Internal steel glass doors: How to add light and zoning to modern homes
- February 26, 2026
- General
Open-plan living has transformed the way we use our homes. Yet fully open layouts bring their own challenges – noise travelling between rooms, cooking smells drifting through the house and a lack of defined spaces for focused work or quiet downtime.
Internal steel glass doors offer a refined answer. They allow you to zone interior spaces with precision while preserving the natural light flow that makes contemporary homes feel generous and inviting.
At Lightfoot Windows, we supply and install Crittall’s range of internal doors and screens – the original and most respected steel-framed internal glazing system on the market.
In this guide, we explain how these doors work within modern refurbishments and extensions, and outline the design and customisation options available to you.
Why internal steel glass doors suit contemporary homes
The appeal of internal steel glass doors lies in what they achieve simultaneously. They create a clear boundary between rooms – useful for separating a kitchen from a living room or closing off a home office – without blocking sightlines or shutting out daylight.
Research from the Building Research Establishment (BRE) consistently links good access to natural light with improved wellbeing and comfort in residential settings. Internal steel glass doors support this directly. Large glass panels set within slim steel frames allow light to pass freely between zones, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and maintaining a sense of connection across the ground floor or throughout a multi-storey extension.
The clean lines of a Crittall steel frame also bring a distinctive aesthetic appeal. The slim profiles are unmistakably architectural – a look that has proved a popular choice in design-led renovations for more than a century.
Design options for every interior
One of the most important decisions when specifying internal steel glass doors is configuration. The Crittall system offers a wide range of arrangements:
Single doors
Ideal for doorways between a hallway and living room, or for defining a home office within a larger space
Double doors or French doors
Suited to wider openings where you want the option of folding back both leaves to open up the room fully
Fixed side panels and glazed screens
These can be combined with door leaves to fill larger structural openings, creating a full glazed wall with an integrated entrance
Sliding door options
A practical choice where floor space is limited and a swing door would be impractical
Each configuration can be tailored to your specific opening dimensions, ensuring a perfect fit regardless of the proportions of your property.
Customisation options to match your home’s character
Crittall’s range is far from a one-size-fits-all product. There are meaningful customisation options at every stage:
Glazing bar patterns
From simple two-pane arrangements to more intricate grid designs that echo a heritage style or industrial look
Glass options
Clear, satinated, reeded and other decorative glass types, depending on the level of privacy you need
Frame finishes
A selection of polyester powder-coated colours, with black being the most specified for that distinctive industrial style, though other tones are available to complement modern interiors or period schemes
Hardware and handle styles
Chosen to match the overall design language of the door and the room
This level of detail matters. It means that internal steel glass doors can sit just as comfortably in a Georgian townhouse as they do in a new-build extension – offering a contemporary look without feeling out of place.
The practical benefits of internal steel doors
Beyond their visual impact, steel glass doors deliver tangible everyday advantages:
- Natural light flow – large glass panels maintain daylight penetration deep into the plan of your home, keeping rooms bright throughout the day
- Durability – the strength of steel means frames remain stable and true over decades of daily use, standing the test of time far better than timber or aluminium alternatives
- Minimal maintenance – Crittall’s galvanised and powder-coated finish is designed for minimal upkeep, requiring only occasional cleaning
- Acoustic separation – when closed, glazed doors provide a meaningful reduction in noise transfer between rooms, a top priority for families and those working from home
Are internal steel glass doors an ideal choice for period properties?
Absolutely. The slender sightlines and restrained detailing of Crittall steel frames are sympathetic to period architecture. Many conservation officers and heritage consultants regard them as an excellent choice for listed buildings and older homes where proportion and materiality are carefully considered.
How Lightfoot Windows can help
We have extensive experience specifying and installing Crittall internal doors and screens across a wide range of residential projects – from Victorian terrace renovations to contemporary new-build homes. Our process begins with a detailed consultation where we discuss your design intentions, survey the openings and advise on the most appropriate configuration and finish.
As an approved Crittall supplier and installer, we ensure that every element – from initial design through to final commissioning – meets the manufacturer’s standards. That gives you peace of mind that your investment is protected and your doors will perform beautifully for years to come.
Key takeaways
- Internal steel glass doors create defined zones without compromising natural light or sightlines
- Crittall’s range offers single doors, double doors, sliding options and fixed screen combinations
- Customisation covers glazing patterns, glass types, frame colours and hardware
- Steel frames deliver a perfect balance of sleek design, durability and low maintenance
- The system suits period properties, modern homes and extensions equally well
If you are planning a renovation or extension and want to explore how internal steel glass doors could work within your home, contact Lightfoot Windows to arrange a consultation. We are here to help you make confident, well-informed decisions from the earliest planning stages.