modern glazing, improved weather performance and enhanced security. On new developments, it provides the clean lines and refi ned detailing that have become synonymous with contemporary architecture, whether used for external windows and doors, internal screens or bespoke glazed features. Successful specifi cation depends on
more than selecting the right product. Increasingly, architects are looking for manufacturers who can provide technical guidance throughout a project, helping resolve complex detailing, meet compliance requirements and support the delivery of ambitious designs. Crittall works closely with architects,
Steel Windows: combining heritage, performance and modern
KE18 architectural ambition
Few building materials have evolved as successfully as steel. Once associated largely with industrial buildings and heritage restoration, today’s steel window systems are equally at home in contemporary offi ces, universities, hotels and public buildings. They combine the slim sightlines and distinctive appearance architects have long valued with the thermal performance, durability and compliance modern commercial projects demand. Steel’s appeal has always been rooted in its strength. Slimmer frames and larger glazed areas allow more natural light into a building while creating elegant elevations that suit both traditional and contemporary architecture. Those qualities have kept steel fi rmly on architects’ drawing boards for generations. What has changed is the technology behind the product. Modern steel systems deliver the levels of thermal performance, weather resistance and security expected of today’s commercial buildings, without losing the character that has always set them apart. The W20 TE system from Crittall Windows is a good example. Retaining the slender profi les that have become synonymous with the company’s products over more than 175 years, it achieves a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K, giving architects greater
fl exibility to meet current thermal standards without compromising the appearance of a scheme.
Natural light and a strong connection between internal and external spaces continue to shape commercial design. Whether it’s an offi ce, education building, hotel or public project, steel makes it possible to maximise glazing without introducing wide framing, creating
interiors that feel brighter and more open. Longevity also deserves careful
consideration. Commercial buildings are expected to perform for decades, making whole-life value an increasingly important part of the specifi cation process. Modern steel windows benefi t from hot- dip galvanised construction and Crittall’s Duralife powder coating, providing long- term protection against corrosion while reducing maintenance requirements. There is ample evidence of that
durability. Many Crittall windows installed decades ago remain in service today, demonstrating how well properly manufactured and maintained steel systems stand the test of time. Steel’s versatility is equally important. On refurbishment projects, it can replicate original fenestration with remarkable accuracy while incorporating
contractors and specialist suppliers from initial specifi cation through to completion. Alongside manufacturing its steel window and door systems, the company off ers a complete supply and installation service, helping ensure design intent is carried through every stage of a project. That collaborative approach is
particularly valuable on schemes involving bespoke detailing or sensitive restoration work, where balancing architectural character with modern performance demands requires experience as well as technical expertise. Every project calls for the right material. Aluminium, timber and steel all have their place, but steel continues to off er a combination of structural strength, longevity and refi ned detailing that is diffi cult to match. More than 175 years after Crittall began manufacturing steel windows, the material remains as relevant to commercial architecture as ever.
For more
information visit
www.crittall- windows.
co.uk
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