5 Reasons to Choose Steel Windows and Doors for Your Next Home or Office Renovation
5 Reasons to Choose Steel Windows and Doors for Your Next Home or Office Renovation
Have you thought of giving your home or office a makeover? Or perhaps you’re looking to make your home more energy efficient while also updating its design?
One of the most popular trends in architecture and interior design is the use of steel and glass windows and doors. High-quality steel windows and doors not only offer endless design opportunities, but have other benefits such as energy efficiency and strength and durability.
Read on to learn the top five reasons to choose steel windows and doors for your next home or office renovation.
1. Narrow Sightlines
Steel windows and doors are loved by architects, interior designers, builders, and homeowners for their narrow sightlines and maximum daylight openings.
Steel windows and doors are popular with recent architecture trends, such as modern farmhouses, sustainable architecture, and industrial design.
Additionally, as many people began to work from home in 2020 and spend more time in their homes, people craved more space. Steel windows provide the appearance of more open space by allowing more daylight into the room. This gives the feel of a large home without having to add more square footage to the home.
2. Durability & Strength
In comparison to other common window materials such as aluminum and wood, steel is much more durable and strong.
Steel is an alloy made of iron and a small fraction of carbon. The inclusion of carbon contributes to steel's key features: fracture resistance and strength. These qualities make steel less likely to warp or bend due to force, weight, or heat. Steel's attributes also make it resistant to corrosion.
In contrast, a key attribute of aluminum is its malleability, which makes it more prone to dents and scratches, making it less durable over time. Thus, due to its strength and durability, steel is recommended to be used for larger openings for windows and doors.
3. Energy Efficiency
Steel windows and doors are renowned for their energy efficiency. As architects aim to design for sustainability and homeowners look to save money on their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient, steel is the material of choice for windows and doors.
Steel windows and doors have a true thermally broken design (see image at right). This creates a barrier to the outdoors that prevents the inside air temperature from changing. For example, in the winter, this means that the cold air from the outdoors cannot enter the home. Additionally, the warm air generated by a furnace will not escape through the windows. This is particularly helpful because according to Energy.gov, about 30% of a home's heating energy can be lost through the windows.
Therefore, steel windows and doors keep the heating and air conditioning systems from working as hard to heat or cool the home. This transfers energy savings to the homeowner.
4. Design Versatility
The timeless style of steel windows and doors means that they can be customized to fit a number of different design applications. For example, steel windows and doors are commonly used in restoration projects and contemporary homes and commercial buildings.
Popular window designs include exterior and interior window walls. Smaller partition walls are also popular to help divide open concept spaces, such as to create a division between the kitchen and dining room.
Options for steel doors include a single or double door, folding doors, sliding doors, pocket doors, and pivot doors. Steel doors can be made with arches to fit particular existing openings. Doors can also be decorated with aesthetic designs such as reverse curve detailing. Fixed sidelights can also be added. The design possibilities are only as limited as your imagination!
Part of the customization of steel windows and doors includes the hardware, which includes handles for doors and levers for windows. Handles and levers are available in a number of different finishes and designs to match your unique style.
Steel windows are commonly used in historic restoration projects. Modern steel windows can replace older steel, aluminum, or wood windows while retaining the historic look.
There are also many different colors and finishes available. The most common colors are black and various shades of gray, but All the Details steel windows and doors can be painted with any color in the RAL color chart. The steel can be finished with a matte or textured powder coat finish or a hard wax finish that resembles antique bronze.
Steel windows and doors are also popular in commercial projects, where they can add acoustic benefits to loud office spaces.
5. Fire Rating
Should a design call for it, steel windows and doors can be made in accordance with fire ratings, such as installing fire-rated glass. This is especially important in commercial projects. Due to improvements in fire-rated materials, you can retain the beauty and sleekness of steel doors without sacrificing safety.
Experts in Steel Windows and Doors
All the Details specializes in steel windows and doors for residential and commercial projects. With over 30 years of experience, we help you throughout the entire process from consult, to design, to installation. Check out our website to see our previous projects and contact us to start designing your dream steel project.