Wine Cellar Door FAQ
Wine Cellar Door FAQ
Hinged Glass Floor / Wine Cellar Door FAQ
Frequently asked questions about our hinged glass floor / wine cellar door system — do you offer automated versions? How deep is the unit? What weight can it withstand? We have compiled answers to these and other common questions to help you understand our UKCA-certified solutions.
The information on this page is provided for general guidance only. Project-specific details, dimensions, loadings and configurations are confirmed in the manufacturing drawings issued at order stage and supersede any general information shown here.
General Information
Q1. What type of glass or acrylic is used in your hinged glass floors?
Our hinged glass floors use 25.5mm toughened and laminated glass, designed for safety and structural integrity. If the glass breaks, the laminate layer holds the panel together, helping to maintain a fall barrier. Acrylic is not suitable for walk-on applications; glass is the industry standard for transparent walk-on flooring.
Q2. Where are your hinged glass floor products made?
All steelwork is fabricated in our Sheffield workshops, and glass is sourced from suppliers in Yorkshire. Products are British-made and delivered nationwide.
Q3. Do you have a showroom where I can see your products?
We do not have a dedicated showroom, but visits to our Sheffield workshops can be arranged by appointment. You can view sample units, discuss your requirements and see fabrication in progress.
Safety, Compliance, and Loading
Q4. What loadings are your hinged glass floors designed to, and how do they relate to building regulations?
Our hinged glass floors are designed to a concentrated load of 2.0kN in accordance with BS EN 1991-1-1:2002, suitable for domestic loading. The steel framework is UKCA certified to BS EN 1090-2, which is a legal requirement for structural steel placed on the UK market.
The product is intended for primary access to non-habitable spaces such as wine cellars and storage areas. It is not designed for primary access to habitable rooms and is not fire rated.
Building control treatment varies from project to project. Customers are responsible for confirming requirements with their building control officer or fire engineer, and for ensuring the chosen product is suitable for the specific application. We recommend that a structural glass engineer is consulted if there is any doubt about the required glass thickness for the intended use.
Q5. What safety features do your hinged glass floors include?
Manual systems feature a lockable mechanism, gas struts to assist opening and closing, and a hold-open position.
Electric systems include an audible alert during operation, a press-and-hold function, auto-reverse and a key-operated override.
All units can be supplied with non-slip treated glass, which achieves a Pendulum Test Value (PTV) of 68 in dry conditions, in excess of the minimum 36 for low slip risk. Care should be taken on wet glass.
The product is not fire rated.
Q6. Is there a risk of leaning over the hinged glass floor to close it, especially for larger units?
Yes. Leaning over an open hatch can pose a fall risk, particularly for larger units or those covering staircases. We recommend installing a safety barrier or guarding around the opening when the hatch is open. Alternatively, our electric motorised system allows remote opening and closing without leaning over the void. Larger manual doors should be operated by moving around to the door sides to avoid leaning over the opening.
Design, Customisation, and Size
Q7. What size hinged glass floors can you make, including larger units or those covering entire staircases?
Our standard size range is from 600 x 600mm up to 2200 x 1000mm, with the largest single non-hinged opening at 1000mm. For larger units or staircase-spanning designs we offer bespoke solutions, including split-hatch configurations and fixed glass panels. Custom sizes can include variations wider than 2000mm or smaller than 600mm (without gas struts). Each order is supplied with a manufacturing drawing for approval prior to production.
Q8. Can I customise my hinged glass floor for specific heights, fixings, or designs?
Yes. We offer custom variations including frame depth, fixing details and hinge placement to suit wine cellars, basements and staircases. Please contact us with your requirements.
Q9. Can I have the door in a specific colour, other than black?
Yes. Our standard paint colour is black for both the steel framework and the painted glass borders, but we regularly supply in a range of colours. The steel frame and glass borders can be painted to any Classic RAL colour code. Please note that as the glass borders are painted between the laminate layers, lighter colours can appear visually distorted with a slight green tinge when viewed through the thick glass.
Installation and Operation
Q10. How heavy is the hinged glass floor to lift, and how does it operate?
Manual systems use gas struts to assist lifting and provide controlled closing. For larger or heavier units, including those over staircases, we recommend our electric motorised option, which is operated via a button.
Q11. What is involved in installing your hinged glass floor?
Installation should be carried out by a competent tradesperson. Units arrive fully assembled and are placed into a prepared floor void. Final levelling, fixing and finishing into the surrounding floor build-up is the responsibility of the installer, who must ensure the unit is level and flush with the finished floor to avoid trip hazards. We supply simplified instructions with the product and a detailed manual via QR code. Installation services by our own team can be arranged on request.
Q12. Do you offer electric automated hinged glass floor systems?
Yes. We offer electric motorised systems for larger units or staircase installations, with safety features including auto-reverse and a key-operated override. The electric systems are designed as plug-and-play and operate from a standard 240V UK socket. Specifications and pricing are shown on the relevant product pages.
Maintenance and Care
Q13. Will the glass scratch, and how should I maintain it?
Glass can scratch if not cared for properly. We recommend walking on the glass with bare feet or socks and avoiding outdoor shoes or slippers. Clean with standard glass cleaner and a soft cloth, avoiding abrasive materials, and dry with a microfibre cloth to prevent streaks. Check hinges and gas struts periodically for wear and contact us for replacements if required.
Q14. Will the glass be slippery?
Glass has a polished surface that can be slippery, particularly when wet. Our non-slip treatment improves slip resistance, achieving a PTV of 68 in dry conditions, in excess of the minimum 36 for low slip risk. Care should be taken on wet glass, especially in high-traffic areas.
Beneath the Door and Logistics
Q15. What happens beneath the hinged glass floor — what do you supply?
We supply the hinged glass floor unit to fit a prepared floor void. The space below is the responsibility of the customer and can be configured as required, for example as a display area, stepped access or a full wine cellar. We do not supply below-floor elements. The manufacturing drawing assists with planning the surrounding works.
Q16. Do you deliver outside the UK?
Yes, we ship internationally. Please contact us for delivery quotes and lead times.
Q17. How do I ensure the hinged glass floor will fit my wine cellar or staircase opening?
A manufacturing drawing is supplied with every order for review and approval. This can be shared with your installer to confirm the structural opening before fabrication. A typical PDF detail can be requested at enquiry stage to assist with early-stage design; this is indicative only and is superseded by the project-specific manufacturing drawing.
Q18. How will my door be delivered?
Most of our glass doors are delivered by third-party courier. Where possible we request a tail-lift delivery, although this cannot be guaranteed. These units can be exceptionally heavy and the customer is responsible for arranging suitable offloading, which may require a forklift, crane or sufficient personnel. If the product is too large for a tail-lift delivery, or the delivery location is restricted by narrow roads, we will advise in advance of dispatch so that suitable arrangements can be made.
Q19. How long does a bespoke hinged glass floor take to make?
All hinged glass floors are made to order and typically take between 8 and 12 weeks to complete, depending on specification and material availability at point of order. Lead times can vary, so please contact us for current estimates. We also list a small selection of stock hinged floors where available.
See our product pages for current styles, sizes and pricing for our hinged glass floor / wine cellar door units.
Information on this page is provided for general guidance only and does not form part of any contract or warranty. Project-specific details are confirmed in the manufacturing drawings issued at order stage.
See here for styles and pricing of our hinged glass floor / wine cellar door units
Get in touch with us to discuss your hinged glass door requirements on 0114 243 9009 or email us sales@diometonline.co.uk
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