Replacement Crittall Windows For Local Planning Authorities

Planning authorities with buildings that have art-deco crittall windows from the 1930's would ideally like their residents to replace their crittall windows with new steel crittall windows. Windows in these blocks are now nearing the point where repair work is no longer viable and so a suitable replacement window solution needs to be found.

Of course there is a double glazed steel crittall window on the market but when it comes to a block of flats planning authorities are starting to recognise that the majority of flat owners cannot afford to put new Steel crittall windows in. The few that could possibly afford it cannot justify economically spending the money on steel crittall windows knowing that it is a poor investment as they will never recoup the cost and typically the new windows do not solve the condensation issues that their old single glazed crittall windows suffered with.

An affordable crittall replacement window that looks close to the original look, while being environmentally friendly in terms of heat loss, condensation and security is required. Until recently the aluminium windows on the market have not satisfied these criteria.

However the Duration Heritage Aluminium Crittall Replacement Window does, as it looks very similar to the original crittall windows. It has butt hinges, Georgian astragal bars, modern secure and sleek locks, a thermal break and with glass technology allows a ‘U'-value of less than 1.6 to be easily achieved.

Local authorities in Letchworth, Westminster have already accepted this product in recent planning applications.

In Blackheath, the Blackheath Conservation Society is enthusiastic about the prospect of You Choose implementing this window into a large block at the entrance to the village, a landmark feature, which has original crittall windows.

One of the great benefits to this window is that it blends in well with the originals, so even if all the residents in a block do not change their windows straightaway, at least the look of the building is preserved. At Emerson Court in Wimbledon, You Choose won the contract to install these windows in a block of 32 flats in 2010. Our contract has been renewed for 2011 and we have already installed windows and French doors in half of the flats.

Local Planning Authorities are starting to appreciate the importance of the installation of crittall replacement windows within a block of flats, now recognising that they can preserve the art deco look. The crittall replacement windows also give the added benefit of a product that is less than half the cost of steel crittall windows, yet gives additional peace of mind to residents; knowing that they are installing a product that replicates the original design but has the benefits of a modern window system. Replacement crittall windows are superior not just in terms of security, they also offer sheek modern locks, butt hinges, externally mounted astragal bars, a colour match, significantly reduced condensation and a ‘U' value <1.6: satisfying the new building regulations. Residents are also pleased in knowing that their heating bills will reduce, and that they will be able to recoup their costs when they come to sell their flat.

In summary, local planning authorities are starting to accept this product as a viable way to solve the problem of replacing their art-deco crittall windows with a product that looks good, is affordable and is environmentally friendly.

1 February 2011 | More Articles