Steel Doors vs Aluminum Steel-Look Doors
Steel doors are increasingly in demand in 2024, particularly in the UK. This trend is driven by their compatibility with heritage buildings, which often require specific aesthetic and design fidelity. Iconic black steel doors are a hallmark of high-end interior and exterior design, combining timeless elegance with unmatched durability.
Heritage and Innovation – steel doors
The UK’s relationship with steel doors dates back to the popularity of Crittall, a brand synonymous with W20 and W40 profiles. Today, Swiss manufacturer Ottostumm owns the rights to these profiles, allowing various fabricators to offer high-quality steel doors while maintaining the authenticity of their predecessors. This makes steel doors a premium, authentic choice for businesses and clients seeking the best in steel-frame designs.
Aluminum Steel-Look Doors: The Differences
While aluminum doors styled in the “steel-look” attempt to mimic the appearance of steel, the similarities end there. Here’s why steel doors are superior:
- Structural Integrity:
- Steel Doors: Welded joints provide unmatched robustness and seamless design continuity.
- Aluminum Doors: Screwed-together frames are weaker and prone to loosening over time.
- Durability:
- Steel Doors: Can last for centuries, as evidenced by many historic UK buildings. Recoating restores them to their original glory.
- Aluminum Doors: Lifespan is a fraction of steel’s, and anodized finishes can’t be effectively renewed.
- Strength and Stability:
- Steel Doors: Superior material strength means slimmer profiles with greater load-bearing capacity.
- Aluminum Doors: Inferior material properties lead to less strength and stability.
- Hinges:
- Steel Doors: Welded hinges are a permanent solution, requiring no adjustment over time.
- Aluminum Doors: Screwed hinges often deregulate, necessitating frequent maintenance.
Why Choose Icon Loft Steel Doors?
Steel doors are more than just a functional choice—they’re an investment in quality, design, and longevity. At Icon Loft Steel Doors, we fabricate custom steel doors using high-quality W20 and W40 profiles, tailored for businesses in the UK. Our products offer the authenticity, strength, and aesthetic that aluminum steel-look alternatives simply can’t replicate.
Whether you’re an importer, reseller, or contractor, we invite you to experience the difference. Visit the Contact tab on our website to learn more about how we can help your business supply the finest steel doors to your clients.