Storefront System vs Window Wall
Both are framed glass systems that sit between floors rather than hanging over them like a curtain wall. A storefront is a ground-floor system with entrances. A window wall stacks story by story on mid-rise buildings and is built for higher performance.
Choose storefront system if…
- Ground-floor retail, restaurants and lobbies
- Openings up to about one story with entrances
- Tenant improvements and storefront replacements
Choose window wall if…
- Mid-rise residential, hotel and office floors
- Repeated floor-to-floor glazing
- Higher wind, water and thermal performance between slabs
Storefront system vs window wall: how they compare
Relative ratings from 1 to 5 (5 is best) for typical commercial storefront use. Your building, climate and budget can change the answer.
| Storefront system | Window wall | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical location | Ground floor | Upper floors, between slabs |
| Support | Floor and structure above | Each slab, story by story |
| Doors | Built-in entrances | Usually balcony or terrace doors |
| Performance | Moderate | Higher wind, water and thermal ratings |
| Slab edge | Not applicable | Covered with slab-edge covers |
| Cost | Lower | Moderate |
Comparing options? Read these next
Related matchups and guides for the same decision.
Where each fits
Many mixed-use buildings use both: storefront at street level with entrances for tenants, window wall on the floors above. A curtain wall is the next step up, hung on the structure and running past several floors.
Where window walls leak
The slab edge is the weak point. Joints between stacked units, slab-edge covers and the connection to the floor below need careful sealing and maintenance.
Repairs
Storefront glass and parts are easy to reach from the ground. Window wall repairs often need lifts, swing stages or interior access, which adds cost and planning.
Storefront system vs window wall: common questions
Is a window wall the same as a curtain wall?
No. A window wall sits between floor slabs, story by story. A curtain wall hangs on the structure and runs continuously past the floors.
Can a storefront system go above the ground floor?
Sometimes for low, protected openings, but upper floors usually need window wall or curtain wall performance.
Which costs more?
Window wall generally costs more than storefront, and curtain wall more than both.