Guillotine Glass Systems: Vertical Sliding Glass for Terraces
A guillotine glass system is a motorised wall of tempered or laminated glass panels that slide vertically inside slim aluminium side channels — like a sash window scaled up to terrace size. Two or three panes stack over each other, so a cafe or balcony can go from fully closed to more than half open at the press of a button, with no vertical frames interrupting the view.
How the system works
Each guillotine glass module consists of extruded aluminium side posts, a top box carrying the drive, and glass panels connected by slim horizontal couplers. The motor lifts the lower panes until they align behind the fixed upper pane; balanced guides keep movement smooth and quiet. Panels lock in intermediate positions, so the opening height can be set for ventilation only. Safety comes from tempered or laminated glass and obstacle detection in the drive.
Technical specifications
- Glass: 8 or 10 mm tempered, or laminated combinations for overhead safety requirements
- Height: up to about 3.0-3.5 m per module depending on wind load
- Width: single modules up to roughly 4 m; unlimited runs by joining modules
- Profiles: EN AW-6063 aluminium extrusion, powder coated in any RAL colour
- Operation: 220 V motor with remote control; group control for whole facades
Use areas
Restaurant and cafe terraces
The most common use of guillotine glass is winterising hospitality terraces: guests stay warm behind closed glass in January, and the same space becomes an open terrace in June. Partial opening gives smoke-free ventilation without losing heat.
Balconies and winter gardens
On apartment balconies, guillotine glass provides wind and rain protection while preserving the open-balcony feeling, and it pairs naturally with a glass canopy or bioclimatic pergola roof.
Hotels and event venues
Pool bars, sky lounges and event halls use motorised glass walls to switch between indoor and outdoor modes in seconds.
Guillotine glass or folding glass?
Folding (bi-fold) glass opens the full width but leaves a stack of panels at one side and has visible vertical frames. Guillotine glass opens vertically, keeps the view frameless, operates by motor rather than by hand, and seals better against wind and noise — the usual choice where comfort and appearance matter more than a 100 percent clear opening.
Ordering
Measure the clear width and height of each opening, note the wind exposure and desired glass type, and decide between top-opening and bottom-opening configurations. Gtekal extrudes the aluminium profiles in-house and delivers guillotine glass projects under the MaxiVeranda brand — see pergola and glass systems or request a quote.