What Is the Retractable Glazing System?
Everything you need to know about the Glaxior Retractable frameless glazing system — components, configurations, and technical specifications.
The Glaxior Retractable system is a vertical, frameless glazing solution designed to enclose terraces, balconies, and outdoor spaces while maintaining a clean, unobstructed view. Independent tempered glass panels slide along an upper track and, when open, rotate and fold using a pivot mechanism — stacking neatly at one end of the opening.
The system is top-supported, meaning the glass hangs from the upper profile and does not rely on the lower profile for structural load. It can open both inward and outward (inward/outward opening is only available for floor-to-ceiling installations), and is designed for use in residential and commercial buildings worldwide.
Sealing gaskets along the vertical and lateral edges protect against water, wind, and noise infiltration, making the system suitable for year-round use.
Installation Types
The Retractable system supports three installation configurations:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Floor-to-ceiling glazing | Glass spans from floor to ceiling/roof. Supports both inward and outward opening. |
| Balustrade glazing | Glass is mounted on top of an existing balustrade or railing. Outward opening not available. |
| Recessed profile (reduced) | Uses a deep-drawn lower profile for a flush, embedded finish at floor level. |
Key Components
The system is built around two aluminium profiles — upper and lower — with the glass panels installed between them.
Upper Profile
The upper profile is fixed to the terrace ceiling or roof structure. It houses the track along which the glass panels slide. Two versions are available:
- Standard upper profile — for typical span and load conditions
- Reinforced upper profile — for wider openings or higher wind exposure
Expander (Telescopic) Profile
The expander profile connects the upper profile to the ceiling/roof structure and allows for height adjustment during installation. Available in:
- Standard — for normal installations
- Structural — for heavier structural loads or larger spans
Lower Profile
The lower profile is fixed to the floor or top of the balustrade. It guides and retains the bottom of the glass panels. Three versions are available:
- Standard lower profile
- Reinforced lower profile
- Reduced (deep-drawn) lower profile — for recessed/flush floor installations
Glass Panels
Tempered glass panels are the primary structural and visual element. A locking groove is machined into the top and bottom of each pane to ensure a secure connection with the profile system, supplemented by a bi-component adhesive bond.
Available thicknesses: 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm
Pivot Mechanism
Each glass panel is equipped with upper and lower pivot mechanisms that allow it to rotate when reaching the stacking area. This is what enables the retractable (folding) movement.
Handles and Latches
Handle Options
| Installation type | Handle options |
|---|---|
| Low glazing (balustrade-mounted) | Lower push handle |
| High glazing (floor-to-ceiling) | Key lock with wireless handles, or push button handle |
Latch Options
| Latch type | Description |
|---|---|
| Bottom latch | Standard lower latch that secures the glass panel at floor level |
| Top latch | Upper latch for additional securing at the top of the panel |
| Mortise (recessed) latch | Flush-fitted latch embedded within the glass profile — cleaner finish |
Seals and Weatherproofing
The Retractable system uses four types of seals to ensure protection against weather and noise:
| Seal | Description |
|---|---|
| H-seal (between panes) | Rigid PVC joint placed between adjacent glass panels |
| Corner seal | Rigid + flexible PVC seal used at 90° corners between sides |
| End seal | Rigid PVC seal with an adjustable silicone lip (20 mm or 30 mm) at wall terminations |
| Bottom profile seal | Gasket connected to the bottom profile, plus a gasket on the leaf profile for reduced-profile installations |
Upper sealing is handled by a brush seal connected to the upper profile, with optional additional sealing gaskets for enhanced insulation.
Product Limits and Standards
The system is available in two structural configurations — Normal and Strong — to accommodate different wind load and weight requirements.
| Feature | Normal | Strong |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum number of panels | 12+12 (+ 1+1 fixed) | 12+12 (+ 1+1 fixed) |
| Fixed panes per opening end | 0–1 | 0–1 |
| Number of sides | 1–9 | 1–9 |
| Starting angle | 40–140° | 40–140° |
| End angle | 40–140° | 40–140° |
| System angle | 80–280° | 80–280° |
| Opening angle (movable glass) | 60–130° | 80–105° |
| Corner pitch | 90–270° | 90–270° |
| Max glass weight per pane | ≤50 kg | ≤75 kg |
| Max stacked glass weight at one end | ≤400 kg | ≤650 kg |
| Door panel width | 280–1,000 mm | 280–1,000 mm |
| Glass width (movable) | 280–800 mm / min 15% of height* | 280–800 mm / min 15% of height* |
| Fixed glass width | 280–800 mm / min 10% of height* | 280–800 mm / min 10% of height* |
| Glazing height — 6 mm | 420–2,100 mm* | 420–2,100 mm* |
| Glazing height — 8 mm | ≤2,500 mm* | ≤2,500 mm* |
| Glazing height — 10 mm | ≤3,000 mm* | ≤3,000 mm* |
| Glazing height — 12 mm | ≤3,000 mm* | ≤3,000 mm* |
| Minimum glazing width | ≥280 mm* | ≥280 mm* |
| Maximum profile length | ≤4,800 mm | ≤4,800 mm |
*Depending on wind pressure. All values subject to structural verification.
Application Cases
The Retractable system is flexible enough to cover a wide range of terrace layouts:
- Single side — straight run of glass along one wall, up to 12 movable panels per opening
- Two sides at 90° — L-shaped corner enclosure with a corner pass piece
- Two sides at 135° — obtuse corner configuration
- Three sides — U-shaped terrace enclosure
- Up to six sides — complex multi-corner installations with alternating opening directions
Fixed glass panels (minimum 200 mm width, or at least 14% of the glazing height) can be used at the ends of each side to resolve layout constraints such as obstacles or walls.
When to Use the Retractable System
The Retractable system is the right choice when:
- A fully frameless aesthetic is the priority — no vertical frame profiles between panes when closed
- The opening needs to be fully clearable — all panels fold and stack at one end
- The installation is floor-to-ceiling or over a balustrade
- The project involves corner or multi-side configurations
- Inward or outward opening is required (floor-to-ceiling only)
For installations where the glass panels need to slide laterally rather than fold, see the Glaxior Sliding Glazing System article.