American Commercial Glass (ACG) is the licensed commercial storefront glazier serving West Palm Beach, Florida and Palm Beach County. We hold Florida CGC #1531993, carry $3M general liability and $6M aggregate bonding, and we’ve installed storefront aluminum and impact glass on 350+ commercial projects across the state.
If you need a storefront bid for new construction, retrofit, post-storm replacement, or fire-rated openings in Palm Beach County, send drawings to [email protected] or call (772) 486-7711. Complete RFQ packages get a bid back in 48 hours.
Why storefront glazing in West Palm Beach is different.
Palm Beach County sits in Florida Building Code Wind Zone 4 with 170 mph design wind speeds for Risk Category II buildings. It’s not HVHZ — that designation is reserved for Miami-Dade and Broward — but the storefront product specification, anchor engineering, and AHJ submittal process are functionally HVHZ-adjacent.
The wind load reality
A storefront in downtown West Palm Beach has to resist the same hurricane environment as a project 60 miles south in Miami. The difference is enforcement and product approval pathway: Palm Beach County accepts both Miami-Dade NOA and Florida Product Approval (FPA), while Miami-Dade requires NOA. In practice, ACG specs Miami-Dade NOA for almost every Palm Beach County storefront because the assembly cost difference is negligible and the document package is identical to what gets used 60 miles south.
The AHJ landscape
Three jurisdictions matter for most West Palm Beach storefront work: the City of West Palm Beach Building Department (downtown, CityPlace, Northwood, Flagler Drive), Palm Beach County Planning Zoning & Building (unincorporated PBC, including parts of Wellington and Royal Palm Beach), and Town of Palm Beach (Palm Beach Island, where ARCOM and HPB design review overlay the building permit). Each has slightly different submittal preferences. ACG submits and tracks the package directly when ACG is the prime, and we hand off a clean submittal package to the GC when ACG is a subcontractor.
The historic district overlay
Northwood, Flamingo Park, and downtown WPB have historic district overlays. Storefront replacement on a contributing structure goes through HPB review before permit. Approved scope typically requires retention of the original storefront proportions, mullion sightlines, and operable element location — even when the new glass is fully impact-rated. ACG has run two recent WPB storefront retrofits through HPB without re-design rounds.
What is a commercial storefront glazier?
A commercial storefront glazier is the Division 08 specialty subcontractor that installs and replaces the aluminum-framed glass facades at the ground level of commercial buildings — retail, restaurant, office, medical, mixed-use, and government.
Storefront is distinguished from curtain wall by two things: floor-to-floor span and structural load path. Storefront typically covers up to 10 feet of vertical span and bears on the slab below; curtain wall hangs from the building structure across multiple floors and is pressure-equalized for high-rise applications. Most retail tenant frontages, restaurant facades, ground-floor office lobbies, and standalone single-story commercial buildings are storefront work.
The scope a storefront glazier owns includes: takeoff from architectural drawings, NOA or FPA verification, anchor design coordination with the structural engineer, shop drawing preparation, mockup if required, on-site frame installation, glass loading and setting, perimeter sealant package, hardware install, automatic door coordination with the access control trade, and final cleaning before commissioning.
What a storefront glazier doesn’t own — and shouldn’t bid on — includes structural framing, exterior cladding, interior drywall returns, and signage. A clean Division 08 scope keeps the project schedule predictable and the bid number tight.
Storefront systems we install in West Palm Beach.
ACG is product-agnostic on storefront aluminum but opinionated on what works in Palm Beach County’s wind environment. Here’s the working specification we recommend when there’s flexibility on system selection.
Standard 2″ × 4.5″ storefront framing with thermal break (451T) and ultra-thermal break (451UT) options. Center-set glazed. Miami-Dade NOA available. The default specification for office and retail scopes when budget and schedule are constrained.
2″ × 4.5″ flush-glazed storefront with butt-glazed vertical option for a frameless visual. Used on high-end retail tenant work where the architect wants minimal mullion sightline. Miami-Dade NOA.
2″ × 4″ thermally broken aluminum storefront. Lighter spec than 451T at lower cost. Common on QSR, retail strip, and value-engineered tenant fit-out scopes. NOA available for impact applications.
Colombian-manufactured impact storefront with high-spec finishes and large unit capability. ACG is an authorized commercial installer. Used on hospitality, resort, and high-end multifamily projects where the architect specifies premium European-style aluminum.
Bi-fold and multi-slide impact-rated door systems for restaurants and indoor-outdoor retail conversions. ACG is an authorized installer with extensive Florida portfolio. NOA for HVHZ — specified throughout Palm Beach hospitality.
20, 45, 60, 90, and 120-minute fire-rated storefront for occupancy separations and exit corridors. Pilkington Pyrostop glazing. Used wherever code requires rated openings in a glazed facade — common in mixed-use ground floors and medical facilities.
3/4″ or 1/2″ tempered all-glass entry sets with patch fittings (Dorma, Adams Rite). Used on retail anchor entrances and standalone restaurant fronts. We pair these with overhead automatic operators when ADA actuation is required.
Sliding and swing automatic door operators integrated into storefront framing. ACG coordinates the door package with the access control trade and ensures the operator is correctly tuned at commissioning.
The 9/16″ laminated impact glass standard
For Palm Beach County commercial storefront, we default to 9/16″ laminated impact glass (1/4 + .090 PVB + 1/4 typical) with NOA approval. Heat-strengthened both lites for visible-edge applications. Optional SGP interlayer where the architect or owner specifies higher post-breakage integrity — common on resort and oceanfront projects where wind-borne debris loading exceeds the standard cyclic test. We will spec down to standard PVB when the application doesn’t justify the SGP premium.
What we do as your West Palm Beach storefront glazier.
Full Division 08 storefront scope. We bid as a subcontractor to GCs on most commercial work and direct to owners on restaurant, retail, and developer-led tenant work.
New construction storefront install
Ground-up commercial buildings: takeoff from CD set, shop drawing review with the architect, fabrication scheduling with the manufacturer, anchor coordination with the structural engineer, AHJ submittal, on-site install once the structural slab and frame are in place, sealant package after framing, glass setting after the building is dry-in.
Storefront replacement and retrofit
Removing existing aluminum and glass and installing new on an occupied building. The complication is sequence: containment, after-hours scheduling when the tenant can’t close, sidewalk safety, and quick weather-tight closure between demo and new install. We’ve run after-hours retrofits on operating downtown WPB restaurants and retail with zero business interruption.
Post-storm storefront rebuild
Following Hurricane Ian, Idalia, Helene, Milton, and named storms in Palm Beach County, ACG runs board-up service and permanent replacement scope. We coordinate with insurance adjusters on damage documentation and bid the scope to the adjuster’s preferred format. Replacement timing depends on glass and frame lead time — in-stock IGU on existing frame is 2-4 weeks; full storefront replacement is 6-12 weeks.
IGU re-glaze (same frame, new glass)
When the aluminum frame is sound but the glass has failed — condensation between the lites, edge seal failure, or impact damage — re-glaze is the right scope. Typically 35-55% less than full storefront replacement on a per-square-foot basis. ACG offers a $1,500-$3,500 frame inspection (depending on building size) to verify the frame is reusable; the inspection fee credits toward contract if the scope proceeds.
Fire-rated storefront install
20, 45, 60, 90, and 120-minute UL-listed fire-rated openings in storefront framing. Required wherever code calls for rated separations in glazed facades — mixed-use ground floors with residential above, medical office building corridors, and exit passageways. TGP Fireframes and Pilkington Pyrostop are our default product family.
All-glass entrance install
Frameless tempered glass entry sets with patch fittings. Used on retail anchor entrances and standalone restaurant fronts. Pairs with overhead automatic operators (Stanley, Allegion) when ADA actuation is required.
Emergency storefront board-up
Same-day or next-morning board-up service during business hours in Palm Beach County. We carry a dedicated dispatch for active GC clients after-hours. We’ll secure the opening and bid permanent replacement within 48 hours.
Design-build storefront partnership
For owner-direct projects (restaurants, developers without a GC), ACG engages as a design-build partner: scope definition, system selection, NOA verification, AHJ submittal, fabrication coordination, install, and final commissioning under one accountable contract. Design-build typically saves 6-10 weeks on schedule and 8-15% on cost versus the sequential design-bid-build path.
Where we work in West Palm Beach.
Our downtown WPB office is the operational hub for storefront scope across Palm Beach County, Martin County, and St. Lucie County. Same crew, same project manager, same submittal process across the territory.
Commercial storefront and glazing work, Palm Beach region.
A representative slice of our recent commercial portfolio in and around Palm Beach County. Full Florida portfolio at acglass.com/portfolio.
The 48-hour bid process.
Send a complete RFQ package, get a line-itemized bid back in two business days. Here’s what we need and what you get.
Send your drawings
Architectural CDs (A100s, A200s, A800s minimum) plus structural anchorage details if available. Email to [email protected] or upload to send-plans.html. ACG signs an NDA on request.
Takeoff & system selection
We take off the openings, verify NOA or FPA availability for the specified system, and confirm the assembly with the manufacturer. If we recommend a substitution, we’ll flag it explicitly in the bid.
Line-itemized bid
Aluminum, glass, hardware, anchors, sealant, labor, freight, mobilization, and contingency — each on its own line. No lump-sum mystery numbers. Schedule and lead time on the same page.
Award & mobilize
Contract executed, fabrication ordered, anchor submittals issued, and pre-construction meeting scheduled. We hold the bid for 30 days while the GC’s award process completes.
What commercial storefront costs in West Palm Beach.
Per-square-foot installed pricing ranges for typical 2026 scope in Palm Beach County. Final number depends on system, finish, glass spec, hardware package, and site conditions — that’s why the real number comes from the 48-hour bid.
| Scope | Description | Installed PSF (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| IGU re-glaze | Same frame, new insulating glass unit. Typical for failed IGUs on sound aluminum. | $45–$95 |
| Standard aluminum storefront | Kawneer 451T or YKK YES 45 FS with 9/16″ impact laminated glass, anodized finish. | $95–$145 |
| Premium aluminum storefront | Same systems with PVDF Kynar finish, custom mullion sizing, or large unit configurations. | $135–$185 |
| All-glass entrance set | 3/4″ tempered glass entry set, patch fittings, hardware. Per pair. | $8K–$22K each |
| Fire-rated storefront (60 min) | TGP Fireframes with Pilkington Pyrostop glazing, UL-listed assembly. | $175–$285 |
| Euro-Wall folding glass door | Impact-rated bi-fold restaurant door with NOA approval. Per linear foot installed. | $2,400–$3,800 LF |
| Curtain wall (for reference) | Stick-built impact curtain wall with insulating laminated glass. Different scope, included for comparison. | $135–$225 |
Ranges reflect typical 2026 Palm Beach County commercial scope. Outside HVHZ Florida, expect 8–15% lower. Inside HVHZ (Miami-Dade, Broward), expect 8–15% higher.
Commercial storefront questions, answered.
What does a commercial storefront glazier do in West Palm Beach?
A commercial storefront glazier installs and replaces the aluminum-framed glass facades at street level on commercial buildings — retail, restaurant, office, medical, and mixed-use. In West Palm Beach this typically includes Kawneer Trifab 451T, YKK AP YES 45 FS, Tubelite T14000, or ESWindows aluminum storefront framing with 9/16″ laminated impact glass. ACG handles the full scope: takeoff, NOA verification, anchor engineering, fabrication coordination, on-site install, sealant package, and final inspection.
Is ACG licensed in Palm Beach County?
Yes. American Commercial Glass holds Florida Certified General Contractor license CGC #1531993, issued by the Florida DBPR. The license is statewide. ACG is bonded for $6M aggregate and carries $3M general liability. Our headquarters is at 700 S Rosemary Ave, Suite 204, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 — in the Rosemary Square district downtown.
How fast can ACG bid a commercial storefront project in West Palm Beach?
48 hours on a complete RFQ package (drawings, scope, schedule, NOA requirements). Faster for repeat GC clients. We bid Division 08 only — we are a glazing subcontractor, not a general contractor on bid day.
Does West Palm Beach require HVHZ-rated storefront glass?
Palm Beach County is not classified as High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) — that designation applies to Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. However, West Palm Beach is in Wind Zone 4 under the Florida Building Code with design wind speeds of 170 mph for risk category II buildings. Impact-rated storefront with Miami-Dade NOA approval is the typical specification for new commercial construction, even though Palm Beach County will also accept Florida Product Approval (FPA) for storefront assemblies.
How much does a commercial storefront cost in West Palm Beach?
Aluminum storefront with impact-rated 9/16″ laminated glass typically runs $95 to $145 per square foot installed in West Palm Beach for new construction. Re-glaze (same frame, new glass) runs $45 to $95 per square foot. Custom finishes (PVDF Kynar), large unit sizes, and curved/arched configurations add 15–35% to the base price. Full bid with line-item breakdown comes back in 48 hours.
Can ACG handle emergency storefront repair in West Palm Beach?
Yes. Board-up service is typically same-day or next-morning in Palm Beach County during business hours. Permanent replacement timing depends on glass and frame availability — IGU replacement on in-stock sizes is 2-4 weeks, full storefront replacement on custom sizes is 6-12 weeks. ACG runs a separate emergency dispatch number after-hours for active GC clients.
What’s the difference between storefront and curtain wall?
Storefront is an aluminum framing system designed for the ground floor — typically up to 10 feet tall with center-set glazing. Curtain wall is engineered for multi-story applications with structural load capacity and pressure-equalized rain screen design. Storefront uses 4-inch face dimension framing on standard scope; curtain wall uses 2.5-inch face on stick or 4-inch on unitized. Most West Palm Beach retail, restaurant, and office ground-floor scopes are storefront. Multi-story tower facades are curtain wall.
Who do glaziers report to on a commercial project in West Palm Beach?
Glaziers are Division 08 subcontractors. We report to the general contractor (GC) on the project schedule, and we coordinate directly with the architect, structural engineer, and building official for submittal review. On owner-direct projects (restaurants, developers without a GC), we coordinate directly with the owner and the Palm Beach County or West Palm Beach Building Department for permits.
What storefront systems does ACG install in West Palm Beach?
ACG installs Kawneer Trifab 451T and 451UT, YKK AP YES 45 FS and YHC 300 OG, Tubelite T14000 series, ESWindows ES-8000 commercial storefront, and Euro-Wall folding glass walls for restaurants. We are an authorized commercial installer for ESWindows and Euro-Wall. For fire-rated openings we install TGP Fireframes and Pilkington Pyrostop glazing.
Do you serve Palm Beach Island and the towns of Palm Beach and Gulf Stream?
Yes. Our West Palm Beach headquarters covers Palm Beach Island, Town of Palm Beach, Manalapan, Gulf Stream, Highland Beach, Ocean Ridge, and the barrier island communities. We’ve installed at Eau Palm Beach Resort on the island. Town of Palm Beach has stricter design review and historic preservation overlays — ACG handles ARCOM and HPB submittal packages directly.
Can ACG do design-build storefront work or only bid-build?
Both. We bid spec’d drawings (typical GC-led commercial work) and we engage as design-build partners when owners want a single accountable party for the storefront package. Design-build typically saves 6-10 weeks on schedule and 8-15% on cost because we control fabrication scheduling, anchor design, and AHJ submittals in parallel rather than sequentially.
Are you an authorized ESWindows and Euro-Wall installer?
Yes. ACG is an authorized commercial installer for both ESWindows and Euro-Wall in Florida. ESWindows is the high-spec Colombian-manufactured commercial aluminum and impact line. Euro-Wall is the impact-rated bi-fold and multi-slide door system specified across Palm Beach hospitality. Both manufacturers verify our authorization directly — we’ll provide the certificate on request.
Storefront glazier coverage across Florida.
ACG runs continuous commercial storefront scope across 11 major Florida markets. Same license, same crew structure, same 48-hour bid process.
About the author.
This page is written by the President of ACG, not by an outsourced content shop. Every spec, price, and code reference is one we’ve seen in the field.
Get a real storefront number in 48 hours.
Send drawings, scope, and schedule. We’ll come back with a line-itemized bid, system recommendation, and a lead-time commitment. No mystery numbers, no follow-up calls to pry information loose.