AMERICANCOMMERCIAL GLASS
AMERICANStorefront is installed at grade level, supported by the building structure, with framing 2-4 inches deep. Window wall is installed between structural slabs (slab-to-slab), with framing 4-6 inches deep. Storefront is the standard for retail, restaurants, lobbies, vestibules, and medical-office entry. Window wall is the standard for multifamily apartments, condos, and mid-rise residential exterior envelopes. The two systems share visual language but differ in structural support, expansion-joint design, and typical application. Both can be HVHZ-rated when installed in Miami-Dade or Broward. Statewide code path and office map: Florida commercial glazing hub. Sourced operable-wall specs: Euro-Wall Vista page.
| Attribute | Storefront | Window Wall |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical span | Single floor, ground level | Slab-to-slab, one floor at a time |
| Frame depth | 2-4 inches | 4-6 inches |
| Structural support | Direct to building structure (foundation, columns, beams) | Slab edge above and slab edge below |
| Typical application | Retail, restaurant, lobby, vestibule, medical entry, public-sector entry | Multifamily apartments, condos, dorms, mid-rise residential |
| Glass make-up | 1" IGU typical, laminated impact in HVHZ | 1" IGU typical, often acoustic laminated for residential |
| Expansion joints | Building-perimeter only | Inter-floor expansion joint at every slab edge |
| Thermal performance | Standard low-E IGU options | Standard low-E IGU options + acoustic interlayer common |
| Code reference (FL) | FBC 1609, 1709, 2403; HVHZ NOA where applicable | FBC 1609, 1709, 2403; HVHZ NOA where applicable |
| Manufacturers ACG installs | ESWindows ES-8000, ES325/420, Euro-Wall E40, PGT WG700, Slimpact | ESWindows ES-7000 |
Specify commercial storefront when the glazing assembly is at grade level and supported directly by the building structure. The most common storefront applications:
Storefront framing is shallow (2-4 inches) which makes the visual sightline cleaner than curtainwall. Storefront is generally the lowest-cost commercial glazing option per square foot among framed systems.
Specify window wall when the glazing assembly spans between structural slabs and the slab edges are the load-transfer path. The most common window wall applications:
Window wall framing is deeper (4-6 inches) than storefront because it must handle slab-edge load transfer and accommodate expansion joints between floors. Window wall is generally less expensive than curtainwall but slightly more expensive than storefront on a per-square-foot basis.
Window wall's defining detail is the inter-floor expansion joint at each slab edge. The joint must be sized to accommodate the building's thermal expansion, live-load deflection between floors, and any seismic movement (limited in Florida but still part of code). Common failures:
ACG's submittal package on every window wall project includes the expansion joint detail and the sealant compatibility schedule, with the sealant manufacturer's published movement capability cross-referenced against the joint design.
Both systems are governed by:
HVHZ projects (Miami-Dade and Broward) require a current Miami-Dade NOA on every system installed. Non-HVHZ Florida coastal jurisdictions require Florida Product Approval (FPA) under the Florida Building Code. ACG handles both. Full reference: Florida HVHZ Glazing Requirements.
Storefront and window wall scopes are different operationally:
Both are within ACG's scope as a single-source Division 08 subcontractor.
Storefront is at grade level, supported by building structure, 2-4 inch framing. Window wall spans between slabs, 4-6 inch framing, supported by slab edges. Storefront serves ground-floor commercial entries; window wall serves multifamily and mid-rise residential exteriors.
Storefront for retail / restaurant / vestibule / lobby / medical / public-sector entry assemblies at grade. Window wall for multifamily / condo / dorm / mixed-use residential where the system spans floor-to-floor.
Yes. Window wall systems can carry Miami-Dade NOAs for HVHZ installation under TAS 201, 202, 203.
Yes, but typical use is residential. Mixed-use commercial-residential buildings often use window wall on residential floors with curtainwall or storefront below.
Through inter-floor expansion joints at every slab edge, sized for thermal expansion and live-load deflection. The detail is critical - undersized joints are a common failure mode.
Seven approved partners: ESWindows (ES-8000 storefront, ES-7000 window wall, ES-50 swing door, ES325, ES420), Euro-Wall E40, PGT WG700, Allegion automatic entrance, TGP fire-rated, Slimpact slim-profile, Aldora architectural glass.
Yes. Featured installations include Siena Lakes Naples, Wild Blue Clubhouse, and other apartment, condo, and senior-living projects across Florida.