Has anyone restored 1920s/1930s Crittal windows?

[NewHouseNewMe]

Has anyone restored original 1920s/1930s Crittal windows? They're single pane of course but look lovely. But so draughty..
The alternative is to replace like-for-like with double glazed versions but just wondered if anyone had attempted a restoration and what they thought about the end product.

If you grew up with them, as i did, then No, definitely not

And if anyone did just replace like-for-like, was it hideously expensive?

@milveycrohn
Did you have secondary/internal glazing at all?

My parents bought our Victorian House in 1946, (before I was born), but it had bomb damage, for which there was apparently a grant for the repairs. As part of the repairs they had some new windows put in (original kitchen, used as a living room, and original scullery, used as the kitchen). These were the Crittals windows, which were new when they had them put in.
The metal frames and single glazing caused lots of condensation, which ran down the glass.
All the other windows in the house were the original Victorian sash windows, which were (in my opinion) better.
When I married, our first house, a 1930s semi, also had Crittals windows, which we replaced with modern double glazing. To be honest, I did not really like the modern double glazing, which I thought was out of keeping with the 1930s house, but it kept the house warm.
We did not have secondary glazing, so this may be the best option for you.

That's really interesting @milveycrohn ! Sounds like an interesting house.

The house currently has secondary glazing in places but it affects the light.. I think I'll bite the bullet and replace with the modern crittal.

Check with your planning dept re building regs. before you start window shopping (literally)!

I’m doing a new build and want steel French doors, windows and fixed panels.

• Part Q - PAS 24 = security
• Part K - toughened / laminated glass = to stop you falling through. & the 800mm above floor rule.

I thought I had my steels sorted before lockdown. Only a chance Q by my architect brought this to light. My window company didn’t tell me they don’t meet the regs.

Some companies aren’t compliant. So you need to check what build regs your replacements will need to comply with.

I’m finding some companies are using multi point lock handles to comply which makes the frames thicker, no lock boxes and the handles are a bit blah. Not the look I was going for.

I’m looking at aluminium Crittall-style doors and windows for our 1920s semi, rather than steel. The quotes so far are a lot less. (c£6k vs c£10k inc installation and VAT) Might be an option for you?

We have a couple. The intention is to keep them as they are in excellent condition (and not at all draughty) but reglaze with slim double glazed units.

@MsShopper please could you share who your supplier is? I'm currently debating what kind of doors to get at the back of our house, and aluminium Crittal-style are in the running.

Ours aren't draughty (do yours not fit in the frames properly?) but they are cold - as you said, single glazing and the metal frames don't help.

Years ago we made a vague enquiry about the cost of replacing the kitchen door (double patio doors) with a modern Crittal replacement and the cost was £4k not including installation. At the time I read that double-glazed Crittals didn't have as good thermal efficiency as other types of double glazing but I don't know if that has changed.

Also read (again years ago so might have changed) that aluminium frames aren't as strong as steel and that made them less secure (presumably from burglars prising them open). But current aluminium frames may have overcome that now.

HBGKC I’m at the early planning stages of our extension so have only had one aluminium (and one Crittall) quote so far. The aluminium quote was from these guys: alucoaluminium.com

That information is so interesting @AuntyFungal. I never even heard of those regulations so have been googling following your post. It really isn't widely advertised.

Thanks MsShopper 👍