How Crittall Windows is shaping a sustainable future with steel

For almost 200 years, Crittall Windows has been synonymous with quality steel windows and doors. Today, the company is not only preserving its legacy but also pioneering sustainability to align with the UK’s ambitious net-zero goals. 

The leading steel window and door manufacturer’s commitment to sustainability begins with its products, their incredible longevity and unbeatable strength, as Russell Ager, MD of Crittall Windows, explains. 

“Our steel windows and doors are designed and fabricated to the highest quality which means they withstand the test of time and last in excess of 60 years. This incredible lifespan significantly reduces the need for replacement products, minimising unnecessary waste and conserving resources.” 

Steel is a sustainable building material 

Steel is at the heart of Crittall Windows’s operations and although it’s often overlooked it is an outstanding green choice. 

“Steel is 100% recyclable,” explains Russell.  

“Plus, it can be recycled indefinitely without weaking its properties and negatively impacting its performance. This makes steel an incredibly environmentally friendly option as it reduces the demand for raw materials and energy intensive production processes.” 

While the longevity and recyclability of steel windows and doors is impressive, their energy efficiency is another important consideration which shouldn’t be forgotten. In fact, the company’s modern steel windows and doors have been specially designed to achieve impressively low U-values as Russell highlights. 

“Our specialist team is constantly working to improve and evolve our steel windows and doors so that they deliver outstanding results,” he comments. 

“In fact, our latest range of steel windows can achieve U-values as low as 1.4W/m2K. This level of thermal efficiency helps to successfully retain heat within a building, leading to lower energy consumption and consequently reduced carbon emissions.” 

The impressive narrow sightlines of steel windows and doors manufactured by Crittall Windows also contribute to their overall energy efficiency and thermal performance. With a greater glass-to-frame ratio, the products allow for higher levels of solar gain, helping to naturally heat spaces and reduce the reliance on traditional heating systems. 

Sustainable manufacturing 

Crittall Windows’ ongoing commitment to sustainability extends beyond the products it manufactures to how it operates at its headquarters in Essex. Not only has the team invested heavily in state-of-the-art CNC machinery to enhance its manufacturing process, but Crittall has also installed solar panels and LED lighting at its main facilities. It has even upgraded its fleet to a range of battery and electric hybrid vehicles to help dramatically reduce the amount of carbon emissions being omitted as a result of their activity. 

What’s more, to help reduce both their carbon and energy output as a UK manufacturer, Crittall Windows has also commissioned a team of environmental consultants to analyse and audit their existing operations. Using this intel, the experts provide a benchmark and recommend a series of targets so progress can be tracked and the impact of the total energy reduction can be measured.  

A sustainable future in construction 

By leveraging the sustainability of steel, maximising the energy efficiency of its windows and doors as well as reducing energy consumption in manufacturing by introducing more energy efficient machines, equipment and workflows, Crittall Windows is not just preserving its heritage, it is actively forging a path towards a more sustainable future. 

As the UK creeps closer to the implementation of the Future Homes Standard and a net-zero future, it’s more important than ever that key players in the industry embrace sustainability to successfully shape the modern construction landscape. Although it may seem impossible, the work that Crittall has done shows how traditional craftmanship, modern manufacturing and sustainability practices go hand in hand. 

Since 1849, Crittall Windows has been manufacturing quality steel windows and doors which have been installed in incredible buildings across the world.

To explore the full range of high-performing solutions, visit our website.