Ceiling Zip Screen

Ceiling Zip Screen

The ceiling zip screen is a shading system applied horizontally under a glass roof or pergola roof, where the fabric locks into the rail at both edges and cuts the heat and glare created by the sun. While glass roofs let the sun in to warm in winter, in summer they can overheat the area beneath through a greenhouse effect; the ceiling zip screen comes in at exactly this point, cutting the sun right under the glass surface and keeping the area cool. Opening and retracting horizontally between two rails, the ceiling zip screen can run motorised and sensor-equipped. Made by GlobalTente, the ceiling zip screen is a solution that completes thermal comfort, designed integrated with glass roof, fixed glass roof and pergola systems.

In the ceiling zip screen the fabric moves between horizontal rails mounted on the two sides of the ceiling. The zipper teeth at the fabric edges lock into the side rails; this keeps the fabric taut in the horizontal position without sagging or coming out of the rail. A tubular motor at one end winds and unwinds the fabric, moving the screen along the ceiling. When opened, the fabric covers the area under the glass roof to cut the sun; when retracted, it winds to one end and leaves the glass roof fully open. In a horizontal application, rail and tension design is critical so the fabric does not sag under its own weight; a quality ceiling zip screen stays neat and taut even over long spans.

Technical Specifications

Use, Automation and Maintenance

• Heat control: cuts the sun under the glass surface, reducing the greenhouse effect.
• Glare prevention: softens the harsh light coming from above.
• Horizontal zip lock: the fabric stays taut and neat without sagging.
• Flexible light: mesh fabric filters light, blackout fully darkens.
• Automation: opens and retracts automatically with a sun sensor.

A glass roof and fixed glass roof protect the area from rain while lighting it with natural light; but in summer the sun coming in at a steep angle can create a noticeable rise in heat (greenhouse effect) under the glass surface. In that case, although the area is protected from rain, it overheats on sunny days. The ceiling zip screen blocks this heat and glare by cutting the sun right under the glass surface; so a glass-roofed area becomes a balanced space that takes in light and warmth in winter and stays cool in summer. Mesh fabric filters light for an airy shade, while blackout fabric offers full darkening and maximum heat control. For this reason the ceiling zip screen is an important component that completes the comfort of a glass roof investment.

In the ceiling zip screen the fabric is chosen according to the intended use of the area. Mesh (technical net) fabrics pass light partially for a soft, airy shade and keep the bright feel of the glass roof; they cut the sun's heat and glare but do not darken the space. This is ideal for cafés and seating areas. Blackout fabrics cut light completely for maximum heat control and darkening; preferred for meeting rooms, projection areas or spaces where full coolness is wanted. Light-coloured, heat-reflective fabrics reflect the sun's rays back to cool the area beneath more effectively. The right fabric is determined by the glass roof's orientation and the area's use.

• Coolness in summer: noticeably reduces the greenhouse effect under the glass roof.
• Energy savings: lowers the air-conditioning load to cut cooling cost.
• Comfortable light: cuts glare for eye comfort.
• Integrated design: same colour and line as the glass roof and pergola.
• Automation: all-day automatic heat control with a sun sensor.

• Terraces and winter gardens with a glass roof and fixed glass roof
• Additional heat control under a pergola roof
• Cafés, restaurants and atriums with a glass roof
• Loft and glass-roofed seating areas

The ceiling zip screen delivers the highest comfort together with the vertical zip screen. While the ceiling zip screen cuts the sun's heat from above, the vertical zip screen closes the area from the sides to control wind, insects and privacy. This combination forms a complete solution that keeps a glass-roofed or pergola area cool in summer and sheltered in winter. Designed together with glass systems and pergola systems, the ceiling zip screen is the key layer managing the heat and light balance of an outdoor room. All these solutions are part of the canopy and zip screen systems family.

The most critical issue in ceiling zip screen installation is aligning the horizontal rails neatly and setting the correct fabric tension; in a horizontal application the tension is set precisely so the fabric does not sag under its own weight. The rails are fixed solidly to the load-bearing structure of the glass roof or pergola, the motor is placed at one end and the sun sensor is calibrated. In applications integrated with a glass roof or pergola, designing the whole system together from the start is important so the rails and colours meet in harmony. Correct installation ensures the ceiling zip screen works neat, taut and long-lasting.

Ceiling zip screen maintenance is simple: periodic cleaning of the fabric and side rails, clearing dust collected in the rail and an annual motor check is enough. Since dust or leaves can collect on the fabric in the horizontal position, opening and cleaning it occasionally is recommended. Keeping the zip teeth and side channel clean ensures the fabric locks properly. Regular cleaning of the glass roof too helps the area under the ceiling zip screen stay bright. With this simple routine the ceiling zip screen works trouble-free for years.

The price of a ceiling zip screen varies by span size, fabric type (mesh/blackout), motor and sensor package and total area. Applications requiring an intermediate support over wide spans increase cost. Sun-sensor automatic operation, although more expensive than a manual solution, provides all-day automatic heat control for comfort and energy savings. The right choice is made according to the glass roof's orientation, the area's use and the expectation of integration with the vertical zip screen. The net price is given after a free survey.

The ceiling zip screen is an important investment not only for comfort but also for energy efficiency. The greenhouse effect under a glass roof significantly increases the air-conditioning load in summer; the ceiling zip screen blocks this heat gain from the start by cutting the sun under the glass surface and saves cooling energy. Light-coloured, heat-reflective fabrics strengthen this effect by reflecting the sun's rays back. Sun-sensor automation lowers the screen only when the sun comes, providing both maximum savings and light comfort. So a glass-roofed area keeps the advantage of solar warming in winter while avoiding overheating in summer; this balance optimises energy costs year-round.

Positioned right under the glass roof, the ceiling zip screen completes the visual integrity of the space. When retracted, it winds to one end to leave the glass roof fully open and becomes almost invisible; when opened, its neat, taut fabric surface gives the space a clean, modern ceiling look. When the side rail and cassette colour are chosen in the same RAL tone as the glass roof or pergola system, the system looks integrated. The fabric colour is both aesthetic and functional: light tones give an airy feel and reflect heat, while dark tones provide stronger shade. This integrity makes the ceiling zip screen a natural part of glass-roofed areas.

Glass-roofed winter gardens and atriums create airy, bright spaces by letting in natural light; but under these glass surfaces the summer sun can turn into a serious heat problem. The ceiling zip screen is the indispensable complement to these spaces: by cutting heat under the glass surface, it makes the winter garden usable in summer too. In planted winter gardens, mesh fabric filters light, keeping the brightness plants need while blocking the excess sun that scorches leaves. In atriums and glass-roofed courtyards, the ceiling zip screen keeps the seating and social areas beneath comfortable all day. In these spaces the ceiling zip screen is a critical layer that preserves the value of the glass roof investment.

For glass-roofed cafés, restaurants and mall courtyards, the ceiling zip screen provides both customer comfort and business efficiency. In summer the heat building up under a glass roof makes it hard for customers to sit and increases the air-conditioning cost; the ceiling zip screen cuts this heat from the start to keep the area cool and inviting, increasing table occupancy and customer satisfaction. Sun-sensor automation manages the screen according to the day's sun situation without staff intervention. The soft, filtered light created by mesh fabric adds a warm, premium atmosphere to the space. In this respect the ceiling zip screen is a smart investment improving both comfort and operating costs in glass-roofed commercial spaces.

The ceiling zip screen comes standard with aluminium horizontal rails, a side zip lock, technical fabric and a tubular motor. Options: mesh or blackout fabric; special heat-reflective fabric; sun sensor; smart-home/app integration; intermediate support for wide spans; combination with a vertical zip screen; special RAL colour profile; integration with the glass roof/pergola. These options turn the ceiling zip screen into a fully automatic, fully equipped heat-light control solution as needed. Equipment selection is determined together during the survey according to the glass roof's orientation and the area's use.

Frequently Asked Questions

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