STEEL

ALUMINUM | WOOD | CLAD | BRONZE | STEEL | PVC | GLASS | HARDWARE & ACCESSORIES | SCREENS

KLAR’s Steel products provide our clients with the most impressive and distinct windows, doors, and curtain walls possible.  The strength of steel allows for narrow sight lines, where smaller, stronger frames can carry more weight, giving the client more room for larger panes of glass which in turn provide more light and visibility.  Steel also allows for the most customization of any material, available with the exception of wood.  Steel can be designed to look classic, nostalgic of the decorative windows and doors made popular on mansions and townhouses during the Gilded Age.  Consider incorporating curves and muntins to the design to achieve this look.  In contrast, the design can be stripped down to its simplest form, straight lines of steel frames carrying large uninterrupted panes of glass, to suit modern, or beach house architecture.        

KLAR’s Steel products are available in both thermally broken and non-thermally broken profiles.  A thermal break refers to a design that limits the transfer of heat and cold from one side of the frame to the other, this is important for exterior windows so the building does not lose heat in the winter, and so it can maintain a comfortable temperature inside during the summer.  This design is almost a must in the Northeast and many parts of the country that experience winter.  However, due to the decorative nature, beauty and flexibility of design that steel offers, many clients choose to incorporate steel elements into the interior of their projects, mostly commonly used as a room divider to give home offices or gyms more privacy, as well as a decorative accent that can really make an interior space exceptional.  In these applications no thermal break is necessary and the narrowest sight lines can be used, bringing any decor to the next level.          

Steel will often be used as a focal point or accent to a project, such as the front door to add curb appeal, a wine cellar, or a strategically placed curtain wall on the side of the house that offers the best view for people to enjoy from inside.  Do not be afraid to use steel in combination with other materials such as KLAR’s wood or aluminum windows, if done right the different materials will complement each other and with the steel drawing people’s attention to the finer points of the project, while the other materials will serve a functioning role very well.   

Steel is also a very durable material and available in different grades and finishes.  Consider stainless steel in seaside environments because it will stand up to the worst conditions year after year.  For an industrial styled project, a Corten finish, which is stabilized rust, can be applied, this thin layer of rust protects the frames from corrosion and has an unmistakable look.  Some of the best designers will incorporate this into coastal projects with great success.   

Steel is once again a recyclable material, making it a good choice for sustainability