Why Steel Windows Are Back in Demand for Modern & Heritage Homes

The appeal of steel windows and doors

There’s something timeless, yet strikingly modern, about a steel framed window. The dark outline. The slim profile. The way it quietly frames a view without overwhelming it. Once the preserve of industrial factories and 1920s ateliers, steel windows and doors are now firmly re-established as a design favourite for contemporary homes, period properties, and everything in between.

At Cotswold Windows, we’re seeing a major resurgence in the use of steel windows – not only for their aesthetics, but for their performance, longevity, and architectural versatility. Whether it’s a minimalist new-build or a Grade II-listed Cotswold farmhouse, steel offers unmatched elegance with uncompromising durability.

Why choose steel framed windows and doors?

Over the past 25 years, consumer expectations have shifted. Homeowners, architects and developers alike are more discerning and are looking for glazing that performs as well as it looks.

MHB steel framed windows and doors answer that call. They’re handcrafted, highly engineered, and offer a number of significant benefits.

Benefits of solid steel framed windows

• Inherent strength opens up design possibilities: Steel allows for extremely large panes of glass with minimal supports. Whether it’s oversized sliding doors or a double-height façade, you can achieve expansive views without visual clutter.
• Ultra-slim profiles: Steel can offer slimmer sightlines than aluminium, resulting in a cleaner aesthetic and more natural light. There’s no need for bulky mullions or overbuilt frames.
• Sharp, defined edges: The precise geometry of solid steel gives architectural designs real clarity and intention. It frames without dominating, adding definition without distraction.
• Dark, refined frames: Steel’s tone and finish act like the ‘eyebrows’ of a building, enhancing the architecture without overshadowing it. Against stone, brick or render, the effect is striking and elegant.

• True solid steel construction: not folded metal or faux-aluminium substitutes.
• Thermally broken frames: MHB’s unique global patent delivers outstanding insulation and compliance with modern building standards.

What’s more, steel windows and doors are just at home in listed buildings, apartment blocks and industrial style conversions as they are in modern, new-build properties. Let’s explore this further…

Steel windows in modern homes

Modern glazing doesn’t have to mean run of the mill. Windows are such an important design feature and can really transform the look of a property. Choosing handcrafted steel frames adds a sense of refinement and elegance that you just don’t get with uPVC, bulky timber frames and even most aluminium frames. 

Whatsmore, few materials are as versatile as steel. Whether framing a large open-plan living area or defining zones in an industrial-style renovation, steel framed windows and doors are as much a feature as they are a functional element.

Steel windows in listed buildings

Many listed and period properties originally featured steel-framed glazing, and restoring or replacing those elements with heritage windows helps preserve architectural integrity.

But, steel can also give period properties a contemporary feel – they work on all types of heritage property from all eras, whether that’s a 16th-century Cotswold stone farmhouse, rustic barn conversion or elegant Georgian villa. And by choosing highly engineered products such as MHB Steel, you get all the benefits of moderin glazing with the look and feel of heritage window.