Standard furniture rarely fits the way you'd like it to. Victorian conversions with uneven brickwork, period properties with non-standard ceiling heights, open-plan flats where you want to define zones without erecting stud walls — these are exactly the situations where bespoke, made-to-measure pieces come into their own. This guide covers everything you need to know about ordering custom furniture and doors from Manufaktur X: the full product range, materials and glass options, how the 3D configurator works, how to measure correctly, and how to care for your pieces over the long term.
Why Bespoke Furniture Makes Sense — Especially in British Homes
British properties come in all shapes and sizes. From Edwardian terraces with original doorframes that are anything but square, to new-build apartments with unusual alcoves, to converted warehouses in need of dramatic room dividers — off-the-shelf solutions frequently result in gaps, shimming, and visual compromise. Made-to-measure furniture eliminates those workarounds entirely.
Every piece from Manufaktur X is built to the dimensions and specifications you enter — no fixed standard sizes, no restricted colour palette, no design concessions. Here's what that means in practice:
- Precise fit for any opening, recess, or room configuration
- No gaps or trip hazards caused by ill-fitting off-the-shelf components
- Full creative control over colour, material, and glazing bar patterns
- Lasting durability from solid hardwood and safety glass rather than mass-produced substitutes
- Design flexibility to suit industrial chic, Scandi minimalism, classic period interiors, and everything in between
Every item that leaves the workshop is a one-off — Manufaktur X produces no stock items whatsoever.
The Full Product Range: Steel, Glass & Solid Wood
The range divides naturally into two families: steel-and-glass products, and steel-and-solid-wood products. Knowing which category you're working with makes the configuration process much more straightforward.
Steel & Glass Products
There are two products that combine steel frames with glazed panels:
- Loft Door — a fully functioning hinged interior door with a choice of hinge side (left or right), opening direction, opening angle, door handle, and hinges. The frame is powder-coated steel; the glazed panels are safety glass.
- Room Divider — a fixed steel-and-glass partition wall with no door mechanism. No hinge side, no opening direction, no handle, no hinges. An open walkthrough aperture can be incorporated if required.
Steel & Solid Wood Products (No Glass)
- Large Shelf Unit — steel frame with solid wood shelving, optionally with integrated wooden cupboards
- Dining Table — solid wood top on a steel base
- Coffee Table — solid wood top on a steel base
- Bench — solid wood seat with a steel frame
- Pipe Shelf — steel pipe construction with solid wood shelves
None of these contain glass, but they share the same core principles: exclusively solid hardwood (oak, beech, or ash), powder-coated steel in any RAL colour, and millimetre-precise production throughout.
Materials in Detail: Wood, Steel & Glass
Solid Wood: Oak, Beech & Ash
Manufaktur X works exclusively with three hardwoods — oak, beech, and ash — chosen for their density, workability, and longevity. Softer timbers such as pine, or other hardwoods such as maple, walnut, or cherry, are not part of the range.
Over 50 wood stains are available for surface finishing, spanning everything from a pale, natural Scandinavian look through warm honey tones to deep tobacco and near-black — all applied to a genuine wood surface that retains its natural grain character.
Steel Frames: Powder-Coated in Any RAL Colour
All steel frames and bases are powder-coated rather than painted. Powder coating bonds electrostatically and is cured under heat, producing a finish that is scratch-resistant, uniformly coloured, and more environmentally friendly than conventional spray painting. The result is also far more durable in everyday domestic use. Any RAL colour can be specified — from deep black (RAL 9005) and pure white through to petrol, terracotta, or anthracite — so the frame can be matched precisely to your interior scheme.
Glass Options for Loft Doors & Room Dividers
Five distinct glass types are available for both the loft door and the room divider:
- Clear glass — maximum transparency, optimal light transmission, no privacy screening
- Frosted / milk glass — matt white diffusion, lets light through while blocking direct sightlines
- Smoked glass — a subtle blue-grey tint, contemporary feel, slight light reduction
- Dark smoked glass — deeper tint, greater privacy, stronger visual impact
- Textured glass — embossed surface pattern, moderate privacy, interesting light effects
Each option is a single, clear selection in the configurator — there are no subtypes or varying degrees of opacity to navigate.
Safety Glass: ESG vs VSG
Independently of the glass type you choose, you also select one of two safety glass formats.
ESG (toughened safety glass) is heated to around 620 °C and then rapidly cooled by jets of cold air. This process creates compressive stress in the outer surfaces, making the glass approximately five times stronger than standard float glass. If it does break, ESG fragments into small, blunt cubes rather than dangerous shards — significantly reducing the risk of injury. One important implication: once toughened, ESG cannot be cut or drilled. All dimensions, holes, and cutouts must be finalised before the tempering process begins, which is another reason precise measurement matters so much.
VSG (laminated safety glass) consists of two or more panes permanently bonded by a flexible polymer interlayer. If the glass is damaged, the fragments remain adhered to the film — the pane holds together rather than collapsing. For larger formats, Manufaktur X recommends VSG because the interlayer provides superior structural integrity across wide or tall spans.
Specialist glazing such as alarm glass or acoustic-rated glass is not offered. Manufaktur X focuses exclusively on design interior doors and partition walls for residential use.
The Loft Door: Everything You Need to Know
The loft door is a genuine interior hinged door in the industrial style: powder-coated steel frame, safety glass panels, hinges, door stop, and handle. It separates rooms both acoustically and visually without creating a solid barrier — light passes freely through the glazed panels, and the space feels open and connected even when the door is closed.
In the context of British homes, this style works particularly well in Victorian and Edwardian terraces where original room layouts are being opened up, in warehouse conversions where the industrial aesthetic is already part of the architecture, and in modern extensions where the contrast between old and new is deliberately celebrated.
What You Can Configure on the Loft Door
- Width and height to the nearest millimetre
- Hinge side — left or right
- Opening direction and opening angle
- Number and arrangement of glazing bars (horizontal and vertical)
- Glass type (clear, frosted, smoked, dark smoked, or textured)
- Safety glass format (ESG or VSG)
- Frame colour (any RAL colour, powder-coated)
- Door handle — three designs: Bar, Discreet, or Half-Moon
Handle Designs: Three Choices
Door handles are available exclusively for the loft door — not for the room divider, which has no moving parts. Three handle styles are offered:
- Bar — a classic pull handle with a clean, linear profile
- Discreet — understated and slender, suited to minimalist schemes
- Half-Moon — a curved form that adds a contemporary sculptural note
Where Does a Loft Door Work Best?
- Kitchen / living room: Create a visual connection between spaces while still being able to contain cooking smells when needed
- Home office: Acoustic separation with a visual link — focused working without feeling cut off
- Bedroom: Frosted or textured glass provides privacy without blocking natural light
- Bathroom: Frosted or textured glass maximises daylight while maintaining full discretion
- Hallway: A strong design statement that elevates the entrance experience
The entry-level price for a loft door starts from £1,157 (indicative — exact pricing depends on dimensions, glass type, glazing bar configuration, and other parameters, and is calculated in real time within the configurator).
Room Dividers: Fixed Steel & Glass Partition Walls
The room divider is a structural partition — not a door. It divides a space permanently without fully enclosing it, and contains none of the moving components associated with the loft door: no hinge side, no opening direction, no handle, no door stop. If you need to pass between the two zones, an open walkthrough aperture can be built into the design without any door leaf.
Common applications in UK homes include:
- Zoning open-plan living areas without the expense or disruption of building a partition wall
- Creating a visual boundary between a dining area and a sitting room
- Defining a home-working corner within a living space
- Separating a hallway from a reception room while maintaining borrowed light
All glass types and RAL colour options available for the loft door apply equally to the room divider — door-specific parameters simply do not appear in the configurator.
How the 3D Configurator Works
Manufaktur X's online configurator updates every parameter in real time: as you adjust the dimensions, change the glass type, rearrange the glazing bars, or switch frame colour, the 3D preview and the price both update instantly. There are no hidden extras — shipping costs and lead times are displayed transparently in the basket before you commit to ordering.
The process, step by step:
- Select your product (loft door or room divider)
- Enter your exact desired dimensions (width and height — after taking your measurements)
- Configure the glazing bar layout (number and arrangement of horizontal and vertical bars)
- Choose your glass type (one of the five options)
- Select your safety glass format (ESG or VSG)
- Specify the frame colour (RAL reference)
- For loft doors: set the hinge side, opening direction, opening angle, and handle style
- Review the live price and place your order
Technical drawings cannot be downloaded directly from the configurator. If your project involves an unusual opening, a bespoke combination of elements, or anything outside the standard parameters, you can upload a sketch at manufakturx.co.uk — the team will assess feasibility and come back with an individual quote.
Taking Accurate Measurements: A Practical Guide
Getting your measurements right before you configure is the single most important step in the process. With ESG glass in particular, there is no possibility of adjustment after the tempering stage — the dimensions entered in the configurator are the dimensions that will be manufactured.
The Golden Rule: Measure in Multiple Places, Use the Smallest Figure
Walls, floors, and ceilings are rarely perfectly true — and in period British properties, they are frequently far from it. Measure across the opening at a minimum of three points (top, middle, and bottom for width; left, centre, and right for height) and always work from the smallest measurement recorded. The piece will be manufactured exactly to the dimensions you submit.
Installation Clearance for the Loft Door
For a loft door, you also need to allow for an installation gap. Deduct approximately 5 mm per side — left, right, and top — from your smallest measured dimension. This clearance ensures the door can be fitted cleanly even if the opening is very slightly out of square.
Example: If the smallest measured clear width is 990 mm, enter 980 mm in the configurator (5 mm clearance on each side).
Measurement Checklist
- Measure width at a minimum of three heights
- Measure height at a minimum of three width positions
- Record the smallest figure in each direction
- For loft doors: deduct the installation gap (approx. 5 mm per side)
- Check the opening for plumb and level using a spirit level
Choosing the Right Glass: Transparency, Privacy & Style
The glass type you choose determines how much light passes through, and how much can be seen. Here's a quick reference:
| Glass Type | Transparency | Privacy | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear glass | Very high | None | Living rooms, hallways, open-plan areas |
| Frosted / milk glass | Diffuse | High | Bathrooms, bedrooms, dressing rooms |
| Smoked glass | Medium | Slight | Home offices, living areas, contemporary interiors |
| Dark smoked glass | Low | Medium to high | Design accents, greater privacy |
| Textured glass | Diffuse-patterned | Moderate | Bathrooms, home offices, decorative feature walls |
Frosted glass offers the strongest privacy screening while still transmitting a generous amount of light — the natural choice for bathrooms or bedrooms. Textured glass creates visually interesting light patterns at a moderate level of privacy. Clear glass maximises light and creates a sense of visual continuity between adjoining spaces, with no concealment whatsoever.
ESG or VSG: Choosing the Right Safety Glass Format
ESG: Toughened Safety Glass for Standard Domestic Applications
For most interior door and room divider installations in residential settings, ESG is an excellent choice. It is substantially stronger than standard glass, more resistant to temperature fluctuation, and harder to scratch. In the event of breakage, it disintegrates into small, blunt fragments rather than large, sharp shards — greatly reducing injury risk. Bear in mind that once toughened, ESG cannot be cut, drilled, or modified in any way. Every dimension and cutout must be confirmed before manufacturing begins.
VSG: Laminated Safety Glass for Larger Formats
Where a loft door or room divider spans a greater height or width, Manufaktur X recommends VSG. The polymer interlayer keeps all fragments bonded to the film if the glass is damaged — there is no sudden collapse or dangerous gap. This structural advantage becomes increasingly relevant as the glazed area grows. VSG can be freely selected in the configurator for any product.
The Industrial Aesthetic: Why Steel & Glass Endures
The combination of slender steel frames and clear glazed panels has its roots in the factory architecture and artist studios of the early twentieth century. What began as a purely functional building approach — maximising light in working environments — has evolved into one of the most enduring currents in residential interior design. The appeal is straightforward:
- Glass maintains visual openness and keeps light flowing through a space
- Steel provides structure, precise geometry, and an honest material quality
- Together, they suit a remarkably wide range of interiors — from stripped-back industrial through Scandi minimalism to layered eclectic and classic period styles
This aesthetic translates particularly naturally into British homes. The steel-and-glass language feels at home in a Victorian terrace being opened up for modern living, in an industrial conversion in a city centre, or in a barn conversion where agricultural heritage informs the material palette. Loft doors and room dividers work in new builds and period properties alike.
Matching Frame and Glass to Your Interior Style
- Industrial chic: Black powder-coated frame, clear or smoked glass, a generous grid of glazing bars — the definitive warehouse conversion look
- Minimalist: Slender profiles, few or no glazing bars, clear glass, a neutral RAL colour
- Scandi / contemporary: Light grey or white frame, clear glass, warm wood handle as a contrasting material note
- Period / vintage: More glazing bars, textured glass, deeper frame colours such as dark green or navy
Standard steel profile width across the range is 3 cm. Variations can be discussed for bespoke projects.
Care & Maintenance: Keeping Your Pieces in Top Condition
Cleaning the Glass Panels
- Use a microfibre cloth or a soft, lint-free cloth
- Glass cleaner without abrasive additives; isopropyl alcohol for stubborn marks
- For frosted and textured glass: use soft cotton cloths rather than microfibre — microfibre can leave microscopic scratches in the matt surface
- For textured glass: a soft brush for the recessed areas; avoid applying excessive pressure
- Clean on an overcast day or in the evening — direct sunlight causes cleaner to dry too quickly and leave streaking
- Never use wire wool or abrasive scouring pads
Maintaining the Powder-Coated Steel Frame
- Wipe down with a lightly damp cloth — no harsh or abrasive cleaning products
- Avoid anything that might abrade or chip the powder coating
- Apply a small amount of light machine oil to the loft door hinges once a year to prevent squeaking
- Check fixings periodically to ensure they remain tight
Caring for Solid Wood Surfaces
- Wipe regularly with a slightly damp cloth
- Never allow water to stand on the wood surface
- Use a care product appropriate to the finish — oiled, stained, or lacquered surfaces each have different requirements
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight, which can cause the colour to fade over time
Bespoke vs Off-the-Shelf: An Honest Comparison
| Criterion | Standard Off-the-Shelf | Bespoke from Manufaktur X |
|---|---|---|
| Sizing | Fixed standard dimensions | Exact fit for any opening |
| Design | Limited options | Full creative freedom |
| Fit | Compromises and gaps are common | Millimetre-precise manufacture |
| Colour | A handful of stock colours | Any RAL colour, powder-coated |
| Material quality | Often mass-produced composites | Solid hardwood (oak, beech, ash) and safety glass throughout |
| Pricing transparency | Often unclear until checkout or quote stage | Real-time price shown as you configure |
In older British properties particularly — where openings are rarely square and walls are rarely plumb — a made-to-measure piece is often the only solution that fits without remedial work.
Pricing, Production & UK Delivery
Entry-level pricing for the loft door starts from £1,157 (indicative). The exact price depends on the dimensions, glass type, safety glass format, glazing bar configuration, and any other parameters you select, and is displayed live as you work through the configurator. There are no hidden costs — shipping charges and estimated lead times appear in the basket before you place your order.
All products are made in the EU and delivered to addresses across the United Kingdom. Customs duties and all import formalities are handled on your behalf, so the price you see is the price you pay.
Production takes 5–6 weeks from order confirmation. Current indicative prices for all products in the range:
| 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 |
Custom Projects & the Sketch Service
Some projects fall outside what a standard configurator can capture — an irregular opening in a barn conversion, a multi-panel room divider that wraps around a corner, a combination of a fixed glass panel alongside a hinged door leaf. For these situations, you can submit your own sketch or drawing for assessment. The team at Manufaktur X will review the technical feasibility and provide an individual quote. This service is particularly useful for:
- Irregular or out-of-plumb wall openings
- Multi-section room divider installations
- Combined configurations of fixed glazing and a hinged door
- Non-standard profile widths or special design details
Frequently Asked Questions
Which wood species does Manufaktur X use?
The range uses exclusively three hardwoods: oak, beech, and ash. Softer timbers such as pine, and other hardwoods such as walnut, maple, or cherry, are not available. Over 50 wood stains can be applied for surface finishing.
What is the difference between the loft door and the room divider?
The loft door is a fully functioning hinged interior door — it has a hinge side (left or right), an opening direction, an opening angle, hinges, and a door handle. The room divider is a fixed steel-and-glass partition wall with no moving parts whatsoever — no hinge side, no opening direction, no handle, no hinges. An open walkthrough aperture can be incorporated into the room divider design if access between the two zones is required.
How do I measure correctly for a loft door?
Measure the opening at a minimum of three points across both the width and the height, and always work from the smallest figure recorded. For the loft door, deduct the installation gap from that figure: approximately 5 mm per side (left, right, and top). The product is manufactured exactly to the dimensions you enter in the configurator.
When should I choose VSG instead of ESG?
For larger spans — greater heights or widths — Manufaktur X recommends VSG, because the laminated interlayer holds all fragments in place if the glass is damaged, leaving no dangerous open gap. For standard domestic room dimensions, ESG is an excellent choice. If you're unsure, the FAQ section or a direct enquiry via the website will help clarify.
Can ESG glass be modified after manufacture?
No. Once toughened, ESG cannot be cut, drilled, or adjusted in any way — attempting to do so would disrupt the internal stress pattern and cause the glass to shatter. All dimensions, holes, and cutouts must be confirmed before the manufacturing process begins. Accurate measurement before ordering is therefore essential.
Which handle styles are available for the loft door?
Three handle designs are offered: Bar (a classic linear pull handle), Discreet (a slim, understated profile), and Half-Moon (a curved contemporary form). Handles are available for the loft door only — the room divider has no door leaf and therefore no handle.
Can I download a technical drawing from the configurator?
No. The configurator provides a real-time 3D preview and live pricing, but does not generate downloadable technical drawings. For bespoke or unusual projects, you can submit a sketch for individual assessment and quotation.
What is the starting price for a loft door in the UK?
The entry-level loft door price is from £1,157 (indicative). The final price depends on your chosen dimensions, glass type, safety glass format, glazing bar layout, and other configuration choices, and is shown live as you build your specification in the configurator. All prices include delivery to the UK with customs and import duties handled on your behalf.
