A loft door from Manufaktur X is a made-to-measure steel-and-glass door in the Crittall style - configured precisely to your opening dimensions, glass preference, and frame colour. Whether you are fitting out a Victorian terrace, an Edwardian semi, a period conversion, or a new-build flat, this guide walks you through every decision you need to make before placing your order - so there are no surprises on delivery.
Loft Door or Room Divider - Which Do You Actually Need?
The two products are often confused, and the distinction matters before you start measuring. A loft door is a functioning door - it has a door leaf, hinges, a handle, a hinge side (left or right), and a magnetic latch. You can order it as a single door, a double door, or a pivot door, and add optional side panels or a transom light above. It opens and closes on demand.
A room divider is something different entirely: a fixed steel-and-glass partition with no moving leaf, no handles, and no hinges. A walk-through opening can be incorporated if needed. If you want to visually separate two areas while keeping the space permanently open - say, a home office bay within a living room - the room divider is the right choice. If you need a door that actually closes, you need the loft door.
Why Made-to-Measure Matters in British Homes
Off-the-shelf interior doors are sized around a handful of standard widths - typically 686 mm, 762 mm, and 838 mm - which rarely match the reality of older British properties. A Victorian terraced house might have a hallway opening of 840 mm at the top and 855 mm at the bottom. A 1930s semi-detached often has non-standard ceiling heights of 2.3 m to 2.4 m rather than the 2.1 m that standard door blanks assume. Period conversions can throw up almost anything.
The most common reason a custom door does not fit is mis-measurement, not a production fault. ManufakturX builds every loft door to the exact dimensions you enter in the configurator. There are no site adjustments, no trimming, and no hidden charges for unusual sizes.
What made-to-measure gives you in practice:
- A precise fit for any opening, including non-standard heights common in period properties
- Complete freedom over glass type, frame colour, bar pattern, and handle style
- Instant, transparent pricing that updates in real time as you configure - no waiting for a quote
- Long-term durability through powder-coated steel and safety glass
Prices start from £945. Delivery charges and lead times are shown at checkout.
Step 1: Taking the Right Measurements
Measure in Three Places - Always Use the Smallest Reading
Structural openings are rarely perfectly square, and this is especially true of pre-1960 British housing stock. Measure both the width and the height of your opening at three points - top, middle, and bottom. In an Edwardian or Victorian property it is not unusual to find a 15-20 mm difference between the top and bottom widths. You enter the smallest reading into the configurator - not the average, not the largest.
From that figure, subtract the installation gap: approximately 5 mm clearance on each side (left, right, and top). As a worked example: if your smallest measured width is 900 mm and your smallest measured height is 2,350 mm, you configure the door at 890 mm x 2,340 mm. In our experience, skipping this clearance step is the single most common cause of a door that will not hang correctly.
Measurement checklist:
- Measure width and height three times each (top, middle, bottom) - use the smallest figure
- Deduct approximately 5 mm per side (left, right, and top) for the installation gap
- Establish the wall construction: solid masonry, stud partition, or a mix
- Note the wall thickness - this is relevant for the frame depth
- Check the floor for any unevenness at the threshold
Hinge Side - This Is Fixed at Production
The hinge side (left or right hand) and the opening angle are locked in during manufacturing. They cannot be changed after the order is confirmed - altering either requires a full remake. Before you finalise the configuration, think it through: which direction should the door swing? Is there sufficient clearance for the arc? Does the swing work with the natural flow of the room? Full guidance on handing is available in our loft door product page.
Step 2: Choosing the Door Type
Hinged Door
The standard hinged door swings in one direction and requires clear floor space for the arc. At a 90-degree opening angle, a door 900 mm wide sweeps through roughly 0.5 m² of floor area. In a narrow hallway or a compact flat, that clearance needs to be factored into the layout before you order.
Pivot Door
A pivot door is supported top and bottom on a central axis and swings in both directions. Once the door leaf exceeds approximately 1,000 mm in width or 60 kg in weight, a pivot mechanism becomes technically superior to conventional hinges - the lever arm on a standard hinge at those dimensions causes the leaf to sag over time. Pivot doors do require a solid floor anchor at the base, which is worth confirming before ordering. They are a particularly striking option in wide Victorian or Edwardian door frames where the original opening has been retained.
Step 3: Selecting the Glass
The configurator offers exactly five glass types:
| Glass Type | Appearance | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Clear glass | Maximum transparency | Open-plan layouts, maximising natural light |
| Frosted glass | Diffused light, visual privacy | Bathroom, bedroom, home office |
| Smoked glass | Lightly tinted, contemporary | Living room, understated industrial look |
| Dark smoked glass | Stronger tint | Maximum privacy with a modern aesthetic |
| Textured glass | Refracts light, partial privacy | Decorative effect, period-style interiors |
ESG or VSG Safety Glass - What Is the Difference?
Both look identical once installed. The difference only matters if the glass is ever broken. ESG (toughened safety glass) shatters into small, blunt fragments. VSG (laminated safety glass) holds together after breakage because a PVB interlayer bonds the panes - the broken glass stays in the frame rather than falling. In our production, VSG panels are specified at a minimum of 6.4 mm total thickness (two 3 mm panes plus interlayer), which also gives a modest acoustic benefit over single-pane ESG.
For floor-to-ceiling doors, rooms with children, or any door with heavy daily use - a busy kitchen-to-dining-room threshold, for instance - VSG is the more sensible choice. Manufaktur X recommends VSG as standard for very large openings.
What the Loft Door Does and Does Not Do Acoustically
A steel-and-glass door will reduce ambient noise noticeably compared with an open doorway, but it will not match the acoustic performance of a solid timber door. If you are trying to isolate a home recording studio or a dedicated media room, a loft door is probably not the right product. For separating a home office from a living room, or a kitchen from a dining area, the attenuation is perfectly adequate for most households. VSG does offer a slight improvement over ESG in this regard.
Step 4: Choosing the Frame Colour
Any RAL Colour - Including Bespoke Shades
The steel frame is powder-coated - a process that bakes the colour into the metal surface under heat, producing a finish that is scratch-resistant, consistent in tone across the entire frame, and far more durable than conventional paint. Any RAL colour is available: simply enter the code in the configurator.
The most popular frame colours among UK customers:
- RAL 9005 Jet Black: The definitive industrial choice - high contrast against white or off-white walls, which are standard in most British new-builds and painted period properties
- RAL 7016 Anthracite Grey: A softer alternative to black, popular in contemporary kitchen extensions and open-plan living spaces
- RAL 9010 Pure White: Works well in Scandi-influenced or minimalist interiors, and in rooms where you want the door to recede rather than make a statement
- RAL 9016 Traffic White: Marginally warmer than pure white, a good match for south-facing rooms where the light is strong
- RAL 7022 Umbra Grey: Warm and earthy, suits natural material palettes and exposed brick walls common in Victorian conversions
- RAL 6005 Moss Green: An increasingly popular choice in Britain as botanical and nature-led interiors gain momentum
A Practical Note on Dark Colours
Dark frames such as RAL 9005 absorb significantly more heat in direct sunlight than pale ones. In a south-facing extension or a room with a large rooflight, RAL 9010 or RAL 9016 may be the more practical option long term. Also worth knowing: on-screen, RAL 9005 and RAL 9011 Graphite Black look almost identical - under natural light in a real room, the difference is clearly visible. Always check your final colour choice against a physical RAL colour fan under the actual lighting conditions of the installation space. Re-coating after fitting is a significant undertaking and best avoided.
Matching the Frame to Your Interior
Before settling on a colour, consider:
- Wall colour and floor finish (engineered oak flooring paired with RAL 9005 is a classic combination)
- Existing window frames and interior doors - consistency reads as intentional design
- Other metal elements in the room: light fittings, tap finishes, cabinet handles
- Room size and natural light - dark frames in a north-facing room can feel heavy
- Room function - a living room can carry a statement colour; a home office benefits from a calmer tone such as anthracite
Step 5: Designing the Bar Pattern
The grid of horizontal and vertical bars - sometimes called muntins or glazing bars - is what gives a loft door its distinctive industrial character. You set the number and layout freely in the configurator:
- Classic even grid: Equal rectangles, timeless and bold - works in almost any setting from a converted warehouse flat to a Victorian kitchen extension
- Minimal single bars: Maximum glass, minimum steel - a cleaner, more contemporary look that suits modern new-build interiors
- Bespoke geometric layouts: For a more individual, architectural feel
A practical tip: more bars create a busier visual. In a smaller room or a narrow hallway, fewer bars keep the space feeling open. Less is often more.
Step 6: Choosing the Handle
Three handle styles are available for the Manufaktur X loft door:
- Long bar handle: The classic choice - clean horizontal lines that reinforce the industrial aesthetic
- Discreet handle: Understated and minimal, suits interiors where the frame is meant to blend in
- Crescent handle: A curved profile that adds a softer, more elegant note to the overall design
The handle is one of those details that you touch every single day - it has a disproportionate effect on how the finished door feels to use.
How the Manufaktur X 3D Configurator Works
The loft door configurator runs directly in your browser - on desktop, tablet, or mobile, with no software to download or install. Every change you make updates the visual preview and the price simultaneously. There is no waiting for a quote, and no revised invoice after the fact.
The full configuration sequence:
- Select door type (single, double, or pivot door)
- Enter your dimensions (height and width, after subtracting the installation gap)
- Add optional extensions (side panels left or right, transom light above)
- Choose frame colour (enter RAL code)
- Select glass type (clear, frosted, smoked, dark smoked, or textured glass)
- Select safety glass specification (ESG or VSG)
- Set the bar pattern (number of horizontal and vertical bars)
- Choose handle style (long bar, discreet, or crescent)
- Set hinge side and opening angle
- Read the live price and place your order
Delivery charges and lead times are shown in the basket. For configurations that fall outside the standard options - an unusual shape, an integrated door within a larger partition - you can submit a sketch via the enquiry form on the loft door page and the team will come back with a bespoke quote.
Where Loft Doors Work Best in British Homes
Kitchen-to-Living-Room Openings
The most common installation is the transition between kitchen and living room - the dividing wall that many homeowners have already knocked through, or are considering removing. A loft door gives you the best of both worlds: the rooms feel connected, light passes through freely, but you can still close off cooking smells, noise, and visual clutter when you want to. Clear glass maximises borrowed light; frosted or smoked glass adds privacy without closing the space down.
Home Office
As more British households dedicate a permanent room to remote working, the loft door has become a practical as well as aesthetic choice. It defines the workspace without sealing it off, maintains natural light through the glass, and - when closed - provides a clean, professional backdrop for video calls. A frame in anthracite or matt black reads well on screen.
Bathroom and Dressing Room
Frosted or dark smoked glass makes a loft door a viable option for en-suites and walk-in wardrobes: light passes through, views do not. In a period conversion where the bathroom has been carved from a larger room, the industrial aesthetic of a steel frame can complement exposed brick or original cornicing rather than fighting it.
Commercial and Studio Spaces
Architecture practices, design studios, and independent retailers have used loft doors to divide working areas whilst maintaining visual continuity. A black frame reinforces a professional, considered interior without the heaviness of a solid partition wall.
Three Proven Design Directions for Your Loft Door
1. Industrial Chic - The Classic
Matt black frame (RAL 9005), evenly spaced bar grid, clear glass. Timeless and confident - particularly effective in Victorian terraces and Edwardian semis where exposed brick, steel radiators, and dark timber floors are already part of the interior language.
2. Contemporary Minimal
White or pale grey frame (RAL 9010 or RAL 9016), large glass panels, few or no horizontal bars. Light and unobtrusive, this works well in new-build flats and modern extensions where the architecture is clean-lined and the palette is neutral. Clear glass or frosted glass reinforces the airy quality.
3. Warm Period Character
A warm mid-tone frame - RAL 8025 Pale Brown or a bespoke bronze shade - paired with textured or frosted glass. This direction suits Victorian and Edwardian properties where you want the door to feel as though it has always been there, rather than reading as a modern intervention. The combination of aged-tone steel and refractive glass sits naturally alongside original sash windows and period joinery.
Installation: DIY or a Professional Installer?
A standard-sized single hinged door is a realistic DIY project for someone with solid practical experience and the right tools. Larger doors, pivot doors, and installations into stud partitions are a different matter - professional fitting is strongly advisable.
DIY installation checklist:
- Accurate spirit level (a cheap level is one of the most common causes of a misaligned door)
- Drill with masonry and wood bits appropriate to the wall construction
- At least two people for any door over 800 mm wide - handling a steel-and-glass door alone is genuinely dangerous
- Photographs of the opening before you start - useful for reference during fitting and essential if any issue arises
- Time and patience: rushing the hanging stage is where mistakes happen
On timings: from the moment you place your order, production takes 5-6 weeks, followed by delivery to your UK address - all customs duties and import charges are handled by Manufaktur X, so the price you see at checkout is the price you pay. Installation itself takes one to two days depending on complexity. Build in a contingency of around 10-15% on top of your installation budget for any remedial wall or floor work that the fitting reveals.
Caring for Your Loft Door
A well-maintained loft door will remain fully functional and visually sharp for decades. The upkeep is straightforward:
- Glass panels: Clean regularly with a streak-free glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth - avoid anything abrasive or solvent-based
- Steel frame: Wipe down with a soft, slightly damp cloth; mild washing-up liquid is fine for stubborn marks
- Hinges and hardware: Oil once or twice a year to keep the action smooth and prevent any stiffness developing
- Seals: Check periodically for wear and treat with an appropriate seal conditioner to maintain flexibility
- Frame surface: Avoid dragging sharp objects across the powder-coated finish; matt finishes are more forgiving of fingerprints than gloss
Pricing and Transparency
Prices start from £945. The final figure depends on the door dimensions, glass type, safety glass specification, handle choice, and any optional extras such as side panels or a transom. Every variable updates the price live in the configurator - unlike ordering from a trade catalogue or requesting a quote from a joinery workshop, you see exactly what you are committing to before you check out.
For context: a standard off-the-shelf interior door from a high-street retailer costs a fraction of this, but it comes in fixed sizes, fixed finishes, and offers no glass customisation. A made-to-measure steel-and-glass door from a specialist joinery or metalwork studio would typically be quoted on request and involve a longer, less transparent process. The ManufakturX configurator sits between those two worlds - bespoke production with the pricing clarity of a retail transaction.
| Product | From | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lofttür | £995 | Lowest possible option |
| Raumteiler | £1.900 | Steel + laminated glass, custom width |
| Großes Regal | £2.750 | Solid wood, steel frame, floor-to-ceiling |
| Esstisch | £1.360 | Solid wood, steel frame |
| Couchtisch | £995 | Solid wood, steel frame |
| Sitzbank | £945 | Solid wood, steel frame |
| TV-Board | £1.325 | Solid wood, steel frame |
| Rohrregal | £915 | Modular pipe shelf |
The full range of made-to-measure furniture - including large shelves, dining tables, and benches - is available on the Manufaktur X website, all made in the EU to the same standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What glass types are available for the Manufaktur X loft door?
There are five glass types in the configurator: clear glass, frosted glass, smoked glass, dark smoked glass, and textured glass. Each is available as either ESG (toughened safety glass) or VSG (laminated safety glass). For large openings, rooms with children, or doors with heavy daily use, VSG is recommended.
What handle styles are available?
Three handle styles are available: long bar, discreet, and crescent. The handle affects both the look and the feel of the finished door in everyday use.
How do I measure my opening correctly?
Measure the width and height of the structural opening at three points each - top, middle, and bottom. Always use the smallest reading. Deduct approximately 5 mm per side (left, right, and top) as an installation gap. Enter those final figures into the configurator - the door is built to exactly those dimensions.
Can I fit a loft door myself?
A standard single hinged door in a typical size is manageable as a DIY project for someone with practical experience. For pivot doors, oversized doors, or stud-partition walls, professional installation is recommended. You will need at least two people to handle a steel-and-glass door safely during fitting.
When should I choose VSG over ESG?
VSG is the better choice for floor-to-ceiling doors, high-traffic openings, and anywhere children are regularly present. Because the interlayer holds the broken pane together, the risk of injury is significantly lower than with ESG. Manufaktur X recommends VSG as standard for very large door dimensions.
Can I change the hinge side after ordering?
No. The hinge side and opening direction are fixed during production and cannot be changed afterwards - a correction would require a full remake. Take time to confirm the handing before you finalise the configuration.
What if my opening size or shape is not supported by the configurator?
Submit your requirements via the enquiry form on the loft door page. The team will assess feasibility and provide a bespoke quotation.
Does the loft door contain any wood?
No. The loft door is steel frame and glass throughout. If you are looking for made-to-measure furniture in solid oak, beech, or ash, Manufaktur X offers a full range including large shelves, dining tables, and benches.
How long does production take, and are customs duties included?
Production takes 5-6 weeks after order confirmation. Delivery to the UK is arranged by Manufaktur X with all customs duties and import charges included in the price shown at checkout - there are no additional costs on arrival.
