When a retired couple purchased a partly 14th-century listed property on a bustling Mid Sussex high street, they saw beyond its neglected state to imagine their forever home. Years of unsympathetic alterations had disrupted the building’s natural flow and hidden its original character. Their goal was to strip the property back to its historic core, preserve authentic features, and reimagine the layout to bring light, space and style.
From the outset, the homeowners knew exactly how they wanted to achieve visual harmony between old and new. “We always knew we wanted Crittall,” they explain. “If budget allows, there’s really no comparison.”
The transformation included eight individual Crittall units strategically positioned throughout the home. External W20 steel windows and doors were installed alongside internal InnerVision partitions and fire-rated screens, creating a cohesive language of slender steel frames and generous glazing. The showstopping centrepiece is a dramatic 4.5-metre-high raked external screen that floods the new extension with natural light.
Lightfoot Windows, as Crittall Specialist Partners, worked closely with the homeowners to specify and install every unit. The consistent RAL 8080 finish across all frames provides visual continuity, linking the traditional front elevation with the contemporary rear addition. “The steel glazing helps the new part of the home feel connected to the old – it doesn’t feel like a bolt-on,” the homeowners note.
Before committing to Crittall, the homeowners thoroughly researched alternative suppliers. However, their comparisons only reinforced their initial instinct. “The difference in finishing quality was night and day,” they recall. Crittall’s refined detailing and precise joinery offered a level of sophistication that competitors simply couldn’t match. Lightfoot Windows was also able to offer colour-matched sealant for a beautifully cohesive aesthetic.
Beyond aesthetics, the practical benefits have transformed how the couple use their home. The slender sightlines maximise daylight without overwhelming the period architecture. “It’s given us all the light we were missing – and we now use every room,” they confirm.
The completed project stands as testament to thoughtful renovation that honours history whilst embracing modern living. Alongside their Crittall installation, the homeowners collaborated with carefully selected specialists: Inglis Hall designed their bespoke kitchen, Cuckfield Bathrooms created luxurious bathing spaces, and West Sussex Antique Timber supplied characterful flooring.
For the homeowners, the investment in authentic Crittall products through Lightfoot Windows proved instrumental in achieving their vision. As they settle into their forever home, the couple can enjoy both the building’s remarkable heritage and the bright, open living environment they’ve created within it.
Crittall Specialist Partner / Installer: Lightfoot Windows
Kitchen: Inglis Hall
Bathrooms: Cuckfield Bathrooms
Flooring: West Sussex Antique Timber