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Steel Windows Are the Architect's
Choice
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
by Marcelo Oleas -
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