Crittall vs ArtSteel: Finding the Best Internal Door for Your Space

Crittall-style doors represent a prestigious design legacy that began in the 19th century in Essex, England. These iconic steel-framed doors and windows have enhanced everything from post-war housing to landmark buildings like the BBC Broadcasting House.

The market also offers budget-friendly steel doors with stepped details in their profiles that create the distinctive slim-line aesthetic people love. They may not be direct “Crittall replacements,” but they make the same visual effect at a lower cost. This piece compares Crittall doors with ArtSteel’s quality alternatives to help you choose a solution that balances style, performance, and budget.

Craftsmanship and Build Quality in Crittall Style Doors

Premium and standard industry-style doors show their actual differences in how they’re made. Let’s look at what makes their craftsmanship unique.

Manufacturing Process: Handcrafted vs Mass-Produced

Crittall doors are made from premium-grade steel and undergo strict quality checks from the outset. State-of-the-art machinery shapes and fabricates each part with precision. 

ArtSteel doors follow a unique process in which skilled artisans handshape every detail. Each piece reflects their craftsmanship and attention to perfection, not the output of automated production lines. Choosing ArtSteel means embracing the quality, character, and personal touch of actual handcrafted work.

Material Origin: Swiss-Made Profiles vs Generic Systems

ArtSteel doors use Swiss-made profiles built to exceptional engineering standards. How long doors last is primarily determined by the quality of the materials used; stronger and more attractive doors are made of high-grade steel. Steel’s impressive modulus of elasticity (210 kN/mm²) gives it an edge in stability and lifespan.

Welding and Finishing: Seamless Joints vs Visible Seams

High-end steel doors use MIG or LASER welding to join steel perfectly without gaps. ArtSteel doors exhibit perfect geometry with no visible welds. Mass-produced doors often rush this process, leaving visible seams. The real difference shows in the details: handcrafted doors have clean lines and exact connections that machines can’t match.

Powder Coating: Durability and Scratch Resistance

Powder coating creates a tougher finish than regular paint. The process uses electrostatic technology to spray paint powder on steel profiles before heating them in an oven. A thick, durable layer forms that resists wear and impact, making it perfect for doors that see daily use. The coating also protects against weather, UV rays, and rust. The process helps the environment too, with less waste than regular paint.

Design and Customisation Options for Internal Doors

Steel doors stand out with their robust construction and endless customisation options. Crittall and ArtSteel give you plenty of choices, though they differ in how flexible they are and how they execute the work.

Custom Dimensions and Divisions

Crittall delivers made-to-measure solutions that have proven their worth in homes and commercial spaces. Their custom approach lets you specify exact sizes and performance needs. ArtSteel also excels at made-to-measure production that adapts to any interior and door opening. They work with non-standard dimensions without limits. Both systems feature slim profiles that create elegant lines, maximising glass area. ArtSteel takes pride in its Swiss-manufactured profiles, which ensure precision in its custom work.

Glass Variants: Transparent, Smoked, Grooved, Frosted

The glass you choose can transform your steel door’s look and function. Here are some options:

• Clear glass: Creates unobstructed views between rooms that make spaces feel bigger and more connected
• Frosted glass: Adds a soft, translucent effect that gives privacy while letting light through
• Reeded/fluted glass: Lets light flow freely and adds privacy through subtle distortion
• Smoked glass: Brings a sophisticated, moody aesthetic

Both Crittal and ArtSteel provide tempered or laminated safety glass. They also offer specialised glazing that improves thermal performance and reduces noise.

Hardware and Accessories: Handles, Locks, Thresholds

Crittall’s hardware line includes lever handles for hinged doors and special components for sliding systems. Their Berkeley-style spring-loaded lever set adds subtle elegance with a concealed fixed rose. External doors can include security hardware and multipoint locking. ArtSteel matches this with its detailed hardware options. They offer handles, locks, and threshold strips with seals that complement their steel-profile aesthetic.

Opening Types: Hinged, Sliding, Pivot, Built-In Systems

Steel doors come in several configurations:

Sliding doors slide along concealed rails. This design saves space by eliminating the need for a swing area. ArtSteel features self-supporting pocket door systems with hidden top tracks.

Pivot doors turn on a vertical axis fixed to the floor and ceiling. They open both ways – 90° in each direction – creating a modern, minimalist look. These doors can be impressive in size, reaching up to 3 meters in height and 2 meters wide.

Hinged doors work traditionally. They blend familiar operations with steel’s distinctive style.

Both manufacturers offer these options, plus integrated systems such as bi-fold doors and fixed screens, to create complete design solutions.

Fire-Rated Steel Doors with Proven Protection

ArtSteel offers fire-rated steel doors that provide reliable protection and style. Their doors come in EI30, E60, and EI60 ratings, offering up to 60 minutes of fire resistance. Designed for safety and durability, these doors also feature sleek, modern designs that fit perfectly in any space. They meet strict fire safety standards without compromising on quality or appearance.

ArtSteel Competitive Edge: Service and Transparency

Product quality matters, but service excellence creates real value for the satisfied. Let’s get into how ArtSteel handles customer care throughout your project.

Full-Service Model: Design to Installation

A complete approach removes coordination hassles. True service partners take care of everything from the original survey and design to installation and final commissioning. This start-to-finish responsibility will give your industrial steel security door the correct specifications and current building regulations. To keep your door performing at its best, regular preventative maintenance contracts are also available to extend its lifespan and minimise downtime.

Direct Manufacturer Contact: No Middlemen

Manufacturers who work with you directly offer clear benefits. ArtSteel puts you in touch with the actual creators of your doors, the people who design and craft your product. You receive a direct connection that eliminates confusion, supports quality control, and keeps deadlines on track. Yes, it is worth noting that over 10 years of ArtSteel’s industry experience brings expert guidance to your project.

Transparent Quotes and Timelines

ArtSteel gives free, no-obligation quotes to help guide your project. After approval, the doors go to the manufacturer. Sometimes it is possible to speed up the process for urgent needs. You’ll get clear updates throughout—including text or email delivery notices.

UK-Wide Delivery and Installation

ArtSteel delivers and installs projects UK-wide, providing coverage for every order. The team adapts the schedule to fit each customer’s needs and the specifics of the investment. Whatever your project size, ArtSteel guarantees dependable delivery, a seamless installation process, and flexible scheduling that works for you.

Affordability and Long-Term Value

Artsteel offers superior steel doors at a more competitive price than Crittall. Despite lower costs, Artsteel maintains exceptional quality with precise craftsmanship and robust materials. Their doors combine durability and elegant design, matching the high standards expected in premium architectural projects.

The superior thermal performance of quality steel doors reduces monthly expenses by lowering energy bills and carbon emissions. These doors also enhance property value, providing financial benefits beyond utility.

Steel doors require minimal maintenance throughout their lifespan; simple cleaning and occasional lubrication of hardware are sufficient. Alternatives need regular maintenance, refinishing, and potential replacements.

Steel doors become more budget-friendly over time, even with higher upfront costs. The premium quality delivers genuine value when projects prioritise longevity and architectural precision.

Ideal Use Cases and Customer Preferences

Both Crittall and Artsteel offer high-quality internal steel doors with sleek profiles and ample glass for natural light. Crittall doors are celebrated for their heritage craftsmanship, durability through hot-dip galvanising, and classic industrial aesthetics, making them a timeless choice for versatile settings.

Artsteel stands out for its distinctive manufacturing process and superior customisation, enabling tailored designs that suit unique architectural needs. A notable competitive advantage of Artsteel is its budget-friendly pricing, making high-quality, customisable steel doors accessible without compromising design or durability.

While Crittall doors excel in tradition and long-lasting durability, Artsteel’s strength lies in bespoke craftsmanship, which prioritises design and cost-efficiency.

FAQ: Comparison Between Artsteel and Crittall Steel Doors

1. Price and lead times

Artsteel offers significantly lower prices compared to Crittall. Lead times are shorter because Artsteel operates as a craft workshop rather than a large corporation with a long order backlog. They can accommodate urgent orders without sacrificing quality.

2. Style and design

Clients often want something similar to Crittall for its slim profile. Artsteel’s systems also feature slender lines and balanced proportions but present a more modern look with finer details and cleaner finishes.

3. Quality

Despite the lower price, Artsteel doors surprise many with their high-quality craftsmanship. Customers sometimes assume that paying more for Crittall automatically means better quality, but Artsteel matches those standards.

4. Fire resistance

Crittall provides only FD30 fire rating, while Artsteel offers a full range of fire-resistant certifications, ensuring enhanced safety.