If a company isn’t upfront about where their steel doors or windows are made, there’s usually a reason. Many suppliers in Australia market their products as “custom” or “architectural,” but in reality, they’re just ordering from cheap factories overseas and drop-shipping the products straight to you.

The problem is that not all factories overseas work to the same standard. Many use low-grade steel, poor welding, cheap hinges, and thin powder coating that starts fading or flaking within a year or two. What might look fine in photos can quickly turn into rust, chipped corners, or rattling doors once installed.

Example of what to not trust :

You can often pick these companies by how they present themselves online. If their website shows dodgy, low-quality pictures of old warehouses or dark factory corners — or doesn’t show any real factory photos at all — it’s usually because their relationship with the manufacturer is weak or non-existent. In most cases, they’ve simply been sent a few generic images and a product list so they can look like a “distributor.” They don’t control the fabrication, the quality checks, or even know who’s welding the frames. It’s a middleman setup made to look like a brand.

Another giveaway is the warranty. If a company only offers two years of warrenty, that’s a clear sign they’re not confident in their own product. Two years barely covers basic wear and tear — and it says a lot about how long they expect their doors and windows to actually last.

At Steelos Steel, we take a completely different approach. We’ve built a long-term partnership with our factory, where fabrication, welding, galvanising, powder coating, glazing, and assembly all happen under one roof. This means consistent quality, better finishing, and full accountability from start to finish.

Every Steelos product is backed by a 4-year warranty on galvanised steel and a 7-year warranty on stainless steel — proof that we stand behind our quality. We know exactly where every product is made and who’s making it.

When you’re comparing suppliers, don’t just look at the photos and price tags. Ask the real questions. If they can’t clearly show or explain where their products come from, there’s probably a reason they’re keeping it quiet.