The slim, gridded 'industrial' look is everywhere — internal screens, Crittall-style windows, black-framed doors. But there are two very different ways to achieve it, and they are not interchangeable.
Steel-look aluminium
Aluminium systems can now mimic the thin, black, gridded aesthetic convincingly, with the bonus of thermal breaks and easy powder-coat finishes. For most homes this is the practical route to the look, and it coordinates with the rest of your aluminium windows.
- Aluminium steel-look
- thermally broken, easy finish
- Genuine steel (Jansen)
- thinnest sightlines, very strong
- Best internal use
- steel or aluminium screens
- Best for slimmest bars
- genuine steel
- Cost
- steel typically higher
Genuine Jansen steel
When you want the absolute thinnest bars and the real thing — often on high-end or listed projects — genuine steel systems such as Jansen deliver sightlines aluminium cannot quite match, with exceptional strength. They are specialist and priced accordingly.
Internal screens
The most popular use right now is an internal glazed partition — a broken-plan kitchen divider or a hallway screen. Both aluminium and steel work here; the choice comes down to budget and how thin you want the bars. See how the look sits on older homes in Crittall-style versus aluminium.
Getting advice
Because steel and steel-look aluminium are specified so differently, talk to a supplier who offers both. In Hertfordshire steel and Jansen systems are available alongside the aluminium ranges, so you can compare honestly rather than being steered to one.