Guillotine glass closes an opening with glass panels that slide vertically into the frame instead of sideways. Nothing swings, nothing takes up floor space, and when the panels are down the opening is a clean sheet of glass with no mullions in the middle of the view.
How the system works
Two, three or four glass panels run in a slim aluminium frame on counterweighted or motorised carriers. Raise them and the opening is fully clear; lower them and it is sealed. Panels are tempered safety glass, optionally with an insulated double-glazed unit where heat retention matters.
- Glass: 8 mm tempered as standard; insulated double glazing available.
- Operation: manual with counterweights, or motorised with remote control.
- Frame: thermally broken aluminium in any RAL colour.
- Use: restaurant and café façades, winter gardens, terrace and balcony enclosure.
What drives the price
- Opening size and number of panels. Panel count is set by the height, and each carrier adds hardware.
- Glass specification. Single tempered, laminated, or an insulated unit — a large spread between the ends of that range.
- Manual or motorised. Motorisation adds the drive, the control and the power run.
- Frame and finish. Standard anodised versus a custom RAL, and whether a thermal break is required.
- Structural condition. Guillotine systems need a square, load-bearing opening; out-of-true masonry adds preparation.
Guillotine or sliding glass?
Sliding glass stacks the panels to one side, so part of the opening is always covered by glass and you need somewhere for the stack to sit. Guillotine glass clears the opening completely and needs no side space at all — which is why it wins on narrow façades and on openings where the view matters more than the cost. Sliding systems are cheaper and simpler to service.
Getting a quote
Send the width and height of the opening and a photo on WhatsApp. Tell us whether you want manual or motorised operation and whether insulation matters — those two answers move the price more than anything else.
Frequently asked
Can the panels fall?
No. The carriers are mechanically locked and the counterweight system is designed to hold the panel at any position; motorised versions add an electromechanical brake.
Is it watertight?
The system is weather-tight against rain and wind when closed. It is an enclosure system, not a pressurised façade — for full thermal performance specify the insulated glazing option.