How to Choose the Right Glass Sides for Your Conservatory

Your PERGOLUX Conservatory is designed to be one thing above all else: yours. The glass roof and aluminium frame provide the foundation, but the sides are where your space truly takes shape. With three distinct glass side options - and the freedom to combine them however you like - choosing the right configuration is less about finding the "correct" answer and more about understanding what each option brings to your space. Here's everything you need to know.

The Three Glass Side Options

Fixed Glass Sides - The Clean, Permanent Enclosure

Fixed glass sides do exactly what the name suggests: they create a solid, stationary wall of glass. Each panel sits within an aluminium frame, but unlike the sliding options, nothing moves - it's a permanent enclosure that brings your conservatory closest to a traditional indoor room.

A few things make fixed sides stand out practically. They use the tallest panels of the three options, which gives the most commanding floor-to-ceiling presence. The floor track is also the shallowest at just 26mm - roughly an inch - so there's minimal interruption at ground level. They're also the lightest configuration, which can simplify installation.

Fixed sides are the right choice if you want a fully enclosed structure where ventilation isn't a priority, or where you're pairing glass sides with a heater for year-round use.

Framed Sliding Glass Sides - Structure with Flexibility

If you want the option to open your conservatory up to the garden, framed sliding sides give you that freedom without sacrificing a defined, structured aesthetic. Each panel sits within an aluminium frame and slides along a multi-track rail system, so you can create a full opening or leave panels in any position you choose.

The aluminium frame around each panel gives this option a slightly more architectural quality - visible lines that complement the structure of the conservatory itself. The floor track runs deeper than the fixed option (68-108mm depending on size), but this is the multi-track system working to accommodate smooth, stable movement across multiple panels.

Framed sliding sides strike a balance: practical ventilation, a considered aesthetic, and a mid-range weight that keeps installation manageable.

Frameless Sliding Glass Sides - Unobstructed and Sleek

For those who want the cleanest possible look, frameless sliding sides remove the surrounding aluminium frame entirely, leaving nothing between you and the view. The glass takes centre stage.

To compensate for the absence of a frame, the glass itself is thicker - 10mm compared to 8mm in the other two options - with polished edges for safer handling and greater durability. The result is a more substantial, premium feel underfoot and visually. Panels slide freely along the same multi-track rail system as the framed version, giving you full flexibility over how open or enclosed your space feels.

It's worth noting that frameless sides are the heaviest configuration (just over 56kg per panel), so installation is best approached with two people and some patience.

Mixing and Matching - The Real Advantage

Here's where the PERGOLUX Conservatory earns its flexibility. You're not locked into a single glass side type across the whole structure. A popular combination is two fixed sides for permanent enclosure on quieter aspects, with one framed or frameless sliding side facing the garden for ventilation and easy access. Or go entirely open with sliding sides on all available walls.

Not ready for full glass enclosure? The conservatory works equally well with a mix of glass sides and other accessories - retractable screens offer privacy and shade where full transparency isn't wanted, while aluminium slat walls bring a more architectural, garden room feel. The SnapFit system means adding or adjusting accessories is straightforward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the glass sides weatherproof?

All three glass side options are weather-resistant and use tempered safety glass.

Which glass side option is easiest to install?

Fixed sides are the lightest and have the shallowest floor track, which can make the installation process more straightforward. Frameless sliding sides are the heaviest and benefit most from two people working together during fitting.

Do the glass sides provide insulation?

The glass panels are single-pane and are not insulated. For year-round use in cooler months, pairing glass sides with an integrated heater through the SnapFit system is the recommended approach.