Washable Guillotine Glass: Clean Both Sides From Inside
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Washable guillotine glass is a vertical-lift glass system designed so that both the inner and the outer face of each panel can be cleaned from inside the building. It adds thermal, acoustic and water insulation, electric motor drive and safety locks, which suits upper-floor balconies, terraces, winter gardens, restaurants and cafés.
Close-up of a dark-framed guillotine glass unit with stacked panes reflecting parked cars and trees
The maintenance problem this version solves
Any glass wall that stays outdoors collects salt, dust, pollen, bird droppings and the water marks left by rain. At ground level this is a chore. On the fourth floor of a hotel, or on a terrace with no safe place to stand outside the glass, it becomes a cost: rope access, a lift platform, or a contractor with insurance. Over a ten-year life, cleaning access can add up to more than anyone planned.
The washable version addresses exactly that. The panels are built so that staff can reach both faces from the room side, using the normal housekeeping routine. For operators of high-floor restaurants, rooftop terraces and apartment blocks, this is the main reason to choose it over the standard model. The exact cleaning position and movement is shown on the project drawing, so ask for it when you request a quote and check it against your own maintenance staff's reach.
Features
- Inner and outer glass surfaces cleanable from inside.
- Thermal, acoustic and water insulation.
- Electric motor automation.
- Safety locks of the comfort-lock type.
Technical data
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Maximum width | 4,000 mm |
| Maximum height | 3,500 mm |
| Number of panels | 2 or 3 |
| Glass | Tempered 8 mm, or insulated units 4+12+4 and 5+10+5 |
| Movement | Stainless-steel (inox) chain |
| Motor | Somfy, Mosel or Cuppon |
| Lock | Comfort-lock safety locking |
| Operation | Electric, motorised automation |
The two insulated build-ups read as outer pane, air gap, inner pane. In 4+12+4, two 4 mm panes surround a 12 mm gap; in 5+10+5, two 5 mm panes surround a 10 mm gap. The 8 mm tempered option is a single pane and is the choice where insulation is not the point, such as a coastal summer terrace. For a cold climate or an air-conditioned room, specify the insulated units.
The stainless chain is a sensible detail for coastal and humid sites, because it will not rust away as a plain steel drive might. It does not remove the need for periodic inspection of the drive and motor limits, which belongs in any maintenance plan.
Rendering of a café terrace enclosed by glass panels beneath a louvred roof with outdoor chairs
Application: a café façade in Istanbul
One recorded application of the guillotine range is a commercial café façade in Istanbul. The brief was typical for hospitality: keep the street or garden view uninterrupted, then close the front completely in winter so the room insulates. The project used the standard version of the guillotine glass, which shows how the family is applied on a café front.
Dark-framed motorised guillotine glass enclosure on a terrace corner with garden and sea horizon
What carries over to a washable specification? Cafés share three needs: guests must see out, staff must keep the glass clean without a ladder crew, and the front must open and close several times a day without effort. The washable model answers the second need directly. If your café occupies an upper floor, a mezzanine or a raised deck, ask the manufacturer to quote both the standard and the washable version so you can compare the cleaning saving with the price difference.
Washable or standard: a short decision guide
| Question | Lean towards washable | Lean towards standard |
|---|---|---|
| Floor level | Upper floors, raised decks | Ground level |
| Outside access for cleaning | Hard or unsafe | Easy |
| Heating or cooling the room | Yes, insulation matters | Mainly wind and rain protection |
| Budget | Higher upfront cost accepted | Tighter budget |
| Size | Within 4,000 x 3,500 mm | Larger or irregular openings, subject to engineering |
If the opening is wider than 4,000 mm or taller than 3,500 mm, a single washable unit cannot cover it. You can divide the façade into several units with a post between them, or move to the standard version, whose size is set per project.
Specification checklist for buyers
- Confirm the floor level and describe how glass is cleaned today.
- Choose between 8 mm tempered and an insulated unit, based on how the room is conditioned.
- State how many panels you expect, two or three, and the total opening size.
- Name the motor brand preference and control method.
- Decide whether the safety locks need to be tied into your access or alarm system.
- Give the frame colour and the destination port.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can the outer face be cleaned from inside?
The panel arrangement and movement are designed so that staff can reach both faces from the room side. The exact cleaning position is shown on the project drawing, so request it with your quote and confirm that it suits your cleaning routine.Does the washable version insulate better than the standard one?
It is specified with thermal, acoustic and water insulation in mind and can be fitted with insulated glass units. Actual performance depends on the glass build-up you choose, so state whether the room will be heated or cooled.What is the largest opening one unit can cover?
The catalogue limit is 4,000 mm in width and 3,500 mm in height, with two or three panels. Beyond this, split the façade into several units or ask about the standard version.Which glass options are available?
Tempered 8 mm glass, or insulated units in 4+12+4 or 5+10+5 build-ups.Is it motorised only?
The washable system is specified with electric motor automation. Motors from Somfy, Mosel or Cuppon are offered, and the drive uses a stainless chain.Request a quote and tell us the floor level, opening size and how the room is conditioned.
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