| 1. |
Q: |
What are the differences between hot rolled and cold
rolled steel? |
| |
A: |
Hot rolled steel windows and doors are made from solid steel sections
which have been hot rolled from new billet steel into shapes specifically designed for window and door
frames and ventilators. Cold rolled steel windows and doors are made from hollow steel sections, which
have been mechanically cold formed from flat sheets of 20 gauge or thicker cold rolled steel into
specially designed profiles that are designed for window and door frames and ventilators.
|
| |
|
|
| 2. |
Q: |
How large can steel windows and doors be? |
| |
A: |
Steel windows and doors are custom manufactured
on a project-specific basis and are often chosen for their ability
to fill very large openings while maintaining narrow sightlines.
Due to the inherent strength of steel, steel windows and doors
can be made as large or larger than any other conventional window
and door system available. |
| |
|
|
| 3. |
Q: |
How does the life cycle of steel windows (or doors) compare to
aluminum, wood, or vinyl windows (or doors)? |
| |
A: |
The inherent strength and durability associated
with steel windows and doors results in a product that outperforms
any other window material – aluminum, wood or vinyl. |
| |
|
|
| 4. |
Q: |
Do you use recycled materials to make steel windows? |
| |
A: |
Hot rolled steel windows are manufactured from steel window sections made of 100% recycled steel.
|
| |
|
|
| 5. |
Q: |
Do steel windows need a thermal break to prevent condensation? |
| |
A: |
No, with the advances in insulated glass and the ability of steel windows to
accept insulated glass, a thermal break is not required. In addition, controlling the relative
humidity reduces the potential for condensation.
|
| |
|
|
| 6. |
Q: |
What is the condensation factor for steel windows and doors? |
| |
A: |
The condensation resistance factor (CRF) of steel windows and doors will
vary depending on the size and configuration of the unit, as well as the type of glass.
Consult individual members for specific information.
|
| |
|
|
| 7. |
Q: |
Do you have thermally efficient windows and doors? |
| |
A: |
Yes, steel windows and doors are thermally efficient. As an example, the
thermal resistance of steel is
5 times greater than that of aluminum.
The strength of steel affords narrow sightlines, thus reducing the ratio of
glass to framing. The more glass there is in a window or door, the better the
U-value.
|
| |
|
|
| 8. |
Q: |
What are the U-values for steel windows and doors? |
| |
A: |
U-values vary depending on the type and thickness of glass used.
The U-value for steel windows is calculated for the entire window, including
frame material and the glass, and incorporates the style of window, fixed or
operable. The U-value can be either physically tested or simulated with a
computer program. The combination of the minimal framing profiles of steel, the low coefficient
of heat transfer, and larger glass areas will produce U-values as low as 0.30 for fixed windows,
while operable windows can be as low as 0.50.
|
| |
|
|
| 9. |
Q: |
What types of pretreatment and finish paint are available for steel? |
| |
A: |
Pre-treatment options include e-coat or galvanizing, and finish paints include enamels, polyurethane, and powder.
Consult individual members for more specific information.
|
| |
|
|
| 10. |
Q: |
How long should a paint finish last? |
| |
A: |
A paint finish with minimal amount of care can last 10-15 years. Minimal care consists of washing the frames twice a year.
|
| |
|
|
| 11. |
Q: |
What is E-coat? |
| |
A: |
E-coat is an immersion painting process in which charged paint particles are
attracted to an oppositely charged metallic surface. The E-coat system applies a DC charge to
a metal part immersed in a bath of oppositely charged paint particles. The paint particles are
drawn to the metal part and paint is deposited on the part, forming an even, continuous film over the
entire surface, until the coating reaches the desired thickness. At that thickness, the film insulates
the part, where attraction stops and the process is complete.
|
| |
|
|
| 12. |
Q: |
Is it true that aluminum glazing beads react poorly to steel? |
| |
A: |
No. Paint finishes prevent any corrosive interaction between dissimilar metals.
|
| |
|
|
| 13. |
Q: |
What is involved in glazing steel windows and doors? |
| |
A: |
Steel windows and doors are typically glazed using glazing tape, glazing wedge,
setting blocks, custom pre-fitted glazing beads and a cap bead of sealant.
|
| |
|
|
| 14. |
Q: |
What types of glass can be used in a steel window? |
| |
A: |
Steel windows can accommodate glass thicknesses ranging from 1/8" to 1-1/4", including single pane,
laminated or leaded glass, and most any of the high performance insulated glass products currently available.
|
| |
|
|
| 15. |
Q: |
How easy is it to replace broken glass in a steel window? |
| |
A: |
Steel windows are generally provided with continuous snap-in glazing beads which can be easily
removed to replace the broken glass and reinstalled with new glazing materials.
|
| |
|
|
| 16. |
Q: |
Why are windows/doors shipped without glass? |
| |
A: |
Due to large custom sizes of steel windows and doors, ease of handling and installation makes field glazing more practical.
|
| |
|
|
| 17. |
Q: |
What are egress windows? |
| |
A: |
In the event of a fire, egress windows provide an opening large enough to allow occupants to escape,
or to allow a fully-equipped firefighter to enter from the outside. The International Codes specify the minimum clear
opening width for an egress window at 24 in.; the minimum clear opening height is 20 in., and the net clear opening
requirement is 5.7 sq. ft. To comply with the Codes, an egress window must be set with a maximum sill height of 44 in.
|
| |
|
|
| 18. |
Q: |
Can egress windows be made out of steel? |
| |
A: |
Absolutely! Please contact our member companies for available designs.
|
| |
|
|
| 19. |
Q: |
Can steel windows meet window fall prevention requirements? |
| |
A: |
Yes. The windows can easily be limited to the required clear opening restriction, yet can be released for cleaning.
|
| |
|
|
| 20. |
Q: |
What types of screens are available for steel windows? |
| |
A: |
Insect or security screens are available.
|
| |
|
|
| 21. |
Q: |
What types of windows are available for fire rated applications? |
| |
A: |
Fire rated windows are used in window openings where it is necessary to restrict the spread of fire
and smoke within buildings, whether from interior fire or exterior fire. Steel fire rated windows are available in fixed,
casement, projected, vertical sliding, and horizontal sliding configurations. Steel doors are also available for fire rated applications.
|
| |
|
|
| 22. |
Q: |
What styles of windows are available in steel? |
| |
A: |
Fixed, Project-In, Project-Out, Side Hung-Out, Side Hung-In, Vertical Slider, Horizontal Slider, and Pivoted.
|
| |
|
|
| 23. |
Q: |
What styles of doors are available in steel? |
| |
A: |
Swing-Out, Swing-In, BiFold, Sliding, and Pivoted.
|
| |
|
|
| 24. |
Q: |
How are steel windows installed? |
| |
A: |
To ensure the best performance of steel windows, proper installation is critical. Please see the section of this Website entitled,
"Guidelines on How to Install Steel Windows" for installation guidelines.
|
| |
|
|
| 25. |
Q: |
Can older steel windows be restored? |
| |
A: |
See discussion in "Window Wise."
|
| |
|
|
| 26. |
Q: |
How do steel windows compare in price to wood and aluminum? |
| |
A: |
There is a wide range of window and door products available in the marketplace. Therefore, to obtain true
comparative pricing between steel and other window materials, contact an SWI Member.
|
| |
|
|
