Clever and creative ways to use steel-framed glazing in your home
Posted on 26th January 2026
Sleek, strong, and timeless, steel-framed glazing has become the go-to choice for a light-filled space. From authentic steel to lookalike alternatives, KBB journo Yvette Filer breaks down all the different ways you can get this iconic look into your home – and what to know before you invest…
Steel-framed windows and doors have been around since the 1880s when Crittall Windows first introduced them, with the distinct black square framing we still see today. Enduringly popular, this versatile style of glazing works in contemporary and period properties, both internally and externally, allowing plenty of light to fill the home.
Authentic steel frames are highly durable and remarkably secure, which you can customise with bespoke colours and even curved frames.
Working closely with Bradley Van Der Straeten architects, Bespoke Glazing Design designed and installed bespoke steel-framed glazing in red, adding warmth and personality throughout the home. Fluted glass balances privacy and openness, allowing natural light to flow freely. Similar-style steel doors would start around £8000.
As a premium product, prices start from £1500 per square metre, increasing depending on the fabrication. They also have fairly long lead times of around 12 weeks. For those looking for an alternative, aluminium offers a rivalling aesthetic at a lower price point – often around half the price. It is a low-maintenance option that can offer slimmer profiles, and is still hardwearing despite not being as strong as steel. Both options often now have thermal blocking ( insulated barriers within the frame that reduce heat transfer and boost energy efficiency).
You can use steel-framed glazing throughout extensions, to open up windows or to replace internal doors – and using fluted or frosted glass can help provide privacy in these areas yet still let light through. Your architect will be able to advise on reputable glazing companies to use for your project, alternatively the Steel Windows Association or The Glass & Glazing Federation are both great starting points for finding the right installers.
Now, let’s take a look at some stunning designs featuring this iconic solution…
Sleek steel-framed glazing ideas for your kitchen
MW Architects created a light-filled home with a stronger visual and physical connection to the outside. White steel windows and doors by Fabco bring in more natural light and improve the access to the garden. The total cost was around £27,000. Photography: French + Tye.This ground-floor extension merges into the landscaped garden beyond, thanks to the industrial-style steel glazing that runs around the property, featuring a cantilevered corner. Project by Studio Elephant Architects and Rubix Construction. Flooring, Havwoods. Photography: Chris Snook.Steel-framed glazing can be beneficial for a kitchen extension, particularly in terraced properties, as it can allow for more light to fill the space. Here, steel-framed glazing by Fabco surrounds the Sebastian Cox kitchen from Devol.Olivia Ruckley Interior Design had Alitherm Heritage glazing installed, from Smart Systems – an ideal solution for heritage sites and listed buildings wanting the original look of steel frames, but with improved energy efficiency. Prices start from £3465.Steel-framed glazing works well for both internal and external windows, doors and screens. If using internally, it is important to check that both the frames and glazing used are appropriately fire rated. The bespoke kitchen pictured is by Kitchens by Holloways, price on application.
Beautiful bespoke glazing
Michael Jones Architects and Linda Boronkay Design Studio designed this rear extension to feature five bespoke patinated bronze arched Mondrian double doors by IQ Glass, each measuring 315.9cm in height with a structural opening of 153.5cm.Black square-style framing is classic, but curved designs and bespoke colours are a possibility, too. Here, the frame of the thermally broken steel doors and windows matches the sage green cabinetry. Priced from £15,000, by InSteel.In this project by The Build Bristol Group, an understairs cupboard has been transformed into a stylish pantry thanks to kitchen designer Jetsam Made and fabricator Elements Metalworks. The custom steel-framed doors feature reeded glass and a custom green finish to match the rest of the kitchen. Photography: Leighton James – The Property Photographer.
Internal features
Steel-framed glazing in the bathroom offers a striking look. Here, a bespoke matt black shower enclosure sits on a marble pony wall, aligning with the bath surround, which cost around £3800 from Simply Bathrooms.Internal steel-framed screens and doors help to zone a room without losing natural light. Here, Hamilford Design designed a kitchen with an open pantry using Crittall Windows, supplied by D&R Design, resulting in a striking feature. Photography: Julian Abram.Maximising the amount of natural light in this compact, L-shaped terraced property was an important part of the brief to Neil Dusheiko Architects. This was achieved with an internal wall of Crittall Windows glazing. Photography: Billy Bolton.Steel-framed glazing can work really well in traditional bathrooms with an industrial spin. In this bathroom designed by Richard Green, featuring Drummonds, a bespoke shower screen by Jacob Alexander makes a stylish statement whilst zoning the shower area. Photography: Darren Chung.This apartment’s third bedroom connected directly to the open-plan living space, so Day True wanted to make it flexible yet functional. They added black-framed dividers, from £1500 per m, to achieve openness, along with switchable Smart Glass, from £1000 per m, to provide the option for privacy.Set within a barn conversion, this bespoke wine cellar was designed as a contemporary feature installation. Fabricated in house by Sorrells, the matt black metal framework forms both the visual focus and the structural element of the piece, housing a temperature-controlled wine display system.
Architectural interest
Steel-framed glazing was used extensively by Matthew Giles Architects for a double-height extension to this Edwardian property, respecting the original features of the home whilst allowing light to flood in. Photography: French + Tye.The glazing used by NU Projects here is a slimline aluminium system with thermally broken frames and low-E double glazing, providing high thermal performance while maintaining minimal sightlines. This type of system costs approximately £1200-£1400 per sq m.In order to modernise this home and make the most of natural light, Pike and Partners Architects moved the internal staircase to the outside of the building and encased it in slimline metal-framed glazing. The total cost for the glazing in this project was around £50,000.
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