Folding Glass

Folding Glass

Folding glass (accordion glass) is a movable glass system where the glass panels are hinged together and fold like an accordion to pack away to one end, opening the façade almost completely. When the panels fold and stack, the façade opens to a large extent and indoor and outdoor space fully unite; when closed, EPDM gaskets and brush systems form a water- and wind-tight surface. Ideal for projects that want maximum opening and a fusion of indoor and outdoor, folding glass is preferred especially in restaurant, café and wide-terrace applications. Made by GlobalTente, folding glass is a modern façade solution that brings together the panoramic view and the flexibility of full opening.

In folding glass the panels are hinged together at their edges and sit on wheels that run on upper and lower rails. When the façade is to be opened, the panels fold in pairs like an accordion and stack toward one end; so almost the entire façade opens and a wide, uninterrupted passage forms. When closed, the panels line up side by side and the edge gaskets form a watertight surface. The biggest advantage of folding glass is that it offers a wider opening than sliding glass and can open the façade to the maximum extent. The panels stack to the side as in sliding glass, but folding creates a far more compact package.

Technical Specifications

Use, Automation and Maintenance

• Maximum opening: almost the entire façade opens, uniting indoor and outdoor.
• Compact package: the panels fold and stack to one end.
• Panoramic view: a wide view with a slim-frame look.
• Full tightness: water-wind insulation with gasket and brush.
• Flexibility: partial or full opening.

In folding glass the factors determining smooth use are the quality of the glass, hinges and rail-wheels. The panels are made from 8-10 mm tempered glass; tempered glass is impact-resistant and breaks into small, non-sharp pieces. The hinges connecting the panels and the wheels on the rail let the system withstand countless open-close cycles; quality hinges keep the folding smooth for years, while weak hinges loosen over time. Profiles are aluminium and powder-coated. EPDM gaskets and brushes maintain water-wind tightness. With quality hinges and rails, GlobalTente ensures long-lasting, smooth operation.

• Indoor-outdoor fusion: when fully open the space becomes a boundless terrace.
• Season extension: balcony and business façade usable in four seasons.
• Ease of heating: the space heats quickly once wind and leakage stop.
• View preserved: a panoramic view even when closed.
• Safe: tempered glass and a quality hinge-rail mechanism.

• Restaurant and café façades (indoor-outdoor fusion with full opening)
• Wide residential terraces and balconies
• Winter gardens and view seating areas
• Fully openable closure of pergola sides

Folding glass is ideal for users who want to open the façade to the maximum and fully unite indoor and outdoor space. It especially stands out in restaurants, cafés and wide terraces where fully opening the façade in good weather matters. If smooth partial opening on a wide flat opening is enough, sliding glass; if space saving in a narrow area is the priority, guillotine glass; for sections that do not need to open, fixed glass is considered. All movable glass solutions are part of the glass systems family and can be integrated with a pergola or glass roof above.

Folding glass and sliding glass both work horizontally and the panels stack to the side; the difference is in the opening ratio and the way they stack. In sliding glass the panels stack on top of each other and the façade opens partly; in folding glass the panels fold with hinges into a far more compact package and the façade opens almost completely. Therefore, if full fusion of indoor and outdoor is wanted, folding glass; if partial opening and a wider single-panel surface are wanted, sliding glass is preferred. In venues such as restaurants and cafés where full opening is valuable, folding glass is the most suitable solution.

Folding glass installation consists of survey and measurement, production to the façade dimensions and precise installation. The most critical issues are levelling the upper and lower rails to the millimetre, correctly adjusting the hinge alignments, the right slope for water drainage and seal-brush integrity. Because of the hinged structure, precise installation is needed for the panels to fold smoothly; the slightest misalignment makes folding harder. Experienced installation guarantees the folding glass works smooth, watertight and long-lasting.

In folding glass maintenance, keeping the inside of the rail clean and checking the hinges are important. Clearing the inside of the rail of dust once or twice a year, reviewing the hinges and gaskets and regularly wiping the glass is enough. Keeping the lower rail drainage holes open prevents water from collecting. Since the hinged structure contains many moving parts, periodic checks keep the folding smooth. Replacing worn hinges and wheels maintains smooth operation. With this routine folding glass works trouble-free for years.

The price of folding glass varies by total façade dimensions, number of panels, glass type (single/double) and the quality of the profile, hinges and rail mechanism. Folding glass is usually a little more expensive than sliding glass because of its hinged structure and more moving parts; but the full opening and indoor-outdoor fusion it offers justify this difference. The double-glazing option increases insulation. Choosing quality hinges and rails provides durability through many open-close cycles. The net price is given after a free survey.

As single glazing, folding glass provides a wind and dust barrier; if thermal and acoustic insulation is your priority, the double-glazing option makes a clear difference. Double glazing reduces heat transfer thanks to the gas gap between the two panes, lowers the risk of condensation and cuts outside noise. This means savings on heating in winter and cooling in summer. In the closed position folding glass provides maximum natural light with its wide glass surface; with the right insulation choice it forms a façade that is both bright and energy-comfortable.

In folding glass safety starts with tempered glass; tempered glass withstands impact and breaks into small, non-sharp pieces. A quality hinge, rail and lock system ensures the panels fold and close safely. In daily use folding glass fully opens the wide façade to unite indoor and outdoor; when closed it reduces dust and noise from outside and keeps insects out. In this respect folding glass offers both the flexibility of full opening and a safe, comfortable living space.

Folding glass puts the glass in the foreground with a slim profile choice and gives the façade a modern look. The profile colour is chosen from the RAL catalogue to match the building's joinery, pergola or façade system; anthracite, matte black and white are the most preferred. With clear, smoked or frosted glass, the level of privacy can be adjusted. Folding glass, which becomes almost invisible when fully open, offers a slim-frame, uninterrupted glass surface when closed and integrates with modern architecture.

Folding glass comes standard with an aluminium profile, tempered glass panels, a hinged structure, an upper-lower rail and an EPDM gasket-brush system. Options: double glazing; smoked or frosted glass; a lock system; a thresholdless (flush lower rail) bottom detail; special RAL colour profile; integration with a pergola or glass roof above. These options allow folding glass to be turned into an insulated, fully enclosed outdoor-room solution as needed. Equipment selection is determined during the survey according to the façade's opening expectation and intended use.

Folding glass answers different needs with the façade throughout four seasons. In spring and autumn the panels are opened partly for both fresh air and wind protection. In summer the panels fully fold and stack to open the façade and unite indoor and outdoor; this is the most valued feature of the summer season in restaurants and cafés. In the cool evening the façade is closed to keep insects and wind out. In winter, when the system is fully closed and combined with a heater, a comfortable seating area is created even when it is cold outside. In rainy weather the closed glass protects the area and furniture. This seasonal flexibility makes folding glass an investment that creates value year-round.

For commercial spaces such as restaurants, cafés and bars, folding glass offers a strong advantage with its ability to fully unite indoor and outdoor space. In good weather the façade fully opens and the indoor hall and outdoor terrace become a single, flowing area; this gives customers an airy, inviting and modern experience and lets the capacity of the space be used flexibly. In bad weather the façade is closed quickly for a wind-free, heatable interior, so service continues in winter too. The full-opening ability removes all obstacles in front of the view, creating a strong selling point especially in businesses with a sea or green view. Folding glass provides both flexibility and an architectural statement in commercial spaces.

In folding glass systems the lower rail can optionally be applied flush with the floor (thresholdless); this provides a barrier-free, level passage between indoor and outdoor when the façade is open. The thresholdless bottom detail offers both an aesthetic flow and improves accessibility by easing the passage of wheelchairs, strollers and service trolleys. In high-traffic venues such as restaurants and hotels this detail provides great convenience. In a thresholdless application, setting up water drainage correctly is critical; with the right drainage detail both barrier-free passage and full tightness are provided together. This feature makes folding glass both a functional and an inclusive façade solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

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