In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about buying steel look windows and doors. It’s important to understand the makeup of these products and to get the look you want in your home.
You won’t have failed to notice the popularity of the steel look glazing in the home. These come inspired by Art-Deco designs and classic metal windows like Crittall®. Aluminium steel look doors and windows are one of the most recent aluminium innovations. Today, they’re also one of the most desirable.
Information about buying steel-look doors and windows
Importantly, aluminium steel look windows and doors are not an exact replica for steel windows. Neither are they intended to be. Instead, they provide a similar look and style. This comes from using some of the key features found in heritage, Art-Deco or industrial-styled glazing. Nothing beats the look or longevity of an authentic steel window and door.
Therefore, if you want a genuine look, it can only be a steel window. However, steel products are outside the budget of most homeowners, seeking to add this popular look in their home.
In aluminium, you can now buy steel look residential doors, windows, bifolding doors and even interior doors and screens. More affordable, but with great looks, elegant lines and gorgeous black or other colours. It does provide an alternative, credible option. However, do be careful about what you’re buying.
Buying aluminium steel look doors and windows ensure you get key features that you may be familiar with on the steel products.
- The desirable rich black colour
- The multiple panels look in windows and doors using vertical or horizontal glazing bars.
- The attractive sightlines across all windows and doors.
- The choice of an industrial look, Art-Deco, or heritage glazing.
- Similar sightlines to metal windows such as stepped vents and putty-style aesthetics.
- Period furniture such as monkey tail handles, peg-stays and period looking window hinges.
Choose your steel look product with care.
It’s important to know that with some products there is no dedicated system. For instance, steel doesn’t come as a bifold or a sliding door. The aluminium designers have done great work in creating excellent bifold and sliding products. For you, these are the types we use too. However, some installers do little more than plant glazing bars on glass and sell it as a steel look. The products we use come designed and crafted to give you an authentic look. At the same time, many products come with a range of profiles for authenticity. Other products do not come with this choice.
Steel-look aluminium windows
Our product is the Smart Systems Alitherm Heritage. Alitherm Heritage is renowned in the glazing industry as one of the best steel look window systems on the market. You get many window styles, hardware options and even period window furniture. It’s one of the most credible-looking and slimline windows in the style of steel. Smart Systems Heritage even comes with stepped vents, feature transoms and a choice of glazing bars.
Our advice is to study the details of the window carefully. It’s the best way to tell whether it’s just basic customisation or designed from the outset as a steel-look product. Flat or stepped vents, the putty line looks a choice of traditional or contemporary handles and slimline glazing bars. These are the quick clues to a great product.
At Newlite, we provide what we think is the best window of its type for your home. We even offer a design where the heritage bar is pressed to overlap the horizontal.
For the window handles, make sure you this detail also looks right. A quality product will offer the traditional finishes found in old metal windows. For instance, we provide handles and hardware in antique black, pewter, brass or painted finishes.
Bifolding Doors in the steel-look
It’s possible to get all the functionality of a great bifold with the steel look. We use the slimmest bifold on the market in the Smart Systems Visofold 6000 product. There is no thinner bifolding door and it remains one of the best products to create the look.
Slim bars, neat handles and the smallest 94mm sightlines with the door closed. These three features make our steel look bifolding doors substantially better than thicker models on the market. Our version looks as good shut as it does folded back and connecting your home to your garden.
Steel replacement doors
The steel look patio door is probably the most popular type of product for the home. Available as single doors, double doors or as French doors with sidelights. This style is perfect as a patio door and even as an internal stylish room divider. We’ve even created steel-look porches using our particular product.
There are some key design features to look out for when choosing steel-replacement doors. Look out for consistent sightlines throughout. There should be the option of a deep bottom rail if you want it. Glazing bars come in standard or slimline. You should also insist on the familiar deep lockplate found behind the door handle.
Interior steel-look windows and screens
An interior steel-replacement window or ‘New York’ style screen adds a great focal point in your home. As well as this, they let natural daylight between your rooms. At Newlite we can help you design gorgeous interior screens. We use the same product as for exterior glazing with the same thin proportions.
For internal doors, single or double, we can even create doors with zero threshold. There’s no visible threshold, no step-over. Our doors let you transition from room to room with no interruption to your carpet or flooring.
Helping you with buying steel-look doors and windows
At Newlite, we’ve been transforming and improving Sussex, Kent and Surrey homes for over 25 years. Contact us today to discuss your requirements. Let us provide the perfect steel look windows, doors or interior screens and you’ll be delighted with the end result.
Even better for you, we know our steel look products and we’ve been doing them longer than many others.
