We design, supply and fit commercial glazing in Clerkenwell for shops, offices, clinics, schools and small industrial units. This page is for owners, landlords and facilities managers who need glass that looks sharp, keeps the building secure and meets the rules. You will find the main systems we fit, what each one is good for, what drives the cost and how to plan the work so your business keeps trading.
We are part of the same team that fits double glazing for homes across Clerkenwell, so we know glass, frames and Building Regulations inside out. All our installers are FENSA registered, and our work comes with a 10-year guarantee. You can read more about who we are and how long we have been in the trade.
Commercial Glazing Systems We Fit
Most commercial jobs fall into one of six groups. Each has its own page with more detail, but here is a short guide to help you find the right one.
Shop Fronts
A shop front is the face of your business. We make and fit shop front glazing in slim aluminium with large panes of toughened or laminated glass. You can choose the frame colour to match your brand, add a stall riser, fit a recessed door or use frameless glass for a clean, open look. We can also add a fascia zone above the glass for signs. Where the street is in a conservation area, we can match a more traditional layout with transoms and mullions.
Automatic Doors
Doors that open on their own make life easier for shoppers, patients, staff and people with prams or wheelchairs. We fit automatic doors as sliding, swing and bi-parting sets. Each one comes with sensors, safety beams and a manual release for a power cut. We set the speed, hold-open time and night lock to suit your hours. Most clients choose sliding doors in a glazed aluminium frame, as they take up no floor space when open.
Curtain Walling
For larger offices, showrooms and new builds, curtain walling gives a full glass façade that hangs off the main frame of the building. It is not load bearing, so it can run across several floors with slim joints. We fit stick systems built on site and unitised panels made in the factory. Both use thermally broken aluminium and high spec double or triple glazed units. You can mix in opening vents, doors and solid panels where needed.
Glass Partitions
Inside the building, glass partitions split open floors into meeting rooms, private offices and quiet zones while letting light flow through. We fit single and double glazed walls, framed and frameless, with glass doors to match. Acoustic laminated glass cuts down on sound between rooms. Frosted bands, film and logos give you privacy and meet the safety rules for clear glass that people could walk into.
Roller Shutters
When the shop is shut, roller shutters keep the glass and stock safe. We fit solid, perforated and punched lath shutters in steel and aluminium. Perforated shutters let people see your window display at night while still keeping thieves out. Shutters can run by hand, by remote or by key switch. We fit them in a box above the opening or behind the fascia so they stay out of sight by day.
Office Glazing
For the rest of the building, our office glazing service covers new windows, rooflights and entrance screens. We fit aluminium, uPVC and composite frames with glass picked for heat, noise and solar gain. This is the right choice when the windows in your offices are tired and let in draughts, or when you are refitting a floor and want more light and less noise.
Frames and Glass Explained
Every commercial job is a mix of two things: the frame and the glass. Getting both right is what makes the system last.
Frame Options
- Aluminium: strong, slim and long lasting. It suits shop fronts, curtain walls and big panes. Thermally broken frames keep heat in. A powder coat finish comes in almost any RAL colour.
- uPVC: a good value choice for back offices, staff rooms and small units. It needs no paint and keeps heat in well, but frames are wider than aluminium.
- Steel and steel look: thin lines with an industrial feel. Real steel suits heritage and high security work. Steel look aluminium gives a similar style for less weight.
- Timber and composite: warm on the inside and fitting for older frontages. Composite frames add a tough outer skin that needs less upkeep.
Glass Options
- Toughened glass: heated and cooled fast so it breaks into small, blunt pieces. It is a must in doors and low panes.
- Laminated glass: two panes bonded with a plastic layer. It stays in the frame when hit, which helps with safety and security.
- Acoustic glass: laminated with a special layer that cuts traffic and street noise.
- Solar control glass: a coating that keeps out heat from the sun, so south facing offices and shops stay cool.
- Low-E double glazing: a thin coat on the glass and argon gas in the gap keep heat inside. A good unit has a centre pane U-value of about 1.1 to 1.4 W/m²K.
Rules, Safety and Building Regulations
Commercial glass has more rules than glass in a house. We plan for them from the first visit, so there are no nasty shocks later.
- Planning: a new shop front, a change to the look of the building or a new shutter often needs planning consent. Rules are tighter in conservation areas and on listed buildings. Solid shutters are often refused, so we may suggest perforated ones.
- Building Regulations: Part L sets limits on heat loss for new and replaced windows. Part K covers safety glass in critical zones. Part M covers access, such as door widths and level thresholds.
- Fire safety: some partitions and doors need fire rated glass and frames. We check this against your fire plan.
- Safety marks: large panes of clear glass need marks at eye level so nobody walks into them.
We can draw up the details your architect or planning agent needs. For changes to the outside of a building, we tell you early if consent is likely to be needed.
Planning the Work Around Your Business
We know a shop that cannot open is losing money. So we plan each job to keep you trading where we can.
- We fit shop fronts in stages, or out of hours, with safe boards or temporary screens in place.
- We bring the frames and glass made to size, so time on site is short.
- We keep a clear, safe route for staff and the public.
- We agree access, parking and noise times with you and your landlord before we start.
The full path from first visit to handover is set out on our how we work page. In short, we survey, send a written quote, make the frames, fit them and then check everything with you before we leave.
What Drives the Cost of Commercial Glazing
We do not publish fixed prices for commercial work, as no two sites are the same. Instead, we give every client a written, fixed quote after a free survey. These are the main things that shape the price:
- Size: bigger panes need more glass, stronger frames and often lifting gear.
- Frame type: aluminium, steel and frameless systems each cost a different amount to make and fit.
- Glass spec: laminated, acoustic, solar control and fire rated glass all cost more than plain toughened units.
- Doors and hardware: automatic operators, access control and heavy duty locks add to the cost.
- Access: high level work, busy streets and road closures may need scaffold, a tower or a permit.
- Timing: night or weekend work to keep you trading costs more in labour.
- Making good: repairs to brickwork, fascia, floors or ceilings once the old glazing is out.
To get your price, ask for a free quote. Payment stages are set out clearly in the written quote, so you know what is due and when.
Care and Upkeep
Good glazing needs little care, but a few simple checks keep it working well for years.
- Clean frames with warm soapy water. Avoid harsh pads that scratch the coating.
- Keep drain holes and tracks clear of dirt and leaves.
- Oil locks, hinges and shutter guides twice a year.
- Have automatic doors serviced on a set plan, as the safety sensors must be checked.
- Tell us at once if you see mist between panes, a draught or a door that drags.
We offer service visits for doors and shutters, and we can repair or reglaze most systems, even ones we did not fit.
Choosing the Right Commercial Glazing
Start with what the space needs to do. A shop needs to draw people in and stay secure at night. An office needs light, quiet and steady heat. A clinic needs easy access and privacy. Then think about the look you want and any planning limits on the building.
Here is a quick way to match need to system:
- Want more footfall and a strong street presence? Choose a new shop front with an automatic door.
- Need to lock up safely each night? Add a roller shutter.
- Planning a new build or a full façade refit? Look at curtain walling.
- Want to split an open floor without losing light? Fit glass partitions.
- Have tired, cold windows in the office? Replace them with new office glazing.
If you are not sure, we will look at the building and talk it through with you. We will tell you what we would fit and why, and we will be honest if a cheaper fix will do the job.
More commercial glazing options we fit in Clerkenwell:
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does planning permission take for commercial glazing changes?
Most councils aim to decide a planning application within eight weeks of it being valid. It can take longer if the building is listed, sits in a conservation area or needs more drawings. Some small changes may not need full consent at all. We tell you at the survey if we think consent is needed, and we can supply drawings and product details for your application.
Can shop front glazing be fitted overnight to avoid trading disruption?
Yes, in many cases. We make the frames and glass to size before we arrive, so the work on site is quick. We can strip out and fit in stages, or work late or at night, with boards or temporary screens to keep the shop safe. Out of hours work costs more in labour, and we agree noise times and access with you in advance.
What security glass suits high risk retail premises?
Laminated glass is the best start, as it holds together when struck and slows down a break in. Thicker laminates give more resistance for jewellers, phone shops and pharmacies. The frame, locks and fixings must be just as strong, or they become the weak point. Many shops also add a perforated roller shutter, so stock stays on show but out of reach after closing.
Will new glazing cut outside noise from busy streets?
Yes. A well fitted double glazed unit cuts a lot of street noise compared with old single glass. For main roads, bus routes and late night areas, acoustic laminated glass and panes of different thickness work best. The seals matter too, as gaps let sound in. We look at the noise on site and suggest the right glass for your rooms.
Can existing shop front frames be reused when the glass is replaced?
Sometimes. If the frames are sound, square and free from corrosion, we can often fit new glass into them and save you money. If they are bent, rotten or the wrong depth for modern sealed units, new frames are the better buy. We check this on the survey and give you both options in writing where both make sense.
Do you work for landlords and managing agents?
Yes. We work with landlords, agents and facilities teams as well as owners. We can deal with your contact on site, follow your permit and safety rules, and send drawings, method statements and risk assessments before we start. Once the job is done, you get the paperwork for your files, including the FENSA details where they apply.
