Lateral enclosures are the perfect complement to a pergola or glass roof. They let you completely close the terrace when it’s cold or windy, and open it on pleasant days. The two main systems are guillotine and sliding.

Sliding system

Glass panels slide horizontally on rails, stacking on one side when open.

Advantages:

Smooth and simple movement
Allows partial opening at any point
Can cover large spans (several meters)
More economical per linear meter

Disadvantages:

Needs lateral space to stack open panels
Lower rails can accumulate dirt

Guillotine system

Panels rise and fall vertically, hiding in the header. They operate with counterweights or a motor.

Advantages:

Takes up no lateral space — ideal for narrow terraces
Panels are completely hidden when open
Very clean aesthetic
Can function as a window (partial opening)

Disadvantages:

Higher installation cost
Height limitation (up to 3 meters per panel)

Comparison table

Feature	Guillotine	Sliding
Space needed	None when open	Lateral space for stacking
Price	€400-700/m²	€250-500/m²
Maintenance	Counterweights/motor	Rail cleaning
Aesthetics	Very clean	Visible profiles
Maximum height	~3m per panel	No practical limit

Recommendation

Narrow terraces or balconies: guillotine, as you have no space to stack side panels
Large terraces or restaurants: sliding, for its better value for money and greater brightness
Canary Islands climate: both work well; sliding allows more cross-ventilation

Need advice? At Pergolas Canarias we help you choose the ideal system for your space.