Real Steel, Real Sightlines: Inside Our InoCross Systems
(Reigate case study, buyer’s guide & how to spot imitations)
Introduction: Why “real steel” still matters
If two doors look similar in a photograph, it’s tempting to assume they’ll perform the same in your home. In reality, material, fabrication and detail change everything; how the door feels, how it ages, how it sounds, how much light it passes, and how it reads next to stone, timber and plaster.
This article opens the workshop door on our InoCross family. Depending on the system and application, construction differs: for example, InoCross20 is fully welded from raw steel box sections; InoCrossSculpture features a 20 mm frame & bars to balance frame and divisions; and InoCross20FR (E30) is a tested fire-rated assembly built strictly in line with its certification. What never changes is that every door is configured to the exact specification of each client and project. In this article we’ll show how that plays out in a live brief (Reigate), what sets these systems apart, and how to spot market imitations—fast.
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Case study: Reigate — a contemporary double set that shares the light
The brief
A local residence in Reigate, designed by a talented interior designer, needed a double door set to divide the living and dining areas while sharing natural light provided from a large glazed door set at the rear of the property. The look had to be contemporary with a classic edge; calm, composed, and well-proportioned.
The solution
We fabricated a fully welded double set featuring two closely spaced horizontal bars centred in the elevation, with a square motif formed across both leaves when closed. Clear glass was chosen to maximise openness and maintain a direct visual connection between rooms. Two lever-latch handles provide symmetry; the primary operates the main latch, the secondary gives easy operation of the second leaf and keeps the visual balance.
Why steel (not timber or aluminium)
Timber doors cast bulky shadows, reduce light flow, and often require thicker sections for stability. Aluminium “look-a-likes” typically rely on clip/screw assembly and deeper profiles at hinges and corners. By contrast, our fully welded steel frames remain slim, stable and precise, letting both rooms borrow light throughout the day.
Quick links if you’re planning a similar layout:
Inside the system: the InoCross family
InoCross20 — fully welded, project-specific
Our core system for internal doors and screens: fully welded from raw steel box sections and configured exactly to each client’s specification; bars, proportions, handle positions and junctions are set by your scheme, not a catalogue. The result is a door that feels solid, flush and precise.
InoCrossSculpture — refined with 20 mm bars
When the brief calls for a more articulated grid with ultra-slim framework, InoCrossSculpture features 20 mm bars. This keeps the frame-to-bar balance elegant: the structure reads strong, the divisions read delicate.
InoCross20FR — tested to E30 (integrity 30)
When a project requires a rated assembly, InoCross20FR is tested to E30 (integrity 30 minutes). Rated sets still maintain slender sightlines and generous glazing, coordinated with lever/latch hardware, closers and seals per the test data.
Configurations available across non-fire systems:
fixed and hinged; mix and match to suit your plan.
Light first, then lines: why welded steel reads “calm”
A door is more than a partition; it’s an optical instrument. Welded steel keeps sightlines slim, junctions flush, and bars true over time. That visual stability is why rooms feel calmer with steel: the eye isn’t distracted by joints, clips or misaligned joints. In the Reigate home, the centred bars and square motif deliver a quiet rhythm; clear glass keeps the space social and bright.
If you’re solving a dark corridor or want a “zoned but connected” plan, explore:
How to spot imitations (and protect your budget)
The market is full of “steel-look” products; some are part-aluminium, some mix a steel perimeter with aluminium bars or beads. On paper (and in photos) they can look similar. In hand and over time, they don’t perform the same.
Three quick checks:
The magnet test
Bring a small magnet. Don’t just test the outer frame—touch the glazing bead, bars, hinges and any cover plates.
Magnet sticks? Steel.
Magnet doesn’t stick? Nearly always aluminium.
Find the joints
Look for screw/clip points at corners, meeting stiles or hinge zones. Welded steel is one piece per frame; modular kits often show tell-tale joints or cover caps.Compare frame proportions
Aluminium usually needs thicker frames to stay stable. Rated or not, steel maintains slimmer, more consistent sightlines.
If you’ve received “like-for-like” quotes, apply these checks. They’ll rarely be like-for-like.
Reviews from 2025: how clients describe the difference
“Excellent team, excellent integrity. Very professional, dedicated to achieve the right outcome, responsive and displaying excellent integrity… Big thank you to Callum and the entire team.”
“5 Product and service!* … from the initial contact with Chris … the updates from Calum, the site visit for measurements … They look so so good … We’ve had some lovely comments from family and friends.”
“Absolutely excellent work … a wonderful partition in my studio flat … the team was absolutely brilliant … the work was literally 5*!!”
Beyond product, clients notice the process: clear advice, neat surveying, careful installation, and the feel of real steel in daily use.
Handles, hardware and the small decisions that matter
For our recent project in Reigate, we used lever/latch handles—two pieces for symmetry and ease of operating the secondary leaf. Across the range:
Hinged doors: Trim (welded minimal pull) or Guarded (lever/latch).
Double sets: symmetry is key; matching hardware on both leaves reads calmer.
Sliding & pocket: Cup (flush) handles keep doors pocket-ready; Trim for push/pull sliders.
Rated sets: lever/latch + closer/seals per test data (e.g., InoCross20FR E30).
Browse common configurations:
Our ethos: young, driven and relentlessly iterative
We’re constantly developing our systems—pushing both design and function for the luxury market. From standard single doors to completely bespoke steel-glazed structures, we’ve produced everything in between. The team is young, hands-on and detail-obsessed; we spend as much time discussing bar logic and finish behaviour as we do logistics and aftercare. The goal is simple: make clients’ ideas buildable, and then deliver them beautifully.
Quick spec checklist (save this)
System: InoCross20 (fully welded) | InoCrossSculpture (20 mm bars) | InoCross20FR (E30)
Configuration: fixed / hinged / sliding / bi-fold
Glass: clear | reeded | frosted | laminated acoustic (project-dependent for rated)
Hardware: Trim / Guarded / Cup; locks/closers/seals as required
Proportion: align heads and bars to architecture; avoid “near misses”
Finish: blackened, matte black, charcoal or project palette; test under day & evening light
Verification: magnet test on beads, bars, hinges; inspect for modular caps/joints
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FAQs
Is aluminium ever “the same” as steel internally?
No. It can imitate the look but typically uses thicker, modular sections with visible joints, and it won’t feel or age like fully welded steel.
What’s special about 15 mm bars (InoCross20)?
InoCross20 sets us apart because of its 15 × 15 mm bar, welded directly to a 15 × 15 mm bead. This creates a true three-dimensional bar profile (not a flat, surface-applied strip), so the grid reads confidently as steel from every angle. The result is a slim sightline that still has depth and shadow, giving the door real presence while maximising light transfer between rooms.
Why it matters
Slim but structural: the 15 mm bar & bead assembly provides fine divisions without sacrificing the solidity and tactility of a welded steel frame.
Depth you can see: the three-dimensional profile casts a subtle shadow line, so bars don’t look “stuck on” — they look engineered.
Cleaner visuals, more light: the slimmer grid leaves a higher glass-to-frame ratio, improving openness and view continuity.
Consistent detail: welding bar-to-bead keeps intersections crisp and reliable over time.
(Availability and exact detailing may vary by opening size and project specification — we’ll advise at design stage.)
Can you match a rated door to non-rated neighbours?
Yes, InoCross20FR (E30) can be finished and proportioned to harmonise with nearby non-rated doors and screens.
Do you handle sliding and bi-folds as well?
Yes. All non-fire systems are available as fixed, hinged, sliding and bi-fold to suit your plan.
Conclusion: specify with confidence
“Real steel” isn’t a slogan—it’s material integrity, welded fabrication, stable sightlines and the tactile feel clients notice every day. The Reigate project demonstrates how a disciplined double set can share light, frame views and elevate a contemporary interior—precisely because the system underneath is fully welded and project-specific.
If you’re planning similar work—or comparing quotes that claim to be like-for-like—use the checks above, or speak to our team. We’ll help you build a specification that reads beautifully now and still feels right years from now.
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Whether you're renovating a home, specifying for a new build, or delivering a luxury interior for a client — we’re here to help.
At Joshua James, we work with architects, interior designers, homeowners and contractors across the UK to design and supply bespoke steel internal doors. Every door is crafted to exacting standards, tailored to suit each project’s vision, and built to stand the test of time.
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