How much do steel replacement windows cost?

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Nick Dardalis

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Steel-look, Crittall style, industrial or Art-Deco. How much do these types of steel-look and steel replacement windows cost? The factors affecting how much you pay for this unique design of aluminium windows varies depending on the product, the manufacturer and where you buy them from. Even the colour and choice of handles and glass affects the price too.

In this article, we explain how prices are worked out and offer some guide prices on several product types.  In a previous article, we also explained how to compare aluminium windows with Steel.

slimline windows with doors in black

Steel-look windows explained

Popular as a replacement for existing metal windows or capitalising on the current trend for industrial and Crittall style windows, you’ll find windows, doors, bifolding and sliding doors in the steel look. There are also dedicated steel-look doors and windows for inside the home.

Patio doors in this timeless style are also popular, especially as single or double doors or doors with side panels. So the obvious question is, how much do steel replacement windows cost, and are they a good investment?

First of all, aluminium steel replacement windows are not exact Crittall® style windows.  This 160-year-old company has a worldwide reputation for windows fabricated from quality steel and built to last even longer than alumninium versions. The genuine steel window is slimmer, stronger and offers the genuine article every time.

What aluminium steel replacement windows do is offer a cheaper alternative. They are not exactly the same. Neither should any professional installer suggest so. Instead the aluminium versions meet a strong consumer demand and growing trend at a significantly lower price.

To find out how much steel replacement windows cost, you need to seek out the right brand from some of the aluminium systems on offer.  Most of the major aluminium systems companies have an aluminium suite designed and intended to replicate old steel windows. 

Smart Systems, Reynaers and Aluk are three of the best aluminium versions in this style. Then there are others less well designed such as Sheerline, Decalu or Origin. As well as this you’ll find many independent manufacturers creating a more unique product They’ll either take an existing system and re-engineer it, or invest in a completely new system such as the aïrMOD steel look collection made by Everglade Windows.

Factors affecting the price you pay for steel replacement windows.

Several factors in buying steel-replacement windows will affect the price you pay. We explain these in detail.

air mod steel look windows costs showing windows in a home
aïr MOD Heritage aluminium windows made by Everglade Windows of London

Why the product you buy affects steel replacement windows cost

The cheapest steel replacement window will be any window (even PVCu) that’s an otherwise standard window with nothing but glazing bars applied to the glass creating the grid-like pattern. The handles are the same too.

Anybody making or selling windows does this and indeed, many do. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this basic option in the home if you like the styling on offer and make this choice.

Alternatively, the dedicated steel-look windows come with aluminium profiles designed around the original aesthetics of steel windows. The application of nothing but glazing bars to a standard product applies especially to steel-look sliding doors and bifolding doors. With one exception, there’s no dedicated bifold or slider.

Therefore how much steel replacement windows cost firstly depends on the actual brand you’re buying. If the budget allows, our advice is to look at dedicated products rather than the standard.

A good steel-look window or door comes with:

  • A choice of profile to windows such as stepped, flush or putty-line windows
  • Doors must come with deep bottom rail options, the lock backplate and the right handles.
  • Sidepanels should like through consistently
  • Window and door handles should come in the period options typical of the original products
steel replacement windows cost in a bedroom window
Sizes, opening elements, number of bars and design all affect the price

How the window design relates to the price you pay

Your window sizes, glazing bar design, how many opening elements needed and the window style itself all affect the price.

Smaller windows are cheaper, larger windows cost more with more material required. As well as material costs, manufacturing costs differ the more elements the window has. There’s little you can do about this when replacing old windows but something to bear in mind with new window openings.

The glazing bars giving the period and industrial look also vary in size. You’ll find bar sizes at 19mm, 25mm, 35mm or 48mm. The thicker the bar the more expensive as a component. Many windows need factory glazing, others have the bars applied on installation. These two factors also affect prices.

aluco crittall style windows cost in a bathroom
Aluco Aluminium steel-look window in a textured grey finish and period handles

Why different colours change the Crittall style windows cost.

Black is undoubtedly the most popular colour for windows in this style. And one of the benefits of aluminium windows is the significant choice of colours available.

Aluminium windows manufacturers now stock more standard colours than before and this helps keeps steel replacement windows cost down as well as ensuring faster manufacturing and delivery times. Therefore the cheaper window will be the one in any of these standard colours such as black, white, and several types of grey.

If your design calls for a non-standard colour not stocked, this will affect the price and you will pay more. Surcharges on special colours vary and your installer can advise you better.

buying steel-look windows
The choice of bars, window handles or accessories affects steel look windows cost. Duration Royale Window with period handle.

Window extras and accessories explained

One of the best features of a quality steel-look window is window handles and other accessories in the right style, colour and feel. You’ll find some excellent choices of window handles, original peg-stays and even period window hinges.

All of these extras add to the price you pay and also come in special finishes. White, black, hammered finishes, pewter, gold, antique shades are just some of the options on offer. For the window handles you’ll find

Other accessories essential to the installation also affect Crittall style windows cost. You may need a special window cill, your windows may require extension pieces or even retaining the trickle ventilators of the original windows. Of course, bay and bow windows require extra profiles adding to the cost. A significant addition to the price is any curved heads above the windows too.

Finally is your choice of glass. Perhaps you want enhanced security glass for your ground floor windows. Maybe you live on a noisy street and need acoustic glass. Even higher insulation, self-cleaning or solar control glazing adds to the price you pay.

aluco aluminium black doors in a lounge
Location, opening types and transportation also affect Crittall style windows cost

Why installation costs also differ when pricing steel-replacement windows

Fitting a standard size door is cheaper than a larger door set spanning several metres. Installing at ground floor level typically costs less than installations needing towers or scaffolding. Site access generally also affects the price such as getting large doors and windows to the back of a terraced house with no side access.

Installers consider site and staff safety, transportation and accessibility when working out how much steel replacement windows cost. Often they’ll need to hire equipment for handling large panels of glass. There are even situations where a crane manoeuvres a large screen over the roof of the house and to the back as it’s too large to get through the home, or there’s no side or rear access.

How and where you buy your windows matters too

It is easy to assume that you will save money if you buy directly from a manufacturer. And you can. Some manufacturers make and install their windows.  Or there’s the choice of installers buying in windows from specialist manufacturers.

Crucially, the expertise of your chosen installer relates to the prices you pay. You’ll get a more competitive quotation from a company selling steel look windows daily, compared with an installer rarely selling these, wanting your business but treating your order as a ‘special’.

You’ve also got the option with these windows of sourcing them yourself and getting your builder to fit.

It is also worth remembering that overheads, fitting charges, profit margins and even regional fluctuations will affect the price. Finally the aluminium extrusions many come from Europe as well as the UK.

check out the various systems and providers of steel-look windows offering more than just windows or doors with bars applied. Focusing in on these, here are some of the better providers. We can help put you in touch and provide more information on their product range.

Approximate prices for steel look windows and doors.

Open the gallery to take a look at some typical systems and products with indicative prices of what steel replacement windows cost. We have also included doors and screens as well. Please bear in mind prices are guide prices only, including VAT and fitting.  Always get a quotation from a specialist.

Summary

Whether you’re looking for steel look windows, doors, bifolding or sliding doors and even internal glazing. We can help with specialist suppliers and product advice.

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Andrew DOBSONAndrew DOBSON
16:42 30 Oct 23
Nick responded incredibly quickly to my enquiry (on a Saturday too!), and was able to offer invaluable advice on both aluminum systems and manufacturer / suppliers. Thanks Nick!
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19:55 13 Sep 23
Extremely helpful with pointing us in the right direction to find the products we required and suggesting firms that could reliably fit them.Nick was quick to reply and very detailed in his advice.Highly recommend reaching out to them.
Cathy GreenwoodCathy Greenwood
07:03 11 Sep 23
Update - A second email to nick for help on bifolds resulted in a detailed informative reply even on a Sunday ! This guy is so knowledgable and helpful .I approached Nick for an independent view on sliding doors v bifold and the different brand options . His reply was extremely detailed and prompt and allowed me to navigate this often confusing world in a much more informed way . Thanks so much Nick
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This is a must site for anyone looking for advice. Great service and very quick answers to questions. Nick has been of great help quiding us through the maze of aluminium products. Thank you
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20:24 26 Jul 23
I contacted Nick @ ATS for guidance on what aluminium sliding door systems would be suitable for an opening in an extension that is going to be both wide and tall. He came back really quickly with very detailed and incredibly helpful advice. He is clearly extremely knowledgeable about the systems on the market and their respective features and capabilities. If you’re feeling a bit lost by the overwhelming range of choices out there, I’d definitely recommend contacting him.
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17:25 19 Jul 23
Nick's advice is great. He is always quick to respond and spends time on responses, which really help to make an informed decision.
Alan FosterAlan Foster
07:51 12 Jul 23
Absolutely fantastic. Asked for advice about replacing Crittall (?) windows late last night and early this morning received 3 great suggestions and contact information for suppliers
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Fantastic website full of valuable and pragmatic advice about product selection and comparison: no other website gives information like this. Truly written for public interest. Don't hesistate to reach out to Nick via the mailing system. He responds very quickly, is friendly, and has very sound and high knowledgable advice. I have already shared this with my friend planning her own grand design.
guard Charlieguard Charlie
12:28 14 May 23
I emailed this company just on the off chance they could help me with new magnetic sliders for my patio door. They were not able to supply those but were so very helpful providing me with the name of a company who could. I am so very grateful at the great service. Dare say customers must be very happy. thank you so much.
Benjamin LewisBenjamin Lewis
10:06 04 May 23
Nick is very helpful indeed. Extremely knowledgeable on bifolds which was in relation to my query. Great website as well, some very useful articles. Particularly appreciated the article that lists all the major bifold options in order of their sightlines! Thank you!
P JonesP Jones
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After a lot of research to find doors that would meet our unusual size requirements and feeling increasingly uncertain about the best way to spend our small budget, I stumbled on the ATS website, and I'm so glad I did! I contacted ATS to request advice and Nick promptly replied with a wealth of information, providing us with options and relevant contact details. I only wish I'd found them sooner!
Carol NortonCarol Norton
10:01 17 Mar 23
I've been so confused about how to achieve the look I'm after, and going round in circles with various window/door companies, trying to get away from the huge chunks of plastic currently around my windows. I didn't expect an email to a company found through a Google search to really help - but I was desperate, so I tried. I'm SO glad I did. Finally I have clear explanations from ATS of where I've been going wrong, exactly what I'm looking for, and a list of local companies that might be able to provide it! The response has excelled my expectations and I feel as if I'm finally inching closer to a home with which I'll be happy and comfortable: thank you.
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Chantal AuerbachChantal Auerbach
13:04 09 Mar 23
Nick from Aluminium Trade Supply was incredibly helpful informative and pleasant to deal with. He responded quickly to emails and was very knowledgeable. Highly recommend being in touch with Nick if you are considering new aluminium windows or doors.
Lee JonesLee Jones
20:21 22 Feb 23
I dropped Nick at Aluminium Trade Supply an email re high security slim sightline bi-folds and their alternatives and he responded that quickly (and so comprehensively) that I felt bad I’d not paid him for his time!Nick Sir your product knowledge is outstanding and you are providing a level of service that goes wayyyy above and beyond expectations. I’ll definitely make sure I mention Aluminium Trade Supply to anyone I encounter looking for a fenestration solution 🙏🏼
G JG J
15:13 13 Feb 23
We are looking to replace some old UPVC patios doors with aluminium ones. The ATS website is a great source of advice in an area where clear information is sorely lacking. Having used the website, I then followed this up with a number of specific questions relating to our search, and Nick came back very quickly with clear, detailed and very useful advice.I have been very impressed with both the website and with Nick's advice. My only regret is that I didn't come across ATS before replacing various windows in 2021 - I'm sure it would have saved me a lot of grief and money! Thanks again Nick.
Azza McCabeAzza McCabe
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Adri LoloçiAdri Loloçi
11:21 08 Jan 23
Nick was super fast to respond and provided some great recommendations. I would recommend this website to anyone looking to find bifold or sliding aluminium doors.
Stephen HoustonStephen Houston
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Looking for aluminium crittall style internal door and external patio French doors. Noted good reviews and thought would ask for advice. Comprehensive reply with excellent independent advice and lists of fitters who could provide products and installation. Great service.
Inga GeachInga Geach
08:25 21 Dec 22
Nick from Aluminium Trade Supply has been extremely helpful with navigating the jungle that is aluminium glazing for our upcoming extension project. His advice was prompt, detailed and always impartial. Very grateful for your input, thanks Nick!
Amanda BurtonAmanda Burton
10:54 16 Dec 22
Brilliant website and an excellent service. Nick provided not only detailed advice and supplier contacts, but highlighted the considerations of various products so I could make an informed choice. Our Sunvista minimal sliders were fitted this week and I couldn't be happier, stunning. Thanks once again for your advice and recommendations, invaluable!
Keith BarnesKeith Barnes
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Munim ChowdhuryMunim Chowdhury
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Nick has been very helpful on signposting me to a number of partner organisations for steel/aluminium doors.
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