MHB Steel Doors and Windows: Strength, Style and Security
Why it pays to choose a premium product for your next glazing project
Steel doors and windows combine elegance, natural light, and security in one simple solution. The slim profiles and large glass panes create bright, open interiors, while the inherent strength of steel provides a dependable barrier against intrusion and deterioration.
However, how the frame is constructed makes a critical difference – solid, fully welded steel delivers far greater strength and durability than folded sheet, tubular profiles or mechanically joined sections.
Not all steel systems perform the same, so knowing this distinction is essential when selecting the right system for your project.
The solid steel advantage
Architects and homeowners often choose steel for its ultra-slim profiles and the ability to frame vast expanses of uninterrupted glass. Steel’s inherent strength means these refined frames have a robusteness that other materials can’t match.
However, the type of steel used can make a big difference to the frame’s inherent strength. Some steel window manufacturers use folded sheet steel sections that rely on mitred corners joined with mechanical cleats, a process which can introduce weak points. Solid steel frames on the other hand, such as those by MHB Steel, are handcrafted and fully welded. This creates a single, rigid structure with no mechanical joint, making it inherently stronger, more secure, and more durable.
Security features unique to MHB Steel
The security capabilities of MHB Steel are designed into the frame from the outset – not bolted on afterwards. This integration ensures that every door and window provides consistent, dependable security without compromising on design.
- Welded construction: Unlike aluminium or hollow folded steel systems, which are mechanically joined at the corners, MHB Steel doors and windows are fully welded. The frame, sash, and hardware points form a single, rigid structure, eliminating weak points and resisting forced entry.
- High-performance glazing capacity: MHB Steel frames can accept glass units up to 72mm deep, enabling the use of high performance laminated, bullet-resistant, or blast-resistant glazing. Compare this to some traditional steel window manufacturers that still use single glazing units.
- Concealed hinge bolts: These automatically engage when the sash is closed, preventing removal even if hinges are cut. They are hidden from view to preserve the clean lines of the frame.
- Discreet alarm integration: Magnetic contacts can be built into the frame to connect with security systems without visible wiring.
- Built-in compliance: MHB Steel windows and doors meet RC2 burglary resistance (EN1627 + NEN5096) as standard, exceeding UK PAS 24 requirements, with upgrade options to RC3 or higher.
Customised compliance
Every MHB Steel system is engineered to surpass baseline security standards. Fully welded for uncompromising strength, they achieve RC2 burglary resistance as standard and can be customised to meet RC3 or beyond. Thanks to MHB’s ability to accommodate glazing units up to 72mm deep, we can design bespoke solutions that incorporate multiple protective layers, including bullet-resistant and blast-resistant glass. These advanced specifications are only possible because MHB’s profiles can take the additional glass thickness that other steel systems cannot – all without increasing profile size or losing the slim sightlines that define steel’s appeal.
Giving you the security you need
Steel frames combine exceptional security with design flexibility, but not all steel windows offer the same benefits. At Cotswold Windows, we only work with premium products which is why we recommend MHB Steel to our clients. As one of only three UK suppliers of MHB Steel, we can guarantee that your windows and doors will provide superior quality, design and security for the long-term. Contact us and we’ll help you choose the best steel frames for your next glazing project.
