Loft Door: The Complete Configuration Guide by Manufaktur X

A loft door from Manufaktur X is a made-to-measure steel and glass door — configured precisely to your dimensions, your choice of glass, and your preferred frame colour. Whether you are fitting a single swing door into a narrow hallway or a double pivot door between a kitchen and a living area, this guide walks you through every decision so that your order is complete and correct from the start.

How a Loft Door Differs from a Room Divider

The two products look similar at a glance, but they serve different purposes. A loft door is a fully functioning door: it has hinges or a pivot mechanism, a handle, and a defined opening direction. It can be closed when you need privacy and opened when you want the space to flow freely.

A room divider, by contrast, is a fixed steel and glass partition — no moving leaf, no handle, no hinges. It defines zones within a space without ever fully separating them. Some room dividers include a walk-through opening, but there is no door to close. If you want a permanent visual boundary, the room divider is the right choice. If you need the option to actually close off a space, you need the loft door.

Why Custom Dimensions Make a Difference

Standard door sizes exist for standard buildings — and most buildings are not standard. Ceiling heights vary, older properties settle unevenly, and renovation projects frequently reveal openings that are several centimetres off square. A door that is even slightly too wide will not hang correctly; one that is too narrow leaves an unsightly gap.

When you configure a loft door through the Manufaktur X 3D configurator, you enter your exact desired dimensions. The door is then manufactured to those measurements — no trimming on site, no packing pieces, no compromise on the finished appearance. The price updates in real time as you adjust each parameter, so there are no surprises when you reach the checkout.

What custom manufacturing gives you in practice:

• A precise fit for any opening, including non-standard heights and widths
• Full freedom to choose glass type, bar pattern, frame colour, and handle style
• Transparent, instant pricing — no waiting for a quote
• Long-term durability through powder-coated steel frames and safety glass

Prices start from €1,157. Shipping costs and delivery details are shown in the basket.

Step 1: Measuring Your Opening Accurately

Measure in Three Places — Use the Smallest Value

Wall openings are rarely perfectly square, particularly in older buildings. Measure both the width and the height at three points each: at the top, in the middle, and at the bottom. In properties built before the mid-twentieth century, a difference of 15 mm or more between the top and bottom measurements is entirely normal. Always use the smallest value recorded for each dimension.

Once you have the smallest measurement, subtract the installation gap: approximately 5 mm on each side (left, right, and top). As a practical example: if your smallest recorded opening is 1,200 mm wide by 2,200 mm tall, you should enter 1,190 mm × 2,195 mm in the configurator.

Measurement checklist:

• Measure width and height three times each — record the smallest value
• Subtract approximately 5 mm per side (left, right, and top) for the installation gap
• Identify the wall construction: solid masonry, timber frame, or mixed
• Note the wall thickness — this affects the depth of the door frame
• Check for floor irregularities at the threshold

Opening Direction: Decide Before You Order

The opening direction — left-hand or right-hand swing — and the opening angle are fixed during manufacturing and cannot be changed afterwards without producing an entirely new door. Before you finalise your configuration, think through the practicalities: which direction creates better flow through the room? Is there enough clearance for the door leaf to swing fully open? Would a pivot mechanism suit the space better than a conventional hinge? Detailed guidance on opening directions is available on the loft door product page.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Door Mechanism

Swing Door

The swing door is the conventional choice. It opens in one direction and requires clear floor space for the arc of the door leaf. At a 90-degree opening angle, a standard door leaf occupies roughly half a square metre of floor area when open — a relevant factor in smaller rooms or narrow hallways.

Pivot Door

A pivot door rotates on a vertical axis fixed at the top and bottom of the frame rather than at the edge, and it can swing in both directions. For very wide or heavy door leaves — typically above 1,000 mm in width or 60 kg in weight — a pivot mechanism is technically superior. Conventional hinges at those dimensions create too much leverage, and the door leaf gradually begins to sag. Pivot doors require a stable floor anchor point, so the condition of the floor matters during planning.

The right choice depends on the room's size, how frequently the door will be used, and the structural conditions — not solely on aesthetics.

Step 3: Selecting the Glass Type

The configurator offers exactly five glass options:

ESG or VSG: Understanding the Difference

Both safety glass types look identical once installed. The distinction becomes relevant only if the glass is ever broken. ESG (toughened safety glass) shatters into small, blunt fragments that are far less likely to cause injury. VSG (laminated safety glass) holds together after breaking because an interlayer film bonds the two panes — the glass may crack, but it stays in the frame.

For floor-to-ceiling doors, high-traffic spaces, or rooms used by children, VSG is the more sensible choice. For very large door dimensions, Manufaktur X recommends VSG as standard practice.

What to Expect from a Steel and Glass Door in Terms of Sound

Glass-filled doors provide a meaningful reduction in ambient noise compared with an open doorway, but they will not match the acoustic performance of a solid timber door. If a room needs to be heavily sound-isolated — for a recording space or a bedroom in a noisy apartment — factor this in when choosing between a loft door and a solid alternative. Between ESG and VSG, the laminated option offers a marginal acoustic advantage.

Step 4: Choosing the Frame Colour

Any RAL Colour, Powder-Coated to Last

The steel frame is finished using powder coating — an industrial process that applies a dry powder electrostatically and then cures it under heat. The result is a surface that is scratch-resistant, evenly coloured, and far more durable than conventional paint. It is also an environmentally cleaner process, producing minimal volatile organic compound emissions. Enter your preferred RAL code directly in the configurator.

The most frequently chosen frame colours:

• RAL 9005 Jet Black: The definitive industrial look — sharp contrast against white or light-coloured walls
• RAL 7016 Anthracite Grey: A quieter alternative to black, equally contemporary
• RAL 9010 Pure White: Works well in Scandinavian and minimalist interiors; makes smaller rooms feel larger
• RAL 9016 Traffic White: Slightly warmer than pure white, suits south-facing rooms particularly well
• RAL 7022 Umbra Grey: Earthy and warm, sits naturally alongside timber floors and natural materials
• RAL 6005 Moss Green: A considered, nature-influenced tone that has become a popular choice in recent years

A Practical Note on Dark Colours

Dark frames such as RAL 9005 absorb more solar heat than lighter alternatives. In a south-facing room with significant direct sunlight, a lighter frame colour such as RAL 9010 or RAL 9016 may be more practical. Also worth noting: screens frequently render RAL 9005 Jet Black and RAL 9011 Graphite Black as identical, but the two are visibly different under natural daylight. Before finalising your colour choice, verify it using a physical RAL colour fan under the lighting conditions of the installation space. Re-coating after installation is a significant undertaking.

Coordinating the Frame Colour with the Room

Consider these factors when making your final colour decision:

• Wall colour and floor material
• Existing window frames and interior doors
• Other metal elements in the space — light fittings, tap finishes, cabinet handles
• Room size and natural light levels (dark frames can visually reduce a small space)
• Room function — living areas can carry bolder colour choices, while home offices often benefit from more neutral tones such as anthracite

Step 5: Designing the Bar Pattern

The arrangement of bars across the glass panels is one of the most distinctive elements of the loft door aesthetic. In the configurator, you set both the number and the layout freely:

• Classic uniform grid: Evenly spaced rectangular panes — timeless, structured, suited to almost any interior style
• Minimalist single bar: One or two horizontal or vertical dividers, emphasising the glass rather than the frame — light and contemporary
• Custom geometric arrangement: For a more individual or artistic result

A practical consideration: a very dense bar pattern can make a door feel visually heavy and reduce the sense of openness. In most cases, restraint works better than complexity.

Step 6: Selecting the Handle

Manufaktur X offers three handle styles for the loft door:

• Bar handle: A long, straight pull handle — clean lines, classic industrial character
• Discreet handle: A compact, understated option for a quieter overall look
• Crescent handle: A gently curved form that adds a softer, more elegant accent

The handle is the element you interact with every time you use the door, so it is worth considering both how it looks and how it feels in the hand.

How the Manufaktur X 3D Configurator Works

The 3D configurator runs entirely in your browser — on a desktop computer, tablet, or smartphone, with no software to install. Every change you make is reflected immediately in the visual preview, and the price updates in real time. There is no need to request a quote and wait for a response; the price you see is the price you pay.

The full configuration sequence:

1. Choose the door type (single leaf, double leaf, swing, or pivot)
2. Enter your dimensions (height and width — opening measurement minus installation gap)
3. Add extensions if needed (side panel, transom light above the door)
4. Select the frame colour (enter your RAL code)
5. Choose the glass type (clear, frosted, smoked, dark smoked, or textured)
6. Choose the glass specification (ESG or VSG)
7. Set the bar pattern
8. Choose the handle style (bar, discreet, or crescent)
9. Define the opening direction
10. Review the real-time price and place your order

Shipping costs and lead times are shown in the basket. If your project involves a configuration that falls outside what the configurator covers, you can submit a sketch or description for review — Manufaktur X will assess the feasibility and provide a bespoke quotation.

Where Loft Doors Work Best

Between a Kitchen and a Living Area

This is the most common application across Europe. A loft door creates a clear visual and functional boundary between cooking and living zones while allowing light to pass through freely. Clear glass keeps the space feeling open and connected; frosted or smoked glass adds a degree of separation when needed — useful when entertaining guests or when cooking smells and sounds should stay contained.

Home Office Separation

As more people work from home permanently or part-time, defining a dedicated workspace within a flat or house has become a real priority. A loft door marks the boundary of the office area without cutting it off from the rest of the home. When closed, it signals that work is under way and provides a clean background for video calls. When open, the space integrates naturally with the rest of the room.

Bathrooms and Dressing Areas

Frosted or dark smoked glass makes loft doors a workable solution for bathrooms and walk-in wardrobes. Light passes through, maintaining a sense of openness, while the glass prevents direct sightlines. This approach is particularly effective in apartments where space is limited and full walls would feel oppressive.

Commercial and Studio Spaces

Offices, architecture studios, retail showrooms, and co-working spaces across Europe increasingly use loft doors to define areas without building permanent walls. An anthracite or black frame reinforces a professional, considered aesthetic. The transparency of the glass maintains visual connection between zones, which matters in collaborative working environments.

Three Design Directions to Consider

Industrial Clarity

Jet black frame (RAL 9005), a regular grid of bars, clear glass. This combination is as recognisable as it is durable as a design choice — strong contrast, unambiguous character. It works especially well against exposed concrete, brick-effect surfaces, and dark timber flooring.

Nordic Simplicity

White or light grey frame, large uninterrupted glass panels, minimal bars. The emphasis is on light and spatial openness rather than structure. This approach suits apartments and houses with a clean, pared-back aesthetic — common in Scandinavian design traditions and increasingly popular across northern Europe.

Warm and Considered

A frame in a warm neutral — earthy brown tones or a custom colour — paired with textured or frosted glass. This direction works well in older buildings with character: high ceilings, period details, and warm material palettes. It softens the industrial associations of steel and glass without abandoning them entirely.

Installation: Self-Installation or Professional Fitting?

A standard-size swing door can be installed by a competent DIY enthusiast with the right tools and a methodical approach. Larger doors, pivot mechanisms, and complex wall constructions are better handled by a professional installer.

Self-installation checklist:

• Accurate spirit level available
• Drill with appropriate bits for the wall material
• At least two people present for handling large door panels
• Photographs of the opening taken before work begins
• Time allocated for careful, unhurried work

On timing: from placing your order to a fully installed door, allow 8 to 10 weeks in total. Production takes 5 to 6 weeks from order confirmation. Delivery follows within a few working days. Installation itself typically takes one to two days. It is also sensible to set aside a contingency of around 10 to 15 percent of the door cost for installation labour, any wall preparation required, and minor floor adjustments.

Caring for Your Loft Door Over Time

A steel and glass door made to a proper specification will function well for decades, provided routine care is maintained:

• Glass panels: Clean regularly with a standard glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth — avoid abrasive products or anything acidic
• Steel frame: Wipe down with a soft, slightly damp cloth; mild soapy water is sufficient for more stubborn marks
• Hinges and fittings: Apply a light oil once or twice a year to maintain smooth operation
• Seals: Inspect periodically for wear and treat with an appropriate conditioner to maintain flexibility
• Frame surface: Avoid contact with sharp or abrasive objects; matte finishes are more forgiving of fingerprints than gloss options

Pricing and Transparency

The starting price is from €1,157. The final figure depends on the overall dimensions, glass type, glass specification, handle choice, and any additional options. Because every parameter change updates the price immediately in the configurator, you always know exactly what you are committing to before you order.

Manufaktur X also produces a range of complementary furniture in steel and solid wood — including large shelving units, dining tables, coffee tables, and benches — all configurable to your dimensions through the same online tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which glass options are available for the loft door?

The configurator offers five glass types: 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 dimensions, high-traffic spaces, or rooms used by children, VSG is recommended.

What handle styles are available?

There are three handle options: bar handle, discreet handle, and crescent handle. The choice affects both the visual character and the feel of the door in daily use.

How do I measure my opening correctly?

Measure the width and height of the wall opening at three points each — top, middle, and bottom. Always use the smallest value recorded. Subtract approximately 5 mm per side (left, right, and top) to allow for the installation gap. Enter these adjusted dimensions — not the raw opening measurements — into the configurator.

Can I install the loft door myself?

A standard swing door in a straightforward opening can be installed by a confident DIY installer. For larger or heavier elements, pivot doors, or complex wall types, professional installation is advisable. At least two people are needed to handle the glass door leaf safely.

When should I choose VSG over ESG?

VSG is recommended for floor-to-ceiling doors, doors in frequently used corridors, and any space regularly occupied by children. For very large dimensions, VSG is technically preferable because the interlayer keeps the broken glass contained and manageable if damage occurs.

What if my required configuration is not possible in the standard configurator?

You can submit details of your project — including a sketch or description — for individual review. Manufaktur X will assess whether the configuration is feasible and provide a custom quotation. Contact details are available on the Manufaktur X website.

Can I change the opening direction after ordering?

No. The opening direction is fixed during manufacturing and cannot be altered afterwards. Changing it would require producing a new door from scratch. Confirm this detail carefully before finalising your configuration.

Is any wood used in the loft door?

No — the loft door consists entirely of a steel frame and glass. If you are looking for furniture in solid wood such as oak, ash, or walnut, Manufaktur X offers a range of complementary products including dining tables, benches, and shelving units.