The steel and glass aesthetic, made to measure.

Crittall style doors refer to steel and glass doors characterised by slim black steel profiles dividing large glass panes into a geometric grid pattern. The term comes from Crittall Windows Ltd, a British manufacturer established in the 19th century, but has become a widely used generic descriptor for any door or window built in this style — regardless of manufacturer. The aesthetic is defined by the relationship between the steel profile width and the glass area: the slimmer the steel, the larger the glass, the stronger the visual quality. Royal Design Marbella produces crittall style doors made to the exact dimensions of each project, in steel and aluminium, for interior and exterior applications across the Costa del Sol.

Crittall style internal doors are typically made in standard steel profiles with clear toughened glass — the performance requirements are straightforward and the system can be designed for purely aesthetic and dimensional precision. Crittall style external doors on the Costa del Sol need to meet a different set of requirements: certified thermal performance, weather sealing rated for the local climate, and hardware that withstands coastal exposure. For exterior applications we install MHB systems — thermally broken steel, certified to Class 7A water tightness and Class C5 wind load — which deliver the crittall style look with certified exterior performance. Royal Design Marbella manages both interior and exterior systems across Marbella and the surrounding area.

Every crittall style door we produce is made to measure. The height, width, glass pane proportions and grid configuration are all developed from the specific opening — not selected from a standard range and adapted to fit. A crittall style door that is not made to measure almost always shows: the grid pattern sits awkwardly in the frame, the proportions of the glass panes do not relate to the opening, and the overall effect is compromised. Made to measure is not a premium option with us — it is the only way we work.

Crittall style doors are available in all standard door configurations — and the aesthetic works across all of them. Hinged single and double leaf for classic entrance and room door applications. Sliding crittall style doors for openings where a swing arc is not possible. Crittall style bifold doors for full-width openings to a terrace or garden. With or without fixed sidelights or toplights. Each configuration is developed from what the opening and the space require — not from what a catalogue offers. Interior and exterior versions are available, with the appropriate system specified for each application.

Yes — aluminium crittall style doors are available and are the correct specification for certain applications. Steel gives the slimmest profiles and the most precise visual character for interior doors. Aluminium with a thermal break is specified where a wider profile section is acceptable and where thermal performance, weight or specific structural conditions require it. For exterior crittall style doors on the Costa del Sol, MHB's thermally broken steel is the system we specify — it combines the slim profile of steel with the certified performance of an exterior-grade system. We advise on which material is right for each project at the specification stage.

Matte black is by far the most specified finish for crittall style doors — and for good reason. The contrast between the black steel profile and the clear glass is what defines the aesthetic. That said, dark anthracite, brushed steel and bespoke RAL colours are all available for projects where the frame needs to align with a specific material palette. For MHB exterior systems, the full MHB finish range is available including precious metal finishes such as bronze. Finish is confirmed at the specification stage and applied consistently across frame, hardware and fixings throughout the system.

The cost of a crittall style door depends on several variables: configuration (hinged, sliding, bifold), dimensions, whether the application is interior or exterior, glass specification and hardware. An interior single-leaf crittall style door in steel and clear toughened glass is a different scope from a certified exterior bifold system in MHB thermally broken steel. Every proposal we write is specific to the project — we do not work from rate cards or standard pricing. Send us a brief description of the opening, the configuration you have in mind and whether it is interior or exterior, and we will come back with a considered proposal.

Yes — crittall style bifold doors are one of the most requested configurations for villa renovations and new builds on the Costa del Sol. The bifold system clears the full width of the opening when folded back, creating a complete connection between interior and exterior. The crittall style aesthetic — slim black profiles, large glass panels — works particularly well at this scale, where the grid pattern becomes an architectural element of the facade. Panel configuration, hinge load, glass weight and track specification are all developed from the specific dimensions and use requirements of the opening.

Yes — the crittall style aesthetic extends naturally to fixed glazing panels, partitions and screens. A steel-framed partition with a grid pattern uses the same visual language as a crittall style door and works well when a partition and a door need to read as a single system. Fixed crittall style glazing panels alongside a door, or a full-width partition with an integrated crittall style sliding door, are applications we develop regularly. We work from glass partitions to full glazing systems — Royal Glassea, our in-house glazing line, handles these applications alongside our door systems.

The more specific you can be, the faster and more useful our response will be. Ideally: architectural drawings or a dimensioned sketch of the opening, the project location, the configuration you have in mind (hinged, sliding, bifold), whether it is interior or exterior, and a brief description of the design intent. If you have a finish preference or glass type in mind, include it. If you do not have drawings yet, a description of the opening, the project type and what you are trying to achieve is enough to start a useful conversation. We work with private clients, architects and developers across Marbella, Benahavís, Estepona, Sotogrande and the wider Costa del Sol. Send us what you have — we will take it from there.