Your Window Into Excellence
Bronze has been the material of choice for the world’s most distinguished architecture for thousands of years – chosen for its strength, its natural beauty, and the sense of legacy it brings to any space.
At Renaissance, we combine that timeless provenance with precision engineering and artisan craftsmanship in our San Antonio workshop to create bronze window and enclosure systems designed with longevity in mind.
Here’s what sets our windows and doors apart.
Bronze Window Framing Systems
Bronze has graced architectural landmarks and luxury residences for centuries – and we’re committed to honoring that legacy in every frame we produce.
Each of our framing systems is handcrafted from premium, solid bronze extrusions which we refine into original showpieces that last a lifetime.
Inspired by a classic Victorian factory window, our cove profile has a timeless silhouette, while our square stop profile is a contemporary classic – and we offer a total of 107 unique extrusion profiles for unrivalled design freedom and seamless matching across product systems.
Every window is a complete package, including frame, glazing and hardware. We wet glaze in-house and ship our windows ready to install, which de-risks the installation process – there’s less risk of warping and damage in transit, and no need to engage specialist contractors for installation.
Energy-efficient thermal breaks
We’ve worked tirelessly to refine a product that is truly unique. Unlike many other manufacturers, our frames are constructed from genuine solid bronze with an authentic thermal break. In fact, there are very few metal windows available with true thermal breaks.
A thermal break acts as a barrier between the inside and the outside of a window frame – reducing heat transfer from one side to the other. Whether it’s the scorching heat of Phoenix in the summer or the sub-zero temperatures of winter in Maine, thermally broken window frames keep interior living spaces comfortable and consistent.
When combined with bespoke workmanship and tailored design elements, our thermally broken frames satisfy every possible design, aesthetic and performance requirement for 21st century fenestration. This style of frame is most commonly used on:
- Sliding Doors
- Front Doors
- Window Walls
- Fixed Windows
- Folding Doors
- Casements
Heritage windows for restoration projects
Renaissance Genuine Solid Bronze has the privilege of manufacturing and supplying products to heritage homes and buildings, which is why we also offer non-thermally broken window frames.
Though these frames do not regulate heat as effectively as their more popular counterparts, they are the ideal choice to complement historic architecture and traditional interior spaces. Our non-thermally broken frames are constructed and styled similarly to our thermally broken frames but use monolithic glass.
This gives the frame a more historic visual appeal to seamlessly match the aesthetic of spaces like century homes and historic buildings. This style of frame is most commonly used on:
- Fixed Windows
- Folding Windows
- Window Walls
- Casements
Mullions, Muntins & True Divided Light
Our fixed windows, window walls and sliding doors use a choice of factory or field mullions to create undeniably luxurious products. These mullions join multiple panels of tempered Low-E glass together with narrow bronze extrusions to create window systems with elegant, narrow sightlines for impressive views.
In addition, our window frames feature genuine, solid muntin bars, creating a ‘true divided lite’ system where each aperture is individually wet glazed for exceptional character and structural strength.
Our muntin bars separate each tempered Low-E glass unit within the window system, allowing each pane to have a distinct reflectance. This subtle distinction adds an authenticity that cannot be achieved by using a single pane of glass. True divided lite windows reduce the size of each glass unit to also reduce the likelihood of glass breakage.
Exceptionally slim sightlines make bronze a peerless choice for unfettered light penetration and unobstructed views. Designed to effectively disappear, our windows represent the narrowest sightlines of any true divided lite system in the market, with revolutionary Sub 1 muntin to muntin lites and Sub 3 mullions – narrower even than simulated divided lite windows.
Waterproofing
We use a signature waterproofing system throughout all of our exterior windows created for punch openings, that is, standalone windows sitting within a wall.
Our unique Z-Fin design embeds the window and door waterproofing system directly into the building envelope and can be attached flush with the exterior wall or parallel to the edge of the opening – the latter allowing for deep architectural reveals without the need for double framing.
This creates a distinctive architectural appeal with very narrow sightlines while directly sealing into the building’s waterproofing system. The Z-Fin also connects the window and door’s glass and frame to the waterproofing material used on the walls, forming a continuous waterproof barrier throughout.
Our distinctive frames are set in a copper drain pan, which catches any moisture or condensation. Moisture captured is channelled out of the building through a water diverter, protecting the window structure – and your interiors – from mold, moisture and mildew.
Contact us today to learn more about custom windows for bespoke projects and connect with dealers in Austin TX, Phoenix or San Francisco.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much more efficient are thermally broken bronze windows compared to non-thermally broken ones?
Thermally broken bronze windows offer significantly better insulation than non-thermally-broken frames. A thermal break reduces heat transfer, helping homes stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer while limiting condensation. This is particularly important for energy efficiency in locations with extremes of seasonal temperature – very hot or humid in summer, and/or very cold in winter. We use polyamide strips to create our thermal breaks, as opposed to the pour and debridge method. The strips fit tightly into our custom extrusions and are highly resistant to cold shrinkage, ensuring optimal performance over many decades.
What finishes are available for bronze windows and doors, and how do they change over time?
Bronze windows and doors can be finished in a variety of ways, from natural, brushed finishes to custom patinas in many distinctive shades. We also work with specialist third parties to provide additional finishes such as powder coating and metal plating – this means you can match individual bronze fenestration units to other windows, doors or installations.
Over time, bronze develops a natural patina that enhances its depth and character without compromising performance. Natural bronze typically darkens to a rich chestnut brown, but our custom patina finishing enables you to achieve shades of charcoal and slate gray. If you choose a natural finish, the color change will be more dramatic over time. If you choose one of our darker patina finishes, the changes will be more subtle and predictable. Learn more about patina finishes here.
How resistant is bronze to weathering, corrosion, and coastal environments?
Bronze is highly resistant to weathering and corrosion, even in humid or coastal environments. To give an idea of its corrosion resistance, bronze is the metal of choice for marine components and ship propellers that spend most of their lifespan submerged in sea water.
On land, natural bronze patina protects the underlying metal from oxidation and salts so it will never rust or corrode. Combined with tempered glass installed using the wet glazing method, our solid bronze windows also have a degree of flexibility that helps them withstand extreme winds that can be a feature of coastal environments.
What are the cost differences between bronze windows/doors and steel or aluminum frames?
Bronze windows and doors do cost more than alternatives like steel, aluminum or wood – typically around 15-20% more expensive than premium steel, for example. But these additional upfront costs are offset by significant benefits including unmatched durability, a longer lifespan and lower ownership costs over time. While cheaper materials may need to be replaced within decades, bronze lasts for generations – and while materials like steel need regular repainting to protect against corrosion, bronze endures decade after decade with minimal maintenance costs. We have also launched an annual service program for our bronze fenestration systems – a Renaissance specialist will visit your property, inspect all your windows and doors, ensure all moving parts are in good condition and carry out routine maintenance on request.
