Sliding Folding Security Shutters - The FlexiGlide Range

A roller shutter is the right answer for most openings. But some openings - very wide spans, curved frontages, limited headroom, split openings, or architecturally constrained spaces - need a different approach. That's what FlexiGlide shutters have been designed for.

FlexiGlide is HVP's proprietary range of sliding folding security shutters. Designed and manufactured in the UK, it handles openings and configurations that a conventional roller shutter barrel cannot accommodate. We developed it because we kept encountering projects where clients needed serious security performance across complex openings, and the standard market had nothing suitable.

What is a sliding folding shutter?

A sliding folding shutter is a security and architectural feature designed to protect openings such as windows, doors, counters and wide entrances. Rather than coiling vertically into a barrel above the opening, as a roller shutter does, it consists of a series of hinged panels suspended from an overhead track. The panels fold concertina-style and slide sideways, clearing the opening without requiring headroom above it and stacking away out of sight when open.

Sliding folding shutters are used across commercial, public sector, and hospitality settings, wherever a standard roller shutter is ruled out by headroom, width, curvature, or appearance.

How Sliding Folding Shutters Work

Where a roller shutter coils vertically into a barrel above the opening, a sliding folding shutter folds and stacks to the side. Panels fold concertina-style and slide along a track, clearing the opening without requiring headroom above it.

This makes sliding folding shutters the right solution when:

• Headroom is limited - there is insufficient space above the opening for a standard shutter barrel
• The opening is very wide - a single roller shutter barrel becomes impractical beyond certain widths; sliding panels distribute the load differently
• The opening is curved - FlexiGlide sliding shutter tracks can follow a curved or irregular plan, which a rigid barrel cannot
• Split stacking is required - panels can stack to one side or split and stack to both sides, depending on site constraints
• The aesthetic brief is different - the visual profile of a folded shutter is distinct from a standard rolled shutter and suits certain architectural environments

Advantages of Sliding Shutters

Sliding shutters offer a range of practical advantages over traditional roller shutters:

• Curved openings: secure curved or irregular openings that a rigid roller shutter barrel simply can't follow.
• No floor track: our sliding shutters operate without a floor track, keeping the opening clear and avoiding a trip hazard or obstruction when open.
• Space efficient: folding shutters stack away to the side when not in use, leaving the opening completely free and making full use of the available floor area.
• Reliable performance: non-jamming locking posts ensure smooth operation, including on uneven surfaces.
• Manual operation: most installations operate manually, with no motor or electrical supply required, keeping installation and maintenance straightforward.
• Choice of models: our range of six FlexiGlide models covers everything from fully open sightlines to solid, high-security panels, so the shutter can be matched to the specific opening and setting.
• Minimal headroom: sliding shutters fit into locations where a roller shutter's headroom requirement rules it out.
• Lightweight and durable: aluminium construction combines strength with ease of installation and long-term durability.

Example sliding shutter plan view

The above diagram shows a design proposal for one of our sliding shutters from a top-down perspective (a plan view), representing the layout, dimensions, and arrangement of the shutter as if you were looking directly down on it from above. This particular sliding shutter has a larger curve (with a radius of 1200mm) on the left, followed by a straight section of 3690mm, and then a smaller curved section (with a radius of 356mm) on the right. The numbers 2, 4 and 6 indicate different types of locking posts to secure the shutter curtain in place when it's closed. On the right-hand side the shutter can be stacked into a hollow wall that can be closed off by a door.

The FlexiGlide Product Range

HVP offer sliding shutters in six model types, each suited to a different balance of visibility, security and appearance. Full specifications, technical drawings and a photo gallery for each model are on our FlexiGlide product page.

• Vision Guard - open-profile sliding grille for retail and commercial environments where visibility through the closed shutter is required. Provides physical security without blocking sightlines.
• Vision Glass - polycarbonate-infilled panels for maximum transparency with physical resistance. Suitable for high-end retail and leisure environments.
• Vision Air - perforated panel construction for a balance of visibility, ventilation, and security.
• Classic Chainlink - chainlink infill on a sliding folding frame. Traditional aesthetic with modern track engineering. Suited to concourses, public buildings, and retail applications requiring a heritage-appropriate appearance.
• Protector - solid panel construction for applications where security is the primary requirement and visibility through the shutter is not needed.
• Barrier - solid sliding panels for industrial and high-security applications, including wide-span openings and vehicle-rated applications.

Applications

We've installed sliding shutters across a wide range of settings:

• Shopping centres and retail malls - unit closures, concourse partitions, food court boundaries. Wide spans and curved mall configurations suit FlexiGlide well.
• Transport hubs - airports, stations, ferry terminals where curved concourse designs and airside security requirements coincide.
• Sports venues - we have installed shutters at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and other major venues where architectural constraints rule out conventional solutions.
• Hospitality and leisure - hotel lobbies, casino floors, theatres, and entertainment venues where the shutter must perform structurally but also suit a premium interior.
• Heritage buildings - FlexiGlide's lower-profile track system and range of infill options can be specified to satisfy conservation officer requirements in listed buildings and conservation areas.
• Industrial - wide span - loading bay openings too wide for a practical single barrel.
• Reception desks and counters - straight or curved counters where headroom is restricted or an open, welcoming feel is wanted alongside security.

Specification and Survey

Sliding shutter installations are more bespoke than standard roller shutter projects. Every job starts with a detailed site survey covering:

• Opening dimensions and profile (including any curvature)
• Available headroom and side-stacking space
• Floor and ceiling substrate for track fixing
• Operating frequency and who will operate the shutter
• Security rating requirement
• Aesthetic and visual requirements

We produce a full specification drawing before manufacture begins. Lead times are typically 4-6 weeks depending on complexity. For the detailed technical specification - panel construction, track profile, locking systems and finishes - see the FlexiGlide product page.

Contact us Get a quote Sliding shutter brochure

Frequently Asked Questions

How do sliding folding shutters differ from traditional roller shutters?

Sliding folding shutters open and close horizontally, while traditional roller shutters operate vertically. Sliding shutters can secure curved or very wide openings, as well as openings with very limited headroom, where a roller shutter barrel isn't practical.

Are sliding folding shutters as secure as roller shutters?

Security performance depends on the specific product and installation rather than the operating mechanism. Our Protector and Barrier models are built to resist forced entry. Where a specific LPS 1175 security rating is required, we advise accordingly during survey.

Can your sliding shutters be used externally?

Yes. The track and panel systems are designed for external use and are finished to resist weathering. We advise on appropriate specifications for exposed locations during the survey.

What's the maximum width a sliding folding shutter can cover?

We have installed FlexiGlide sliding shutters across very wide openings - individual projects have exceeded 20 metres. There is no absolute maximum; the correct specification depends on the structural fixing points available.

Can sliding folding shutters be motorised?

Yes. Electric operation is available across the range, with remote control, key switch, and building management system integration - useful for large or heavy installations where manual operation would be impractical. Many installations are also fully manual, needing no motor or electrical supply.

How long does installation take?

Installation time depends on the size and complexity of the project. A straightforward single-opening installation is typically completed within a day; wider or curved installations may take longer. We confirm timescales during the survey.

Do you have case studies for FlexiGlide projects?

Yes - see our dedicated sliding shutter case studies section for examples including retail, sports venue, and transport hub installations. We're happy to discuss similar projects during a survey.

Tell us about your opening

The more unusual or complex it is, the more likely a sliding shutter is the right answer. Call 01392 270 218, email [email protected], or request a free site survey. We cover the whole of the UK.