Help Centre

Frequently asked
questions.

Everything you need to know before specifying custom steel doors and windows. From lead times and pricing to thermal performance, hardware, and installation, we've answered the questions we hear most from homeowners, architects, builders, and designers.

Help Centre

How can we help?

01

Getting Started

The essentials before you begin.

We build on original European steel systems and support you like a specialist, not a catalog vendor.

  • Original European profile systems
  • No imitation or reverse-engineered profiles
  • Every unit custom fabricated to spec
  • Architectural & specification support
  • A dedicated Trade Program
  • Nationwide shipping
  • Premium architectural powder-coated finishes

Yes. Every BlackFramed opening is fabricated to your project's exact dimensions, configuration, finish, and glass specification. We do not sell stock-size doors or windows.

Our signature collections provide proven designs that can be customized to fit your opening, but every unit is still fabricated specifically for your project.

BlackFramed products are manufactured using original European profile systems sourced from Ottostumm, Secco Sistemi, Forster, and other leading manufacturers. Our BF S20 interior system is manufactured in Europe, while our custom exterior steel doors and windows are fabricated in China using imported European systems and premium components to BlackFramed's specifications. Every order is built specifically for each project — never stocked or mass produced.

We work with homeowners, architects, interior designers, builders, developers, and commercial design professionals.

02

Products

Types, configurations, and how far you can customize.

  • Front Entry Doors
  • Pivot Doors
  • French Doors
  • Sliding Doors
  • Bi-Folding Doors
  • Interior Doors
  • Steel Partitions
  • Fixed Windows
  • Casement Windows
  • Awning Windows
  • Window Walls
  • Ottostumm W20 / W40 — authentic hot-rolled aesthetic, interior and exterior, no thermal requirement
  • Ottostumm W50 TB — the heritage profile with a thermal break, for energy-compliant exterior use
  • Secco OS2 65 / OS2 75 — contemporary minimalist exterior, 27mm sightline, Title 24 compatible
  • BF S20 — our signature line for the slimmest steel-look interior applications

Not sure? Tell us the application and we'll specify it for you.

Absolutely. Customize:

  • Dimensions
  • Glass
  • Color
  • Hardware
  • Divided lite patterns
  • Handles
  • Thresholds
  • Sidelites
  • Transoms

Yes. We offer architectural powder-coated finishes in virtually any RAL color, along with specialty finishes depending on the selected system.

Still weighing door types or profile systems? Our specialists can help you specify the right system.

Contact Our Team
03

Performance

Energy, thermal breaks, security, and glazing.

Yes. Our thermally broken steel systems are designed for excellent energy performance while maintaining extremely slim sightlines.

A thermal break separates the interior and exterior portions of the steel frame using an insulating barrier, reducing heat transfer and improving comfort.

Learn more — Thermal Performance Guide →

Yes. Our exterior systems are tested for air, water, and structural performance to recognised European and North American standards. Specific ratings vary by profile and configuration; we provide the applicable test data for your selected system during specification.

Double and triple insulated glazing units, low-E coatings, laminated and tempered safety glass, acoustic glass, and a range of obscured and textured options. Glazing is specified to meet the thermal, safety, and acoustic targets of your project and your local code.

Exterior doors use multi-point locking hardware that engages the frame at several points from a single throw, improving security, weather sealing, and alignment. Locking and hardware specifications are confirmed per opening.

Have a technical performance question? Contact our team.

Contact Our Team
04

Ordering

Pricing, timelines, deposits, drawings, and measuring.

Pricing depends on:

  • Opening size
  • System selected
  • Glass specification
  • Hardware
  • Finish
  • Configuration

Request a quote for project-specific pricing.

Most projects are completed in approximately 10–14 weeks, depending on the selected system, finish, and project scope.

Yes. Custom fabrication begins after the required deposit and final approval of shop drawings.

Yes. Every custom project includes detailed shop drawings for review and approval before fabrication begins.

We'll confirm final dimensions from your shop drawings, but an accurate rough-opening measurement helps us quote and specify. Our guide walks through measuring width, height, depth, and squareness.

Read the Measuring Guide →

Ready for project-specific pricing?

Request a Quote
05

Shipping & Logistics

Delivery, freight, and installation support.

Yes. We ship throughout the United States, fully assembled and glazed from our warehouse.

Yes. We ship to Hawaii and Alaska, and can arrange delivery to Canada and select international destinations. International and off-continental freight is quoted per project.

Units are crated and freight-shipped fully assembled and glazed. We coordinate logistics for each project and provide receiving and inspection guidance. If you prefer to arrange your own freight or carrier, that can be accommodated — just let us know during ordering.

BlackFramed supplies custom steel doors and windows but does not currently provide installation services. We work closely with your contractor or installer and provide full installation documentation.

Yes. Experienced door and window installers can install our systems using the provided shop drawings and installation instructions, with technical support available throughout the install.

06

Warranty & Service

Coverage, claims, and caring for steel.

Our products are backed by a written warranty covering fabrication and material defects. Coverage periods vary by system and component, and complete warranty information is provided with every proposal.

Review warranty details →

Typical exclusions include damage from improper installation, field modification, misuse, or lack of maintenance, along with normal wear of consumable items. Full terms and conditions are set out in your warranty documentation.

Inspect and document your delivery on arrival. If transit damage is found, note it on the delivery receipt and photograph it immediately, then contact us — we'll coordinate the resolution. Our receiving guidance ships with every order.

Contact us with your order details and a description of the issue, including photos. We'll review the claim against your warranty coverage and coordinate repair, replacement components, or replacement glass as applicable.

Powder-coated steel is low maintenance. We recommend periodic cleaning with mild soap and water, keeping drainage paths clear, inspecting weather seals, and occasional lubrication of moving hardware per the care guide that ships with every order.

07

Trade Program

For architects, builders, designers, and developers.

Qualified architects, builders, interior designers, and developers may apply for a BlackFramed Trade Account for preferred pricing and dedicated project support.

Yes. We provide CAD details for specification and drawing sets, and can supply BIM content to support your project documentation. Let us know the formats your team needs.

Yes. Finish samples and finished corner sections are available to trade members and active projects so you can confirm profile, sightline, and color before production.

Absolutely. Our team reviews architectural drawings and helps specify the right profile system, glazing, finishes, hardware, and configuration for each opening.

Trade members receive:

  • Preferred pricing
  • Dedicated project support
  • Shop drawings
  • Material samples
  • Product consultation
  • Priority assistance

Specifying BlackFramed on a project?

Apply to the Trade Program
08

California & Title 24

Energy code, permitting, and coastal specification.

Many of our thermally broken systems can be specified to meet California energy requirements when paired with the appropriate glazing package. Project requirements vary, so we'll help specify the correct system.

Our thermally broken profiles — Secco OS2 65, OS2 75, and Ottostumm W50 TB — are the systems specified for Title 24 exterior openings. Non-thermal profiles (W20, W40) are used for interiors or applications where energy compliance is not required.

Learn more — Thermal Performance Guide →

We're working with our manufacturing partners to provide NFRC-certified products under BlackFramed. Until then, performance data is available based on the underlying certified profile systems where applicable, to support your energy calculations.

Yes. For demanding coastal or high-exposure environments, Ottostumm FerroFinestra can be specified with a PVDF finish meeting AAMA 2605. We'll recommend the right finish and glazing for your exposure.

Each project includes the technical documentation, performance data, and shop drawings your design team and building department need for review and permitting. We'll provide the applicable data for your selected system.

No questions match your search.

Try a different term, or contact our team for help.

Still have questions?

Let's talk about your project.

Whether you're designing a new home, renovating an existing property, or specifying products for a commercial project, we're here to help.