Steel vs Lead: Who will you put your money on?

07 December 2021

​​

Why use Steel Sash weights?

Steel sash weights were created to replace traditional cast-iron and lead weights. If you're restoring any sash windows and the weights need to be replaced, steel is a great option, especially if you're exchanging single glazed units for double glazed. Steel is denser than cast iron so you're able to use larger weights in the same size window, which will counterbalance the added weight of new double-glazed units in a lot of instances.

We would recommend using steel sash weights where possible, due to the big savings you can make over lead weights. Lead weights certainly have their place, perhaps you have a limited sash box size (i.e. a wide but short set of sashes), and the weight needed to carry the sash won't fit if using steel. In this instance, you could always try adding lead make weights to keep material costs down. However steel weights will typically cover 90% of sash sizes.

With the cost of steel per tonne currently $905.00 and lead $2266.75 (source: London Metal Exchange: Dec 2021), it's easy to see there are savings to be made. How does this translate when pricing a job for a new sash window or replacing weights on a restoration project?

Below we show an example of a typically sized sash window of 1.2m x 1.0m and compare the cost of steel and lead weights.

Sash weight costs for a 1.2m x 1.0m window

Steel sash weight cost = £30.00

Lead sash weight cost = £50.00

Total saving of £20.00 per window

With timber prices on the rise, any savings that can be made elsewhere will surely be welcomed. Hopefully, this has been of use and helped make your choice of sash weights an easier decision.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with our sales team via phone or email and they'll be happy to help.