Steel
vs
Aluminium
The two most-used materials for garage doors in Luxembourg. Hörmann steel stays the historical standard on LPU sectional doors. Aluminium dominates RollMatic roller doors and Roma doors. Each material has its real strengths - this comparison settles it on 8 objective technical criteria.
Steel door
Rugged, insulating, economical
Aluminium door
Light, rustproof, designer
Both materials in numbers
Steel and aluminium don't play in the same league. Steel is 2.9× denser (so heavier) but offers better insulation in double-wall panels, a lower entry price and superior structural rigidity. Aluminium is naturally rust-proof, lightweight and takes anodising naturally. Here are the real figures from Hörmann and Roma 2026 ranges.
Steel door
Rugged, insulating, economical
Aluminium door
Light, rustproof, designer
8 material criteria
Each criterion is evaluated on real physical characteristics (density, thermal conductivity, elastic modulus) and on our field feedback. Steel = Hörmann LPU sectional doors, aluminium = RollMatic roller doors and Roma doors for comparison.
| Criterion | Steel | Aluminium | Advantage |
Corrosion resistance | Hot-dip galvanised steel + polyester coating. Lasts many years without visible rust if the paint stays intact. Sensitive to deep scratches. | Naturally rust-proof (self-regenerating alumina layer). No rust risk, even with deep scratches or impacts. Perfect in humid or seaside zones. | Aluminium |
Maximum thermal insulation | LPU 67 Thermo: 67 mm thermally broken double-wall steel panel, PU-injected: U = 1.0 W/m²K installed door (panel 0.31 W/m²K; 0.91 W/m²K with optional ThermoFrame). | Aluminium roller doors (RollMatic, Roma): PU-filled aluminium profiles, with no U-value published by the manufacturers. Aluminium being a good thermal conductor, insulation stays behind a double-wall steel sectional door. | Steel |
Weight / handling | Heavier double-wall steel panels (LPU 67 Thermo heavier than LPU 42). Balancing springs and a suitable motor handle this weight without difficulty. | Much lighter aluminium profiles (material almost 3 times less dense). Thinner springs, smaller motor, less load on the frame. Very useful in retrofits. | Aluminium |
Installed price Luxembourg | Free quote on request. Cheaper base material: at equivalent dimensions, a steel sectional door (RenoMatic, LPU 42) is generally more economical. | Free quote on request. Generally more expensive at equivalent spec, because raw aluminium costs more than steel. | Tie |
Aesthetics & finishes | 7 Hörmann surfaces on LPU 42 (Woodgrain, Slategrain, Silkgrain, Sandgrain, Planar, Decograin 6 decors, Duragrain 30 decors), approx. 200 RAL colours. Durable finish. Can imitate wood, slate or metal. | Thermo-lacquered or anodised depending on the maker: RollMatic in 16 standard colours + 2 wood decors, Roma Rolento in over 110 colours. More contemporary look by default, very popular in modern architecture. | Tie |
Long-term maintenance | Neutral soap cleaning, corrosion spot inspection every 2 years, paint touch-up on deep scratches. More sensitive to salty environments. | Soap water cleaning only, no touch-up needed. Zero anti-corrosion maintenance. Ideal for owners who forget annual maintenance. | Aluminium |
Anti-burglary security | PU-injected double-wall steel panel. Higher resistance to mechanical forcing. CR2 (RC2) anti-burglary equipment standard on LPU 67 Thermo, optional on LPU 42. | Foam-filled double-wall aluminium profiles (RollMatic, Roma ALUMINO), lighter and less rigid than a steel panel. Lower resistance to forcing; Roma fits an anti-lift device as standard on its doors. | Steel |
Recyclability & carbon footprint | Steel 100% infinitely recyclable. Manufacturing carbon footprint markedly lower than primary aluminium. Mature recycling chain in Luxembourg. | Aluminium 100% recyclable, with recycling far less energy-intensive than primary production. But the carbon footprint of primary manufacturing is markedly higher than steel. | Steel |
Hot-dip galvanised steel + polyester coating. Lasts many years without visible rust if the paint stays intact. Sensitive to deep scratches.
Naturally rust-proof (self-regenerating alumina layer). No rust risk, even with deep scratches or impacts. Perfect in humid or seaside zones.
LPU 67 Thermo: 67 mm thermally broken double-wall steel panel, PU-injected: U = 1.0 W/m²K installed door (panel 0.31 W/m²K; 0.91 W/m²K with optional ThermoFrame).
Aluminium roller doors (RollMatic, Roma): PU-filled aluminium profiles, with no U-value published by the manufacturers. Aluminium being a good thermal conductor, insulation stays behind a double-wall steel sectional door.
Heavier double-wall steel panels (LPU 67 Thermo heavier than LPU 42). Balancing springs and a suitable motor handle this weight without difficulty.
Much lighter aluminium profiles (material almost 3 times less dense). Thinner springs, smaller motor, less load on the frame. Very useful in retrofits.
Free quote on request. Cheaper base material: at equivalent dimensions, a steel sectional door (RenoMatic, LPU 42) is generally more economical.
Free quote on request. Generally more expensive at equivalent spec, because raw aluminium costs more than steel.
7 Hörmann surfaces on LPU 42 (Woodgrain, Slategrain, Silkgrain, Sandgrain, Planar, Decograin 6 decors, Duragrain 30 decors), approx. 200 RAL colours. Durable finish. Can imitate wood, slate or metal.
Thermo-lacquered or anodised depending on the maker: RollMatic in 16 standard colours + 2 wood decors, Roma Rolento in over 110 colours. More contemporary look by default, very popular in modern architecture.
Neutral soap cleaning, corrosion spot inspection every 2 years, paint touch-up on deep scratches. More sensitive to salty environments.
Soap water cleaning only, no touch-up needed. Zero anti-corrosion maintenance. Ideal for owners who forget annual maintenance.
PU-injected double-wall steel panel. Higher resistance to mechanical forcing. CR2 (RC2) anti-burglary equipment standard on LPU 67 Thermo, optional on LPU 42.
Foam-filled double-wall aluminium profiles (RollMatic, Roma ALUMINO), lighter and less rigid than a steel panel. Lower resistance to forcing; Roma fits an anti-lift device as standard on its doors.
Steel 100% infinitely recyclable. Manufacturing carbon footprint markedly lower than primary aluminium. Mature recycling chain in Luxembourg.
Aluminium 100% recyclable, with recycling far less energy-intensive than primary production. But the carbon footprint of primary manufacturing is markedly higher than steel.
Pros & cons
Real strengths and weaknesses of each material in Luxembourg, based on more than 20 years of expertise with both families.
Steel
- Best double-wall insulation: U = 1.0 W/m²K installed door on LPU 67 Thermo (0.91 with optional ThermoFrame)
- Entry price generally below equivalent aluminium
- Rigid structure, better anti-burglary security
- Manufacturing carbon footprint markedly lower than primary aluminium
- More mature and local recycling chain
- Compatible with all Hörmann residential ranges (LPU, Berry, RenoMatic)
- Corrosion-sensitive if paint is pierced or deeply scratched
- Heavier than aluminium: requires sized springs and motor
- Anti-corrosion maintenance recommended every 2 years in humid or seaside zones
Aluminium
- Lifelong rust-proof, zero anti-corrosion maintenance
- Material almost 3 times less dense than steel: thinner springs, smaller motor
- Very aesthetic natural anodising for contemporary architecture
- Ideal for roller doors and very thin sections
- Best choice for humid environments, pools, seaside
- Monobloc manufacturing consumes fewer perimeter seals
- Lower thermal insulation than a double-wall steel sectional door (no U-value published for RollMatic)
- Generally more expensive than steel at equivalent dimensions
- Less resistant to mechanical deformation (weaker anti-burglary)
- Primary manufacturing carbon footprint markedly higher than steel (but efficient recycling)
Which for your project?
The right material depends on your use, climate exposure and door type. Here are the 6 typical profiles we meet in Luxembourg.
You seek the best insulation to limit losses to living spaces. Double-wall Hörmann LPU 42/67 steel stays the best-insulating choice in this comparison (U = 1.3 and 1.0 W/m²K installed door).
Your garage has no ceiling room for sectional door tracks. There aluminium imposes itself naturally: the RollMatic roller door coils into a lintel box (290 mm headroom), and for a very low lintel, the RollMatic OD ceiling-running door needs only 60 mm.
High anti-burglary requirement. Hörmann double-wall steel with CR2 anti-burglary equipment (RC2: standard on LPU 67 Thermo, optional on LPU 42) offers the best mechanical security. Aluminium is lighter and less rigid.
You want a modern anodised look and zero maintenance. Roma or Hörmann aluminium offers clean design and will never need paint touch-up.
You want the best insulation for the best price. The Hörmann LPU 42 steel sectional is generally more economical than the aluminium equivalent, with better insulation. Price on free quote.
You replace on an old frame that does not support high weight. A lightweight aluminium curtain fits without reinforcing the frame, heavy steel would have required structural work.
Our recommendation:
steel for residential sectionals
Across 8 criteria, steel wins 3, aluminium 3, with 2 ties (including price, quoted on request for both): a tie on points. Steel has the edge on thermal insulation, anti-burglary security and carbon footprint - important points for a residential sectional door in Luxembourg. Hörmann LPU 42/67 remains a rational choice for most sectional projects.
Aluminium retains a decisive advantage in 3 specific cases: roller doors (where its lightness and natural rust-proof nature are irreplaceable), very humid or salty environments, and retrofits on weakened frames where steel weight is problematic. In these cases, Roma aluminium or Hörmann RollMatic stays the technical solution.
Other comparisons
Other duels to refine your door choice in Luxembourg.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to our customers' most common questions.
Steel, aluminium or expert advice?
Our technicians analyse your garage, climate exposure, desired opening type and budget to recommend the material that fits - Hörmann steel for insulation and security, Roma aluminium for roller or humid environments. Free visit, free and fast quote.