Steel vs aluminium glazing systems: pros, cons and differences

When specifying a glazing system for a door, window, screen or curtain wall, the choice of material is an essential factor in the success of your project.

Both materials are widely used for a reason and both do the job successfully. Each material, however, has its pros and cons with regard to strength and durability, maintenance, thermal efficiency and more.

Here at Wrightstyle, we exclusively use steel for our glazing systems. We wouldn't do this if we didn't believe it to be the superior material.

Nevertheless, we recognise that aluminium has its advantages. We also provide steel sections for existing aluminium systems.

So, what are the pros, the cons and the differences between these two staple glazing system materials? They cover key areas such as durability, performance, thermal efficiency and more.

Let's look at these considerations in more detail.

What are the pros and cons of an aluminium glazing system?

Advantages

Aluminium is a robust material that allows for larger panes of glass and narrower frames than its timber or PVC equivalents. This increases natural light and allows for a modern aesthetic.

And unlike timber or PVC, it doesn't warp, rot or twist as time goes by. Instead, you can count on an aluminium system to last decades – often 45 years or more.

Aluminium glazing systems are highly weather-resistant and aren't vulnerable to rust. Because of this, they can be quickly buffed up with warm water, mild detergent and a microfibre cloth.

Despite its prevalence in the industry, there's a pervasive myth that aluminium lacks thermal efficiency. This used to be the case, but today's aluminium systems prevent heat loss via thermal break technology – essentially a reinforced barrier between the inner and outer frames.

Aluminium comes in a vast range of powder-coated finishes, making it an easy material to incorporate into your project. Once up, it proves high levels of security.

Disadvantages

Aluminium's advantages are balanced out by some significant drawbacks.

If you opt for a low-quality aluminium glazing system, you can expect poor insulation and condensation issues, especially in humid environments.

In coastal areas, salt-heavy air and salty water can lead to corrosion (although this problem can be avoided with special coatings).

Scratches, dents and other kinds of surface damage are difficult and expensive to repair. Moreover, the modern aesthetic of aluminium is sometimes unsuitable for traditional or rustic settings.

What are the pros and cons of steel glazing systems?

Advantages

Because of steel's superior strength, frames can be extremely thin, even when supporting large glazing units. This allows architects to harness sleek sightlines, avoiding traditionally bulky profiles. With steel, large-span applications can have the same sleek look as smaller installations.

Steel is highly robust and can last 50 years or longer. This gives it the edge over aluminium and, for many, represents a better investment.

In terms of aesthetics, steel is ideal for industrial or industrial-style projects. However, this stark look can be softened with coloured powder coatings.

The density of steel makes for excellent security and fire resistance. At Wrightstyle, our glazing systems offer excellent fire resistance, meaning there's no compromise on safety.

Last but not least in the plus column, steel glazing systems offer excellent thermal performance and weather resistance, preventing heat loss and any significant damage from weather conditions.

Disadvantages

Here at Wrightstyle, we believe the pros of steel significantly outweigh the cons. That's why we manufacture our glazing systems exclusively from steel.

Nevertheless, we recognise there are some potential disadvantages to consider when choosing your material.

The first and most obvious is the higher initial cost. Both the materials and the fabrication process are more expensive than aluminium. Nevertheless, we believe this is more than made up for by the high performance and longevity of steel.

Steel frames are vulnerable to rust and corrosion, especially in coastal areas. This means steel glazing systems must be inspected and sometimes repainted.

Finally, steel frames are much heavier than aluminium. This makes them more challenging – and more expensive – to install. On the other hand, this additional weight is part of what gives them their remarkable durability.

What are the differences between aluminium and steel glazing systems?

The differences between aluminium and steel glazing systems can be broken down into five main categories:

Strength
Cost
Maintenance
Aesthetics
Thermal performance

1. Strength

Steel is stronger than aluminium. This allows for slimmer frames – in the case of Wrightstyle glazing systems, as thin as 60mm – and larger-span applications.

2. Cost

Aluminium is more affordable than steel, both in terms of materials and installation. However, these upfront costs can be misleading as steel's greater longevity can save you money in the long run.

3. Maintenance

Aluminium's corrosion resistance makes it easy to maintain. Steel, however, needs to be regularly inspected and painted to protect against rust. For many, this need for maintenance is balanced out by its longer lifespan.

4. Aesthetics

Steel and aluminium are both aesthetically versatile. However, steel tends to have an industrial look which differs from aluminium's light, bright and modern appearance.

5. Thermal performance

Both steel and aluminium glazing systems are thermally efficient. Steel, however, is a natural insulator, whereas aluminium has to be fitted with thermal breaks.

What's the difference between steel and stainless steel?

Glazing systems can be made from both standard steel and stainless steel. Standard steel rusts when exposed to moisture and must be coated. Stainless steel, by contrast, is corrosion-resistant.

Should I choose steel or aluminium for my glazing system?

Whether you're buying an internal or external glazing system, we believe that steel is the best choice for most applications.

This is partly for the reasons above and partly because steel can be customised to be blast-resistant, bullet-resistant and fire-resistant. The result is a unit that provides excellent safety, durability and longevity.

Wrightstyle has manufactured high-quality, compliance-tested speciality glazing systems in the UK since 1996. Don't hesitate to get in touch with our team for comprehensive product advice and step-by-step technical guidance.

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