Guillotine glass uses 8–10 mm tempered glass or 4+12+4 insulated glass. When open, the lower glass works as a balustrade; when closed, the motor holds the panels so no lock is needed. We answer questions on breakage, child safety, wind, power cuts and glass replacement.
Can it break?
Any glass can break under a hard impact; what matters is the glass type and how it breaks. SkyArt guillotine glass systems use 8–10 mm tempered glass or 4+12+4 insulated glass. Tempered glass is much stronger than ordinary glass and, if it breaks, crumbles into small blunt pieces instead of sharp shards.
How the safety works
- Balustrade when open: lowered panels stack at the bottom and act as a glass balustrade.
- No lock needed when closed: the motor holds the panels; they cannot be pushed down by hand.
- Stops at any height: leave a gap at the top to ventilate without a draught.
- Smooth travel: 8 stainless steel bearings in the side channels keep the glass balanced.
Is it safe for children?
As with any motorised system: keep the remote away from children, keep hands and objects out of the gap while the glass moves, and in cafés keep tables, chairs and menus away from the glass, as these can derail the chain in chain-driven systems (café and restaurant guide).
Power cuts
The panels stay where they are; you carry on with the remote when power returns. Motor failures are very rare, under 5% in our field experience. Have the wiring and current checked regularly (motor and fault guide).
Replacing broken glass
Modular side rails allow glass to be replaced without dismantling the system.
Size limits are part of safety
For healthy, long-lasting operation we recommend a maximum module size of 4000 mm wide × 3000 mm high; wider openings are split into several modules. Our systems carry a 2-year warranty.
Full pros and cons: guillotine glass balcony advantages and disadvantages.
