Crittall Windows Ltd

Crittall's T60 thermally broken steel windows make a major contribution to the Levine Building's sustainability credentials.

A prestigious refurbishment contract in Manchester illustrates the appeal of Crittall Steel windows across different sectors. The Redfern building dates from 1936 when it was built for the Co-Operative Wholesale Society. Contractor Russells has upgraded the 60,000sq ft, six storey, brick-clad building originally designed by WA Johnson and JW Cropper and described as being in the Dutch brick modernism style. Crittall W20 windows were specified to replace the original steel fenestration, the new windows boasting frames even more slender than what had been, installed originally, thereby allowing more daylight to enter the offices and new retail units.

Crittall spans the globe

A new education facility for Birmingham City University – STEAMhouse 2 - marries the restored frontage of a former Victorian industrial building with a brand new addition designed to promote interdisciplinary courses that bring together artists, scientists and engineers with input from industry.  The locally-listed red brick and terracotta façade of the 1899 Belmont cycle works was preserved after a disastrous fire gutted the building in 2007. That now fronts a new brick building the rear elevation of which boasts Corporate W20 windows in black plus two fire-rated Crittall windows and two fire-rated Crittall doors installed in a fire escape. Beyond this is a new four and five-storey building comprising workshops and teaching spaces. The new and reconstructed buildings are linked by an open central space, beneath a transparent roof, to encourage interaction between students and trainees attending the new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) – based university courses on offer.  The Crittall profiles are sensitive to the industrial heritage of the original building while complementing the 21st century ethos underpinning the STEAMhouse’s ambitions. 

The conversion of a west London former town hall to include residential accommodation features Crittall windows, carefully designed to preserve the building’s original character. The former Acton Town Hall, in Ealing London Borough, has been partly converted to provide a public library and leisure facilities but the Grade II listed structure also now contains a range of apartments. The building, which dates from 1909, was designed in an Italianate palazzo style, executed in locally made red bricks with Portland-stone dressings.  For the refurbishment and conversion the windows within the original building were replaced with Crittall Corporate W20 profiles.

One of Northern Ireland’s most popular 20th century libraries has been refurbished and extended with Crittall Windows helping to retain its unique character. The original three-storey building was circular in plan with a distinctive saw-tooth window configuration on the first and second floors. Crittall Corporate W20 windows were specified for the contract, with polyester powder coated white frames they contribute to the overall light and airy feel. The double-glazed, weatherstripped windows suit perfectly a heritage building with a modern purpose. Designed and constructed to achieve a BREEAM Very Good certification.

Haberdasher Street is the appropriately-named location for the new headquarters of Drake’s London, a firm that since the late 1970s has specialised in the design and manufacture of men’s ties. The choice of Crittall Corporate W20 windows was not a difficult one – given that the main section of the building dates from the 1930s it was a natural decision to choose steel windows as these would have been installed originally. The functions within the building include workshops where people handmake ties, requiring a lot of natural light.

Set around a new courtyard in the heart of London’s West End, Ham Yard hotel creates a new ‘urban village’ in the heart of the city. To celebrate the hotels unique situation , Firmdale tasked architect Woods and Bagot to pursue a design approach that “seeks to bring the outdoors inside and turn the indoors outside”. Floor to ceiling Crittall doors open up the restaurant to the hotels outdoor terrace and full height Crittall glazing brings the street to life from the comfort of their bedrooms.

New York City’s newest boutique hotel makes a bold statement in upper midtown Manhattan, thanks in no small part to the extensive use of Crittall steel windows, doors and internal screens and partitions. The Whitby is the second in New York opened by Firmdale Hotels, whose owners have already made a big impression in central London use fenestration from Crittall. Opened in late February, The Whitby’s position called for higher acoustic attenuation, so Crittall MW40 fenestration was selected. These windows can accept up to 30mm thick glazing providing excellent acoustic as well as thermal performance while maximising daylight.

A major live arts venue, that in its heyday hosted The Beatles, Buddy Holly, the Rolling Stones and Cilla Black, has been restored to its art deco glory with the help of Crittall windows.The Globe, Stockton, is the biggest live entertainment venue between Leeds and Newcastle and will re-open shortly with a capacity of 1,650 people seated or up to 3,000 standing.The re-birth is eagerly awaited as the theatre has been closed for the past 45 years. A major refurbishment and restoration programme has been led in recent times by Stockton-on-Tees Council, supported by grant aid from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.The Grade II listed building dates from 1935 and was designed by architect Percy L Browne. Crittall windows were installed originally and these have been replicated in the restoration by the use of bespoke Corporate W20 profiles finished in Turkish Blue. Crittall cold form doors were also supplied.Anthony Dillon, managing director of main contractor Willmott Dixon said: “It has been fantastic working on the restoration of the Globe Theatre, breathing new life into a really iconic building for the community. We look forward to seeing it become a cultural hub once again for future generations to enjoy.”The theatre will play a central role of the Tees Valley Combined Authority’s ambition for the sub-region to be named City of Culture 2025.

Described as Dorchester’s most iconic building, the Brewery – once the source of the much-quaffed Eldridge Pope ales – has been transformed into a high-end residential setting with Crittall windows playing a central role in retaining the heritage aesthetic of this historic structure.For nearly a century and a half the building, with its tall chimney, towered above the Dorset town as a symbol of local industry and prosperity. Designed by architect WR Crickmay, the brick building was completed in 1880.  At a staggering 13% the brewery’s Thomas Hardy Ale once featured in the Guinness Book of Records as the strongest commercially brewed beer in the country.The brewery eventually closed in 2003 and the site remained unused until, in 2007, planning permission was granted for a new public square overlooked by the impressive building, restored to its former glory containing 29 one, two and three-bedroom apartments.LMA Architecture of Bournemouth has retained many of the unique features of the original building including riveted steel beams, cast iron columns and exposed brickwork.Crittall W20 steel windows and doors were a natural choice, glazed in small panes to replicate the original configuration of the tall brewery windows.

An openair swimming pool of a design described as the finest in England is being restored to its former elegance with Crittall windows playing a significant role.Saltdean Lido, some five miles east of Brighton, is a Grade II* listed Art Deco masterpiece built in 1938 utilising an innovative reinforced concrete structure designed by architect Richard Jones. It is one of only three Grade II* listed lidos in the country and has been on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register for many years.The structure epitomises the essence of the modernist movement with sweeping lines designed to elevate Saltdean’s status as a resort. In its heyday, immediately before the Second World War, holidaymakers and local residents would flock to it paying sixpence to swim and to sunbathe on the adjacent lawns.After the war, during which it was used for Fire Service training, it lay derelict until restored by Brighton Borough Council and stayed in use until the late 1990s when local people banded together to defeat a developer’s plan to demolish the lido and build apartments on the site.A Community Interest Company campaigned successfully to have the pool brought back into use which was achieved in 2017. Now it was the turn of the buildings currently being restored by Buxton Building Contractors of Surrey.Once completed the building will house an Art Deco event space, suitable for weddings, an exercise studio, library, community hub, café and heritage learning zone plus workspace.A key element of the design is the generous area of glazing facing the pool. Here will be installed Crittall Homelight Plus steel windows that replicate the original fenestration and, because of the slender frames, maximise the benefits of natural light on this bright coastal location.The windows are also hot dipped galvanised to prevent corrosion and Duralife coated with marine grade polyester powder which will offer the highest level of protection against the aggressive wind-borne sea salts that caused damage to the original building.Duncan Wilson, Historic England’s Chief Executive, commented: “The handsome Saltdean Lido was inspired by contemporary ocean liner and aircraft design and is architecturally probably the finest in England.”Once completed, thanks to the streamlined white concrete surfaces and the sparkling Crittall windows, the building will once more provide, quite literally, a shining example of its genre.

Recently completed is the refurbishment of a substantial mixed-use building in the plush Fitzrovia/Marylebone area of central London.Crittall Windows made a significant contribution to both the aesthetic and sustainability of the seven-storey Devonshire House that commands the corner of Devonshire and Great Portland Streets. The refurbishment, designed by architects Robson Warren, upgraded the building’s green credentials by the installation of T60 thermally broken steel windows.The high-performance steel fenestration comfortably surpasses the requirements of current legislation while satisfying the designer’s desire to maintain heritage characteristics.The area around Great Portland Street was developed in the 18th century with fine Georgian houses and, although these were replaced in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the newer office blocks that took their place often sought to retain the period features.The black powder-coated T60 windows in Devonshire House, provided in both inward and outward opening configurations, have been fitted with glazing bars to mimic the Georgian-style panes that were a prominent feature in the period façade of the building.

An openair swimming pool of a design described as the finest in England is being restored to its former elegance with Crittall windows playing a significant role.Saltdean Lido, some five miles east of Brighton, is a Grade II* listed Art Deco masterpiece built in 1938 utilising an innovative reinforced concrete structure designed by architect Richard Jones. It is one of only three Grade II* listed lidos in the country and has been on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register for many years.The structure epitomises the essence of the modernist movement with sweeping lines designed to elevate Saltdean’s status as a resort. In its heyday, immediately before the Second World War, holidaymakers and local residents would flock to it paying sixpence to swim and to sunbathe on the adjacent lawns.After the war, during which it was used for Fire Service training, it lay derelict until restored by Brighton Borough Council and stayed in use until the late 1990s when local people banded together to defeat a developer’s plan to demolish the lido and build apartments on the site.A Community Interest Company campaigned successfully to have the pool brought back into use which was achieved in 2017. Now it was the turn of the buildings currently being restored by Buxton Building Contractors of Surrey.Once completed the building will house an Art Deco event space, suitable for weddings, an exercise studio, library, community hub, café and heritage learning zone plus workspace.A key element of the design is the generous area of glazing facing the pool. Here will be installed Crittall Homelight Plus steel windows that replicate the original fenestration and, because of the slender frames, maximise the benefits of natural light on this bright coastal location.The windows are also hot dipped galvanised to prevent corrosion and Duralife coated with marine grade polyester powder which will offer the highest level of protection against the aggressive wind-borne sea salts that caused damage to the original building.Duncan Wilson, Historic England’s Chief Executive, commented: “The handsome Saltdean Lido was inspired by contemporary ocean liner and aircraft design and is architecturally probably the finest in England.”Once completed, thanks to the streamlined white concrete surfaces and the sparkling Crittall windows, the building will once more provide, quite literally, a shining example of its genre.

Crittall Corporate W20 windows are an important component in the refurbishment and upgrade of a prominent industrial site in historic Bath.Newark Works is recognised as a masterclass in the retrofitting of heritage buildings that has transformed a former riverside heavy engineering factory into 21st century workspace.The buildings, dating from 1857 to 1905, are Grade II listed and sit within Bath’s designated World Heritage Site. They were formerly the home of world-renowned crane makers Stothert & Pitt but had fallen into serious disrepair. Their location as part of a larger Bath Quays redevelopment spurred their re-use, underpinned by sensitive treatment, to create 40,000sq.ft of modern workspace.“We specified the Crittall W20 system to replace the existing, single-glazed, cast-iron framed windows that were at the end of their life and deemed beyond repair,” said Nick Brown, Director of Ferguson Mann Architects.He explained: “The Crittall W20 system was chosen due to the need to use a window system that could sympathetically reproduce the fenestration of the large industrial windows – many of which were 3.6m tall – but also provide a huge thermal improvement.”  It was recognised that retaining the original cast iron windows and introducing secondary glazing was neither economically viable nor appropriate aesthetically.“The slim profiles of the Crittall W20 system meant we didn’t have to compromise on the amazing amount of natural light coming into the interior whilst improving the air tightness and reducing the overall heat loss of the building through the windows,” said Brown.He added: “Crittall were also able to recreate the opening vent arrangement of the existing windows, meaning we could also improve the natural ventilation provision to the new workspaces.”Consulting engineers Buro Happold calculated that just replacing the existing single-glazed windows with new double-glazed alternatives with a U-value of 1.8W/m2K would result in a 16 percent annual energy saving. That translated to 21.4 tonnes of CO₂. Over the building’s lifespan of, say, 25 years, that equated to a 535-tonne reduction in CO₂ emissions.In view of the heritage credentials of the buildings, planners and conservation officers at Bath & North East Somerset Council were consulted on the desire to replace the original fenestration with like-for-like steel windows. The local authority was keen that the buildings should be brought back into use after several previous failed attempts. They wanted the site’s historic significance to be respected while avoiding the desire to turn Newark Works into a ‘museum piece’. The installation of Crittall W20 was approved and two of the original cast-iron windows have been retained and refurbished as a reminder of the original building but not in a way so as to compromise the improved thermal performance of the whole.Summing up, Nick Brown comments: “Everyone is really pleased with the final result.”