Martin’s Electric Motorised Wine Cellar Door

The Project

Martin approached us with a clear vision for his home in Essex: he wanted to transform a standard basement storage area into a high-end, visible wine cellar. The challenge was to create a seamless "walk-on" surface that provided effortless access without the physical weight of a manual lifting handle.

The Solution

We designed and manufactured a bespoke Electric Motorised Glass Floor Hatch. The unit features our signature 25.5mm toughened and laminated structural glass, housed within a precision-engineered steel framework. To ensure the unit matched the modern interior, we finished the glass with a 50mm black painted border to mask the internal mechanics and create a sleek, framed aesthetic.

Technical Expert Insight

 In the current market, other suppliers simply "whack a motor" onto a piece of glass and call it an automated door. At Dio-Met, we view the door as a complex mechanical ecosystem with potential for serious injury without the right precautions. 

Automated floor hatches involve heavy structural loads, and safety should never be an afterthought. While most systems are "dumb" actuators, our flagship Essex build (and all our electric floors) features a multi-layered safety suite. This includes a key-lockable wall switch that fully isolates the system (disabling the remote fobs) to prevent unauthorized or accidental operation.

Crucially, our controllers include an integrated current-sensing failsafe. While no motorized heavy door is without risk, this system acts as a vital last-resort protection; if the door detects a major obstruction during the closing cycle, the auto-reverse triggers to prevent a catastrophic mechanical failure or injury. Combined with a togglable audible closing sounder and our industry-leading invisible PTV-rated anti-slip glass, we provide a level of engineering oversight that standard "kit" suppliers simply do not offer. 

Last but not least- DioMet steel frames are all UKCA certified to BS1090 – A legal requirement for any structural floor- a requirement many suppliers are failing to meet.

Safety First: Anti-Slip Technology

Walking on glass in a domestic environment can be a slip hazard, especially in transition areas like a lounge. We applied our invisible chemical anti-slip treatment to the entire surface. Though it doesn't detract from the crystal-clear view of the wine below, this treatment achieved a PTV (Pendulum Test Value) score of 68-71, far exceeding the UK standard for "Low Slip Potential” of 36. 

Direct From The Manufacturer

As the world’s leading manufacturer and direct supplier of wine cellar doors, we supplied this unit to Martin fully assembled. This is a core Dio-Met advantage—unlike "kit" versions that require hours of on-site mechanical troubleshooting, our units arrive ready for any competent person to install. Martin’s builder simply had to lower the unit into the prepared opening and connect the power.

Project Details

• Location: Essex

• Manufacturer: Dio-Met (Sheffield, UK) 

• Lead Time: 6-8 Weeks

• Key Features: Automated actuators, 50mm black border, PTV 68 anti-slip glass.Plug and Play electrics. 

Safety Best Practice: As a world-leading manufacturer, we supply these units fully assembled for simple installation by any competent person. However, operational safety remains paramount. We recommend that the key-lockable switch be installed in a position that requires the user to have a full line of sight of the cellar door during the entire opening and closing cycle. Remote fobs are provided for convenience but must never be operated from a different room or without visual confirmation that the "zone of operation" is clear. 

Ready to Elevate Your Home (and your glass door hatch!) ?

If you are planning a cellar renovation and want the peace of mind that comes with a Sheffield-engineered, fully-assembled system, we are here to help.

• Get a Quote on This System: Rectangular Electric Cellar Door Product Page

  • Love the look of Martin’s project? View the full specifications and pricing for our flagship motorized rectangular hatches.

• Looking for a Different Aesthetic? View our Circular Range: Circular and Spiral Glass Cellar Doors

  • For a truly unique architectural feature, explore our circular walk-on glass hatches. These units utilize the same high-spec safety suite and "plug-and-play" automation as seen in our Essex project.

• View All Our Recent Projects: See Our Work

  • From bespoke staircases in Sheffield to world-class glass floors, see how we solve complex engineering challenges nationwide. [cite: 2026-02-04, 2026-01-29]

Why Choose Dio-Met?

When you choose Dio-Met, you aren't just buying a product from a website; you are partnering with a UK-leading architectural engineering firm with over 35 years of proven history. 

• Manufacturing Pedigree: We have been trading and innovating since 1991 from our Sheffield headquarters. In an industry where "pop-up" resellers disappear overnight, our three decades of experience are your guarantee of long-term support and quality.

• UKCA Certified Excellence: Every structural system we produce—from balconies to wine cellar doors—is fully UKCA certified to BS EN 1090 (Execution Class 2). This is a legal requirement for structural steel in the UK, ensuring your installation is fully compliant with building regulations.

• Bespoke by Design: We don't believe in "one size fits all." While we offer standard sizes, our strength lies in custom solutions. Whether you require a unique shape, a specific glass thickness, or a motorized circular hatch, our in-house design team can engineer a solution tailored to your specific floor opening.

• Supply & Installation: We are unique in our flexibility. We ship our units nationwide and worldwide, fully assembled for simple installation by any competent person. However, for those who require a full turnkey service, we also offer a professional supply and install service across the UK.

• Global Reach, Local Expertise: From our workshop in the heart of the "Steel City," we export our world-leading wine cellar doors to luxury homes across the globe, crated and protected to ensure they arrive ready for immediate "plug-and-play" operation. 

Give us a call on 0114 243 9009 or email sales@diometonline.co.uk