Crittall doors
Crittall doors and steel-look aluminium doors.
The slim black frame. The grid of glazing bars. The industrial aesthetic that works equally well in a converted warehouse, a period terrace, or a contemporary new build. That look originated with Crittall – a British steel door and window manufacturer that has been making products in Essex since the 1820s.
We install both genuine steel Crittall-style doors and aluminium steel-look systems.
What is a Crittall door?
Crittall is a registered British trademark. A genuine Crittall door is made from steel – welded, not mechanically joined – with very slim sightlines that only steel can achieve. Crittall Windows Ltd, based in Witham, Essex, has been manufacturing steel doors and windows for residential and commercial projects since 1849.
The Crittall look became iconic in post-war British architecture and appeared in everything from housing estates to the BBC Broadcasting House. Today, it is one of the most sought-after aesthetics in London residential design – particularly in loft conversions, kitchen extensions, internal glazed screens, and rear garden access doors.
When people search for “Crittall doors” they are often looking for one of two things: either genuine welded steel or an aluminium door that replicates the aesthetic. They are different products. Both are valid choices depending on the brief.
Genuine steel Crittall doors vs steel-look aluminium doors
The honest answer is that aluminium cannot fully replicate steel. Steel is welded – the joints are seamless. Aluminium is mechanically joined at the corners, which is visible on close inspection. Steel sightlines are also slightly slimmer than aluminium can achieve.
That said, for most homeowners and most projects, a quality steel-look aluminium door is indistinguishable at normal viewing distance and outperforms genuine steel on thermal efficiency, security certification, and maintenance.
When to choose genuine steel
Genuine steel Crittall doors are the right choice in three situations.
For all other projects – rear extensions, kitchen screens, internal glazed partitions, garden access doors, new builds – a quality steel-look aluminium system delivers the same aesthetic with better performance and lower cost.
The brands we work with
Internal Crittall doors and glazed screens
A significant proportion of Crittall-style door enquiries in London are for internal use – not rear garden doors, but glazed screens, partitions, and internal doors within the home.
Internal steel-look glazed screens are one of the defining features of the contemporary London open-plan interior. They divide a kitchen from a dining room, a hallway from a living room, or a home office from a living space – without blocking light. The grid of slim black frames and clear glass keeps spaces visually connected while providing a degree of separation.
Internal Crittall-style doors and screens are typically fitted in aluminium. They do not need to meet the same weather performance requirements as external doors, which means the system can be optimised for appearance and acoustic performance rather than thermal efficiency.
External Crittall doors — rear access and garden doors
As external doors, steel-look aluminium systems are fitted to the same security and thermal standards as any other aluminium door. PAS 24 multipoint locking, thermally broken frames, double or triple glazed units.
The most common external applications are:
Rear garden access doors – single or French door configuration onto a terrace or garden.
Kitchen extension rear doors – French or bifold doors in the steel-look aesthetic to complement a contemporary interior
Side return doors – narrow openings where the Crittall grid suits the proportions of the space
Front doors – the Origin Soho is increasingly used as a glazed front door on London new builds and refurbishments
Design options
Configurations
Single door, French door, bifold, fixed screen, or a combination of fixed and opening panels.
Glazing bars
Full grid, horizontal bars only, vertical bars only, or no bars (plain glazed). Georgian bar patterns available on some systems.
Glass
Clear float as standard. Reeded, fluted, frosted, or textured glass for privacy on internal screens. Double glazing on external doors as standard; triple glazing available on premium systems.
Colours
Jet black and anthracite grey are the most popular. Any RAL colour available. Dual-colour (different inside and out) on most systems.
Handles and hardware
Minimal lever handles, flush pulls, and period-style ironmongery are all available. Hardware choice is part of what makes a steel-look door feel authentic.
FAQ
Crittall is a British brand that manufactures steel doors and windows. A genuine Crittall door is made from welded steel with very slim sightlines. The name is also used loosely to describe any door with a slim black frame and glazing bar grid - including aluminium steel-look alternatives.
Genuine Crittall is welded steel - the slimmest possible sightlines, premium cost, longer lead times, requires maintenance to prevent rust. Steel-look aluminium replicates the aesthetic using thermally broken aluminium profiles. It is PAS 24 certified, maintenance-free, better thermally and more accessible in cost and lead time.
Yes. Internal steel-look glazed screens and partitions are one of the most popular applications. They divide spaces without blocking light and are a defining feature of the contemporary London open-plan interior.
Close, but not identical. Genuine welded steel achieves slightly slimmer sightlines. The Origin Soho sits at 36mm - visually very close to steel at normal viewing distance, with applied glazing bars that replicate the putty-line detail accurately.
External door replacements on most properties do not require planning permission under permitted development. Conservation areas and listed buildings may have restrictions on materials - in those cases genuine steel may be required. We advise on this at survey.
Yes. All aluminium systems we install are PAS 24 certified with multipoint locking. The Origin Soho uses 8-point locking with a 3-star British Standard Kitemark barrel.
A single door or French door installation typically takes one day. Internal screens and larger configurations may take two days.