Patented Motorised Glass Roof · Designed & Manufactured by Veraforza
Retractable Glass Roof Systems
A retractable glass roof opens to the sky at the touch of a button and closes when the British weather turns. Made-to-measure motorised sliding glass roofs for terraces, garden rooms, pools and hospitality venues — designed, manufactured and installed by Veraforza.
Why Choose a Veraforza Retractable Glass Roof?
We engineer and manufacture our own opening roof systems, so every project is made to measure rather than cut down from a standard kit — and we have supplied systems to more than 42 countries.
Opens Up to 75% of the Roof
Panels slide over one another and stack, leaving most of the roof open to the sky. Each section works independently, so you can ventilate one bay or open everything.
Watertight, With Hidden Drainage
Structural glazing gives a flush outer surface; rainwater runs into concealed gutters inside the rails and a condensation channel beneath them. Air tightness tested to EN 12207 Class 4.
Engineered for Your Site
Aluminium profiles with steel carriers where needed, sized by structural calculation for local wind and snow loads, with stainless-steel fixings throughout.
Silent Sliding Panels
Multi ball-bearing rollers and a synchronous drive belt move the panels quietly and smoothly, year after year.
Structural Glazing
The outer pane is bonded to the frame, so the roof surface is smooth and flush — water runs straight off and dirt has nowhere to collect.
Reinforced Where It Matters
No extra steel is needed up to 5,000 mm projection; beyond that we add steel carriers designed for your span. Architects also specify it for glass roof extensions.
Glass & Roof Panel Options
Choose tempered and laminated safety glass for maximum daylight, or insulated aluminium composite panels for solid, shaded sections. Both are available in the same roof.
- Insulated safety glass — typically a 21 mm unit: toughened outer pane, argon cavity and laminated inner pane.
- Solar-control Low-E coating — reduces solar gain and filters around 60% of UV.
- Aluminium composite panel — insulated panel in your chosen RAL colour for shaded areas.
For complete sun control, add external glass roof blinds above the glazing or internal blinds beneath it.
Sizes, Spans & Modules
Projection from 1,500 mm to 7,000 mm on a single slope, or up to 14,000 mm in total with a gable ridge. Frontage length is unlimited: the roof is built from modules of 1,200–1,750 mm, each with its own motor if you want independent control.
We prepare a 3D design with exact module sizes after the free survey, so you can see the panel layout before anything is made.
Glass Roof Cost Guide
What drives the price of an opening glass roof in the UK. Read the guide →
Planning Permission
When permitted development covers a glass roof — and when it does not. Check the rules →
Free Site Survey
We measure, check the wall and drainage, and design the panel layout. Book your survey →
Choose Your Opening Layout
Panels can also be set to open towards the slope (reverse opening) where the view or the orientation of the terrace calls for it.
Motors, Remotes & Sensors
Every opening section has its own 230 V tubular motor driven by a synchronous belt, so servicing one bay never means dismantling the roof. Control the roof from a handset or a fixed wall switch, and add rain and wind sensors that close it automatically when the weather turns. Roofs can also be supplied prepared for motorisation to be added later.
| Motor brand | Origin | Manufacturer warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Somfy | France | 5 years |
| Becker | Germany | 5 years |
| ASA | Italy | 3 years |
EN 12207 Class 4
Air tightness tested to Class 4 — the top class in the standard — so draughts stay outside when the roof is closed.
Stainless Fixings Throughout
Every screw and fitting is stainless steel, which matters on coastal and exposed UK sites.
Spare Parts for 10 Years
We manufacture the system ourselves and hold spare parts for ten years, so a repair never means replacing the roof.
Frame Colours & Finishes
One Supplier, Complete Solution
Turn the Terrace into a Year-Round Room
Add glazed side walls and your opening roof becomes a retractable roof conservatory — a garden room you can still open in summer — the best of a conservatory without the greenhouse effect. The same system is used for conservatory roof replacement on an existing structure.
Retractable Glass Roofs for Restaurants, Cafés & Hotels
Independent sections, rain sensors and integrated lighting keep terraces trading in any weather. We work with UK hospitality sites from single covers to full courtyard enclosures, and can phase installation around opening hours. Homeowners use the same system to build an opening-roof sunroom.
Retractable Glass Roof Technical Details
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Maximum projection | 7,000 mm single slope · up to 14,000 mm as a gable (7,000 + 7,000) |
| Minimum projection | 1,500 mm |
| Frontage width | Unlimited — built in modules |
| Module width | 1,200 mm – 1,750 mm (max spacing 1,700 mm) |
| Roof opening | Up to 75% of the roof area |
| Panel arrangement | 1 fixed + 3 or 4 opening panels per run |
| Extra steel support | Not required up to 5,000 mm projection |
| Frame | High-strength aluminium alloy; steel carriers for longer spans |
| Glazing | Tempered & laminated insulated units (typically 21 mm) with optional solar-control Low-E |
| Alternative panel | Insulated aluminium composite panel in any RAL colour |
| Outer pane fixing | Structural glazing for a flush, watertight surface |
| Drainage | Concealed gutters inside the rails + condensation channel under each rail |
| Air tightness | EN 12207 Class 4 |
| Motor | 230 V single-phase tubular motor per section, synchronous drive belt |
| Motor options | Somfy (5-year) · Becker (5-year) · ASA (3-year) manufacturer warranty |
| Control | Remote handset or wall switch; rain and wind sensors optional and retrofittable |
| Movement | Multi ball-bearing rollers |
| Fixings | Stainless steel throughout |
| Finishes | 210 RAL powder-coat colours · anodised · woodgrain |
| Options | Internal or external blinds, LED strip or spot lighting, glass side walls |
| Spare parts | Available for 10 years |
See the Roof in Action
Sliding and retractable glass roof systems
A sliding glass roof system is made of glazed panels that run on aluminium tracks and stack over one another. Closed, the roof is weather-tight and drains into the side beams; open, up to about 75% of the roof area is clear, so the terrace behaves like an open space again within a minute.
This is the difference between a glass roof system and a fixed glass roof: you are not choosing between shelter and open sky for the life of the building. Restaurants use it to keep a terrace trading in the rain and then open it the moment the weather clears; at home it is what turns a covered patio into an outdoor room in July.
Panels can be single toughened, laminated or insulated double glazing, and the system can be wall-mounted against the house or free-standing on its own posts. Motorised operation runs from a remote or wall switch, with rain and wind sensors available to close the roof automatically.
Retractable Glass Roof FAQs
What is a retractable glass roof?
A retractable glass roof is a motorised sliding glass roof. The glazed panels run on rollers and stack over one another, so you can open the roof to the sky in seconds and close it again when the weather turns.
How much of the roof opens?
Up to 75% of the roof area. A typical run is one fixed panel with three or four opening panels, and each section can be opened separately for ventilation.
How far can a retractable glass roof span?
Up to 7,000 mm projection on a single slope, from a minimum of 1,500 mm. A gable (ridge) version opens to both sides and covers up to 14,000 mm in total. The frontage width is unlimited because the roof is built in modules of 1,200–1,750 mm.
Is a retractable glass roof watertight?
Yes. The outer pane is bonded with structural glazing for a flush surface, rainwater runs into concealed gutters inside the rails, and a separate condensation channel sits under each rail. Air tightness is tested to EN 12207 Class 4.
Will it close automatically when it rains?
Rain and wind sensors can close the roof automatically and can be fitted at any time, including years after installation.
Which roof panels can I choose?
Tempered and laminated safety glass — usually a 21 mm insulated unit with a solar-control coating — or insulated aluminium composite panels for solid, shaded sections. Solar-control glass filters around 60% of UV.
How is a retractable glass roof different from a fixed glass roof?
A fixed glass roof gives permanent cover but no fresh air from above and has to be cleaned from the outside. A retractable roof opens, ventilates and cleans easily — see our fixed glass roof pergola to compare.
Can the sides be enclosed?
Yes. Frameless sliding glass, guillotine glass and zip screens all pair with the roof, turning the terrace into a year-round garden room.
Do I need planning permission?
Many roofs attached to a house fall under permitted development in England, subject to size, height and boundary rules; listed buildings and conservation areas usually need consent. See our planning permission guide.
How much does a retractable glass roof cost?
Price is calculated per square metre and depends on the projection, width, glazing, number of motorised sections and extras such as blinds or lighting. We give a fixed price after a free survey — our cost guide explains the ranges.
What maintenance does it need?
Very little. Clean the glass and profiles with mild products, and check the gutters and drainage outlets a couple of times a year. Because the panels retract, both faces of the glass are easy to reach.
What warranty do I get?
The system carries our manufacturer warranty, motors come with the motor maker’s warranty — 5 years for Somfy and Becker — and spare parts are available for 10 years. Exact cover is confirmed in writing with your quote.
Free, No-Obligation Quote
Get your retractable glass roof quote
Tell us about your terrace, choose your glazing and options and add rough sizes. We prepare a 3D design and a detailed quote — free and without obligation.
- Choose your layout, glazing and side options.
- Add the width and projection in millimetres.
- Leave your details — we arrange a free survey and 3D design.
How to measure
- Measure the width along the house wall or frontage (e.g. 7000 mm).
- Measure how far the roof should project (e.g. 4000 mm).
- Check the height under gutters and first-floor windows (e.g. 2500 mm).
- Take a few photos of the wall and the whole area.