Steel replacement aluminium doors are one of the new trends in home improvements. These slimline aluminium doors come primarily designed to replace old steel doors such as Crittall®. However, they are also hugely popular as contemporary and industrial-look glazing. Perfect for Heritage, Art-Deco or any modern extension, these new doors are distinctive and different, We explain everything you need to know about steel replacement doors and the various products available. We also tell you about their window counterparts too.
Advice about steel replacement aluminium doors.
First of all, these steel-look doors either come as products specifically designed to look like old steel windows or as standard doors customised to look similar. Therefore, it is important you know which products to look out for and why.
Secondly, there is no exact match for Crittall® or other metal windows. If you want the entirely authentic product, then, we suggest you also look at steel products. Although they are much more expensive.
As well as this, the overall steel look appearance comes about with the application of aluminium glazing bars to the inside and outside pane of glass. These bars come in various sizes to suit the aesthetics needed and the size of the panes. The right choice of colour, the right product and the best door furniture all work together. This, therefore, gives you a credible looking steel replacement aluminium door.
The popularity of these multiple panel aluminium products started with French Doors and now extends to windows, fixed screens, internal doors as well as bifolding doors. You can add the bars to sliding doors too.
Steel look French Doors.
Our product of choice for steel look French doors is the Smart Systems Alitherm and Alitherm Heritage product. This is one of the most authentic aluminium doors on the market. Designed from the outside as a steel replacement door product, Alitherm Heritage comes expertly crafted with great attention to detail. Not only do you get a great choice of door furniture, but also the thicker backplate typical of old steel doors. The doors come in a selection of glazing bar sizes so you can match adjoining windows or to suit your tastes.
We recommend the Smart Systems Alitherm Heritage range for single doors and double doors. Consider these doors also with surround glazing, therefore creating beautiful combination screens.
Finally, Alitherm doors create outstanding internal doors. They work very well as a room divider and in a hallway, dividing the space effectively. Another great feature of using these doors inside is the option of no threshold at all. These doors sit directly onto your finished floor making the whole look seamless and stylish.
You can also consider our Aluk or Origin residential doors. Both of these work well with the applied glazing bars and look beautiful. However, they do not come with the unique design features of the Alitherm product.
Steel replacement bifolding doors.
There is no specific bifolding door designed as a steel look system. What we do is take one of our slimline bifolding door products such as the Schuco ASS70 FD or the Duteman FD85. With thin door mullions, these two types of folding sliding doors offer a very credible looking bifold in a contemporary look.
Some window companies take any bifolding door product and add the glazing bars. The look is not always compelling, considering some doors have thicker sight lines than others. Therefore for steel replacement bifolding doors, we suggest you look at several different products and examine their aesthetics. Our best selling Origin bifolding door also works well as a steel replacement system.
Steel look sliding doors.
In theory, you can have a steel look to a sliding door too. However, while the applied aluminium bars work well with most systems, the handle needs consideration.
Most inline sliding doors come with bigger pull handles. Lift and slide doors come with rotating handles to raise and move the panels. Therefore these are not as discreet or as small as bifolding or French Door handles.
Steel replacement windows.
The Smart Systems Alitherm Heritage 47 system is our choice for windows. This system comes in either a standard Alitherm product or a specific steel look product. And just like all our aluminium windows, they come as fixed or opening casements and even as bay windows.
Also available is the Aluk 58BW steel replacement system. This is another slimline thermally insulated window. Just like Alitherm, it comes in all manner of styles. You get the same secure multi-point locking, energy efficient frames and a big choice of colours.
The windows also come with the applied bars with a choice of frame and sash to suit the look you want. There is also a great choice of a monkey tail, bulb and other period handles. You can have peg stays with these windows too. Contact us today to find out more on our slimline windows in a steel-look style.
Tips and Advice for buying steel replacement aluminium doors.
- Consider the colour. Black is very popular with these types of doors and offers one of the most authentic looks.
- The glazing bars are hand applied in the factory or site glazed. Either option is secure with the bars bonded to the glass surface.
- The bars cannot be removed without having new glass as well.
- French doors with side and surround glazing offer by far the most aesthetically pleasing product.
- We suggest viewing a selection of different products as many different types are available.
Finally, remember that many of these products remain standard windows and doors. Some businesses only sell the standard product and not a specially designed system. So do check what you’re getting and always ask questions.
Contact us today for prices on steel look windows, doors and screens.
The best way to understand these products is to see them and the choice of colours and furniture options. Contact us today to arrange a free quotation or visit our showroom.
