Complete glass storefront systems with aluminum framing, automatic doors, and ADA compliance across Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland.
Design and install a new glass storefront for your Georgetown retail space, upgrade the facade of your Tysons Corner restaurant, or replace aging storefront glass across your Northern Virginia multi-tenant property. Full engineering, permitting, and installation.
ADA
Compliant
30-50%
Energy Savings
Custom
Finishes
Permitted
Installs
Storefront Systems
The most common commercial storefront system using 2-inch or 2.5-inch face width aluminum mullions and transoms with single or insulated glass infill.
Structural silicone glazed systems where glass panels are bonded directly to the aluminum frame with structural adhesive, eliminating exterior pressure.
Frameless storefront designs using heavy tempered glass panels (1/2-inch or 3/4-inch thick) with minimal stainless steel fittings.
For buildings requiring floor-to-ceiling glass from the ground level upward, curtain wall systems extend the storefront glass vertically across multiple.
Entry Systems
The entry door is the most critical component of your storefront. It must be ADA-compliant, durable under heavy traffic, and aligned with your brand image.
Motion-activated sliding glass doors provide touchless, ADA-compliant entry. Automatic sliders are ideal for high-traffic retail locations where ease of entry directly impacts foot traffic and sales. Sensor adjustments control activation zone, opening speed, hold-open time, and safety reversing.
Power-operated swing doors with motion sensors or push-button activation. Automatic swing doors maintain the traditional swinging door appearance while providing ADA-compliant opening force and hold-open functionality. Available in full-glass or aluminum-framed glass configurations.
Standard aluminum-framed glass doors with overhead closers. Manual doors are cost-effective and reliable for lower-traffic entries. ADA compliance requires lever or push-pull hardware, maximum 5-pound opening force, and smooth threshold transitions. Panic hardware is required for exits.
Glass revolving doors provide continuous entry flow while maintaining the building climate barrier. Revolving doors are the most energy-efficient entry option because they never create an open passage between interior and exterior. Available in 3-wing and 4-wing configurations with all-glass options.
Glass bi-fold and accordion door systems fold the entire storefront open, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. Popular for restaurants, cafes, and retail shops that want to open their facade to the sidewalk during pleasant weather. Glass panels fold to one side when open.
Transparent polycarbonate or aluminum roll-down security grilles that protect the glass storefront after hours. Security grilles integrate into the storefront head channel and roll down manually or with a motorized operator. See-through grilles maintain display visibility while preventing forced entry.
Design & Engineering
Every storefront we design meets ADA accessibility requirements including minimum 32-inch clear door width (36 inches standard), maximum 5-pound opening force, accessible hardware, smooth thresholds, and proper signage. Automatic door operators ensure effortless compliance for all entry configurations.
Modern storefronts must meet stringent energy codes (IECC 2021 in Virginia and Maryland, DC Energy Code). We specify insulated glass, thermally broken frames, and Low-E coatings that meet or exceed required U-value and SHGC thresholds. Energy modeling is available for complex projects.
We design the storefront framing system to accommodate your signage from the outset -- not as an afterthought. Options include dedicated signage bands in the transom area, structural support for channel letters, vinyl graphics applied to the glass, and internally illuminated sign panels.
Storefront glass can be upgraded from standard tempered glass to laminated safety glass, security film, or even ballistic-rated glass depending on the threat profile. Laminated glass holds together when broken, delaying forced entry. Security film adds shatter resistance to existing glass.
Aluminum framing is available in anodized finishes (clear, dark bronze, black, champagne), powder-coat colors (any RAL color), and specialty finishes including wood grain simulation. Finish selection coordinates with building architecture, brand colors, and adjacent tenant storefronts.
Storefront systems are tested to ASTM and AAMA standards for air infiltration, water penetration, and structural wind load resistance. We specify systems rated for the wind speeds and driving rain conditions of the Washington DC metro area to ensure long-term performance and weather-tightness.
Applications
Retail storefronts maximize glass area for product visibility and foot traffic conversion. Large glass panels, minimal framing, and strategic lighting integration invite customers into the store. We design storefronts that function as the primary marketing tool for street-level retail.
Restaurant storefronts balance visibility with climate control. Operable glass walls that fold open in pleasant weather create indoor-outdoor dining experiences. Energy-efficient glass keeps heating and cooling costs manageable during closed-facade seasons.
Office storefronts project professionalism and brand identity. Frosted glass bands at eye level provide privacy while maintaining an open, welcoming appearance. Signage integration and branded finishes distinguish your office from neighboring tenants.
Property managers need storefront systems that maintain architectural continuity across multiple tenants while allowing individual branding. We design master storefront standards with flexible signage and finish zones that keep the building cohesive while giving tenants identity.
Glass Selection
The glass you choose determines your storefront's energy performance, safety, security, acoustics, and visual character. We help you select the right glass for each area of the facade.
Double-pane glass with an argon-gas-filled airspace and warm-edge spacer. Insulated glass is the standard for energy-compliant storefronts, reducing heat transfer by 40-50 percent compared to single-pane glass. Triple-pane options are available for maximum energy performance.
Low-emissivity coatings are microscopically thin metallic layers applied to the glass surface that reflect infrared heat. Low-E glass reduces solar heat gain in summer and retains interior heat in winter. Multiple Low-E coating positions are available to optimize performance for specific orientations.
All storefront glass at door height and in impact-prone locations is tempered for safety. Tempered glass is 4-5 times stronger than standard glass and shatters into small, relatively harmless granules if broken. Building codes require tempered glass in specific storefront locations.
Laminated glass bonds two glass layers with a tough interlayer. When broken, the interlayer holds fragments in place, providing security against forced entry and protecting building occupants from flying glass. Laminated glass also provides significant sound reduction.
Opaque or translucent glass used to conceal structural elements, mechanical systems, and floor slab edges between vision glass areas. Spandrel glass is available in a wide range of colors and is used to create a unified glass facade even where transparency is not desired.
Frosted, etched, textured, and digitally printed glass options add privacy, branding, and visual interest to storefront designs. Decorative glass can incorporate company logos, patterns, and gradient treatments that transition from opaque to transparent.
How We Work
We measure the opening, review architectural drawings, assess structural conditions, and discuss your design vision, branding requirements, door types,
Structural engineering calculations confirm the system handles wind loads, dead loads, and seismic requirements.
Aluminum frames are fabricated, finished, and pre-assembled. Glass panels are cut, tempered, insulated, and coated. Door hardware, automatic operators,
The aluminum frame system is installed and anchored to the building structure. Glass panels are set and sealed. Doors are hung, adjusted, and tested.
Ongoing Support
Storefront glass breakage requires immediate response. We provide 24/7 emergency board-up service to secure the opening and prevent weather damage and unauthorized entry. Replacement glass is typically installed within 24-72 hours depending on glass type, size, and coating requirements.
Commercial storefront doors endure hundreds of daily cycles. We service overhead closers, pivot hinges, panic hardware, automatic door operators, and threshold seals. Regular hardware maintenance prevents costly emergency repairs and ensures continuous ADA compliance.
Storefront glazing sealants deteriorate over time from UV exposure, thermal cycling, and building movement. We inspect and replace perimeter sealants, gaskets, and weatherstripping to maintain the weathertight integrity of the storefront system and prevent water infiltration.
We provide periodic glass condition assessments for commercial property managers including seal failure detection, stress fracture identification, and coating degradation evaluation. Early identification of glass issues prevents sudden failure and allows planned replacement.
Common Questions
Service Areas
Professional commercial storefront design and installation throughout Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland.
Northern Virginia retail corridors along Wilson Boulevard in Arlington, King Street in Alexandria, and the Tysons Corner area are home to hundreds of glass storefronts. We design and install new storefronts for retail buildouts and replace aging systems for property management companies throughout NoVA.
Maryland retail centers in Bethesda Row, downtown Silver Spring, and the Pike & Rose development invest in premium glass storefronts. We work with tenants, landlords, and general contractors on new storefront installations and renovation projects throughout Montgomery, Howard, and Anne Arundel counties.
Washington DC retail and restaurant storefronts face unique requirements including historic district design review, DC DCRA permitting, and coordination with the Commission of Fine Arts for Pennsylvania Avenue properties. We navigate these requirements for clients throughout the District.
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Learn MoreReady to Start?
Call us today or request a free estimate. We will survey your commercial space, discuss design options and code requirements, and provide a comprehensive proposal with engineering, permits, fabrication, and installation.