Europe · Window Manufacturer
Crittall Windows
🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Last reviewed by Justin Orloff
Quick Facts
founded
1889
hq
Witham, Essex, UK
primaryMaterials
Steel profiles - hot-rolled and cold-rolled. Galvanised and powder-coated.
glazingPartner
Single-pane traditional and modern double-glazed inserts
marketTier
Heritage Premium
Brand at a Glance
- Country: United Kingdom
- HQ: Witham, Essex
- Founded: 1889
- Material: Steel - hot-rolled and cold-rolled profiles
- Frame width: From 20mm - narrowest sightlines in the market
- Market: Listed buildings, Art Deco, factory conversions, contemporary minimalist
- Climate context: UK - damp, salt air, heritage context, corrosion risk
Product Range
- W20 system
- Homelight range
- Architect range
- Conservation range
Why This System
Steel corrodes. This is the defining cleaning consideration that separates Crittall from every other window type. Any cleaning product that is acidic - even mildly acidic glass cleaners - can cause oxidation at the steel surface if it contacts bare or paint-degraded steel. Once corrosion starts on a Crittall frame, it requires professional treatment to stop. The iconic 20mm sightlines on Crittall windows are architectural details that define the character of a building - on listed properties, they are legally protected. Physical damage, chemical staining, or corrosion caused by improper cleaning can trigger heritage enforcement issues and significant remediation costs. Crittall windows in heritage applications are often single-glazed - the glass is held in putty glazing rather than a rubber gasket. Putty glazing requires different edge-detail technique from rubber-gasketed modern windows. Modern Crittall systems (Architect range, thermally broken conservation) are powder-coated and behave more like aluminium in terms of surface care. Older Crittall windows may be painted steel or galvanised steel - the surface condition varies significantly.
Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations
Official Care Guidance
Step 2 of 2: The Orloffs Protocol
The Orloffs Protocol
This is how I clean Crittall Windows windows. The tools and technique below come from 25 years of daily professional work on the glass. Every step has been tested on real installations and adapted specifically for Crittall Windows systems.
Pro Tools
My daily tool list. This is what I carry to every job.
Pro Tips
- Before the first clean of any Crittall window, run a damp finger along the frame face and check for rust transfer onto your finger - this tells you immediately whether the surface protection layer has failed
- On Crittall windows with small pane geometries (typical of W20 heritage systems), use a small squeegee channel 25 to 30cm - a wide channel cannot be controlled within the narrow pane dimensions
- Always work with less solution on Crittall than on aluminium or uPVC - a dryer application means less cleaning solution running off onto the frame face
What NOT To Do
- CRITICAL: Do not use any acidic glass cleaner, vinegar solution, or citrus-acid product near Crittall steel frames - causes immediate surface corrosion
- Do not use alkaline cleaning products on powder-coated modern Crittall systems
- Do not allow water to sit on unpainted or paint-degraded steel frame sections
- Do not insert tools into old putty glazing joints
- Do not attempt to remove rust from Crittall frames - document and refer to heritage specialist
- Do not pressure wash Crittall windows - pressure forcing water into putty joints causes putty failure and water ingress
Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations
Bundle Kit
Tool Recommendations
Strictly pH-neutral glass cleaning solution - check pH before use on Crittall
View on Amazon [coming soon]Microfibre T-bar applicator with controlled solution volume
View on Amazon [coming soon]Professional squeegee with clean rubber - controlled stroke ending before the frame
View on Amazon [coming soon]Cleaning Frequency
Clean every 4–8 weeks depending on environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Field Notes
“Crittall windows in coastal UK locations face compounded risk - salt air is corrosive to steel and the frequent rain that characterises coastal UK keeps the steel surface wet between cleans. Inspect frame condition at every visit. Art Deco commercial buildings with Crittall windows in UK city centres often have 80 to 100 year old frames. The surface protection on these frames is compromised in many cases - treat every such window as potentially bare steel until you have confirmed the frame condition. Modern Crittall Architect range systems in contemporary homes are thermally broken and powder-coated - clean these as you would any quality powder-coated aluminium frame. The risk profile is lower than heritage steel, but pH-neutral products are still required.”
Justin Orloff
What's next for you?
The Skill
New to window cleaning?
Start with the core techniques before tackling premium systems.
Start Learning →The Standard
Upskill your team
Covers every system, product type, and tricky scenario.
View The Standard →Manufacturer
Partner with Orloffs
Are you Crittall Windows or a similar manufacturer? Let's create official cleaning guidance together.
Get in Touch →