Crittall-Style Windows in Enfield: Steel-Look Aluminium Windows and Doors

The slim black grid look of steel windows, in modern double glazed aluminium. Tell us about your openings and we will recommend the right frame, glazing pattern and budget.

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We supply and install Crittall-style windows and doors for homes across Enfield and nearby North London. This page explains how the style works, how steel, aluminium and uPVC compare, and what each typically costs.

Black Crittall-style aluminium windows on a 1930s semi in Enfield

What are Crittall-style windows?

Crittall-style windows have slim frames, usually black, divided into a grid of small panes. The look comes from steel windows made by Crittall and other firms in the early 1900s. Those windows were single glazed. They became a feature of 1920s and 1930s homes and factories.

Today the name describes a look, not a maker. You may also see it called steel-look, industrial or Art Deco style. Modern versions are double glazed, so they keep rooms warmer than the originals.

Diagram of a Crittall-style window showing slim frame, glazing bars and thermal break

Crittall is a registered trademark of Crittall Windows Limited. We are not connected to the company. Our windows are steel-look aluminium and uPVC products, not genuine Crittall steel.

Steel, aluminium or uPVC?

  • Genuine steel: the slimmest frames and the most authentic look. It costs the most. Some listed buildings may need it.
  • Aluminium: the closest practical alternative. It gives slim frames, glazing bars, a thermal break and a wide choice of colours. It costs less than steel. The sightlines are slightly wider. It does not rust.
  • uPVC: the lowest cost. Glazing bars can copy the grid pattern, but the frames are wider. You get the look, not the slim profile.
Steel, aluminium and uPVC Crittall-style window frames compared

Choose aluminium for most homes. Choose steel if a listed building requires it. Choose uPVC when budget matters more than frame width. Our aluminium casement windows page covers the aluminium range in more detail.

How the glazing bars work

The grid is what makes the look. Many aluminium and uPVC systems apply bars to both faces of the glass and fit a matching bar inside the sealed unit. From any angle, it reads as separate small panes. Ask how the bars are made before you order.

A few design tips:

  • Replacing old windows: match the original pane proportions.
  • For a lighter, modern look: use fewer bars.
  • On the same wall: line up bars across windows and doors.
  • Handle height: try to keep handles clear of a bar.
Four glazing bar patterns for Crittall-style windows

Windows and doors in the same style

Choosing windows and doors from one system keeps the frames and colours consistent.

Black Crittall-style internal screen and door between a kitchen-diner and hallway

Where Crittall-style windows suit Enfield homes

  • 1930s semis. Many were built with steel casements, and the look suits their proportions. These homes are common across Southgate, Oakwood, Winchmore Hill, Bush Hill Park and Grange Park.
  • Rear extensions on Victorian and Edwardian houses. Black frames contrast with older brickwork. This works well at the back of the house.
  • Renovations and new builds. Kitchen-diners, home offices and screens between rooms all suit the style.

Replacing old steel windows

If your home still has steel casements, check these points first:

  • Survey the frames. The lintel, sills and surrounding brickwork need checking. Rusting steel can stain the masonry.
  • Keep the pattern. Matching the bar layout and opening style keeps the house’s character.
  • Expect some differences. New frames are deeper than the originals, and the sightlines are slightly wider. The glass is double glazed.
  • Single glazing is not an option. Current rules mean original single glazed steel windows cannot normally be reinstated as new.

Light, warmth and glazing

Aluminium conducts heat, so good frames include a thermal break. Double glazed units with low-emissivity glass and warm-edge spacers limit heat loss and condensation at the edges. Slim frames also mean more glass and more daylight. Our double glazing page explains the options.

Ask for the frame width in millimetres and the glazing specification in writing. That makes quotes easy to compare.

Colours and hardware

Black is the classic choice. Dark grey, white, deep green and other RAL colours are also popular. Some systems offer matt and textured finishes. Handles are usually black or in a traditional style.

Planning, conservation areas and building regulations

Replacing windows in the same openings does not normally need planning permission. It is still notifiable work under building regulations. Your installer must be registered with a competent person scheme or submit a building control application.

Check first if your home is listed, in a conservation area, or under an Article 4 direction. On a street-facing elevation, changing the window style may need permission. Listed buildings need listed building consent, and may need genuine steel or a closely matching heritage profile.

How much do Crittall-style windows cost?

Crittall-style window prices typically fall in these ranges when supplied and fitted. Your price depends on size, bar pattern and opening types, so these figures are a guide, not a quote.

  • Plain aluminium casement windows: about £800 to £1,500 per window
  • Steel-look aluminium windows with glazing bars: about £1,500 to £4,000 per window, depending on size and bar pattern
  • Steel-look aluminium door or pair: about £2,000 to £3,500

uPVC costs less than aluminium. Aluminium typically costs about 25 percent more. Genuine steel typically costs more again.

What moves the price:

  • Size and number of bars. Each bar adds work and cost.
  • Opening types. Fixed panes cost less than opening ones.
  • Colour and finish. Custom and dual colours add cost.
  • Fitting extras. Special sills, extension pieces and ventilators affect the total.

The only reliable price comes from a survey of your windows.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. It is common on extensions and rear elevations. Keep the colour consistent on each wall, and match bar patterns on windows that sit together. Having a different style at the back is normal. On a street-facing elevation of a period home, check with the council first.

Georgian bars are a traditional grid used in timber-style windows, usually wider and often white. Crittall-style bars are slimmer, usually black, and imitate a metal frame. The layouts can look similar, so the difference is mainly proportion and colour. Some systems offer both.

Often yes. If your old windows had trickle vents, replacements generally need them too, because ventilation must not get worse. Slim frames can use concealed or in-frame vents. Check this in your quote, so the vents do not change the look you want.

Security depends on the locks and hardware, not the style. Ask for multipoint locking, hinge protection on opening windows and laminated glass where you want extra protection. Fixed panes cannot be opened from outside.

Get a Free Crittall-Style Windows Quote in Enfield

Tell us how many windows and doors you want to replace, or send a photo, and we will recommend the right frame and pattern and give a clear price after a free survey.

We cover Enfield, including EN1, EN2, EN3, N9, N13, N14, N18 and N21, and nearby areas such as Barnet, Southgate and Palmers Green. Call, WhatsApp or use the form below.

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