steel
Pros Dramatic look and feel, durable,
high security rating, low maintenance
Cons Heavy, expensive, not the best
choice if your home is near the sea
Suits An industrial aesthetic, minimalist
home styles, Art Deco homesReminiscent of greenhouses and 19th-
century industrial-style warehouses, steel
can make a real statement in your home.
Think panes of glass separated by pencil-
thin steel frames – or the slim sight lines
of steel-framed French doors opening
out onto a terrace. Steel is now a strong,
contemporary look and there are
many ways to use it in window and
door treatments.Stewart Horton agrees that steel
windows and doors are popular again
because they have that fine, elegant profile
as well as unlimited sizes and configurations.
“There’s more versatility with steel
windows and doors than with timber and
aluminium, especially if you’re looking to
span a large area,” he explains.
“Steel is, of course, very engineered
so it can produce stunning detail,” he adds.
“It’s the most expensive window and door
treatment but you get what you pay for.
Steel has a beautiful longevity and acquires
a patina over time. Aluminum doesn’t date
that well and can become pitted; timber
needs ongoing maintenance. But that’s not
the case with steel, and if it does get a little
pitted, that just adds to the character.”BATHROOM BLISS Elegant
and durable, steel windows
acquire character as they age.
In this space they are softened
by pale, sheer curtains.WHICH WINDOW STYLE
SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?
Always consider the era of your home
when choosing windows, says Stewart
Horton. Here are a few rules of thumb:
LOUVRES “Depending on your
surroundings, this is a contemporary
look that would work in a Hamptons-
style home, an old Queenslander
or something modern-coastal.”
DOUBLE-HUNG WINDOWS “These
types of windows work best in more
traditional styles of architecture, which
means terraces, Federation homes, that
sort of thing.”
CASEMENT AND SLIDING
WINDOWS “Casement or sliding
windows are great in homes dating from
the 1960s onwards, especially modernist
styles that suit a more pared-back
window treatment.”FACT FILE
WINDOW GLAZING
Choosing the right glass type for your
windows and doors has many benefits,
says Stegbar’s Christine Evans. “It’s
a pretty regulated building category.
There are requirements now around
acoustic ratings on windows and door
products, and we’ve also seen quite a lot
of advancements in glazing, which is an
investment but does offer benefits to
your power bill!”
LOW-E GLASS “This is where the glass
has a really thin metal coating. Although
you can’t see it, the metal provides
much greater energy efficiency.”
LAMINATED GLASS “Basically, this
is two pieces of glass stuck together
with a thin, transparent layer in between.
Laminated glass panels have superior
acoustic ratings and offer more security.”
DOUBLE GLAZING “Great in colder
climates, this gives you acoustic benefits,
helps to reduce your energy costs and
increases the comfort of your home.”
TOUGHENED GLASS “Ideal for
bushfire-prone areas or urban
environments where you’re concerned
about security. It’s virtually unbreakable.”
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