The Crittall House of the Year (CHOTY) awards celebrate our commitment to excellence by recognising the most exceptional uses of steel-framed products in UK residential architecture. This year, the award was secured by a breathtaking modern renovation in South Yorkshire.

Bringing a Sheffield home to life with iconic steel windows

Homeowners Katie and Andy moved into a contemporary house in Sheffield and were immediately drawn to the property’s potential, particularly its generous open-plan layout, panoramic views, exposed brickwork, and ample space for their art collection. Despite these appealing features, the house felt subtly unfinished, lacking a defining architectural element that could unify the space and elevate its modern character. The solution presented itself during a stay at the Soho Hotel in London, where the couple fell in love with Crittall glazing. They particularly liked how the slim, elegant steel frames flooded the space with natural light while adding a distinctive and sophisticated industrial edge.

Homeowner Katie commented: “We were blown away by Crittall’s steel windows and realised that was what our house was missing. They gave the space presence and personality.”

KJA Services, a specialist partner renowned for its reliability and precision, worked on this installation for Katie and Andy.

The initial plan for the renovation was fairly modest, focusing only on a few feature windows in the main living areas. However, as soon as the installation began, the unmistakable impact of the steel glazing transformed the project’s scope, as Katie explains.

“After half a day of the installers being there, we realised we wanted the whole house done, it just made such a difference. The more we saw it coming together, the more we knew it was the right decision.”

The final design saw external steel-framed windows and doors installed throughout the property including a bespoke internal steel shower screen – all of which were specified in the RAL 7021 Black Grey finish.

For Katie and Andy, the transformation has resulted in a home that truly reflected their vision as Katie shares: “It’s made the house feel special. The windows are always the first thing visitors comment on. We think it’s the best investment we made during the renovation.”

Why the project earned house of the year

This project was crowned the winner after successfully adding character and definition to a previously understated home. Key factors in the win included the clean, expert installation delivered by KJA services, the overall consistency of finish across the entire property and the homeowners’ vision to full embrace the steel aesthetic throughout their whole house – creating a cohesive and stunning final result.

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