Custom steel windows and doors generally cost more than aluminium, reflecting the materials, fabrication and detailing involved. The difference depends on the size, configuration, glazing, finish and installation requirements.

To accurately compare custom steel windows and doors with aluminium alternatives, ensure both quotations include equivalent specifications for thermal performance, hardware and scope of works. Metro Steel Windows provides project-specific pricing, helping you understand the investment required for your design.

Yes, steel windows and doors can form part of a home that meets NSW BASIX requirements when the frame and glazing specifications suit the building’s energy assessment.

NatHERS, the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme, assesses how well a home’s design maintains comfortable indoor temperatures with less reliance on heating and cooling. The 7-star rating applies to the home as a whole, with windows and glazed doors assessed alongside insulation, construction materials, layout and local climate.

Window size, orientation, shading and the combined performance of the glass and frame all influence the result. The two key measures are U-value and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC). A lower U-value provides better insulation, while the appropriate SHGC depends on balancing summer heat control with useful winter warmth.

Double glazing, low-e glass and thermally broken steel frames can help achieve the required performance. Your energy assessor should confirm the whole-window specifications early, allowing Metro Steel Windows to recommend a suitable frame and glazing combination for your NSW project.

Not every NSW project requires thermally broken frames. The right choice depends on your location, building design, shading, glazing and thermal performance requirements.

A thermal break introduces an insulating barrier within the frame, reducing heat transfer. This can help limit heat entering during summer and escaping during winter.

Metro Steel Windows offers the Metro M40, which supports single and double glazing, and the Secco OS2 75, which incorporates a thermal break and supports high-performance glazing.

For colder areas such as the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands, glass selection should balance retaining indoor warmth with allowing useful winter sunlight into the home, while managing summer heat gain. Your energy assessor should confirm the required whole-window U-value and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), helping determine the most suitable frame and glazing combination for your project.

Steel can corrode if its protective finish is damaged or if it is incorrectly maintained. Coastal suitability depends on the substrate, coating system, site exposure and ongoing maintenance.

Metro’s M40 system uses a galvanised steel substrate with a multi-stage protective paint process. For properties in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, the Northern Beaches, Newcastle or elsewhere along the NSW coast, the galvanised steel and protective paint system work together to help protect against corrosion caused by moisture and salt exposure. The appropriate specification and maintenance requirements are outlined in our Care & Maintenance brochure.

Choose a company that can explain how its proposed system suits your design, site conditions and performance requirements. Ask about shop drawings, glazing specifications, compliance evidence, finishes, installation responsibilities, warranties and after-sales support.

For NSW projects, discuss BASIX commitments, coastal exposure and any bushfire requirements before finalising your selection. At Metro Steel Windows, we welcome architectural drawings and project specifications so we can discuss a suitable custom steel window and door solution.

Metro’s steel windows and doors have not been independently bushfire-tested to achieve a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating. However, suitable configurations can meet the Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) construction requirements of AS 3959:2018—Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas.

For New South Wales projects assessed as BAL-12.5, BAL-19, BAL-29 or BAL-40, these requirements address frame materials, glazing, seals, hardware and screening, depending on the product type and its location. Steel framing is an accepted material, but compliance depends on the complete specification and installation.

Please provide your project’s BAL assessment when requesting a quotation so we can review the required configuration. The proposed details and supporting documentation should be confirmed with your building certifier.

BAL-FZ requires a separate review, including appropriate evidence for a tested system or protection by compliant bushfire shutters. Metro’s standard steel windows and doors should not be assumed to meet BAL-FZ requirements.

Steel windows and doors require routine cleaning and care to maintain their performance and appearance. Regular care includes washing frames with a mild detergent and fresh water, checking seals and hardware, keeping drainage paths clear and inspecting the finish for damage. Cleaning frequency depends on the property’s location and exposure.

Coastal NSW properties generally need more frequent cleaning to remove salt, particularly in sheltered areas that receive little rain. Follow Metro’s Care & Maintenance instructions for your finish and exposure conditions.

Yes, depending on the selected system and configuration. Metro’s M40 system supports single and double glazing, while triple glazing is available within the Secco OS2 range.

For NSW projects, glazing should be selected to suit the required thermal, acoustic and safety performance. Glass thickness, panel dimensions, weight and hardware capacity must also be checked. Our team can review your energy report and drawings to help identify a suitable combination while maintaining slim steel sightlines.