4 minute read
MEET THE DESIGNER
What makes the owner of a leading supplier and installer of windows, doors, conservatories and garden rooms in Lancashire tick? We speak to John Croft, a fifth generation descendant of Thomas Croft to find out
Croft Complete Homes have an impressive history providing thousands of home improvement projects to its discerning Lancashire customers.
Owner John Croft explains: “In the Croft family, building is in our genes. I always wanted to follow in their footsteps and join the family firm.
“My father read Civil Engineering at the University of Liverpool and worked for Ove Arup before joining Thomas Croft and Sons, and I read Building Management and Technology, at the same university and worked for George Wimpey before joining the family firm. Dating back to 1874 the original company closed in 1996, when I then started the current company having taken on their best employees. We have grown steadily since then, concentrating on quality over price.”
FAMILY VALUES
Family values and traditional craftsmanship are at the heart of the Croft business:
“My stepson Samuel studied Real Estate Management at Oxford Brooks University and joined the firm after graduating in summer 2020. His main focus is currently on all aspects of garden pods.
“My wife Allison graduated in Interior Design from Manchester in 1988 and worked for Building Design Partnership and Stephenson Bell Architects in Manchester. She does all the hand drawings and some of the marketing and is most of the time working in our garden pod at the wonderful Holden Clough Nursery which provides a haven of tranquillity to inspire creativity.”
CROFTMANSHIP
John adds: “Much of my degree involved studying material structures and energy efficiency. This translated naturally into designing and specifying conservatories.
“Early conservatories were simply designed with lightweight polycarbonate roofs. At Crofts from the outset, we preferred glass roofs for their much-improved performance and longevity.
“Over the years, these structures have become far more complex and nuanced so as well as conservatories we do numerous orangeries, garden rooms and garden pods, all with specific specifications to suit the requirements and preferences of different customers.”
LATEST TRENDS
“There has been a clear shift over the past few years towards buildings still using modern high specification materials, but combining the benefits of natural light from the roof glazing with improved insulation from partially solid lightweight roofs, which are fully compliant with current building regulations.
“I love structures with plenty of natural light and I am particularly excited about the current demand for garden pods and their infinite design possibilities and uses. From home gyms, cinemas, playrooms and bars, our customers are never short of ideas for how to utilise the extra space in their gardens with a standalone garden pod.
“There has also been a significant shift towards aluminium, initially for large bi-folding doors but now more for the increasingly popular triple-track and four-section sliding doors and single-door systems we offer as well as contemporary aluminium windows.
“With uPVC windows we have not only seen significant improvements in energy efficiency, but also increasing demand for different colours. At Croft we can now offer over 25 different colour combinations as standard to suit the aesthetics of any home.”
John explains that sliding sash windows and flush sash windows, which look like traditional timber windows, are very popular in conservation and rural areas and Croft still do traditional casement windows and turn and tilt windows, which were the original uPVC windows that Croft introduced from Germany in 1973.
“I am very proud of what we have achieved over the last 28 years, my last original business partner retired in 2018 so it is down to me and Samuel to keep things going for the next 28 years!”
FINE FOOD & FISHING
When asked what John enjoys doing outside of construction projects, he says: “When I can get away from the office I enjoy good food and wine – Allison is a fantastic cook! Rugby –watching not playing these days – all sorts of cars and fishing. I am going to Iceland soon with Samuel and my 85-year-old father, who is still salmon fishing. Fishing is something else that must be in the Croft genes.”
croftconservatories.co.uk
croftgardenbuildings.co.uk
