Sky-Frame Slope is a frameless sliding window system for inclined glass fronts. The insulating glass units are installed at an angle of up to 20 degrees and can either lean into the room or project outwards from the facade. The inclination creates a distinctive spatial geometry, while the glass remains a sliding, floor-to-ceiling element rather than fixed glazing.
Construction
Slope is based on the same construction principles as the straight systems: insulating glass units with perimeter sections in aluminium and glass-fibre-reinforced plastic, running in concealed frames fitted flush with floor and ceiling. The inclination changes the load situation of a sliding element, which transfers horizontal force components into the frame in addition to its dead weight. The bearing assembly accommodates these vertical and horizontal forces, so the panels keep consistent running performance despite the tilt. The drainage system is designed for both tilt directions and meets the requirements for driving rain resistance regardless of whether the glass leans inwards or outwards. The floor construction requires a build-up of at least 240 mm (9 7/16") for the track zone. The daylight-to-glass ratio corresponds to the straight systems at 98 per cent.
Glazing technologies
| Technology | Glazing | Inclination |
| Sky-Frame 2 | 30 mm double | up to 20 degrees, inwards or outwards |
| Sky-Frame 3 | 54 mm triple | up to 20 degrees, inwards or outwards |
Thermal performance follows the Sky-Frame 2 and Sky-Frame 3 technologies; maximum panel dimensions are determined per project.
Opening layouts
The panels slide manually with low rolling resistance, and an electric drive can be integrated on request.
Features
Depending on the project configuration, Slope can be combined with features such as Pocket, in which the opened panels disappear into the wall, the 30 mm fixed-glazing post for adjoining fixed elements, or security hardware.
Applications
Slope is used where the building geometry departs from the vertical and an inclined glass plane is part of the design. It is applied in residential architecture as well as hospitality and commercial buildings, for facade openings to terraces, gardens and balconies.
Colours and manufacture
Seven anodised finishes are supplied as standard: the colourless E6/EV1 and six chemically mattened Colinal tones. Further anodised colours are available on request, as is powder coating in the RAL, IGP and DB colour systems, applied in-house to the Qualicoat standard. All components are developed and manufactured in Switzerland; more than 15,000 projects have been realised since 2002.
Download the latest documentation and CAD drawings for more information about Sky-Frame sliding systems.
