Industrial Steel Look Heritage Doors
Industrial heritage doors have gained significant popularity in recent years, as more homeowners embrace the industrial-style aesthetic. These doors feature slim metal frames, grid-like panels, and monochrome colours that are instantly recognisable as iconic mid-century design elements. They harmonise well with contemporary architecture and modern interiors.
Whilst often described as Crittall-style doors, it is important to note that Crittall is a registered trademark and Joshua James Ltd does not sell Crittall Windows Ltd. products, which are quite different to our own. Our Cross Bar doors can be produced in various configurations such as fixed screens, single doors, double doors and sliding doors, with each set being bespoke made to suit the property it is housed within. Our InoCross20 doors provide an ultra-slim, minimalistic look to any home.
What Are Heritage Steel-Look Doors?
In the mid-1880s, Francis Henry Crittall pioneered the manufacturing of windows with steel frames in Essex, England. Alongside timber windows and doors, steel windows found use in both commercial and residential buildings before the introduction of modern materials like uPVC.
These steel-framed windows and doors were characterised by their distinctive grid-like frames, often painted in black or white. Their popularity soared in the early to mid-1900s, with many architects choosing them to complement industrial-style designs.
Even today, some buildings still proudly display their original 20th-century Crittall® windows or doors, especially those constructed in Art Deco or mid-century styles. As a result, Crittall doors are commonly referred to as heritage-style doors, industrial-style doors, or Crittall-style doors. While Crittall Windows Ltd. holds the registered trademark "Crittall”, the term Crittall style has become increasingly popular to describe steel windows and doors. At Joshua James Ltd, we do not sell Crittall-manufactured products, and we refrain from labelling our doors as "Crittall doors," despite the widespread industry and media use of the term to describe a general design style.
Thankfully, there are now alternative ways to achieve the sought-after heritage-style industrial look without the need for bulky and heavy-framed doors. Modern manufacturers can produce industrial-style doors with slim profiles and grid designs that maximise the glass area. These doors possess slim frames and mid-century style while being significantly easier to maintain.
Architects or designers may have chosen Crittall doors purely because of their aesthetic appearance. However, with today’s modern manufacturing methods, you do not have to compromise on safety or energy efficiency. Modern alternative doors have incorporated all the practicality of contemporary glazed doors, without losing the iconic design of a heritage-style door.
Why Choose Our Cross Bar Doors?
Practicality - while both timber and traditional steel doors need constant maintenance, our Cross Bar Steel Doors are built to withstand the test of time,
Strength - there are many aluminium alternatives available, however with steel being naturally three times stronger and more durable it makes no sense to compromise. While uPVC or timber can expand or contract over time in different temperatures, steel is consistently stable.
Design - our Cross Bar doors can be fabricated with as many or as few bars as desired making them the perfect choice for anyone looking for totally bespoke doors. While most aluminium alternatives use stick-on bars to create the heritage style, our Cross Bar Doors feature bars which are welded onto the bead, improving the overall aesthetic and durability of the doors. Each pane can be made as small or big as desired, offering truly unlimited design possibilities.
Efficiency - internal doors can have a significant impact on the overall energy efficiency of a home. Our steel frame Cross Bar Doors do a phenomenal job at providing added installation within a home without compromising to thick thermally broken aluminium frames originally designed for external use.
Design - our Cross Bar Doors give off a much more contemporary and modern look than classic timber doors or thicker uPVC and aluminium frames. They can be produced in almost any RAL colour, to match the style and colour scheme of any property.
Our Industrial-Style Heritage Range
Joshua James Ltd offers a wide range of Internal Steel Glazed Cross Bar Doors which are made bespoke to suit the interior of the property they are produced for. We fabricated our Cross Bar Doors come in hinged, sliding and bi-folding configurations and have the capability to make extra adaptations to ensure that the doors meet both the practical and aesthetic requirements of each project.
