Crittall Manufacturing Co Ltd, Braintree, Essex, UK - "Positively Rustproofed standard windows", 1956
The Crittall ManufacturingComapny Limited, of Braintree in Esses, are probably best known for the now almost generic terms for steel windows that prevails as in "Crittall Windows". It is fair to recall that many other manufacturers fabricated such glazing units (such as Hope's with whom they were to merge in 1965 to form Crittall Hope.) Crittall's also made a wide range of fabricated metalwork, such as metal staircases, having been founded in 1887 in Braintree. They were early manufacturers of steel window frames but it was to be in the late '20s and 1930s in particular that the production of such really soared thanks to their use in the modern architecture of the period. They can certainly be seen in the company's own housing estate at Silver End in Essex.
The catalogue dates from 1956 and is, for Crittall, oddly dated in appearance as they had a long standing reputation for the design of their publicity. It is however very 1950s in feel. It is promoting their "standard" windows - the production of standard dimension glazing units was important across the whole industry so as to ensure that builders were not tied to one product or specification. Rustproof depended on the quality of the zinc galvanising - and then upon the painting of them! I know of many units that had been overpainted so much they wouldn't close and some steel windows were devils for warping, let alone on single glazed units the issue of cold and condensation.
Crittall Manufacturing Co Ltd, Braintree, Essex, UK - "Positively Rustproofed standard windows", 1956
The Crittall ManufacturingComapny Limited, of Braintree in Esses, are probably best known for the now almost generic terms for steel windows that prevails as in "Crittall Windows". It is fair to recall that many other manufacturers fabricated such glazing units (such as Hope's with whom they were to merge in 1965 to form Crittall Hope.) Crittall's also made a wide range of fabricated metalwork, such as metal staircases, having been founded in 1887 in Braintree. They were early manufacturers of steel window frames but it was to be in the late '20s and 1930s in particular that the production of such really soared thanks to their use in the modern architecture of the period. They can certainly be seen in the company's own housing estate at Silver End in Essex.
The catalogue dates from 1956 and is, for Crittall, oddly dated in appearance as they had a long standing reputation for the design of their publicity. It is however very 1950s in feel. It is promoting their "standard" windows - the production of standard dimension glazing units was important across the whole industry so as to ensure that builders were not tied to one product or specification. Rustproof depended on the quality of the zinc galvanising - and then upon the painting of them! I know of many units that had been overpainted so much they wouldn't close and some steel windows were devils for warping, let alone on single glazed units the issue of cold and condensation.