Commercial storefront replacement in Florida is a permitted, engineered scope. Whether driven by storm damage, aging system performance, building renovation, or code upgrade requirements, storefront replacement follows a defined workflow: condition assessment, system selection with NOA verification, permit submittal, manufacturing, phased removal and installation, water testing, and closeout. This page covers when replacement is the right answer over repair, how the retrofit workflow proceeds, and how occupied-building disruption is managed.
Most storefront water intrusion and performance problems are maintenance or repair issues — sealant replacement, weep clearance, hardware adjustment. Replacement is the right answer when the condition of the system or the project requirements exceed what repair can address.
Florida requires that storefront replacement projects bring the installation into compliance with the currently adopted FBC. In HVHZ jurisdictions, this means the new system must have a current Miami-Dade NOA. In WBDR jurisdictions, current Florida Product Approval is required. A building whose original storefront was installed under a previous code cycle and lacks HVHZ compliance may trigger an upgrade requirement when replacement is performed. The building official's determination governs.
Building renovations that change opening dimensions, floor plans that alter the glazing system layout, or facade redesigns that require a different system family (replacing storefront with curtainwall, for example) all require full replacement rather than repair. Any time the opening geometry changes, a new NOA-compliant design is required.
Before pricing or designing a replacement scope, a condition assessment of the existing system and rough opening surround establishes what remediation of the substrate will be needed beyond the glazing scope itself. The assessment covers:
The condition assessment report drives the replacement scope pricing and informs the contractor sequencing plan for occupied-building work.
System selection for a replacement project must satisfy three criteria simultaneously: (1) the system must meet the required DP rating for the building location, height, and exposure; (2) the system's NOA must cover the opening sizes present in the project; and (3) the system's frame dimensions must be compatible with the existing rough opening, either directly or through a planned rough opening modification.
In HVHZ, the new system's NOA must be current at the time of permit application. The NOA's design pressure table is checked against the structural engineer's or architect's DP schedule for each opening. ACG's approved manufacturer partners — ESWindows, Euro-Wall, PGT, Allegion, TGP, Slimpact, and Aldora — provide current NOA documentation for the systems they produce. System selection is confirmed in writing with the architect before shop drawings are prepared.
Condition assessment, system selection, DP verification, architect or engineer coordination. Output: system selection confirmation, preliminary scope, and schedule estimate.
Prepare shop drawings, NOA package, and DP analysis. Submit to building department. Respond to plan review comments. Permit issuance timeframes vary by jurisdiction — typically 4–8 weeks for standard commercial applications in Florida.
Once permit is approved, frame and glass orders are placed. Manufacturing lead times range from 8 to 14 weeks depending on manufacturer, system family, finish, and current production schedule. Hardware and sealant material procurement proceeds concurrently.
Substrate condition verification, rough opening corrections (patching, grinding, additional grouting), temporary protection planning for occupied areas, and adjacent-trade coordination (HVAC, electrical, signage).
Existing frame removal. Glass is cut free first; frame is then cut and removed in sections. Substrate surfaces are cleaned of old sealant and anchor remnants. Any substrate remediation identified in the assessment is completed before new frame installation begins.
Frame set, shim, plumb, level, and anchor per NOA and shop drawings. Perimeter sealant and glazing sealant per approved sealant schedule. Weep system verified clear and functional.
ASTM E1105 water test (or as specified). Punch list items addressed. Closeout package assembled: NOA, water test results, warranty documents, as-built photos.
The NOA compliance requirement for a retrofit installation is identical to a new installation: the installed configuration must match the tested configuration described in the NOA in every material respect — system type, frame dimensions within tested envelope, glass make-up, anchorage detail, and sealant application.
The one additional consideration unique to retrofit projects is that the anchor substrate at the existing rough opening may differ from the substrate assumed in the NOA. If the existing rough opening surround has been modified, patched, or otherwise changed from its original condition, the anchor zones must be verified against the NOA's substrate requirements. In some cases, a structural engineer's letter confirming the existing substrate capacity at the anchor locations is needed to satisfy the plan reviewer.
Replacing storefront on an occupied building — retail, office, hospitality — requires planning to protect tenants, customers, and building users from construction impacts. ACG's standard approach for occupied retrofit projects:
The phasing plan is developed jointly with the building owner, GC (if present), and individual tenant representatives where necessary, before mobilization.
| Phase | Typical Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment and design | 1–2 weeks | Depends on building size and complexity |
| Permit submittal and approval | 4–8 weeks | Varies by jurisdiction and review queue |
| Manufacturing lead time | 8–14 weeks | Varies by manufacturer, system, finish, and schedule |
| Pre-installation prep | 1 week | Substrate work may add time |
| Installation (per 10,000 SF) | 2–4 weeks | Occupied buildings: add 30–50% for phasing |
| Water test and closeout | 3–5 days | Includes punch list and document assembly |
| Total (typical) | 14–24 weeks | From signed contract to substantial completion |
These durations represent typical ranges. Projects with complex permit conditions, storm damage emergency timelines, or atypical system configurations may fall outside these ranges. ACG provides a project-specific schedule during the proposal phase.
Replacement is required when the frame has structural corrosion, when the system does not meet current FBC/HVHZ/WBDR requirements, when renovation changes opening dimensions, or when substrate damage is too extensive for repair to restore system integrity.
Yes. Removal and replacement of commercial storefront requires a building permit with shop drawings, NOA documentation, and DP analysis. ACG prepares the full submittal package as part of the replacement scope.
Typically 14–24 weeks from signed contract to substantial completion, including permit approval (4–8 weeks), manufacturing (8–14 weeks), installation, and closeout. Occupied-building phasing adds duration.
Often yes. The existing rough opening is inspected for substrate integrity, corrosion, and compliance with the new system's NOA anchor requirements. Any compromised areas are remediated before new frame installation.
Through phased installation by bay or section, temporary enclosures during the exposed period, minimizing time between removal and new frame set, and after-hours or weekend work at tenant-sensitive locations.
No. The new system must meet current DP requirements, have a current NOA for HVHZ or FPA for WBDR, and fit the available rough opening. Manufacturer continuity is not required.
A full replacement removes the existing frame entirely and installs a new one in the rough opening. A retrofit inserts the new frame within the existing outer frame, which remains as a sub-frame. Retrofit reduces disruption but requires the existing sub-frame to be structurally sound and the inset dimensions to accommodate the new system's NOA requirements.