This project, executed by our specialist reseller Lightfoot Windows, focused on a listed property in Mid Sussex with a structural history dating back to the 14th century.

The property, located on a busy high street, had many alterations over the years, obscuring the original features and negatively impacting its architectural character. The homeowners’ vision was to undertake a complete restoration, stripping the building back, reconfiguring the internal space and adding a contemporary light-filled extension to create their forever home.

A careful approach to a listed property

From the initial planning stages, the owners were committed to using Crittall steel throughout the property. This decision was made based on the need to invest in technically sound products that effortlessly tied together the different architectural elements – the ancient stone and timber of the historic building with the sleek minimal design of the new steel additions. This is where the real challenge lied, integrating these structures in such a way that the extension avoided feeling like a ‘bolt-on’ to this 14th century property.

Custom steel specification and colour

The final project featured an impressive display of Crittall’s product versatility, incorporating eight steel units in total. This included external Corporate W20® windows and doors delivering outstanding security and natural light entry, along with fire-rated screens and Innervision® partitions used internally to define interior space while maintaining visual connection and light flow.

The real masterpiece of the entire installation is a dramatic 4.5metre high screen, at the rear of the property, which maximises natural light in the home’s extension.

Rather than choosing a standard finish for the steel, the owners selected a custom brown (RAL 8080) to soften the overall aesthetic and to ensure the windows and doors complemented the building’s traditional colour palette.

Seamless integration and unmatched quality

The project’s success truly lies in its subtlety. The clean lines and meticulous detail of the steel sit comfortably within the historic structure, restoring a renewed sense of balance and coherence to the property.

The owners shared their delight with the project stating: “This steel glazing has helped us to easily achieve our original design goal by linking all architectural elements together. The glazing avoids making the new extension feel disconnected from the rest of the house. Instead, our home feel whole, with light flowing beautifully through the centuries old and brand new spaces alike.”

Why this project was a Crittall House of the Year runner up

The judges recognised this restoration as an elegant solution to the challenge of marrying old and new construction with architectural design. The use of multiple Crittall Windows’ systems – from internal partitions to the spectacular 4.5m screen – all tied together by the custom brown, demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the product’s aesthetic and technical capabilities. It’s a powerful example of how Crittall steel windows and doors are not just replacement products but key architectural components capable of bringing light, flow and modern functionality to the most historic of homes.