22
Sep
Steel windows and doors are one of the most traditional forms of glazing, with an iconic look and style that has been replicated in various forms over the years.
For all their style, popularity, and history, steel windows can be one of the more expensive materials available to homeowners when choosing new glazing.
This has led to a rise in aluminium steel-look windows and doors, as manufacturers seek high-quality, cost-effective alternatives to steel.
Aluminium steel-look windows and doors offer a more affordable solution while still retaining some of the charm and character that have made steel products so widely sought after.
However, the intricacies of traditional steel glazing mean it is not always easy to replicate like-for-like with an aluminium product.
This guide explores the differences between steel and aluminium steel-look products, helping you understand the key distinctions between the two materials, what to look out for, and what to avoid.
| Category | Aluminium Steel Look | Steel |
| Aesthetics | Slim sightlines, mechanical construction and a refined finish. | Slim sightlines, welded construction and industrial finish. |
| Products Available | Windows, single and French doors, bifold doors, custom slimline sliding doors, and internal doors. | Windows, single and French doors, internal doors, and fire-rated internal doors. |
| Energy Efficiency | Thermally insulated aluminium profiles and high-performance glass. Most energy-efficient. | Insulation with foam or inserts plus high-performance glass. Less energy efficient. |
| Security | Multipoint locking with locking handles and security cylinders in doors. | Modern locking systems but constrained by steel design. |
| Colours | Full choice of powder-coated colours, textured and special finishes. | Full choice of powder-coated colours, textured and special finishes. |
| Cost | Cheaper than any steel product. | At least 3× the cost of a premium aluminium brand. |
| Lead Times | 6–8 weeks to install.* | Up to 26 weeks to install.* |
*Lead times are for guidance purposes only and can vary.
Authentic aluminium steel-look windows and doors are carefully designed to replicate true heritage style.
They feature rolled steel slim profiles, narrow glazing bars, period hardware, and dimensions that closely mimic genuine steel windows. These products are often hand-assembled and finished with top-quality hardware and components.
Basic steel-look windows and doors are a more mainstream alternative. They typically have a stepped frame and sash in an attempt to replicate a metal window.
However, they often rely on standard flat transoms and thick glazing bars, making them less authentic in appearance compared with an authentic aluminium steel-look window.
Aluminium windows with added glazing bars are a popular choice for residential and commercial buildings, often incorporating a single transom as a nod to desirable heritage design.
Traditional hardware can be added to enhance the style, but these windows lack the genuine steel styling and fine detailing.
Mass-produced steel-look windows and doors are among the least authentic replications you may encounter.
They use standard aluminium profiles with stick-on bars, lack true steel-like proportions, and have poor glazing connections with minimal design flexibility.
Often, they do not include period handles or authentic detailing, making them a weak substitute for genuine steel-look windows and doors.
If you are considering aluminium steel-look windows for your property, here are a few things to look out for:
Some brands make little effort to replicate the sightlines of steel windows and doors, ignoring the correct proportions.
These windows are unquestionably the closest to genuine steel and provide the thinnest profiles.
True steel-look aluminium windows should offer a choice of transoms and glazing bars, not just a single option. You should also be offered 25 mm and 20 mm slimline glazing bars to replicate the proportions of genuine steel windows.
Inferior products provide limited configurations, whereas authentic steel-look windows are available in multiple styles and finishes.
Many steel-look systems will only comply with current Building Regulations when configured with triple glazing, rather than double glazing. Ensure that all U-values are accurate and meet your requirements.
Despite their classic appearance, steel-look windows are still required to be safe, secure, and durable.
Features can include double corner mitre cleats, no unsightly handle blocks, fire escape or easy-clean hinges, optional child-window restrictors, unique bay posts with load-bearing properties, and security claws.
Your windows and doors will most likely need trickle vents. Many other brands increase the top dimension of windows by 35–50 mm.
A correctly designed steel-look window, however, incorporates concealed trickle ventilation.
Does it pass the eye test? Trust what you see. Take the opportunity to examine a genuine steel window and compare it with an aluminium alternative. This will help you distinguish a high-quality replica from those that merely mimic the style.
Steel-look doors are a popular alternative to steel doors. If you are comparing steel-look doors for your upcoming renovation, this guide will help you find the right product.
Your doors should have the distinctive and instantly recognisable feature backplate behind the handle. Without it, the door is otherwise standard.
A distinctive feature of steel doors is where the handle and its backplate connect to the glass, making the handle appear to float unsupported.
Steel doors are thin by design, and aluminium versions should also appear ultra-slim.
These doors are unquestionably the closest to genuine steel and offer the thinnest profiles.
True steel-look aluminium doors should provide a choice of transoms and glazing bars, including 25 mm and 20 mm options. Beware of doors with 36 mm bars and projecting gaskets, as the sightline can increase to more than 40 mm.
French doors with side panels are the most popular design. Inferior doors often use unsightly couplers and dummy profiles, which disrupt the clean sightlines of true steel-look designs and genuine steel doors.
Some brands cannot move the position of door glazing bars to match your design, resulting in an inconsistent aesthetic.
Ensure your doors are available at the height you need. While some steel-look doors are limited in height, our steel-look doors can reach up to 2,400 mm.
Doors should offer modern conveniences such as adjustable hinges, accessible thresholds, black colour-matched cylinders, and no dummy frames in fixed panels.
Many steel-look systems only meet current Building Regulations when configured with triple glazing and do not comply when double-glazed. Always check your glass specifications.
In addition to resembling a steel door, look for finer details such as elegant flush bolts for the secondary door leaf and colour-matched black key cylinders.
Aspect Windows supplies and installs aluminium steel-look windows and doors across Devon and Cornwall.
We have several steel-look window and door products on display in our Exeter showroom.
If you would like to learn more about these products and how they could fit into your next project, we recommend booking an appointment to visit us.
Our expert sales team will be happy to answer any questions you may have and will help match you with the best product to suit the style, requirements, and budget of your project.
For more information, call our team on 01392 444 233 or email sales@aspect-windows.com.
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