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In this CR Smith windows review, we look at the company’s pros and cons, services, products and ratings to help you decide if it’s the best fit for your home and double glazing project.
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.
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:
You should also consider the cons, including:
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:
| Material | Cost per window (excluding installation and labour) |
|---|---|
| uPVC | From £250 to £570 |
| Timber | From £845 to £910 |
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.”
“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.”
“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.
Double glazing is designed to last, with uPVC windows remaining viable for up to 35 years. Their longevity is somewhat dependent on the quality of the windows and their installation, and how well they are looked after. Timber frames, especially, require regular maintenance to keep their attractive features and beneficial properties.
The price of replacement windows varies greatly depending on the installer, the frame material, window style and the number of windows required. Generally, uPVC windows are one of the cheapest options, coming in at between £150 and £900 for an average sized casement window.
If your replacement windows are starting to fail by allowing draughts in and there’s a build up of condensation between the panes, it may be time to consider updating them. It this falls within the warranty period, contact your installer and explain the issues. However, if the warranty has expired, think about the benefits that you enjoyed with fully functioning double glazing – lower heating bills, insulation against outside noise, and a lack of annoying condensation. Most homeowners consider these benefits reason enough to update their old double glazing.
If your single glazed windows aren’t keeping the cold out anymore, or you’re noticing problems with damp, it’s worth considering replacement windows, or the cheaper alternative of secondary glazing.
This involves adding a second pane of glass set in a frame, and attaching it to the inside of your old windows. While these are generally good at keeping the warmth in your home, they may not be as insulating as a sealed unit. They often also lack the sleek, attractive appearance of double glazing, and can make your window sill narrower.
There are several disadvantages to consider when thinking about double glazing.
Depending on the style, frame type and installer you choose, they can be expensive, but this can be offset against the money you save on your heating bill. This amount varies, but typically for a average UK household, it could be as much as £235 annually.
Due to double glazing being in a sealed unit, if it becomes compromised, the window often needs to be replaced. There are several simple fixes a keen DIYer can carry out, such as tightening the handle, but often the entire unit needs replacing.
Surprisingly, while double glazing windows can keep your home toasty and warm in the winter, during hot summer afternoons, rooms can get too warm. There are window tints available to counteract this issue but these will add to the overall cost.
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: