Mild Steel, Wrought Iron, or Aluminium Grilles — Which Suits You Best?

Nowadays in Singapore, many homeowners want window grilles with cleaner lines, lighter and easy to use, that can keep the house safe and yet making the rooms look good at the same time.

The question is which type of grille is the best suited for your home? Mild steel slim grilles? Traditional wrought iron? Or simple aluminium? Each of them has its own advantages, and depending on your lifestyle and space, one may be more suitable than the others.

1. Mild​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Steel Slim Grilles — Strong, Modern, and Elegant

Mild​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ steel slim grilles are often seen in HDB units and condos. These window grilles are thin, simple and almost invisible. Their purpose is to provide security while blending into the home at the same time.

The strength of mild steel is the reason for its popularity besides its clean look. It is much stronger than aluminium and tougher to bend. Even a mild steel grille with slim bars can give you security that is quite reliable. Also, the grilles are powder coated to resist rust and maintain their colour for many years, even in Singapore’s hot and humid climate.

Our slim grilles are flexible to match how your windows open:

1.Sliding grilles which move smoothly on a track.
2.Casement grilles that can be swing opened like a door.
3.Fixed grilles for areas where the grille will stay permanently in place.

The bars spacing can also be customized. Some homeowners want the grills to be spaced narrowly so that their children or pets can be safe and secured, while other owners prefer wider spacing for their grills so that their home can be ventilated and look brighter. Either way, both will look good and modern because the bars are slim and the design stays consistent.

Mild steel slim grilles are your best choice if you want a clean, bright & secured home with less grille bars obstruction.

Please visit our slim grilles page for more pictures and designs.

2. Wrought Iron Grilles – Classic, Durable and Decorative

Wrought iron used to be the premium choice for window grilles. Think of older condos or landed homes with the grilles that had curves, motifs, intricate designs or patterns. Wrought iron grilles are very strong — probably the strongest grille option — and they give a timeless and luxurious look.

On the other hand, wrought iron is generally thicker and heavier. The metal bars take up more space, block more of the view, so you see less of the outside. In small HDB rooms, especially those with only one window, the space feel slightly smaller or more cramped. You also get less sunlight entering your rooms because of the thick grille bars.

Wrought iron grilles are also characterized with curvy, floral patterns, or detailed twists that were once popular a long time ago. These designs can be amazing in the right place. However in modern homes the trend is simplicity and minimalist, wrought iron grilles may stand out unintentionally or feel out of place. And because wrought iron grilles are bulkier, they may become the focal point instead of blending in with your home design.

Nevertheless, if your house has a traditional or classic style, wrought iron can be still be the perfect grille material.

Please visit our wrought iron grilles page for more pictures and designs.

3. Aluminium Grilles — Lightweight, Affordable, and Practical

Aluminim window grilles are simple and budget-friendly, therefore they are attractive to many homeowners. They are also very light, corrosion-resistant, and the maintenance is quite easy. Aluminium grilles are often seen in the service yards or balconies of HDB flats, these are the places where grilles are normally needed and aluminium grilles get the job done with minimal fuss.

However aluminium is softer than mild steel or wrought iron. It bends more easily, which means thicker bars are often needed to maintain strength. Therefore aluminium grilles are bulkier, which may not be attractive to some homeowners.

The range of aluminium grille designs is also limited. There are fewer grille patterns to choose from compared to mild steel or wrought iron. Aluminium grilles are usually chosen for functionality purpose rather than for design. They are great if you just want a basic, low-maintenance grille.

Please visit our aluminium grilles page for more pictures and designs.

So…​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Which One Fits Your Home Best?

Let’s make it simple:

Choose Mild Steel Slim Grilles if
You want a clean, modern look.
You prefer materials that are strong and durable.
You want custom spacing and design flexibility.
You want security as well as aesthetics.

Choose Wrought Iron Grilles if
You want the strongest and secured grille.
Your home has a classic or decorative theme.
You prefer a solid, heavy-duty feel.

Choose Aluminium Grilles if
You want a basic, cost-friendly option.
You prefer low maintenance.
You do not mind thicker bars or simpler designs.

Window grilles are not just safety feature of your house anymore, they have evolved to match the current trend. Mild steel slim grilles are perfect for homeowners who loves modern design and clean line patterns. Wrought iron gives a lot of characters and weight to traditional homes. Aluminium is used when one wants to keep it simple and practical.

There’s no ‘best grille’ that suit everyone, everyone has their own preference. The best grille for you is the one that fits your life, the layout of your house and how you want your space to look and feel. How do you want your home to feel like? Do you want it to be bright? Minimal? Classic? Most of all, secured?

If you are still uncertain, then visualize yourself standing next to your window. See the light coming through, the view outside and how the grille changes the mood. Sometimes, only that is enough to tell you ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌everything.