Crittall Windows Shut Out Super Storm Sandy

Eldorado residents are not counting the cost of the big clean up after Hurricane Sandy.

Residents of the Eldorado Building at 300 Central Park West, New York City, who have replaced their windows with Crittall, can congratulate themselves for making a great choice.

Crittall's partner, Industrial Window Corp and local Distributor, Robert K Higgins Company Inc have just received this endorsement from a Resident:

"Jim,

If there was ever a torture test for these windows, this Hurricane Sandy would be it, I think I should let you know, that every single window "held", no leaking.

I was lucky to get it all done before this storm, the old ones would have leaked like a sieve!

Anyway, just a note to let you know I appreciate a good job!"

You can find out more about our partnership with Industrial Window Corp at Eldorado in Crittall's Guide For Residents

Crittall Windows Archive Secrets To Be Revealed

Crittall Windows Ltd, Braintree District Museum Trust Ltd and Braintree District Council are excited to announce a joint project to research and develop the Crittall company archive held at Braintree District Museum.

The Archive contains over 2,000 documents, catalogues and photographs illustrating the growth and development of a local ironmonger to worldwide window manufacturer. The project will fund a young apprentice, Richard White, who will be cataloguing the Archive to improve access and knowledge of this internationally significant collection.

By the early twentieth century, Crittall Windows had become a worldwide window manufacturer with factories and agents from South Africa to Australia. Further funding will be sourced in 2013 to develop an online database of the Archive. Crittall Windows was a larger employer in Braintree and by the 1920s employees and their families accounted for over half of the town's population. If you or a member of your family worked for the company, we would like to hear from you.

On Thursday 29 November from 2.30 - 4pm the Museum will be holding an event 'Collecting Crittalls'. If you would have any objects, documents or photographs you would like to donate to the Crittall Windows Archive please come along. We are particularly interested to hear from people who worked abroad for the company.

Councillor Jo Beavis, Cabinet Member for Communities was delighted with the development of the Archive as "it will be a wonderful opportunity for our modern apprentice to explore such an important part of Braintree District's history. It is a great example of partnership work between the Museum and a manufacturing company based in this District"

For further information and photograph opportunities in the Crittall Gallery please contact Claire Willetts at claire.willetts@braintree.gov.uk or 01376 325266.

Crittall Windows Head of Manufacturing on C4 News

Steve Gaylor, the Head of Manufacturing at Crittall Windows was recently interviewed by Channel 4 News

Crittall Windows latest video

The latest video from Crittall Windows

Tooting Library Resplendent in Glazing

Crittall steel windows have been instrumental in the restoration of the iconic and landmark Tooting Library in London. A two year programme to restore the building was completed at the beginning of this year, at a cost of over £3 million. 

The Edwardian structure was originally built in 1902, funded by the generous outgoing mayor of Wandsworth, and today, it attracts over half a million visitors a year. Both the interior and the exterior of the library were in need of an upgrade, and designs were submitted by architects, NPS London Ltd. to bring the facility up to date and in keeping with contemporary, modern energy requirements. 

Externally W20 profiles from the Crittall range were specified to replace the existing steel windows. Slimline and unobtrusive, the profiles provide strength and security, without detracting from the visual appearance of the building.  Crittall was also tasked with replicating certain familiar features. According to project architect, John Miller, the aim was to retain as much of the original architectural style as possible. “Not only were the profiles replicated by Crittall to match, but the company also became heavily involved in the replicated design of the art nouveau-style, floral-patterned leaded lights to a number of the windows on the ground floor,” he explained. This unusual design feature was retained as it was seen as key in retaining the charm and character of the building. 

Similarly, the full height bay window which is a major eye-catching element of the design, involved Crittall’s expertise, with glazing supplied in a wide plate of colours  to create a visually striking effect both inside and out. 

Crittall  also were responsible for the manufacture of exact copies of the original window fittings which were required to add further to the aesthetic goal of the project.   

“The result is exactly as we, and the client, wanted,” concluded Mr Miller. “The windows have been replaced – and some new ones added to the new extension that we have built onto the existing structure – all in keeping with the architectural style of the original.“ 

Crispin & Borst, (now part of Vinci Construction) acted as main contractor on the project. 

Crittall Steel windows - right formula for Science Museum

The Science Museum in London is a much loved and familiar landmark, but over the years, the exterior has fallen prey to the wear and tear. A replacement window programme was recently undertaken, and appointed by architects, Kirsop and Co, Crittall had to draw on its extensive experience and expertise to replace the windows to the Exhibition Road entrance.

Having provided initial elevation and detailed drawings for planning purposes, Crittall helped to obtain permission to the satisfaction of all parties, including main contractor, DBR (London) Ltd, and supplying its Corporate 2000 profiles, began the meticulous and exact replacement programme.



One of the features of the glazing was the inclusion of Enduroshield transparent coating to the surface of the glass for the very large top hung fixed light Corporate 2000 profiles. The openings at the top are supplied with electronic chain actuators, supplied by long term Crittall partner, SE Controls. Double glazed, the centre pane of the glazing achieves the required U value of 1.2w/m2K for compliance with Part L of the Building


Regulations, with Low E glass on the inside to control heat gain. The windows were finished in black matt polyester powder coating.

Logistically, Crittall faced numerous challenges on the project, with a limited time period each day to strip out, glaze and install the profiles. With no deliveries allowed before 6pm, the timing and meticulous attention to detail had to be exact in order for the smooth progression of the instalment. However, with intense planning and thorough application, the windows were installed to schedule and within the time limits.

“We are delighted with the finished result,” comments Mr Andrew Haycock of the Estates Department at the Science Museum. “In addition to brand new windows that meet all the requirements in terms of aesthetic and thermal value, the replaced windows were all recycled, which reduced wastage and disposal costs and which is a major environmental bonus.”

Iconic University Restored

When a replacement fenestration programme was proposed for the iconic Falmer House at the University of Sussex, Crittall was contracted to supply a selection of its Corporate W20 profiles and Corporate 2000 cold form doors for the project.

The building, which houses various University services and the University of Sussex Students’ Union, was designed by famous architect Sir Basil Spence in the 1960s. Brick faced with a vault and column structure and extensive glazing, the unusual building is the first to be seen when entering the campus.

The window replacement scheme is part of a multi mullion pound venture to upgrade the self-contained site, which was awarded a bronze medal from RIBA for its design and architecture and which enjoys a Grade I listed status for a development of exceptional interest. It is also one of the most beautiful campus locations in Britain, being situated in rolling parkland on the edge of Brighton and bordered by the South Downs National Park. The window specification therefore had to be sensitive to the original design criteria and not detract from the visual appearance of the building.

Crittall supplied its Corporate W20 profiles as a like-for-like replacement. English Heritage-approved, the W20 profiles were the ideal choice for the replacement scheme, with the narrow sightlines minimising any obtrusive mullions and transoms, and allowing the glazing to blend unobtrusively into the existing architecture, enhancing its aesthetic value.

In addition, a number of Corporate 2000 windows also being used in Mandela Hall in Falmer House. These were selected as they offer larger panes, meeting the structural requirements for the double glazing.

With Phase 1 of the project completed and Phase 2 already under way, Falmer House is being restored to its former glory with the new windows and doors enhancing the original and innovative Spence architectural design.

In total, the university is investing £100 million through a campus-wide capital programme lasting three years, which will see the University’s facilities and buildings fully rejuvenated.