To Skies That Knit Their Heartstrings Right

A Shropshire home with views of the sky and gardens has been both preserved and enhanced to the delight of its owners. It has been named Crittall House of the Year 2026.

The family home was built about 65 years ago. It was designed by its first owner to have the character and appearance of a much older property. That sense of history was one of the reasons homeowners Alison and Stu were drawn to the house when they moved in 21 years ago.

Garden at heart

What began as a project to create a larger utility room and boot room grew into a much wider transformation. 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 family life.

Steel retained

Crittall steel glazing was central to the transformation. The house had originally featured single-glazed Crittall windows. The homeowners chose to retain genuine Crittall steel when replacing them with contemporary glazing. As the project developed, Crittall was also introduced into the existing oak-framed extension, creating greater consistency between the different parts of the property.

“I’ve always admired Crittall windows and doors, compared to aluminium alternatives,” said Alison. “The thinner profiles can’t be matched, while they will look remarkable for many years to come.”

More light

Finished in black, Crittall windows and doors now feature throughout the home, bringing more natural light into the main living spaces and creating a stronger visual and physical connection with the garden.

The homeowners have retained a separate snug, providing a more intimate space away from the open-plan kitchen and living areas.

Flow between spaces

The project was completed by Crittall specialist partner Three Spires Glass, working alongside architect Victoria Biggin at VB Architecture, builder Ian Elwood and the wider project team.

“What really stood out to us was how naturally the Crittall steelwork sits within this home,” said Russell Ager, the managing director of Crittall Windows. “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.”

Now in its seventh year, the Crittall House of the Year Awards are open exclusively to Crittall’s specialist partner network. Entries are judged on installation quality, architectural integration and the creative use of Crittall products in residential settings.

Picture: The Shropshire family home.

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