Glass boxes.
A glass box is a small architectural volume read as pure glass — three or four glass walls and a glass roof, joined at silicone-bonded corners, with no visible aluminium frame at the meeting points. Engineered, fabricated and installed by Maxlight from the W3 site.
Glass boxes are deliberately limited as a configuration because each is a discrete engineering case. The glass thickness, the fin geometry where the panes meet, the edge clamp into the structural opening, and the silicone bead width are all calculated against the loads the assembly must carry — self-weight first, then snow load on the roof, then any occasional walk-on or maintenance load. Two glass boxes that look similar from outside can have substantively different builds because the load conditions differ.
Mechanically the corners are silicone-bonded butt joints. The structural silicone bead is sized against the load case and the glass thickness on each side; we use Dow Corning structural-glazing-rated silicones (or the project-specified equivalent) and we run pull-out tests on representative joints during fabrication. The edge clamp into the structural opening — usually a steel beam above the box and a structural slab beneath — is engineered against the calculated forces with a steel surveyor for the structural opening and our in-house engineering for the glass.
Maxlight glass boxes are made and installed by us; we do not supply-only on this product because the install detail is part of the engineering case. The contractor on site cannot reasonably take delivery of the panels and assemble them — the silicone-bonding must be done in controlled conditions, the panels are too heavy and too brittle for an unsupported install crew, and the warranty depends on the install being done correctly.
Glass boxes appear in residential extensions as the small architectural moment that closes a sequence of rooms — typically three to five square metres of plan area, four to five metres at the longest dimension. They appear in commercial and retail interiors as feature volumes, vitrines, and threshold conditions where the brief calls for an enclosed but visible space.
Glass-box patterns.
01
Three-wall glass box
Three glass walls and a glass roof, attached to the existing building on the fourth side. The most common pattern: a small extension with three sides of glass.
02
Four-wall glass box
Four glass walls and a glass roof, free-standing. Less common; usually appears as a vitrine, enclosed showroom display, or contained external moment.
03
Glass-fin assembly
Long glass walls with vertical glass fins providing structural stiffness, in place of frequent aluminium uprights. Used where the design wants the structural members to read as glass rather than as metal.
04
Frameless walls
Floor-to-ceiling glass walls with no visible frame at top or bottom — the glass is clamped into structural details concealed in the floor and ceiling. Used inside larger buildings as a frameless room divider.
Specification.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Three- or four-wall structural glass volume |
| Corner detail | Silicone-bonded butt joints |
| Glass build-up | Project-specific — engineered against load case |
| Roof load | Self-weight + snow load + occasional walk-on |
| Edge condition | Engineered clamp into structural opening above and below |
| Engineering | In-house Maxlight, coordinated with structural engineer |
| Fabrication | W3 factory, controlled conditions |
| Installation | Maxlight crew — supply-only is not offered |
Frequently asked questions
What colours are available for your products?
We offer the full RAL Classic colour range (216 colours), giving you complete flexibility to match your design vision. Whether you’re looking for bold contemporary tones or subtle architectural finishes, we can accommodate your requirements.
Do you offer anodised finishes?
Anodised finishes are available on request. Please speak to our team to discuss options and suitability for your project.
What locking options are available, and can they be colour matched?
Our doors are fitted with high-quality locking systems, including bottom locks (non-PAS 24) and PAS 24-rated side locks. While the lock barrels are not colour matched, the escutcheons (visible lock surrounds) can be finished to match your frame colour for a seamless look.
What security rating do your doors have?
Our systems can be configured with PAS 24-rated side locks, providing enhanced security for residential applications.
What security certification do you offer?
We offer systems that comply with PAS 24, a recognised UK standard for enhanced security performance.
Are your warranties transferable?
Our warranties are property-based rather than person-based, meaning they remain valid if ownership of the property change
Can I view your products in a showroom?
We offer a virtual showroom experience, which can be arranged through your sales contact.
Can I visit in person?
Yes, visits can be arranged by appointment at our showroom at 333A Western Avenue, London, W3 0BE
What are your typical lead times?
Our process is carefully structured to ensure precision and quality: - Survey Stage: Approximately 1 week to carry out a site survey, provided the site is fully prepared. We’ll supply clear guidelines in advance. - Design & Drawing Stage: Around 2 weeks (or up to 3 weeks for more complex projects such as glass boxes) from survey completion and receipt of all required technical details. - Manufacture & Installation: Approximately 8 weeks from final approval of drawings, with installation scheduled shortly after. Your project timeline will always be confirmed by your sales contact based on scope and complexity.
Do you offer bi-fold doors?
We specialise in premium glazing systems that prioritise longevity and performance. Bi-fold doors typically require more maintenance due to their multiple moving parts and top-hung weight distribution. For this reason, we focus on alternative systems that offer cleaner aesthetics, smoother operation, and reduced long-term maintenance.
Will you liaise with my architect or builder?
Absolutely. We regularly collaborate with architects, builders, and project teams to ensure your design is delivered exactly as intended.
What areas do you cover?
We operate across the whole of the United Kingdom.
Performance and assurance
Certified, documented, project-specific.
Glass U-value
1.0 W/m²K (glass / centre-pane figure)
Whole-window and project-specific thermal performance varies by configuration.
Warranty
- 10 years workmanship from installation
- 10 years on double-glazed units against hermetical seal failure (glass breakage not covered)
- 10 years on powder-coated aluminium
- 5 years on moving parts and accessories
A small architectural volume read as pure glass. Engineered for the load case, fabricated under control, installed by us. The Maxlight glass-box programme is deliberately constrained — the brief and the engineering have to align — and that constraint is what makes it work.
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