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Blogs, Articles & Guides

Honest buying guides, plain-English how-tos and design ideas. Read it here, then configure and price your own online in minutes.

How to Measure for a Roof Lantern: A Step-by-Step Guide
Featured 3 min read

How to Measure for a Roof Lantern: A Step-by-Step Guide

Measuring for a roof lantern? Follow our step-by-step UK guide to get the kerb size right, avoid costly errors and order with confidence.

JD Joe Diamond
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SmartaView for Developers: Aluminium Doors for New Build Projects
3 min

SmartaView for Developers: Aluminium Doors for New Build Projects

Property developers across the UK specify Origin aluminium doors for new builds. Here's why, and how SmartaView's developer supply relationship works.

JD Joe Diamond · 12 Jul 2026
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Why Trade Installers Choose Origin for Every Project
3 min

Why Trade Installers Choose Origin for Every Project

Origin's engineering, lead times, and support make it the UK trade installer's preferred choice. Here's why, and how SmartaView's trade account works.

JD Joe Diamond · 10 Jul 2026
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What Is the Origin 20-Year Guarantee? Everything It Covers
3 min

What Is the Origin 20-Year Guarantee? Everything It Covers

Origin's 20-year guarantee is one of the strongest in the UK door industry. Here's exactly what it covers, what it doesn't, and why it matters when you're buying.

JD Joe Diamond · 9 Jul 2026
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10 Questions to Ask Before Buying Aluminium Doors
4 min

10 Questions to Ask Before Buying Aluminium Doors

Don't order aluminium bifold or sliding doors before asking these 10 essential questions. Protect your investment and make sure you get exactly what you need.

JD Joe Diamond · 8 Jul 2026
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Glass Walls vs Glass Doors: What's the Difference for a Home Extension?
3 min

Glass Walls vs Glass Doors: What's the Difference for a Home Extension?

'Glass wall' or bifold doors, the terms are often confused. Here's a clear explanation of the difference and what each delivers for a UK home extension.

JD Joe Diamond · 7 Jul 2026
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How to Look After Your Aluminium Bifold Doors Through Winter
4 min

How to Look After Your Aluminium Bifold Doors Through Winter

Winter is when bifold doors work hardest. Here's how to keep them operating perfectly through cold, wet weather, and what to watch for before problems develop.

JD Joe Diamond · 6 Jul 2026
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Industrial vs Contemporary: Choosing the Right Aluminium Door Aesthetic
3 min

Industrial vs Contemporary: Choosing the Right Aluminium Door Aesthetic

Aluminium doors span a wide aesthetic range, from raw industrial to refined minimal. Here's how to identify the right style for your home and specify it correctly.

JD Joe Diamond · 5 Jul 2026
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Bifold Doors for a Victorian Terrace: What You Need to Know
4 min

Bifold Doors for a Victorian Terrace: What You Need to Know

Fitting bifold doors in a Victorian terrace raises specific planning, structural, and design questions. Here's the practical guide before you start.

JD Joe Diamond · 3 Jul 2026
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The Best Door Choices for a Home Extension in 2026
3 min

The Best Door Choices for a Home Extension in 2026

Choosing the right doors for a home extension is one of the most important decisions you'll make. Here's the definitive 2026 guide from SmartaView.

JD Joe Diamond · 2 Jul 2026
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Extension Ideas for More Natural Light: What Actually Works
4 min

Extension Ideas for More Natural Light: What Actually Works

A dark extension is a design failure. Here's a practical guide to the design decisions, doors, roof lights, finishes, that genuinely deliver more natural light.

JD Joe Diamond · 1 Jul 2026
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Open Plan Living: How the Right Doors Change Everything
4 min

Open Plan Living: How the Right Doors Change Everything

Bifold doors don't just open a wall, they redefine how you live in a home. Here's how the right door choice transforms open plan living in UK homes.

JD Joe Diamond · 30 Jun 2026
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Can You Add Bifold Doors to an Existing House Without Planning Permission?
3 min

Can You Add Bifold Doors to an Existing House Without Planning Permission?

Adding bifold doors to an existing house is usually simpler than people think, but there are structural and planning factors to understand first. Here's the guide.

JD Joe Diamond · 29 Jun 2026
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