Answer these simple questions and we will find you the BEST prices
Which type of solar quotes do you need?
Get up to 4 quotes by filling in only 1 quick form
Compare quotes and find yourself the best deal
Increase the value of your home by installing new windows
Steel Windows in the UK: Costs, Styles, Pros & Cons
- The average cost of steel windows is between £500 - £1,500 per window.
- Steel windows most commonly come in casement, picture window, and sliding designs.
- The biggest benefit of steel windows is that they are highly durable while still being thin, allowing for slim yet powerful frames.
While less common for windows, steel can be a great material for frames. These windows make for thin frames with a solid, weather-resistant exterior. However, they also have their drawbacks, such as high cost.
Let’s go over the prices, various types, and pros and cons of steel windows in the UK, so you can decide if they are a good choice for your home.
If you’re looking for new windows and are wondering which material will be the best for your home, you will need the help of an installer who knows what they’re doing. Finding a reliable one can take hours when done alone, which is why our service can cut down your search time.
Fill out our quick form, and we’ll bring you up to 4 free, non-binding quotes from the best installers in your area. Click the button below to get started.
- Quotes from local installers
- Payment by finance available
- Save up to £150 per year
Steel window styles
Here are the most common designs for steel framed windows:
- Casement: Steel casement windows are the most affordable design. The use of style in this classic design fits in with any types of home. Metal casement windows tend to be more secure and durable for external frames than uPVC or composite.
- French: With French windows, you can have 2 panels that open outward or inward. Steel can give them a far more solid construction than other materials, allowing for better wind resistance as they hang open.
- Sliding: Sliding steel doors can be heavier to open than aluminium, but also provide better protection against the weather. Compared to wood and uPVC, they also allow for thinner frames and handles, which can maximise light entry and imbue them with a modern look.
- Double hung: Double hung windows have two openings in a vertical pane. With steel frames, the window can be fastened securely and ensure minimal damage while being more resistant to force from the outside wind.
- Picture window: Picture windows are a simple design that stays locked in place. With a far more solid material, they can be thinner, thus providing a larger glass pane. This is ideal for enjoying a pleasant view of the outdoors.
Other styles, like tilt and turn windows, bay windows, bow windows and steel sash windows, are less common. These can be heavier types of windows, which may not be suitable for steel construction. It’s also worth noting that most steel windows are outdoor-facing, since they are best suited for resisting harsh weather conditions.
Steel windows cost
The most common steel frames generally cost from £250 to £3,000, with an average price of £500 to £1,500 (excluding installation costs). Any window replacement cost will also be higher if more space has to be made for a new frame, which can add to installation fees.
| Design | Purchase cost | Installation cost |
|---|---|---|
| Casement window | £300 - £800 | £200 - £500 |
| French | £500 - £700 | £200 - £500 |
| Sliding | £800 - £3,000 | £200 - £500 |
| Picture window | £300 - £2,000 | £200 - £500 |
| Double hung | £650 - £2,000 | £200 - £500 |
The table covers the cost of double glazed windows, since they are the standard type in the UK. Triple glazing windows can add 30% to 50% to the price of each type of window. Secondary glazing in the UK, on the other hand, can be half as cheap (or even cheaper when considering less permanent forms of secondary glazing, such as glazing film or magnetic attachments).
As mentioned above, these prices are estimates. Every home is different, which is why you need an installer to assess your home and give you the best advice. Finding a reliable one can be a chore, taking up hours of precious time. That’s why we simplify the process with our service. Fill out one short, 30-second form, and we’ll provide you with up to 4 free quotes from the best installers in your area.
Click the button below to get started.
Steel windows advantages & disadvantages
- Durable: Steel is a very durable material, which ensures security and minimal wear and tear. Metal windows are uniquely powerful in this regard.
- Slim designs: Steel is a stronger material than uPVC and aluminium, allowing for thinner frames with better strength. Slim steel framed windows can maximise light entry and give a modern look to any home.
- Energy-efficient: Windows made from steel matches the energy-efficiency of other materials as long as it is thermally-broken and has double glazing (as a minimum). Good steel also lasts a long time (sometimes over 50 years), which potentially means energy savings for a long time.
- Highly recyclable: Like a lot of metals, steel is 100% recyclable and using steel scrap in production reduces CO2 emissions by 58%.
- Fireproof: Steel is non-flammable and can be a great option for avoiding fire risks.
- Cost: Steel costs more than uPVC and aluminium, being about twice the price of the former and a third more expensive than the latter on average. It has great characteristics, but the price tag is hefty, especially when stocking multiple windows.
- Variable lifespan: Depending on the quality of the design and type of steel, windows can last anywhere from 10 to 50 years. This can mean either a window that will last less than uPVC windows or one that may last about as long as wooden windows. Selecting high quality can thus be pivotal.
- Maintenance requirements: While they don’t have the highest maintenance requirements, they can be more work than uPVC. Maintenance usually involves rust prevention measures like applying wax and some regular cleaning.
Steel vs aluminium windows
Steel and aluminium are often compared as materials for window frames since they are both commonly used for metal windows in the UK. When choosing the right one, you need to consider durability, weight, thermal efficiency, lifespan, and price.
In terms of pricing, aluminium is far cheaper than steel. The cheapest aluminium windows can start at £210 and go up to £1,600 or more. Steel starts at £250, but can range up to £3,000. It’s worth noting that steel windows are rarer, and thus can be on the more expensive side of this range, while aluminium is a more common choice.
Weight is another consideration. Compared to many other materials like soft woods and uPVC, steel can be heavier. Metal sash windows, for example, can be heavier, making them harder to open vertically. Aluminium windows are a bit lighter than steel but also less sturdy. Steel is therefore better in terms of durability and providing thinner frames, although aluminium is better for lighter components.
Comparing their lifespans can be tricky since certain types of steel can last half as long, while other types of quality steel windows can outlast aluminium by twice as long. Aluminium windows generally last 30 to 40 years. Steel windows can last about 10 years for low-quality steel and 50 years or more for well-developed, galvanised steel.
Both materials are great for outdoor windows, with steel being better at resisting wear and tear that comes from the elements. It’s best to find steel windows with a thermal break, or they might be less efficient for the home. However, aluminium is light, cheaper, and less prone to conducting large quantities of heat, which makes it better for indoor materials.
Overall, steel is a better material for heavier windows that are secure and weather-resistant, making them great for outward-facing frames and doors. On the other hand, aluminium is better for lighter, indoor windows.
Should you get steel windows for your home?
Steel windows can be a great choice for sturdy, outdoor window frames. They can be expensive and require a little bit of upkeep, but they are fire-resistant and could potentially last for 50 years or more. Compared to uPVC, it has far better material characteristics and provides for slimmer frames that last longer.
It can be a good alternative to aluminium as well, despite the price. Steel windows tend to be the sturdiest material available. While steel is rarer and designs on the market are often limited, it can make for a great addition to exterior windows.
If you’re looking for replacement metal windows and don’t know who to contact, we have an entire network of vetted installers who help you get the best installation possible. No need to spend hours looking for companies and comparing their prices: just fill in a 30-second form, and we’ll get back to you with up to 4 free, non-binding quotes for windows
Click the button below, and find the best prices in your area.
- Quotes from local installers
- Payment by finance available
- Save up to £150 per year
FAQ