Roofing & Building Exterior
Storefront Glazing
Commercial storefront, entrances and curtain wall – engineered, approved and installed as a coordinated system, from shop drawings to final inspection.
Overview
Storefront and curtain wall systems define how a commercial building meets the street. They frame the entrance, bring in daylight and put the business on display, and they still have to resist wind pressure, keep out wind-driven rain and meet energy code for glass performance. In many Florida locations, exterior commercial glazing also needs impact rating or approved opening protection.
A storefront is a system, not a set of windows: aluminum framing, glass, entrance doors, hardware, anchors and perimeter seals are engineered and approved together. We manage storefront and curtain wall work performed by specialist commercial glazing trade partners. The glazing contractor’s engineer prepares calculations and shop drawings, the design team reviews them, product approvals are verified, and the installation is coordinated with framing, waterproofing, door hardware, access control and signage so the opening works on the day the business opens.
Who it’s for
- Retail, restaurant and office tenant build-outs that need a new or relocated storefront
- Ground-up commercial buildings with storefront at grade and curtain wall above
- Owners replacing aging, leaking or non-impact storefront systems
- Businesses upgrading entrances for accessibility, traffic flow or security
- Medical, showroom and professional offices adding interior glass walls and doors
What’s included
Typically included
- Review of the architectural elevations, door schedule and glazing specifications
- Coordination of engineering calculations and shop drawings prepared by the glazing contractor, and their review by the design team
- Verification of product approvals and impact ratings for framing, glass and doors
- Coordination of glass performance – tint, low-E coating and safety glazing – with energy code and the design
- Field verification of rough openings, sills and anchorage substrates before fabrication
- Installation of storefront framing, glass, entrance doors and transoms
- Door hardware, closers, exit devices and accessible thresholds per the hardware schedule
- Curtain wall installation on multi-story buildings, sequenced with the structure and floor edges
- Perimeter sealant, sill flashing and integration with the wall waterproofing
- Coordination of rough-in for access control, door position switches and automatic operators
Common exclusions
- Architectural design of the facade and selection of the system by the design team
- Structural modifications to create or enlarge openings
- Window graphics, film and tenant signage on glass
- Access control and security hardware and wiring, provided by the low-voltage contractor
- Interior finishes around the storefront beyond sealant and trim
Every proposal lists its own inclusions and exclusions in writing.
Materials, design options & upgrades
How pricing works
Storefront glazing is priced per project. The estimate is built from the elevations and door schedule – glass area, framing system, number of doors, hardware sets, glass type and impact requirements – along with engineering, fabrication, installation and access. The glazing contractor’s proposal, prepared from the drawings, is the core of it.
When the storefront is part of a build-out or new building, it is priced within that project’s budget rather than as a separate estimate added on top.
What changes the cost
- Glass area and framing system depth
- Impact rating versus non-impact with separate protection
- Number of entrance doors and hardware sets
- Curtain wall versus storefront
- Glass performance – coatings, tints and safety glazing
- Automatic operators and access control integration
- Building height, lifts and access from the street
If this work is part of a larger project, it’s priced within that project’s budget — please don’t add separate estimates together. Read the pricing guide.
Typical stages
Design review
We review the elevations, door schedule and glazing requirements with the design team.
Shop drawings and approvals
The glazing contractor prepares calculations and shop drawings; they are reviewed and submitted with product approvals for permit.
Field verification
Openings are measured and substrates checked so fabrication matches site conditions.
Fabrication
Framing is fabricated and glass is ordered to the approved shop drawings.
Installation and sealing
Framing, glass and doors are installed, flashed and sealed into the wall system.
Hardware and inspection
Hardware and operators are adjusted, inspections are completed, and the system is turned over.
What affects the schedule
- Shop drawing review must be complete before fabrication begins
- Glass and impact system lead times are often the longest factor
- Openings, sills and framing must be ready and verified before field measurement
- Tenant opening dates and temporary security for the open storefront
Questions & answers
Does my storefront need impact glass?
Depending on the building, its location and the jurisdiction, exterior glazing may need impact rating or approved shutters. The design team and building department confirm what applies to your project.
What is the difference between storefront and curtain wall?
Storefront is typically set within openings and supported at the floor and head of each opening, usually on one level. Curtain wall is hung from the building structure, carries its own wind loads back to it, and can span several floors.
Can storefront doors meet accessibility requirements?
Yes. Door widths, thresholds, hardware type and opening force are chosen to meet accessibility requirements, which the design team specifies and we verify at installation.
Can I keep my existing storefront in a new lease space?
Sometimes. An older non-impact system may need protection or replacement depending on the scope of work and local rules, so it should be reviewed early with the design team.
Start here
Planning storefront glazing?
A short form — three steps, a few minutes. Share plans or photos if you have them. We’ll review it and follow up using the contact details you provide.