You are still able to find the traditional single glazed steel windows, commonly known within the industry as the SMW window. If you have existing steel windows and live in a listed property or conservation area these are the windows you will normally be required to replace your originals with.
However, not all steel window manufacturers produce the SMW, so it pays to ask at the beginning of your purchase journey if you will be getting the SMW window and not a look alike, which isn’t the same!
There are many different profiles, which are all supplied by one supplier, a company called Montanstahl. They hot roll the steel to form the profiles used by window manufacturers. You will see the likes of W20, W30, W40, W40, W50TB etc used in the UK. (for architects only this bit: If you specify a Shueco aluminium window system, Shueco will ask one of their fabricators to manufacture and install it for them, as Shueco are the aluminium profile system producer. Montanstahl are the producer of the steel window profile systems.)
If you take the number, then the windows or doors you will receive from any manufacture is manufactured from the SAME profile produced by Montanstahl! Some companies have chosen to brand their offering slightly differently to try and say it is a different system, it isn’t!
The way steel windows and doors are manufactured should be the same, regardless of the factory they come out of. They should be manufactured to BS6510, powder coated to BS6497 and many will have the same ironmongery on. Suppliers to the steel window market are limited.
The industry is overseen by the Steel Window Association and you really should only purchase (specify) from companies who are members. The question to ask is, if a manufacturer isn’t a member, why not? Are they complying to the above-mentioned standards? What sort of warranty will they offer you, the customer?
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