Commercial Framing Systems
Expert installation, repair, and replacement of commercial aluminum storefront framing systems. We work with every major manufacturer including Kawneer, YKK AP, Arcadia, Oldcastle, and EFCO across the DC, Virginia, and Maryland metro area.
Manufacturer Profiles
We work with every major aluminum storefront manufacturer. Whether you need to match an existing profile or spec a new system, we have you covered.
Industry-leading Trifab 451T and 601T thermally broken framing. Available in 2-inch and 2-1/2-inch face widths with center-set or front-set glazing options.
YES 45 and YES 55 thermally improved storefront systems with flush or screw-spline framing.
Arcadia S700 and S800 series flush-glazed storefront framing. Clean sightlines with pressure-equalized water management.
Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope 400 and 450 series storefront. 2-inch and 2-1/2-inch face widths, screw-spline or shear-block assembly, and thermally broken.
EFCO 5600 and D500 series storefront framing with center-glazed and front-glazed profiles. Designed for high wind-load applications.
We source and match discontinued and legacy framing profiles for renovation and repair projects.
Engineering Detail
Commercial storefront framing is an engineered system of aluminum extrusions, glazing materials, and weatherproofing components designed to hold glass securely while managing thermal performance, water drainage, and structural loads.
Commercial-grade aluminum alloy extruded into precise profiles. The T5 temper provides excellent strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and is easily finished with anodizing or powder coating.
A structural nylon barrier molded between the interior and exterior aluminum sections. This eliminates the direct metal-to-metal thermal path, reducing U-factor by 20 to 40 percent and virtually eliminating interior condensation.
Horizontal and vertical framing members connect via a screw-spline joint that aligns flush and locks securely with self-drilling screws. This allows fast field assembly and accommodates building tolerances.
Modern storefront systems use pressure-equalized chambers that balance wind-driven rain pressure across the glazing pocket. Water that enters the system drains harmlessly through weep holes at the sill.
Ethylene propylene rubber gaskets compress against the glass to create a watertight and airtight seal. They accommodate thermal expansion and can be replaced without removing the glass.
Dual-pane units with warm-edge spacer bars and argon gas fill. Low-E coated inner pane reflects infrared heat. The combination delivers U-factors of 0.29 or better for IECC compliance.
Applications
Aluminum storefront framing is the standard for commercial glazing in retail, office, institutional, and mixed-use buildings.
Display windows, entry systems, and full-height glazing for shops, boutiques, and big-box retailers along commercial corridors.
Ground-floor lobbies, entrance vestibules, and curtain wall tie-ins for commercial office properties and mixed-use developments.
Floor-to-ceiling glass facades, operable window walls, and patio enclosures that maximize natural light and visibility.
Secure entry systems with laminated or ballistic glass set in reinforced aluminum framing for bank branches and credit unions.
Reception area glazing, clinic entrance systems, and interior partitions in healthcare facilities and professional buildings.
ADA-compliant entry systems, secure vestibules, and blast-resistant framing for municipal buildings, schools, and libraries.
Why Choose Us
Property managers, architects, and general contractors across Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland rely on Expert Glass Repair for commercial storefront projects that demand precision fabrication, code compliance, and minimal disruption.
We work with Kawneer, YKK AP, Arcadia, Oldcastle, EFCO, Vistawall, and more. We match your existing profile or specify the best system for your project.
Thermally broken framing with insulated glass units that meet IECC energy code requirements for DC, Virginia, and Maryland commercial buildings.
Every opening is field-measured to exact tolerances before fabrication. This ensures a precise fit, proper weathersealing, and eliminates costly field.
Full commercial general liability and workers compensation coverage. Certificates of insurance provided same-day.
Common Questions
Technical answers to the questions we hear most from architects, property managers, and building owners.
Thermal storefront systems include a polyamide (nylon) thermal break molded into the aluminum extrusion that separates the interior and exterior metal surfaces. This dramatically reduces heat transfer through the frame, improving energy efficiency and reducing condensation. Non-thermal systems lack this break and are typically used in interior applications or mild climates where energy codes do not require thermal performance.
Yes. We stock and source profiles from all major manufacturers including Kawneer, YKK AP, Arcadia, Oldcastle, EFCO, and Vistawall. We can identify your existing system, match the profile exactly, and blend new framing seamlessly with the existing installation.
Standard anodized finishes include clear, dark bronze, medium bronze, champagne, and black. Kynar (PVDF) powder-coat finishes are available in virtually any custom color. We can match RAL or custom color samples to blend with your building exterior.
A typical single-bay storefront replacement takes one to two days. Larger multi-bay installations or full-facade projects are typically completed in three to ten business days depending on scope. We schedule most work during off-hours to minimize disruption to your business.
Yes. Our thermally broken storefront systems meet or exceed IECC energy code requirements for the DC metropolitan area. We specify insulated glass units with Low-E coatings and argon gas fill to achieve the U-factor and SHGC values required by local jurisdictions.
Standard commercial storefront framing face widths are 2 inches (center-set) and 2-1/2 inches (front-set). Narrower 1-3/4 inch profiles are available for interior applications. The choice depends on glass thickness, wind load requirements, and the desired aesthetic.
About Aluminum Storefront Systems
Aluminum storefront framing is the backbone of commercial glazing across the Washington DC metropolitan area. From the retail corridors of Georgetown and Tysons Corner to the office parks of Reston and Rockville, aluminum storefront systems provide the structural framework that holds commercial glass securely in place while managing thermal performance, water drainage, air infiltration, and structural wind loads. The system consists of extruded aluminum members -- typically 6063-T5 alloy -- assembled in the field with screw-spline or shear-block connections, then glazed with insulated glass units sealed by EPDM compression gaskets.
Modern energy codes in DC, Virginia, and Maryland require thermally broken storefront systems for most exterior commercial applications. A thermal break is a structural polyamide (nylon) barrier molded into the aluminum extrusion that separates the interior and exterior metal surfaces. This eliminates the direct thermal path through the frame, reducing the overall U-factor by 20 to 40 percent and virtually eliminating interior condensation during cold weather. Non-thermal systems remain appropriate for interior partitions, sheltered vestibules, and applications where energy code compliance does not require thermal performance.
Expert Glass Repair has installed and repaired aluminum storefront systems across the DMV for over 20 years. We carry full commercial general liability insurance and workers compensation coverage on every project. Our team works with all major manufacturers -- Kawneer, YKK AP, Arcadia, Oldcastle, EFCO, and Vistawall -- and can match any existing profile for seamless repairs and expansions. We schedule the majority of our commercial installations during off-hours to avoid disrupting your business operations, and we provide detailed documentation including COIs, shop drawings, and warranty paperwork on every job.
Service Areas
Commercial aluminum storefront framing installation and repair throughout Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland.
Aluminum storefront systems for Tysons Corner retail, Reston Town Center offices, Pentagon City, and Dulles corridor commercial properties.
Storefront framing for Pike District, Rockville Town Center, Silver Spring downtown, and Montgomery County commercial properties.
Aluminum storefront systems for Georgetown M Street retail, K Street office lobbies, Penn Quarter restaurants, and Navy Yard mixed-use developments.
Ready to Get Started
Whether you need a single-bay repair or a complete multi-bay storefront system, Expert Glass Repair delivers precision installation with every major aluminum framing manufacturer. Contact us for a free commercial estimate.