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GalleryPreserving character, transforming family life: Welcome to the Crittall House of the Year 2026
- 1 October 2026
- News
A family home in Shropshire has been named Crittall House of the Year 2026, following a renovation that has opened its living spaces, brought more natural light into the heart of the house and strengthened its relationship with the garden.
Completed by Crittall specialist partner Three Spires Glass, the project impressed the judges with the way genuine Crittall steel glazing has been used to respect the character of an established home while adapting it for contemporary family life.
The project
Built around 65 years ago, the property was designed by its first owner to have the character and appearance of a much older house. That sense of history was one of the reasons Alison and Stu were drawn to the property when they moved in 21 years ago and it remained central to their plans as the house evolved.
What began as a project to create a larger utility room and boot room developed into a much wider renovation. The kitchen was replaced, the ground-floor layout was reworked and previously separate spaces were opened up, bringing the garden-facing areas into the heart of the home.
Crittall steel glazing became a defining element of the transformation. The house already had original single-glazed Crittall windows, so when the time came to replace them, Alison and Stu chose to retain genuine steel rather than move to aluminium alternatives. The new Crittall windows and doors combine contemporary glazing performance with a material and aesthetic connection to the original house.
“I’ve always admired Crittall windows and doors, compared to aluminium alternatives,” explains Alison. “The thinner profiles are truly unique and can’t be matched, while the timeless aesthetic will look remarkable for many years to come.”
Finished in black, Crittall glazing now features throughout the property. It brings more natural light into the main living spaces and strengthens the relationship between the kitchen, adjoining rooms and garden. The homeowners have retained a separate snug, providing a more intimate space away from the larger kitchen and living areas.
Blending steel and oak
- Partner: Three Spires
One of the most interesting aspects of the project is the introduction of Crittall into an existing oak-framed extension. This was not part of the original plans, but Alison asked Three Spires Glass to explore how Crittall could work within the structure. The result brings the different parts of the house together, with the slender steel profiles sitting comfortably alongside the oak, brickwork and traditional character of the property.
The impact can be seen in the way the family now uses the house. The oak-framed room and garden-facing areas were previously somewhat separate from the principal living space. Following the renovation, the kitchen, living areas and garden have become much more closely integrated, creating a natural gathering point for family life. On warmer days, the doors can be opened directly onto the garden, extending the living space outdoors.
Why the project stood out
For Russell Ager, Managing Director of Crittall Windows, this balance between continuity and transformation was central to the project’s success.
“What really stood out to us was how naturally the Crittall steelwork sits within this home,” he said. “Staying with the genuine article gives the renovation continuity, while the slim profiles work well with the oak, brickwork and overall design.
“Using Crittall throughout creates a lovely flow between the different spaces, particularly the kitchen, living areas and garden. It’s a home that feels cohesive and considered, while retaining the character that made it special in the first place. Three Spires Glass has played an important role in achieving that.”
Worthy runners-up
The Shropshire project was one of three finalists in this year’s Crittall House of the Year Awards. Metwin’s St Albans self-build took a very different architectural direction, drawing on the city’s Roman heritage while using Crittall extensively across its principal living spaces, staircase and internal areas.
In Reigate, meanwhile, Lightfoot Windows installed Crittall doors in a pair of new family homes inspired by the Arts and Crafts tradition. Bronze was chosen for one property and black for the other, giving the neighbouring homes their own identities.
Across all three projects, Crittall steel has been used as an integral part of the architecture rather than added as an afterthought. In Shropshire, it has allowed Alison and Stu to preserve the character that drew them to the house while creating a more open, light-filled home connected to the garden.
The result is a renovation that feels considered from every angle, with the original character of the property intact and its spaces transformed for contemporary family life.
Considering Crittall for your own project? Explore the range of steel windows, doors and internal glazing from Crittall Windows, or speak to the team about your requirements.
