Industrial interior doors: the steel-and-glass look explained

What makes an interior door industrial? The steel-and-glass look analysed

The industrial look is due to the combination of a slender frame, plenty of glass, a bar or grid pattern and a matt, dark finish. That atmosphere is the same as that of old factory and studio windows, also known as a verrière.

It is that combination of slim profiles and glass that creates the look, not the material itself. As a result, you get the same appearance with different materials. 

What are steel-and-glass doors made of?

Would you like such a lovely industrial interior doorsChoose from three materials: real steel, aluminium and wood. All three have the same black profiles with glass, so from a distance they look very similar.

The difference lies in the weight, the maintenance requirement and the price of the door. A steel door is heavy and requires a bit more maintenance. Aluminium is light in weight and requires little maintenance. Wood is the cheapest option.

Steel, aluminium or wood-effect: the materials compared

What material should you choose for your door now? Do you want authenticity and do you accept the weight and the high level of maintenance? Then choose steel. Do you want the same look without those disadvantages? Then choose aluminium. Got a slightly lower budget? Then wood-look is the best choice.

Materials	Appearance	Weight	Prone to rust	Maintenance	Large or high doors	Investment
Real steel	Authentic, edgy	Heavy	Yes, in the case of a damaged coating	More attention needed	Hard for plus sizes	High
Aluminium	Virtually identical to steel	Light	No	Low-maintenance	Well suited	Midden
Wood or HDF	It looks like it	Light to moderate	No, but sensitive to moisture	Regularly required	Limited	Low

Which door types suit the industrial look?

The steel-and-glass look works for various door types. Which door type suits best depends mainly on the space you have and the effect you are looking for. These are the four most chosen door types.

• Pivot door
  One pivot door revolves around a central axis and opens in both directions. It is the most spacious, striking variant and looks its best in wide doorways. A pivot door requires free clearance to swing on both sides. Aluminium is particularly nice for this type because a steel pivot door is often heavy.
• Sliding door
  A sliding door slides along the wall or into a wall cavity, into which the door slides away. This is the most space-saving solution. A sliding door is ideal where you have no swing space. A sliding door has no insulating function. As a result, it keeps out slightly less sound and draughts than a hinged or pivot door.
• Hinged or rebated door
  De hinged door is the familiar, classic door that opens in only one direction. The rebated door is a variant of this, which overlaps the existing frame. The practical advantage of the front door is that this door often fits into an existing rebated frame. That way you can install it without major renovation work.

A fixed glass partition with a door

Combine a door with a fixed glass panel into a single continuous facade. That is ideal for wide openings where a single door is too narrow.

The fixed panel keeps the light and the line of sight intact, while only the door section opens. This door-wall combination you see a lot between the living room and the kitchen or in office spaces.

Glass and colour: how to determine the atmosphere

De glass choice At your door, the balance between light and privacy is key. Clear glass provides maximum light and visibility. Frosted or milk glass lets light through while blocking the view. smoked glass and bronze glass gives a warm, muted tone, and textured glass adds extra character.

Many people go for matt black when they have to choose the colour of the frame. Anthracite and all other RAL colours are also possible. The glazing bar division determines whether the door looks classic and bold, or sleek and modern.

Where in the house does the steel-and-glass look work best?

You see the steel-and-glass look in many places around the home. That is, for example, as a passage between the living room and the kitchen, in the hall or entryway, as a partition for a home office, and as a room divider or partition wall.

Lots of glass in your door or wall lets light through between spaces, so choose clear glass if you are looking for openness. Do you want privacy, such as for a bedroom or bathroom? Then frosted glass or smoked glass are the best choice. A door between the living room and the kitchen is one of the most popular applications.

What do you pay attention to during your choice and installation?

Always bear the dimensions in mind. There are no standard sizes at Aluwdoors: all our products are made to measure. This is ideal if you need tall doors or have sloping ceilings in your home. You should also choose a type of glass you like. At Aluwdoors, the glass is six millimetres thick as standard. The soft-close system, which comes as standard on our doors, ensures that the door closes quietly and gently.

The installation of your door varies depending on the type of door. A pivot door requires a sturdy floor and works well with underfloor heating, as only a small drill hole is needed to fit the floor hinge. It is best to have the door measured and fitted by a specialist from Aluwdoors. 

Question one Offers or design your own door our configurator. The final total price depends on all the choices you make. Do you need help with that? Drop by one of our showrooms. You can find us in Mijdrecht, Nunspeet, Barendrecht EN in Veghel. Our experts are happy to help you choose and configure a beautiful door. Do you have any questions first? Please feel free to contact us Dr.