All in the frame: The steel doors inviting light, texture and more design opportunities

24 February 2026

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They’re a boundary between indoors and out, separating one space from another, creating privacy where it’s needed and protecting us from the outdoor elements. But doors can be so much more. When they become part of the design conversation, they can change the whole feel of a space.

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Adding ZEN steel frame doors to your project

Often chosen for heritage renovations, contemporary extensions and even as single statement pieces in smaller retrofits, ZEN’s FPS50 and W40 steel hinge doors can be fully customised: size, colour, glazing and hardware. “And with these slimmer profiles, you have a lot more natural light coming into the property,” says ZEN Founder, John Terziovski.

The FPS50 profile

Formed from folded steel, the FPS50 profile is a handcrafted, slim tubular frame that is both strong and surprisingly adaptable. Polyurethane is injected into the tube, giving the door additional structural stability, thermal performance, and unlocks one of its biggest advantages: the ability to span wider openings.

This construction allows for generous panes of glass, making it a natural choice for projects where scale and light are key. It’s a profile that lends itself equally well to internal feature doors and external openings, without feeling visually heavy.

The W40 profile

The W40 appears slightly slimmer from a distance, but reveals its strength and craftsmanship on closer inspection. Manufactured from solid hot-rolled steel imported from Switzerland, the W40 profile has a density and tactility that is immediately evident up close. A solid construction with an interlocking profile that creates a tight seal between the door sash and jamb, eliminating gaps and enhancing weather performance.

“There are no gaps on the W40 profile doors,” says John. “The profile has a stepped leg design and overlaps, it creates a nice, tight seal.” Fully non-combustible and designed with precision, it’s a profile often specified when doors and operable windows need to visually unite across a project.

With the W40 being heavier per square metre than the FSP50 profile, there are natural limits to height, but additional engineering increases the possibilities.

“You can go up to 2450mm high before you need to use a special type of locking mechanism,” explains John. “If you want to go taller than that, we can do it. We have done doors up to 3.4 metres, but you need to use a multi-point lock system which engages the two door panels to secure the whole way up the door sash so there are no gaps. Solid steel has a natural tendency to bow over longer spans, so the multipoint locks avoid that. ”

Both profiles share their ability to transform a space: weaving in design elements where such detailing might not otherwise be considered, welcoming in natural light at the same time.

Customisations for design expression

With ZEN’s doors custom made for every project, each door is more than a functional product, it becomes part of the wider design language.

This was seen in a contemporary renovation of a Brunswick family home by Studio Minosa, where custom arched FSP50 steel doors with ribbed glass offer a sense of intrigue, discreetly concealing a bar, coffee station and walk-in pantry. Each door expresses a layered, modern reference to the surrounding Victorian architecture. Upstairs in the parents’ retreat, the steel framed doors define a series of quiet, connected spaces where floor-to-ceiling openings and a serene blend of timber and stone create rhythm and calm.

Single, double and triple glazing can be specified depending on the project’s needs, with different glass textures to choose from to change the level of privacy and add to the overall style and atmosphere.

The frames can also be colour-matched and hardware choices add another layer of personalisation, whether through standard lever handles or custom-made pull handles manufactured to suit the interior scheme.

Whether specified for renovations and restorations, or as statement pieces in contemporary designs, ZEN’s FPS50 and W40 steel hinge doors offer more than practicality. They add to the design in a way that traditional off-the-shelf doors cannot.