Vertical sliding sash windows to Guernsey home on the east coast

Oversized sash windows with concealed counterweights

The vertical sliding sash windows use a concealed pulley-controlled counterweight system to support the movement of the oversized glass panes. This allows the upper section to move smoothly while keeping the operating mechanism hidden within the surrounding frame.

The lower pane remains fixed when the window is open, maintaining a glazed barrier across the bedroom elevation. This configuration provides full-width ventilation and interaction with the coastal setting without requiring an external balcony or introducing additional framing across the view.

IQ Glass worked closely with Guernsey contractor JW Rihoy to coordinate the steel support frames, glazing interfaces and installation logistics for the oversized assemblies.

Structural glazing across the entrance and coastal façade

A 3.2m-wide solid pivot entrance door is framed by oversized, gable-shaped structural glazing at the front of the house. Beyond the entrance, a large structural glass wall directs views through the reception towards the coastline.

Slim framed sliding doors were installed on either side of the elevated glass wall, connecting a bedroom and communal dining space with the external areas. These floor-to-ceiling systems provide practical access while maintaining daylight and visual continuity across the principal elevation.

Internal steel-look glazing and slim aluminium casement doors were also integrated throughout the property, allowing individual spaces to be separated without losing the consistent glazed language of the wider scheme.

Technical details

• Vertical sliding sash windows: 4.9m overall width; wall-to-wall bedroom installations; 21mm central horizontal profile; concealed pulley-controlled counterweight system; upper pane slides vertically while the fixed lower pane forms a glazed safety barrier
• Frameless structural glazing: thermally broken fixing system; 63mm profile depth; max glass thickness 41.5mm; expected Uw 1.1 W/m²K; minimum fixing setback 55mm; 60mm profile height; supporting structure limited to 5mm maximum deflection; used for the entrance gable and large coastal-facing glass walls
• Slim framed sliding doors: 21mm sightline; max tested sliding pane 8.5m², up to 4m high and 500kg; glass thickness 26–32mm; typical Uw >1.1 W/m²K; Air Class 4 / Driving Rain Class 7A / Wind Class C4/B5; PAS 24 security; used beside the principal structural glass wall
• Entrance composition: 3.2m-wide solid pivot entrance door framed by oversized, gable-shaped structural glazing
• Coastal frame specification: pre-anodised aluminium framing specified to improve corrosion resistance within the exposed, salt-laden marine environment
• Supporting structure: bespoke steel frames coordinated with the oversized glazing and project-specific wind-loading requirements
• Additional glazing: thermally broken aluminium casement doors and internal steel-look windows and doors used throughout the reconfigured home

Architectural glazing for exposed coastal homes

The Moorings demonstrates how oversized sash windows, structural glass and slim aluminium systems can be engineered as one architectural glazing package for a demanding marine environment.

This approach is suited to architects and specifiers working on coastal homes where panoramic views, ventilation, wind resistance, thermal performance and corrosion protection must be resolved without introducing visually heavy framing.

Planning a project requiring vertical sliding sash windows in Guernsey or specialist coastal glazing? Contact IQ Glass for technical advice on oversized sash systems, structural glass, marine-grade aluminium and project-specific glazing support.