London · Q2 2026
APX20 Plus vs Cortizo Vision
Same headline number, different system
Both APX20 Plus and Cortizo Vision share the same 20mm vertical interlock — the slimmest aluminium sliding door sightline available in the UK. From a distance and from the inside, they look almost identical. The differences live in pane size limits, acoustic glass options, threshold detail, and powder-coat range. This page is the honest installer-side breakdown, system to system.
Side-by-side spec table
Direct manufacturer-published figures for both systems, fitted in London, current to Q2 2026.
| Spec | APX20 Plus | Cortizo Vision |
|---|---|---|
| Interlock width | 20 mm | 20 mm |
| Frame depth | 160 mm | 170 mm |
| U-value (double-glazed) | 1.3 W/m²K | 1.3 W/m²K |
| U-value (triple-glazed) | 0.95 W/m²K | 0.9 W/m²K |
| Max pane height | 2700 mm | 3000 mm |
| Max pane width | 1800 mm | 2200 mm |
| Max pane weight | 280 kg | 320 kg |
| Acoustic Rw (double) | 38 dB | 42 dB |
| Acoustic Rw (acoustic-laminated) | 42 dB | 45 dB |
| Hidden in-floor track option | No (low profile only) | Yes |
| Threshold (low option) | 25 mm | 25 mm |
| Threshold (flush option) | Not available | 0 mm visible |
| Security | PAS 24:2022 | PAS 24:2022 |
| Locking | 3-point hook lock | 5-point hook lock |
| Glass options | Double, triple | Double, triple, structural |
| Powder-coat colours | Standard RAL palette | Full RAL + dual colour internal/external |
| Configurations | 2 / 3 / 4 pane | 2 / 3 / 4 / 6 pane + corner + pocket |
| Frame guarantee | 10 yr | 10 yr |
| Fitted price (3-pane, 3m × 2.1m) | £6,000–9,000 | £7,200–10,800 |
| Fitted price (4-pane corner) | Not recommended | £10,500–14,000+ |
Where the systems diverge
Five practical differences that determine which system is right for a project. The interlock and U-value are equal — these are the real decision points.
| Difference | APX20 Plus | Cortizo Vision |
|---|---|---|
| Pane height ceiling | Hard cap at 2700 mm | Up to 3000 mm — covers all London standard storey heights |
| Threshold detail | Low-profile rail (25mm) — visible | Hidden in-screed track — fully invisible from inside |
| Acoustic isolation | 38 dB standard, 42 dB upgrade | 42 dB standard, 45 dB upgrade — better near roads/flight paths |
| Corner / pocket configurations | Straight runs only | 90° structural corner, pocket-sliding into wall, 6-pane |
| Colour and finish | Single RAL, matt or satin | Dual-colour (different inside/out), textured powder-coats, anodised |
Get APX20 Plus if…
For most London semi-detached and terrace rear extensions, APX20 Plus is the right answer. Same 20mm sightline at meaningfully lower cost.
| Your structural opening is under 2700mm tall |
| You're happy with a low (25mm) threshold rather than fully flush |
| You're in a quiet residential street (Wimbledon Village, Richmond Hill, etc.) |
| You want a single-colour RAL finish (matt black, anthracite grey, off-white) |
| The configuration is a straight 2, 3 or 4-pane run |
| Budget-conscious — saving 15–20% matters more than the marginal acoustic upgrade |
| The architect hasn't named a specific brand on the drawings |
Get Cortizo Vision if…
Vision is the right choice when the project pushes the system limits or the brief demands a specific finish. The 15–20% premium buys real engineering capability.
| Your panes need to exceed 2700mm tall (double-storey rear extension) |
| You want a fully hidden in-floor track (zero visible threshold) |
| You're on a noise-exposed location — A4 Chiswick, A205 Putney, near Heathrow flight paths |
| The brief specifies dual-colour finishes (e.g. anthracite outside, white inside) |
| The configuration is a 90° structural corner or pocket slider |
| The architect has named Cortizo Vision specifically on the drawings |
| The build is to certified Passivhaus or near-Passivhaus thermal standard |
Frequently asked
Is APX20 Plus the same as Cortizo Vision?
No. Both share the headline 20mm interlock and similar U-values, but they're different systems. Cortizo Vision is the Spanish-engineered original, with 3000mm panes, 320kg pane support, hidden in-floor track, and 42 dB acoustic. APX20 Plus is the value-engineered UK alternative — 2700mm panes, 280kg, no hidden track, 38 dB acoustic — at typically 15–20% lower fitted price.
What is the price difference between APX20 Plus and Cortizo Vision?
In London (Q2 2026), APX20 Plus is typically 15–20% cheaper than Cortizo Vision for the same opening. A 3-pane installation in a 3m × 2.1m opening fits at £6,000–£9,000 (APX20 Plus) vs £7,200–£10,800 (Cortizo Vision). The price gap widens on larger openings because Vision can use single panes up to 3000mm × 2200mm where APX20 Plus needs to split into more panes above 2700mm.
Can APX20 Plus do a hidden floor track?
No. APX20 Plus uses a low-profile threshold (around 25mm above floor level) but doesn't offer a fully recessed in-floor hidden track. Cortizo Vision offers a hidden track option where the bottom rail sits flush in the floor screed — visually no threshold at all. If a hidden track is non-negotiable, Vision is the choice.
Which has the better acoustic rating — APX20 Plus or Cortizo Vision?
Cortizo Vision tests at 42 dB Rw with standard double glazing (acoustic-spec laminated glass takes it to 45 dB). APX20 Plus tests at 38 dB Rw. The 4 dB difference is meaningful in noise-exposed locations — flight paths near Heathrow, A4 in Chiswick, A406 in Hammersmith — but inaudible in quieter residential streets.
Which goes higher — APX20 Plus or Cortizo Vision?
Cortizo Vision panes go up to 3000mm tall at 320kg per pane. APX20 Plus tops out at 2700mm and 280kg. For double-height openings (London Crittall-style rear extensions often spec 2.7m–3.0m tall doors), Vision is functionally the only option of the two.
Are both PAS 24 security rated?
Yes. Both Cortizo Vision and APX20 Plus carry PAS 24:2022 certification with multi-point hook locks, anti-lift blocks, and laminated security glass as standard. Both are accepted by UK home insurance and meet Document Q new-build security requirements.
Should I save money with APX20 Plus or pay for Cortizo Vision?
For openings under 2.7m tall, with a low (not flush) threshold, in a typical residential noise environment — APX20 Plus delivers an essentially identical visual result for 15–20% less money. Pay for Cortizo Vision when any one of these applies: panes need to exceed 2700mm tall, you want a hidden in-floor track, you're on a noise-exposed road, the brief specifies dual-colour finishes, or the architect has named the system on the drawings.
