Five Key Reasons Why Steel Windows Are the Architect's Choice

Steel Windows are the architect's choice for just about every kind of building. These windows are incredibly versatile, in that they can evoke both a modern and bold look, or conversely give the feel of classic style. In this article, we will discuss the five key benefits of choosing windows made of steel for your building -- whether it be a home, commercial structure, hospital, school, or public building. These benefits are narrow sightlines, strength, versatility, lifecycle, and fire rating. When you are finished reading, you will have all the information you need in order to decide if these windows are the solution for your building.

The first reason is their narrow sightlines. When people think of steel windows, the quality most often associated with them is their narrow sightlines. As a consequence, over centuries, this attribute has been incorporated into just about every kind of building. Architects have taken advantage of this great quality inherent to steel windows and used their narrow sightlines to construct different architectural styles. The material's massive and incredible strength allows for this minimalism in regards to sightlines. Other materials, such as aluminum, vinyl, or wood simply do not have the integrity to allow for maintaining their structure while having narrow sightlines. This gives steel windows a unique and distinctive appearance.

The second major benefit is their strength. Head to head, aluminum is three times weaker than steel. The advantage offered by steel's inherent strength also allows it to hold glass lights of immense size and offer astonishing openings, even as the material maintains narrow sightlines. This also allows for the use of ventilators, which in a steel window do not rack with age or distort.

The third reason for choosing steel as your material for windows is its versatility. Whether the building has a Gothic theme, is a more traditional structure, or highly modern, steel windows complement the look of the building's exterior and interior. Municipal buildings, churches, universities, private homes, commercial buildings, manufacturing facilities, transit terminals, hospitals and retail establishments have all benefited from using these type of windows.

The fourth benefit is their lifecycle. Far above and beyond other construction materials, steel windows offer unsurpassed durability. For example, in Europe, the original windows are still maintaining themselves in silent elegance even in buildings that are more than a century old.

In the United States, there are many examples of steel windows which after three generations still remain quite functional. In fact, when these windows are replaced, it is usually due to surface issues such as glazing, ventilator technology, or finishing, not the general functionality of the window. In essence, steel windows effectively stand the test of time with far more grace and elegance than other materials.

The fifth reason is their excellent fire rating. Manufacturers of steel windows offer a variety of designs which are fire rated, this fire rating confirmed by independent laboratory fire labels. This fire rating is not limited to fixed lites. A number of operable designs are able to be fabricated, provided specifications are constructed in consultation with individual manufacturers.

If you are looking for excellent window for any number of structures, consider steel windows. Architects give these windows the seal of approval for their narrow sightlines, strength, versatility, lifecycle, and fire rating. These windows complement any number of styles, and allow for a unique look for any building.

Optimum Window Manufacturing Corp. is the largest and most diversified manufacturer of Fire-Rated windows and doors in America. Specializing in cold-rolled steel, hot-rolled steel, aluminum, stainless steel and bronze windows. http://www.optimumwindow.com

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