Many listed buildings commissioned by patrons of the Arts & Crafts Movement, civic monuments of the Edwardian era, innovative designs of the Modern Movement, and examples of 1930s Art Deco, are characterised by steel windows which are still in good working order, demonstrating their longevity when properly serviced and maintained.

The hardware, generally of brass or rust-resistant steel, has evolved throughout the history of steel windows so that components of long-standing installations can be replaced and their life can be prolonged.

With proper care and maintenance, there is no reason why a modern galvanised and polyester powder coated steel window should not last in excess of 100 years. Existing 1920s windows are only now being replaced and these original steel windows were not galvanised and have relied on periodic decorations to protect the steel from corrosion. Therefore, with modern corrosion protection, we can expect new windows to last far into the future, and certainly more so than alternative framing materials such as timber and PVCu which can, as a result, be a false economy investment in comparison.

When old steel window frames are finally replaced, the original windows can be systematically dismantled and the frames, fittings and glass recycled. Steel has a long proven track record in recycling and this is an environment friendly and economically viable process, especially when compared to the sometimes prohibitively high costs of aluminium recycling and production.

Other alternative framing materials such as PVCu also do not compare well in respect of environmental impact, where there are well documented problems associated not only with the recycling cost outweighing the cost of producing new PVCu, but also that the process itself produces toxic and poisonous side-effects that can harm the environment.

With proper care and maintenance, there is no reason why a modern galvanised and polyester powder coated steel window should not last in excess of 100 years. Existing 1920s windows are only now being replaced and these original steel windows were not galvanised and have relied on periodic decorations to protect the steel from corrosion. Therefore, with modern corrosion protection, we can expect new windows to last far into the future, and certainly more so than alternative framing materials such as timber and PVCu which can, as a result, be a false economy investment in comparison.

During the manufacturing process, tight material controls minimise wastage and any resultant off cut material also goes to licensed recycling facilities.

Steel windows have an inherent strength advantage over other window framing materials. This permits small sightline section design, and resultant greater areas of glass compared with other frame materials. When a window contains greater areas of glass, the window as a whole can absorb much more heat energy from the sun, energy that is free of cost and free of any environmental impact.

This solar gain advantage, coupled with excellent air tightness performance through double weatherstripping has been the driving factor in the W30 range of steel windows attaining a grade C Window Energy Rating under the British Fenestration Ratings Council scheme. This excellent result ensures that W30 windows can be used as a suitable system in domestic replacement projects.

Another major part of Steel Window Services environmental impact policy is the company's specialism in refurbishment, renovation and upgrading of existing steel windows.

Whether simply renovating old rusting windows back to serviceable life or by introducing energy efficient sealed units and weather stripping - the positive environmental impact of doing so will far outweigh the negative impact of the sometimes unnecessary and certainly costly replacement.