London · Q2 2026
Schüco vs Cortizo Windows
Two premium aluminium systems, two different philosophies
Schüco is the German benchmark — engineered for thermal performance, longevity and supply-chain stability. Cortizo is the Spanish leader on slim sightlines and contemporary aesthetics, with the UK's slimmest casement (Cor 70 Industrial, 45mm) and slimmest slider (Cor Vision, 20mm). Both are PAS 24-certified, both fit the same openings. The choice is rarely about which is "better" — it's about which set of priorities matches your project.
Full spec comparison
Headline figures for the systems Apex Glazing fits most often across London. All U-values are whole-window (Uw) with double glazing unless noted; triple glazing typically drops Uw by 0.2–0.3 W/m²K.
| System | U-Value | Sightline | Max Pane | Guarantee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schüco AWS 70.HI | 0.84 W/m²K* | 77 mm | 1700 × 2400 mm | 20 yr | Passivhaus retrofits |
| Schüco AWS 75.SI+ | 0.79 W/m²K* | 87 mm | 1800 × 2500 mm | 20 yr | Premium new-build |
| Schüco ASE 60/80 | 1.0 W/m²K | 30 mm interlock | 3000 × 3000 mm | 20 yr | Lift-and-slide doors |
| Cortizo Cor 60 | 1.4 W/m²K | 62 mm | 1500 × 2200 mm | 10 yr | Standard residential |
| Cortizo Cor 70 | 1.2 W/m²K | 75 mm | 1600 × 2400 mm | 10 yr | Building Regs upgrades |
| Cortizo Cor 70 Industrial | 1.2 W/m²K | 45 mm | 1500 × 2400 mm | 10 yr | Crittall replacement |
| Cortizo Cor Vision | 1.3 W/m²K | 20 mm interlock | 3000 × 2200 mm | 10 yr | Slim sliding doors |
| Cortizo Cor 4700 | 0.9 W/m²K* | 95 mm | 1800 × 2500 mm | 10 yr | Certified Passivhaus |
* with triple glazing
Fitted prices in London — Q2 2026
Indicative installed prices per window across London (Richmond, Twickenham, Kingston, Chiswick, Putney, Wimbledon, Hammersmith, Fulham). Includes frame, double glazing, fitting, FENSA self-certification and 10-year installation guarantee. Triple glazing adds 15–25%.
| Configuration | System | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single casement (1.2 × 1.2 m) | Cortizo Cor 60 | £950 | £1,500 |
| Single casement (1.2 × 1.2 m) | Schüco AWS 70.HI | £1,200 | £1,800 |
| 2-light casement (1.5 × 1.4 m) | Cortizo Cor 70 | £1,400 | £2,200 |
| 2-light casement (1.5 × 1.4 m) | Schüco AWS 70.HI | £1,650 | £2,500 |
| Steel-look 4-pane (Crittall replica) | Cortizo Cor 70 Industrial | £2,200 | £3,400 |
| Steel-look 4-pane (Crittall replica) | Schüco AWS 70.HI custom | £2,600 | £4,000 |
| Tilt-and-turn (1.2 × 1.5 m) | Cortizo Cor 70 | £1,500 | £2,300 |
| Tilt-and-turn (1.2 × 1.5 m) | Schüco AWS 75.SI+ | £1,800 | £2,800 |
| Passivhaus-spec triple-glazed | Cortizo Cor 4700 | £2,400 | £3,600 |
| Passivhaus-spec triple-glazed | Schüco AWS 90.SI+ | £2,800 | £4,200 |
The verdict — when each wins
After 6,000+ projects across London, here's the honest split. Both fail to be the "right" choice for some briefs and there's no shame in mixing systems on a single property — Schüco AWS for the front elevation, Cortizo Cor 70 Industrial for the rear extension steel-look.
| When to choose Schüco | When to choose Cortizo |
|---|---|
| Certified Passivhaus or near-Passivhaus retrofit | Crittall steel-frame replacement (Cor 70 Industrial) |
| 20-year frame guarantee is non-negotiable | Slimmest possible sightlines on a contemporary build |
| RC2 or RC3 security required (police-spec) | Slim sliding doors at 20mm interlock (Cor Vision) |
| Insurance-led reinstatement after fire/flood | Whole-house aluminium upgrade on a budget |
| Heritage building specifying German engineering | Bold RAL or dual-colour external/internal finishes |
| North-facing rooms where 0.2 W/m²K matters | Mid-century modern, brutalist or Mediterranean briefs |
| Architect specifically references Schüco AWS | Listed-building rear extension with rear visibility low |
Sightline showdown — why 32mm matters
A 45mm sightline (Cor 70 Industrial) vs an 87mm sightline (Schüco AWS 75.SI+) is a 32mm difference that doesn't sound like much on paper. In a 1.2m × 1.2m window, that's 12% more visible glass area on each pane edge — visually a totally different window. Schüco compensates with thermal numbers; Cortizo compensates with pure aesthetics.
| Visible glass area | Schüco AWS 70.HI (77mm) | Cortizo Cor 70 Ind. (45mm) |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2 × 1.2 m casement | ~74% | ~84% |
| 1.5 × 1.4 m casement | ~78% | ~87% |
| 2.0 × 1.8 m fixed picture | ~83% | ~90% |
Frequently asked
Is Schüco better than Cortizo?
Neither is universally better — they're engineered for different priorities. Schüco (German) leads on thermal performance and guarantee length: AWS 70.HI hits 0.84 W/m²K with a 20-year frame guarantee. Cortizo (Spanish) leads on slim sightlines and steel-look aesthetics: Cor 70 Industrial has a 45mm sightline, the slimmest aluminium casement on the UK market. For Passivhaus or whole-house thermal upgrades, choose Schüco. For minimalist contemporary builds and Crittall-style replacements, choose Cortizo.
Which is more expensive — Schüco or Cortizo?
Schüco is typically 10–20% more expensive than the equivalent Cortizo system in London (Q2 2026). A Schüco AWS 70.HI casement window fits at £1,400–£2,400 vs Cortizo Cor 70 at £1,200–£2,000 for the same opening. The premium covers the longer 20-year guarantee, slightly better thermal numbers, and Schüco's UK supply chain stability. Cor Vision and Cor 70 Industrial reverse that — Cortizo's slim systems carry a premium because nothing else matches their sightline.
What is the U-value of Schüco AWS 70.HI?
Schüco AWS 70.HI achieves a whole-window U-value of 0.84 W/m²K with triple glazing and 1.1 W/m²K with double glazing (centre-pane Ug 1.0). That meets Passivhaus thermal requirements and beats the current UK Building Regs Part L target of 1.4 W/m²K by a wide margin.
What is the slimmest Cortizo window sightline?
Cortizo Cor 70 Industrial has a 45mm sightline, the slimmest fixed and side-hung aluminium casement available in the UK as of 2026. For sliding the Cor Vision interlock sits at 20mm — also the UK's slimmest. By comparison, Schüco AWS 70.HI sits at 77mm sightline and Schüco AWS 75.SI+ at 87mm.
Are Schüco windows worth the extra money?
For premium new-builds and Passivhaus retrofits, yes — the 20-year frame guarantee and proven 50-year German service life justify the 10–20% premium. For standard London semi-detached upgrades where you're targeting Building Regs compliance and a 25-year horizon, Cortizo Cor 60 or Cor 70 delivers 90% of the performance at meaningfully lower cost. Both are far ahead of mid-market aluminium brands like Smart Systems Alitherm 300 or Origin OW-49.
What's the difference between Cor 70 Industrial and standard Cor 70?
Standard Cortizo Cor 70 is a 70mm-depth thermally broken casement system with a 75mm sightline aimed at general residential use. Cor 70 Industrial uses the same 70mm depth but with a 45mm sightline and steel-look mullions, designed to replicate Crittall and steel-frame heritage windows. Industrial costs 20–30% more than standard Cor 70 because of the slim profile engineering.
Can both Schüco and Cortizo windows pass PAS 24?
Yes. Schüco AWS 70.HI, AWS 75.SI+ and Cortizo Cor 70, Cor 70 Industrial, Cor 4700 all carry PAS 24:2022 certification with multi-point hook locks and Q-Mark security cylinders as standard. Schüco offers RC2 and RC3 upgrades for high-security projects under EN 1627.
Which has the longer guarantee — Schüco or Cortizo?
Schüco offers a 20-year frame guarantee through approved fabricators on AWS systems. Cortizo offers 10 years on the frame and powder-coat. Sealed glass units are 5 years on both. Through Apex Glazing both come with a separate 10-year installation guarantee on the workmanship.
Are Cortizo windows good for Passivhaus?
Cortizo Cor 80 Industrial and Cor 4700 reach Passivhaus-certified thermal performance (Uw ≤ 0.8 W/m²K with triple glazing). Standard Cor 60 and Cor 70 don't quite reach the certified level but get within 0.1 W/m²K. For certified Passivhaus projects in London, Schüco AWS 90.SI+ remains the more common specification because of UK supply chain familiarity, but Cortizo Cor 4700 is increasingly specified.
