You walk into a Starbucks or a bank or a modern office building. The entire front wall is glass. There's a glass door. Glass panels stretch from the floor to the ceiling. That whole glass-and-aluminum system has a name: a storefront glazing system.
The Simple Version
A storefront glazing system is made of three main parts:
- Aluminum frames — the metal grid that holds everything together
- Glass panels — fixed panes of glass that fill the spaces in the frame
- Glass doors — hinged or sliding doors made of glass and aluminum
Together, these parts form a wall made mostly of glass. This wall lets light in, keeps weather out, and gives the building a modern, open look.
Where Do You See Storefront Systems?
Storefront glazing is everywhere. You've walked through hundreds of them. Here are the most common places:
- Banks and credit unions — the entire front wall
- Restaurants and coffee shops — floor-to-ceiling glass fronts
- Office building lobbies
- Retail stores in strip malls
- Gyms and fitness studios
- Medical offices and urgent care clinics
- Car dealerships — the showroom floor
If a building has a glass front wall with a glass door, it almost certainly has a storefront glazing system.
How Is It Different from Regular Windows?
Good question. Regular windows are individual units. Each window fits into its own opening in a wall. The wall is still mostly solid.
A storefront system replaces the wall itself. The aluminum frame is the structure. The glass fills the space. There is no solid wall behind the glass — just frame and glass from floor to ceiling.
This is why storefront systems require a licensed glazing contractor to install. It's not the same as replacing a home window. The frame anchors to the building structure. The glass must meet wind and impact requirements for that location.
How Is It Different from Curtainwall?
Curtainwall is the big brother of storefront. It does the same basic job — creating a glass exterior wall — but on a much larger scale.
Here's the key difference:
- Storefront sits inside an opening in the building. It fills a gap between a floor and a ceiling or a beam. It does not carry structural loads.
- Curtainwall hangs on the outside of the building's structure. It spans from floor to floor — even on 20-story skyscrapers. It is engineered to carry its own weight and resist wind forces.
Put simply: if the glass wall is under 15 feet tall and sits inside a wall opening, it's probably storefront. If it wraps the entire exterior of a tall building, it's curtainwall.
Read our full comparison: Storefront vs Curtainwall — When Do You Use Which?
What Makes a Good Storefront System?
Not all storefront systems are the same. A quality system will have:
- Thermally broken frames. This means the aluminum frame has a plastic barrier inside it. Without this, cold air transfers through the metal and creates condensation. In Florida's heat, it also prevents heat gain.
- Insulated glass units (IGUs). Two panes of glass with a sealed space between them. Much better for energy efficiency than single-pane glass.
- Low-E coating. A microscopic coating on the glass that reflects heat while letting light through. Required by Florida energy code in most cases.
- Proper impact rating. In many Florida locations, the glass and frame must be tested to withstand a 2×4 flying at 50 mph during a hurricane. This is called Large Missile Impact testing.
Do You Need a Permit for a Storefront System?
Yes. In Florida, every new or replacement storefront installation requires a building permit. The glazing contractor pulls the permit. The system must have a Florida Product Approval (or Miami-Dade NOA in South Florida). An inspector comes out to verify the installation.
This is a good thing. It means the glass on that building has been properly engineered and installed to code.
Our commercial storefront systems are installed with full permitting and inspection — every time.
What Does Storefront Installation Cost?
Standard storefront systems in Florida cost between $40 and $100 per square foot installed. Impact-rated systems for HVHZ areas run toward the higher end. See our full breakdown: How Much Does Commercial Storefront Glass Cost?
Who Should You Call?
You need a licensed commercial glazing contractor — not a window company, not a handyman, not a residential glass shop. Commercial glazing contractors specialize in these systems. They know the code. They carry the right insurance. They pull permits and manage inspections.
ACG handles storefront installation in Florida from three offices: West Palm Beach, Naples, and Tampa. We've completed 350+ commercial projects. Our 1M+ SF of installed glass speaks for itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a storefront glazing system?
A storefront glazing system is the combination of aluminum frames and glass panels that forms the exterior wall of a commercial building. It typically includes fixed glass panels and one or more glass doors. You see storefront systems on the front of banks, restaurants, office buildings, and retail stores.
What is the difference between a storefront system and a curtainwall?
A storefront system sits in an opening in a wall — it doesn't span multiple floors and doesn't carry structural loads. A curtainwall hangs on the outside of a building's structure and spans floor to floor. Curtainwall is used on tall buildings; storefront is used on single-story or low-rise structures.
Who installs storefront glazing systems?
A licensed glazing contractor installs storefront systems. In Florida, glazing contractors must hold a valid state license and carry insurance. A glazing contractor is different from a window company or handyman — they specialize in commercial glass systems and understand Florida code requirements including impact ratings and product approvals.