windows, you should take maintenance into consideration.

uPVC windows are very easy to maintain. You can get away with simply wiping them down with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. All you really need to do to keep them in top shape is avoid paste or cream-based cleaners and abrasive chemicals, such as bleach. 

If you opt for wooden frames, you may need to carry out more maintenance. Timber will inevitably degrade over time. You may even need to sand or varnish your windows after a few years. If your window frames become very dirty, you can use a soft scouring pad and washing-up liquid to lift any marks. Try not to use too much water during the cleaning process, dry the frames with a soft cloth afterwards and never use chemical cleaners on your timber frames.

CR Smith offers a number of window styles to suit many different property types (Image credit: CR Smith)

“We had our whole house double glazed by CR Smith a few years ago, a neighbour mowing accidentally flung a stone up and cracked a pane on the lounge window. We called CR Smith, who sent round an assessor that took all the details and put the order in, we then had the fitter round to put the replacement pane in. Super job, no mess and on time, well done. I’m really pleased we went with CR Smith for our windows and doors as their after-sales service when we’ve needed it is utterly brilliant. 10/10.”

• Grae, Trustpilot

“I had new windows fitted last year, no complaints, very professional. It was quite late in the year so we never noticed the lines running up six of the windows. You could only see them when the sun was at a certain angle. Phoned customer service and they arranged for a manager to come and inspect the windows. From our complaint to the windows being replaced only took about three weeks. This was very quick and we can only thank the new manager Gary Adkin for this quick resolution. Again the guy that replaced the windows did a great job. Would recommend CR Smith and staff. 10 out of 10. Well Done.”

• William, Trustpilot

“The guys from Aberdeen were brilliant. They turned up when they said they would. The work carried out was finished to a very high standard. I am very happy with CR Smith and would recommend them to anyone.”

James, Trustpilot

CR Smith has been operational in Scotland for decades and still manages to innovate and come up with new and exciting ways to approach double glazing. We like the company’s virtual design approach for larger projects and the care the team puts into even the smallest jobs.

What really makes CR Smith windows stand out is their security. The windows are not only accredited by Secured by Design, but the company is willing to replace any doors or windows that allow intruders access to your home.

CR Smith’s windows are really elegant and unique, and they are available in a range of styles. If you are looking for secure, A-rated double-glazed windows for your home in Scotland, be sure to consider this well-regarded company.

To accurately compile this CR Smith windows review, we read hundreds of customer reviews, technical documents and media articles. We then created a scoring system totalling one hundred points to rate CR Smith windows and assess its services against other double glazing providers in the UK.

Our scoring system evaluated the following:

• The type of double glazing material (uPVC, wooden, aluminium), for a total of 20 points;
• The number of styles on offer, for a total of 10 points;
• The energy efficiency rating held by the company, for a total of two to five points;
• The level of security offered, for a total of 10 points;
• The warranty period, for a total of two to five points depending on its length;
• The company’s years of experience, for seven to 10 points;
• The number of payment options, for a total of 15 points;
• The total rating score of the company held on Trustpilot, for a total of one to 10 points; and
• Additional benefits (including FENSA certification, design options, customer support and the inclusion of trickle vents), for a total of 15 points.

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