We design, make and fit shop front glazing in Clerkenwell for shops, cafés, salons, offices and showrooms. If you run a business on a high street or a parade, this page is for you. You get a clear guide to frame and glass choices, security, rules and what sets the cost, so you can plan a new front with no guesswork.
A good shop front does three jobs. It shows off what you sell. It lets people walk in with ease. And it keeps the place safe and warm when you lock up at night. We build each front to the size of your opening, with the glass, doors and locks that suit your trade.
Our fitters are FENSA registered, and the work comes with a 10-year guarantee. Shop fronts sit within our wider commercial glazing service, and we also fit automatic doors, curtain walling and aluminium doors for business sites.
Types of Shop Front We Fit
No two shop units are the same. The right front depends on the width of the unit, the age of the building and how you trade. These are the main types we fit:
- Aluminium framed fronts: slim, strong frames with large panes of glass. This is the most common choice for modern units.
- Frameless glass fronts: thick toughened glass held in a top and bottom channel, with few or no upright frames. They give the clearest view in.
- Stall riser fronts: glass above a solid base panel. The riser guards the glass from kicks, trolleys and road spray.
- Bi-fold and sliding fronts: panels that fold or slide back so a café or bar can open up on warm days.
- Timber style fronts: for older buildings and conservation streets, where a period look is needed.
Most fronts include a door. You can pick a single or double swing door, a door with a low threshold for wheelchairs and buggies, or an automatic sliding door for busy shops. For large glazed walls across more than one floor, curtain walling may suit better than a shop front system.
Glass Choices for Shop Fronts
The glass does most of the work, so it pays to get it right. Shop front glass must be safety glass in all the areas where people could walk into it. We use two main kinds:
- Toughened glass: heat treated so it is much stronger than plain glass. If it breaks, it falls into small, blunt pieces.
- Laminated glass: two or more sheets bonded to a tough clear layer. If it cracks, it stays in the frame and keeps the gap closed.
Many fronts use both, with a toughened outer pane and a laminated inner pane in a sealed unit. That gives you safety, strength and some sound control from road noise.
A sealed unit with a low-E coat and argon gas in the gap keeps more heat in the shop. A modern double glazed unit will reach a centre pane U-value of around 1.1 to 1.2 W/m²K. Triple glazing goes lower, but it is heavier and costs more. Our guide to double vs triple glazing sets out the pros and cons.
You can also choose solar control glass for south facing windows, so stock and staff do not overheat. Frosted bands, printed film and etched logos give privacy and help with branding.
Security and Locking
A shop front is the first thing a thief looks at. We build security into the frame, the glass and the door. The main steps are:
- Laminated glass that holds together when hit.
- Glass fixed from the inside, so the beads cannot be prised off from the street.
- Multi-point locks on doors, with hook bolts and a secure cylinder.
- Strong hinges and anti-lift parts on sliding panels.
- Steel or aluminium stall risers in place of thin infill panels.
If your insurer asks for a set level of security, tell us at the survey. We can match the glass and locks to what the policy needs. We can also leave room in the head of the frame for a roller shutter box, if you want one fitted later.
Planning, Building Regulations and Access
A new shop front often needs planning permission, because it changes how the building looks from the street. This is more likely in a conservation area or on a listed building. Signs may also need advert consent. We will tell you at the survey if your plans are likely to need a planning application, so you can talk to the local council early.
Shop fronts must also meet Building Regulations. The key parts are:
- Part K: safety glass in low and door areas, and clear marks on large panes so people see them.
- Part L: limits on heat loss through the glass and frames.
- Part M: a door that most people can use, with a level or low threshold and enough clear width.
- Part B: safe exits in case of fire.
We design to these rules and give you the paperwork you need when the job is done. You can read more about our schemes and checks on our accreditations page.
What Drives the Cost of a Shop Front
We do not quote a set price online, because every front is built to order. These are the main things that set the cost:
- Size: a wide, tall front uses more frame and glass than a small kiosk.
- Glass: laminated, solar control and triple glazed units cost more than standard toughened glass.
- Doors: a manual door is cheaper than an automatic door or a bank of bi-folds.
- Frame finish: a stock colour costs less than a custom shade to match your brand.
- Removal and making good: taking out an old front and repairing the opening adds time.
- Access: busy roads, out of hours work and the need for a scaffold or lift can all affect the price.
After a free survey, you get a written, fixed quote with no hidden extras. The payment stages are set out in the quote too. To start, use our get a quote form.
Keeping Downtime Low
We know a shut shop loses trade. So we plan the work around your hours. Frames and glass are made off site to your exact sizes. On site, we take out the old front and fit the new one as fast as we can, often in one or two days for a standard unit.
If you cannot close, we can work early in the morning, late in the day or on a Sunday. We board up any open gap at the end of each shift, so the shop is never left open. Our how we work page explains each step, from the free survey to the final check and aftercare.
Care and Upkeep
Aluminium frames need very little care. Wash them a few times a year with warm water and a mild soap. Do not use harsh cleaners or scrubbing pads, as they can mark the finish.
Keep the door tracks and floor springs free of grit, and oil the locks and hinges once or twice a year. If a door starts to drop or catch, call us early. A small fix now stops wear on the lock and frame later.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does shop front glazing make a business more secure?
Laminated glass is the main defence. When it is hit, the glass cracks but stays in place, so a thief cannot climb through with ease. We also fix the glass from the inside and fit multi-point locks to the doors. Strong stall risers protect the base. Together, these make a break-in slow and noisy, which puts most people off.
What upkeep does a shop front need?
Not much. Clean the glass as often as you like and wash the frames a few times a year with mild soap and water. Keep door tracks clear of grit and oil the locks and hinges once or twice a year. Check the seals each spring. If a door drags or a lock feels stiff, get it seen to before it gets worse.
Can shop front glazing cut down street noise?
Yes. A sealed unit with two panes of different thickness blocks more sound than a single pane. Laminated glass helps further, as the bonding layer soaks up some of the noise. Good seals around the frame and door matter just as much, because sound gets in through gaps. For very busy roads, we can suggest an acoustic glass build at the survey.
Are there greener glazing options for shops?
Yes. Low-E glass with argon gas keeps more heat inside in winter, so you use less energy. Solar control glass keeps the shop cooler in summer and can cut the need for air con. Aluminium frames with a thermal break lose less heat, and aluminium can be recycled at the end of its life. We can talk you through the options.
How long does it take to get a new shop front?
It depends on the size of the job and the finish. A standard front with stock colours is made and ready sooner than one with special glass or a custom colour. If planning permission is needed, allow time for that first. Fitting a standard unit often takes one or two days on site. We confirm the timescale in your written quote.
To learn more about the team behind the work, read about us, or go back to the home page.
