Hospitality & CommercialOffice Partitions: How to Divide Spaces with Aluminium and Glass
Informative guide to aluminium and glass office partitions: types, acoustic insulation, regulations and what to consider before asking for a quote.
Read moreThe Hospitality Sector Transformation in Granada and Malaga
The hospitality sector in Granada and Malaga is undergoing a transformation. The terrace culture, always present in Andalusia, has intensified: customers prefer outdoor spaces but demand a level of comfort that only a professional enclosure can provide. An unenclosed terrace is an underused resource that only works during good weather months. With a professional enclosure, those same square metres can be used all year round, making the terrace the most valuable space of any restaurant, bar or cafe.
The Terrace: Your Restaurant's Most Valuable Space
If you own a restaurant, bar or cafe in Granada or Malaga, you already know that the terrace is the space customers ask for most. The preference for outdoor dining has consolidated as a permanent trend.
The Problem
Extreme summer heat, cold Granada winters, Malaga's westerly wind, or a simple unexpected rain shower can empty your terrace in minutes. The solution? A professional enclosure that turns your terrace into a space you can use all year round.
Types of Hospitality Enclosures
Glass curtains
10 mm tempered glass folding like an accordion. Full opening in seconds. Clean look with no vertical profiles.
Bioclimatic pergolas
SAXUN adjustable louvres. Control of light, ventilation and rain. Optional LED and audio.
Fixed thermal-break aluminium enclosures
With thermal break and complete insulation. Climate-controllable. One more indoor space.
Combined solutions
Pergola + side glass curtains: maximum flexibility. The trend in mid-to-high-end hospitality.
See every option on our enclosures page.
Most Requested Combinations
| Combination | Result | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Pergola + side glass curtains | Fully closable or fully open space | Most popular |
| Pergola + vertical awnings + blinds | Simple option with excellent solar control | Seasonal terraces |
| Fixed enclosure + front glass curtains | Maximum insulation + exterior opening | Year-round use |
What Your Business Gains with an Enclosure
How to assess the decision
To estimate the return, compare the days you can use the terrace today with the days you could use it enclosed, and your occupancy in each case. Nobody knows those figures better than you.
More months of use
The terrace no longer depends on the season or the weather of the day.
Better occupancy
Customers book without worrying about rain, wind or cold.
Constant comfort
Shade in summer and shelter in winter, with natural light.
Image of the venue
A well-designed enclosure lifts the perception of the whole business.
Insurance and Liability Considerations
When enclosing a hospitality terrace, insurance is an important consideration often overlooked. Your civil liability insurance should be updated to cover the enclosed space. If the enclosure includes glass elements, check your cover for glass breakage, and for wind damage if your area is exposed. At Tecnisun, our installations use safety glass (tempered or laminated) that meets CTE requirements.
Municipal Permits in Granada and Malaga
Important
Regulations on hospitality terrace enclosures vary by municipality, location and enclosure type. It is worth clarifying before deciding, and we advise you on the procedure your case requires.
| Location | What is usually required (for guidance only) |
|---|---|
| Public highway | Usually removable elements (glass curtains, removable pergolas, awnings). Each town council sets its own conditions. |
| Private property | Greater flexibility, normally with the relevant licence. |
| Historic or protected zone | Stricter criteria and often additional reports. |
Documentation Usually Involved
- Up-to-date business activity licence
- Public highway occupation authorisation (if applicable)
- Technical project (for larger enclosures)
- Civil liability insurance
- Structural soundness certificate (if the terrace is on an upper floor)
Tip
Check with your town council before ordering the enclosure. At Tecnisun C.B. we advise you on the procedure for your case and provide the technical information on the chosen system.
Safety and Accessibility Requirements
Emergency exits
The enclosure must not block or reduce exits. Mandatory minimum evacuation widths.
Safety glass
Tempered or laminated glass mandatory in accessible areas. At Tecnisun: minimum 10 mm tempered.
Accessibility
Access for persons with reduced mobility. Flush lower guides or with ramp.
Fire protection
Materials with CTE fire reaction classification. Natural or mechanical ventilation per capacity.
Climate Control for Enclosed Spaces
An enclosure without adequate climate control can be counterproductive. In summer, a closed space without ventilation becomes an oven. Recommended options:
| System | Effectiveness | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Bioclimatic pergola (adjustable louvres) | Excellent — Adjustable natural ventilation | Any terrace |
| Exterior screen blinds | Very good — Intercept radiation before the glass | South/west facades |
| Air-source heat pump split | Good for airtight enclosures | Fixed thermal-break enclosures |
| Misting system | Good in semi-open spaces | Pergolas without side enclosures |
| Infrared heating | Effective for winter in semi-open spaces | Glass curtains |
Acoustics: Regulations and Solutions
Noise regulation is one of the main challenges for hospitality enclosures, especially in residential areas, and limits depend on each municipal bylaw. Solutions include acoustic laminated glass (38-42 dB reduction), thermal-break profiles with superior sealing, sound-absorbing ceiling panels, and strategic opening design (oriented towards the street, not residences).
Two Typical Approaches
Restaurant with Interior Patio — Granada City Centre
An interior patio that could only be used in the mild months. Approach:
- SAXUN bioclimatic pergola with adjustable louvres and integrated LED
- Glass curtains on three sides
- ZIP screen blinds on the south side
- Infrared heating for winter
Result: covers operational all year round.
Tapas Bar — Malaga Seafront
Public highway terrace. Problem: westerly wind and unexpected rain. Council condition: removable elements only.
- Motorised cassette awning with wind sensor
- Removable glass curtains
Result: terrace operational in rain and moderate wind.
Want to Get More from Your Business Terrace?
At Tecnisun C.B. we specialise in enclosures, including hospitality projects across Granada and Malaga: technical study, design, made-to-measure manufacturing and installation. Tell us about your project in our quote form or call 627 84 14 04.
See hospitality enclosures →Energy Efficiency Benefits for Hospitality
Beyond extending the season, a professional enclosure also improves the energy behaviour of your premises:
| Benefit | Without Enclosure | With Professional Enclosure |
|---|---|---|
| Heating season (indoor area) | Full heating load | The terrace acts as a thermal buffer for the adjacent area |
| Cooling season | No benefit | Pergola shading + screen blinds reduce solar gain |
| Lighting | Standard | Natural light through glass reduces daytime electricity use |
How We Work at Tecnisun
- Free online quote: send us approximate measurements and photos and we prepare a no-obligation quote. The technical site visit has a cost, which we tell you before arranging it.
- Technical study and design: orientation, wind, base and technical proposal.
- Permit advice: we guide you on the procedure your case requires.
- Made to measure: STRUGAL, SAXUN and INSTALLUX systems fitted to your space.
- Professional installation: the manager on site with our regular installation team, working on closing days or mornings where possible.
Frequently Asked Questions for Hospitality Owners
Can I enclose my public highway terrace?
It depends on the municipality. On public highways, usually only removable elements are allowed (unfixed glass curtains, removable pergolas, awnings), while private land offers more flexibility. We advise you on your case, but the final word always lies with your town council.
Do I need to change my activity licence?
If the enclosure modifies capacity or premises area, you will probably need to update your activity licence. It is worth checking before you start.
What care does a hospitality enclosure need?
Given intensive use, it is advisable to regularly clean guides and tracks, lubricate mechanisms, check seals and glass, and adjust hardware when needed.
Is the quote free?
Yes. The online quote is free and without obligation, based on your measurements and photos. The technical site visit has a cost, which we tell you before arranging it.
Choosing the Right Solution for Your Business Type
Different hospitality businesses have different enclosure needs. Here is our recommendation based on business type:
| Business Type | Recommended Solution |
|---|---|
| Fine dining restaurant | Pergola + glass curtains + climate control |
| Tapas bar / casual dining | Pergola + vertical awnings or glass curtains |
| Cafe / breakfast spot | Cassette awning + removable glass curtains |
| Beach bar / chiringuito | Large pergola + screen blinds + glass curtains |
| Hotel terrace / rooftop | Premium pergola + full enclosure + LED + audio |
Seasonal Usage Strategy
The key to getting the most from your enclosure is adapting its configuration to each season:
Spring (Mar-May)
Louvres open at 45°, glass curtains open on calm days, closed on rainy days. Maximum natural ventilation. The most pleasant season for outdoor dining.
Summer (Jun-Sep)
Louvres horizontal for full shade, screen blinds on the west side for afternoon sun. Glass curtains fully open. Optional misting or fans. In Granada's 40°C+ heat, shade is essential.
Autumn (Oct-Nov)
Louvres at 30° for filtered light, glass curtains partially closed for wind protection. Infrared heating on cool evenings. Extend outdoor dining well into November.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Fully enclosed: louvres closed, glass curtains closed, infrared heating active. In Granada's cold winters, a well-enclosed terrace becomes a cosy indoor space with natural light.
Make Your Terrace Work All Year Round
A professional enclosure lets your business in Granada and Malaga use its terrace without depending on the weather. We prepare a free, no-obligation online quote from your measurements and photos; the technical site visit has a cost, which we tell you before arranging it.
Request a quote →