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White casement bay window with royal oak sills and surrounds in a living room

What makes one window different from another?

10/03/22

What distinguishes good quality windows from the rest can often come down to the finer details and the choices customers have to style a window to suit their individual tastes and home.

When buying replacement windows there will always be a check list to cover from energy efficiency through to the trustworthiness of a guarantee. To love your windows, as we do at CR Smith, however, it is also important to consider the design of the frames, decorative finishes and the sills and surrounds which can turn a simple window into a stunning feature of a room.

Our advice is to see your replacement windows and doors as part of the very fabric of the home, capable of enhancing your property’s looks both outside and in – they are, after all, a significant purchase so why not make them beautiful to gaze at and not just through!

Here is our checklist.

Performance

If you are looking to buy new windows it is very likely to be because your existing windows aren’t functioning properly. Old windows can be draughty; they may not open or close properly and security could be a concern.

With more than 45 years’ experience behind us, all Lorimer windows are precision engineered, with the majority made at our state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Fife. They are all A-energy rated and fitted by our own qualified joiners to our exceptional LorimerFit standards.

These are Scottish windows designed, manufactured and installed for Scottish homes. And we stand by our 10-year guarantee, which is now in its fifth generation.

Check out what our customers have to say on Trustpilot.

Frames

One unique point of difference with the CR Smith range of Lorimer windows and doors is its unique slim lines. It allows natural light stream into your home and the contoured shape is exclusive to us, creating a far superior look and instant kerb appeal.

Our frames also come in a variety of colours, allowing you to choose windows that match the period and style of your home. You can choose from bright white frames, modern anthracite grey or more traditional American light oak or rosewood.

To see what might suit your type of property we can show you a range of customer homes located across the length and breadth of Scotland.

Style

Our window range includes four different styles – casement, sliding sash, tilt & turn and reversible – each with its own distinct appearance and functionality. This gives you the flexibility to choose a style that not only matches the character of your home, but also works for you both upstairs and downstairs, in flats or bungalows, and to comply with Scottish building regulations, allows for easy cleaning and even to act as a fire escape.

To find out more visit our windows page

Sills and Surrounds

How your windows look from the inside is just as important as how they look from the outside, so take time to consider both sills and surrounds. A great point of pride for CR Smith is the beautiful furniture quality timber sills and surrounds that perfectly frame our Lorimer windows internally.

From a selection of different timbers and finishes you can tailor each Lorimer window to complement your furniture and interior décor. We offer royal oak, natural ash or American cherry hand finished with wax or varnish, or an engineered wood painted a brilliant white. Our team of decorators will make sure everything is flawless.

To learn more click here

Ironmongery

The little things matter. Handles and hinges should offer the most advanced safety and security features on the market as standard. They should also work with the style of your window. We have not only chosen a design to match the looks of our Lorimer frame, we can also provide the handles in a variety of colours – graphite, bright gold, black, white and bright chrome.

Decorative Glass

For a truly individual touch, you can always add a decorative glass. CR Smith has an in-house design team who work with our customers to personalise their windows and doors. The choice ranges from stained glass, sandblasted designs, bevelled glass or leaded diamonds and squares so you can create either something traditional or more modern. The finish is always stunning.

Maybe some of our customers’ designs will inspire your creativity.

Close up photo of a stained glass window design
Close up of a stained glass window design
Close up of a Scottish thistle stained glass window design

FAQ’s

Q: Are all windows the same?

A: Just as every window company is different, so are their windows. CR Smith exclusively offers, manufactures and installs the Lorimer range of windows and doors, which have been designed and precision engineered for Scottish homes. We take pride in the fact that our Lorimer windows not only perform exceptionally, but they look fantastic both from outside your home and from within.

Q: What makes the Lorimer window different to others?

A: From the slim lines of the Lorimer frame, choice of design and the beautiful internal finishes, we believe you will not find better. We even back it up with a 10-year guarantee, which we have offered now for over 45 years.

Q: What details should I look for when buying new windows?

A: The type of window and its design is crucial. A window should be well balanced and proportionate, so the lines of the frames and the positioning of openers matters. Also consider – who is fitting your windows and will they look after your home, what are the security features and how are the windows finished internally.