Steel-framed windows and doors, long associated with the industrial aesthetic popularized by the Essex-based company Crittall Windows, are facing a shift in architectural and interior design trends. While the style remains a common feature in contemporary London homes, some designers suggest the look may be approaching saturation, prompting calls for more nuanced and varied applications.
Crittall, established in 1884, has a storied history with steel-framed windows featured on landmark buildings such as the Elizabeth Tower, the Houses of Parliament, and international icons like Geneva’s League of Nations and New York’s 300 Central Park West. The company’s signature design is marked by its patented Fenestra joint and a discreet plaque, identifying authentic Crittall pieces. Its distinctive grid-style doors and windows have become a staple in residential renovations, especially in East London terraces.
Despite a slight decline in annual revenue—from £15.5 million to £15.1 million between March 2024 and March 2025—interest in Crittall-style windows remains strong, with online searches reportedly rising by 135 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the previous year. However, sentiments within the design community are mixed. Some, like Lucy Hammond Giles, director of Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, describe poorly executed or contextually inappropriate Crittall-style installations as “clichéd” and “overexposed.” Similarly, interior designer Rachael Gowdridge notes that the style often feels like a superficial nod to “industrial chic” rather than a deliberate design choice.
Nevertheless, advocates like Abigail Ahern highlight the enduring appeal of Crittall. After initially installing a large sheet of glass that felt “harsh” in her 1860s London townhouse, she replaced it with an eight-meter-high wall of traditional steel W20 windows and doors, praising how they frame outdoor views and blur the lines between interior and exterior spaces.
As the style evolves, many designers are exploring alternatives that retain the structural clarity of steel frames while softening their appearance. Timber surrounds are increasingly popular to introduce warmth and reduce the austerity of large glazed areas. For example, Massachusetts-based designer Jess Cooney has shifted towards walnut finishes, describing them as more “organic and inviting,” while New York’s Karen Asprea favors wood-framed doors and warmer materials for residential projects.
Some designers combine steel functionality with bespoke detailing and context-sensitive scale. Laura Parkinson of Palmer & Stone emphasizes the importance of appropriately sized windows, pointing out that smaller, carefully proportioned openings can have greater visual and emotional impact than expansive glazed walls. Her own use of glazed timber doors in an East London kitchen demonstrates how materials and layout can maintain privacy and usability without sacrificing light.
Sustainability and character also factor into the trend, with reclaimed vintage wood gaining traction for its environmental benefits and unique charm. Alice Bettington of Golden advocates for sourcing such materials to enhance bespoke designs, aligning aesthetic appeal with circular economy principles.
For those avoiding traditional black steel frames, alternative metal finishes offer fresh possibilities. Colored metals, including champagne bronze, can lend a more domestic or “country greenhouse” feel compared to the starkness often associated with black steel. This approach was successfully employed in a Connecticut project, where Italian-made bronze frames provided a distinctive accent.
Designers also report success when using steel-framed elements in unexpected or unconventional contexts. Sophie Paterson’s installation of internal steel and glass doors in a Chelsea Barracks bachelor’s residence created refined spatial separation reminiscent of a boutique tailoring shop. Likewise, Cooney used steel features to introduce a modern contrast in an 1800s farmhouse renovation.
James Thurstan Waterworth emphasizes that while steel-framed doors and windows are not universally suited, their versatility and variety in finishes and profiles maintain their relevance. He compares concerns over their perceived ubiquity to the long-standing use of wooden doors—highly varied and adaptable despite widespread adoption.
As designers reevaluate the standard Crittall aesthetic, the future of steel-framed glazing is likely to involve a greater focus on scale, material combinations, and contextual sensitivity, ensuring the style continues to adapt rather than fall out of favor.