Sturdy. Secure. Stylish. Those are just some of the adjectives used to describe steel windows and doors. So, no wonder an increasing number of homeowners are choosing steel materials for their houses. But not all steel windows and doors are made the same.
Considering how vital windows and doors are to your home’s appearance and functionality, you’ll want to get them right.
But how? How can you tell your desired steel windows and doors are worth it?
That’s precisely what we’re here to help you discover. This guide will help you know what to look for when you want to find gorgeous steel windows and doors with quality construction and superb craftsmanship.
What to Look For When Purchasing Steel Windows and Doors
With the number of styles of steel windows and doors available on the market, finding high-quality products is no easy task. But if you know what to check and what to look for, this task becomes a breeze. Once you’re armed with all the necessary information, it’s only a matter of eliminating windows and doors that don’t check all the boxes and finding the perfect steel solution for your house.
With this in mind, let’s arm you with the vital information! Here’s what to pay attention to when finding quality steel windows and doors.
The Choice of Material
OK, you’re looking for steel doors and windows, that much is clear. But not all steel is made the same.
Door and window manufacturers often reach for galvanized or stainless steel when creating their products. One look at their characteristics, and this choice of materials doesn’t come as a surprise. If you want the best of the best for your house, we suggest going with galvanized steel.
Galvanized steel is strong, malleable, and resistant to rust. Given how easy it is to work with, it lends itself to complex door and window designs perfect for homeowners who prefer an aesthetic variety in their architectural choices.
The next thing you should pay attention to is the steel’s thickness, traditionally measured using gauges. Most steel doors on the market use 24-gauge steel. However, the lower this number, the thicker and, thus, more secure the steel doors are.
Though 16-gauge doors or less might be more expensive, think of it as an investment in the security and longevity of your home.
The Quality of Assembly
When purchasing steel windows and doors, you’re not getting just the windows and doors. You’re also getting essential components like jambs, thresholds, glass inserts, and weather stripping. For your windows and doors to last a long time, each of these components will be made using the finest materials.
Ideally, your desired window and door manufacturer will have a full breakdown of what’s included with the product, allowing you to make sure everything is up to your standards.
The Quality of Finish
The color of your perfect windows and doors is entirely up to you. It should be a color that can match your personal style and your home’s aesthetics and complement the surrounding architecture. But the part that is up to the window and door manufacturer is the quality of that color.
You’ll want your steel windows and doors to keep looking gorgeous for years to come, so opt for a manufacturer offering high-quality, durable finishes. Something like automotive paint is sure to keep your windows and doors’ beauty intact for a long time.
Energy Efficiency
Your windows and doors have several primary functions. Minimizing heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer is among the most essential ones. In other words, your steel windows and doors should be exceptionally energy-efficient.
A great way to tell whether your desired windows and doors check this box is by looking at their certifications and testing protocols. For energy efficiency, it’s all about NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) testing.
Only NFRC-tested and rated windows and doors meet the strictest energy efficiency guidelines and can be awarded coveted certifications like the ENERGY STAR rating.
If you’re building a house in a colder region, you should also consider thermally broken steel doors. This innovative technology is a game changer in the energy efficiency game. It makes your doors less conductive to heat, effectively insulating your house from the outside world.
Security
Security is arguably the No. 1 priority when choosing the best steel windows and doors for your home. After all, these are the only entry points into your home, so you’ll want to ensure they’re extra secure.
Luckily, steel windows and doors are quite secure by default. They offer an impressive resistance to force entry attempts. Ideally, this should detract would-be thieves from going through with their plan. But the reality is that you can never be too cautious.
So, consider steel doors that come with a deadbolt lock. This additional layer of security will give you and your loved ones much-needed peace of mind while you’re spending quality time at home.
Ease of Installation
Let’s not sugarcoat it – purchasing high-quality steel doors and windows requires quite an investment. For this reason, you probably won’t want the cost of installation to skyrocket the total project cost. So, choose steel doors and windows that are easy to install. This will make the process of choosing contractors for the installation a breeze.
Better yet, get steel doors and windows that are so easy to install that you can do it yourself. Just imagine the pride you’ll feel once you complete the installation and adorn your space with beautiful doors and windows.
Maintenance
We’ve got good news for homeowners who aren’t fond of house chores – steel windows and doors require minimal maintenance. So, you’ll want to make sure your chosen windows and doors make good on this promise. What does this mean?
It means choosing steel windows and doors with a high-quality construction that makes them resistant to the elements and other factors that could damage them. It also means choosing a quality finish that won’t fade or crack, requiring time-consuming and labor-intensive retouches and repairs. Last but not least, it means choosing doors and windows with high-quality hardware that won’t deteriorate quickly from all the rubbing.
What to Look For in a Steel Windows and Doors Manufacturer
There’s no way to obtain quality steel doors and windows without finding a reputable and reliable manufacturer. But with so many to choose from, deciding who you can entrust with such an important task can be rather challenging. But don’t worry; we’re here to help with that too. Here are some of the signs that signal your chosen window and door manufacturer is the right partner for you.
A Solid Warranty
Sure, steel doors and windows are built to last. But it doesn’t hurt to get some extra assurance. So, only consider door and window manufacturers whose products come with a solid warranty.
But do keep in mind that warranties for doors and windows aren’t typically long. So, you shouldn’t expect something like a limited lifetime warranty. A one-year warranty period, like the one PINKYS offers, is a more common expectation for these products.
A Variety of Style Options
Let’s be honest – doors and windows can make or break your home’s appearance. Given how prominent they are, they create the difference between a charming home that simply lures guests inside and a mismatched mess that leaves a horrible first impression.
Architects can provide you with a variety of preferred styles, from traditional country homes to mid-century modern delights. Your chosen window and door manufacturer should be able to do the same. Choose a manufacturer offering a wide variety of products, and you won’t have any issue hitting the bull’s eye with your home’s style and design.
But what do we mean by variety?
We’re referring to various color options, profiles, sizes, and types of doors and windows. Whether you want a minimalistic interior slide door or an elaborate oversized beauty, your chosen manufacturer should be able to deliver.
Custom Design Options
There’s no doubt about it – having a huge number of options is a dream come true for homeowners, particularly about their styles and aesthetics. But do you know what’s even better than that? Having the option to create custom doors and windows, of course.
If your chosen manufacturer offers custom window and door orders, there’s really no limit to what your house and space can look like. Customize the size, shape, style, and frame – anything that will bring your vision to reality.
PINKYS is among the window and door manufacturers that prides itself on its custom designs. The end goal is to create something you’ll be 100% satisfied with. Best of all? Having one-of-a-kind doors and windows means no one else will have a home quite like yours.
Ease of Installation
We’ve already established that the ease of installation is a major plus when choosing the perfect doors and windows. Obviously, this has to do with the fabrication process above all. But should the manufacturer help with the installation beyond making its products easy to manipulate and install?
The answer is a resounding “yes.” But what does this help entail?
Well, you’ll want to find a window and door manufacturer that either offers installation within its services or gives you all the necessary information to do it yourself.
The former option works best for homeowners with little to no experience with a similar home improvement project, as well as those willing to spend money on professional installation. The latter is ideal for DIY-savvy homeowners who take pride in taking a hands-on approach when turning their vision into a reality.
A Collaborative Approach
OK, this aspect has nothing to do with the beauty and functionality of your doors and windows. But it has everything to do with how this project will play out.
Choose a manufacturer that is unresponsive, dismissive of your desires, and lacks attention to detail, and what should be a pleasant experience can quickly turn into a nightmare. Only by going with a manufacturer known for exceptional customer service and craftsmanship can you ensure a smooth and satisfying project from beginning to end.
How to Find the Right Steel Windows and Doors Manufacturer Near Me
So, you know exactly what to look for in steel doors and windows and their manufacturer. But how do you go about finding these products and companies? Here are a few tips to help you make the right choice.
Ask for Recommendations
When looking for an important product or service, it’s always best to start from a trustworthy source – your friends, family members, colleagues, and neighbors. After all, nothing beats hearing about someone’s firsthand experience with a door and window manufacturer.
If you strike out, it’s time to turn to your trusty Google search engine and type in “steel windows and doors near me.” From there, use the next tips to filter through the overwhelming choices and find the best option.
Check Out Online Reviews
What’s the next best thing after consulting the people you know? That’s right, reading online reviews about the product or service. The manufacturer has less of a chance to affect these reviews, so you know you can trust them. Read through them and see what they have to say about the quality of your desired steel doors and windows and the reliability of their manufacturer.
Companies that have nothing to hide and offer superb residential and commercial products will have their reviews proudly displayed on their website, like PINKYS.
Check Out Past Clients and Work
Once you see what other people have to say about your desired window and door manufacturer, it’s time to let the company’s work speak for itself. So, look for pictures of the manufacturer’s previous projects and check who its clients have been so far.
You can tell a lot about a company based on how much experience it has and who its clients are.
PINKYS: Your Go-to Manufacturer for Steel Windows and Doors of the Highest Quality
One look at PINKYS’s website, and you’ll know your search for the perfect steel doors and windows is over before it even starts. With over 40 years of experience, PINKYS has established itself as a trusted leader in the industry, exclusively manufacturing products of superb quality and craftsmanship.
Our designs adorn the homes of countless celebrities, from basketball superstars like Magic Johnson to extraordinary actresses like Stephanie Beatriz. They, like all of our past clients, have recognized that our doors and windows ooze sophistication and luxury and are truly unmatched on the market.
We’re positive you’ll come to the same realization as soon as you experience the wonders of working with our creative team. Contact us today to get started.