Commercial Storefront Upgrades
Upgrades: the natural next step after a repair
Most storefronts are upgraded one part at a time. A broken lite, a fogged unit or a failing door closer is the moment to ask whether the replacement part should be better than the original: safer glass, lower energy bills, an easier entrance or a better look. This page covers the upgrades owners ask about most, what each one fixes, whether it fits the frame you already have, and how it compares on cost.
What do you want to improve?
Pick a goal to narrow the list, or browse all nine upgrades.
Better insulated glass
Replacing single-pane glass or fogged insulated units with new sealed insulated glass units.
Best for: Drafts, condensation, fogged units, hot or cold spots near the glass.
Keeps the existing frame? Often, if the glazing pocket accepts the thicker unit. Many older storefronts were built for single glass only.
Relative cost: $$
Laminated security glass
Two or more layers of glass bonded to a plastic interlayer, so broken glass stays in the opening.
Best for: Break-ins, smash-and-grab theft, vandalism and repeated impact damage.
Keeps the existing frame? Usually. Thicker makeups can need deeper glazing stops or adapters.
Relative cost: $$
Energy-efficient glazing
Low-E coatings and performance tints that cut solar heat gain and heat loss through the glass.
Best for: Sun-facing storefronts, fading merchandise, uncomfortable seating areas, high cooling bills.
Keeps the existing frame? Yes, as part of a glass or insulated unit replacement.
Relative cost: $$
New aluminum framing
New storefront framing, usually thermally broken, with new anchors, sill flashing and sealant.
Best for: Bent or leaking frames, condensation on the metal, frames that cannot take insulated glass.
Keeps the existing frame? No. This replaces the frame, so it overlaps with a full replacement.
Relative cost: $$$
ADA-compliant entrances
Bringing the entrance in line with accessibility rules: clear width, low thresholds, opening force, closer speed and hardware type and height.
Best for: Older entrances, tenant changes, doors that are heavy or have high thresholds or knobs.
Keeps the existing frame? Often. Many fixes are hardware, threshold and closer changes in the existing door and frame.
Relative cost: $
Automatic doors
Sliding, swinging or folding doors with a power operator and safety sensors.
Best for: Medical offices, grocery and high-traffic retail, and entrances used by people with carts, strollers or mobility aids.
Keeps the existing frame? Sometimes. A swing operator can often be added; sliding doors usually need a new header package and power.
Relative cost: $$$
Hurricane-rated systems
Impact-tested glass and framing that are tested and approved together as one system.
Best for: Coastal and wind-borne debris regions, and buildings where insurance or code requires impact protection.
Keeps the existing frame? Rarely. The rating applies to the tested glass and frame together, so this usually means a new system.
Relative cost: $$$$
Ballistic and security glazing
Rated glass, glass-clad polycarbonate or laminates installed in framing rated to the same level.
Best for: Banks, pharmacies, government counters, cash rooms and other high-risk openings.
Keeps the existing frame? Rarely. The framing has to match the glass rating.
Relative cost: $$$$
Modern storefront redesign
A new storefront layout: larger glass, a new entrance position, frameless or slim-profile doors and new finishes.
Best for: Repositioning a property, new tenants, rebrands and dated facades that hurt leasing.
Keeps the existing frame? No. This is a new storefront, so plan it like an installation.
Relative cost: $$$$
Storefront upgrades compared
Relative cost compares the upgrades with each other for a typical storefront bay. It is not a price; actual cost depends on size, access, glass makeup and location.
| Upgrade | Main benefit | Usually keeps the existing frame? | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Better insulated glass | Comfort, less condensation, lower energy use | Often | $$ |
| Laminated security glass | Glass stays in the opening when broken | Usually | $$ |
| Energy-efficient glazing | Less solar heat, less fading | Yes | $$ |
| New aluminum framing | Stops leaks and condensation at the frame | No | $$$ |
| ADA-compliant entrances | Easier, compliant access | Often | $ |
| Automatic doors | Hands-free entry for every visitor | Sometimes | $$$ |
| Hurricane-rated systems | Tested impact and wind protection | Rarely | $$$$ |
| Ballistic and security glazing | Rated protection for high-risk openings | Rarely | $$$$ |
| Modern storefront redesign | A new look and layout | No | $$$$ |
Comparing upgrade options? Read these next
Side-by-side guides for the choices behind most upgrades.
The best time to upgrade is when something breaks
You pay for the glass, the labor and the trip whether the replacement is like-for-like or better. These are the repair moments where an upgrade costs the least extra.
| When this happens | Upgrade worth asking about |
|---|---|
| A lite breaks and has to be replaced anyway | Order laminated or low-E insulated glass instead of a like-for-like lite, if the frame accepts it. |
| An insulated unit fogs | Replace it with a low-E unit; the extra cost over a clear unit is usually small. |
| The door closer or pivots fail | Check opening force, closer speed and threshold height while the door is being serviced. |
| The entrance is broken into | Laminated glass in and beside the door, a hook-bolt lock and a better cylinder. |
| Gaskets and sealant need replacing | Reglaze with insulated glass at the same time, so the frame is only opened once. |
| A tenant is moving in or out | Plan accessibility, signage, door location and glass type before the space is fitted out. |
Dealing with damage right now? Start with the commercial glass repair guide, then come back to the upgrade options.
Six things to check before you upgrade
Will the existing frame take the new glass?
Measure the glazing pocket. Insulated and laminated glass are thicker than single glass, and a frame built for 1/4 inch glass may need adapters, new glazing stops or a new frame.
Does the energy code apply?
In many jurisdictions, replacing glass or framing triggers the current energy code for the new work. Ask your local building department or your glazing contractor what applies to your project.
Is safety glass required?
Building codes require safety glazing in doors and in many locations near doors and floors. Any replacement in those locations must meet the requirement, even if the old glass did not.
Is the building in a wind-borne debris region?
In hurricane-prone areas, impact protection is often required and products must be tested and approved as a system. Mixing rated glass with unrated framing does not give you a rated opening.
Do you need a permit?
Like-for-like glass replacement often does not; new framing, changed openings, automatic operators and accessibility work often do. Requirements vary by city.
Will it match the rest of the facade?
New glass can look different from older glass next to it, especially with low-E coatings and tints. Ask for a sample or plan to replace a full elevation at once.
Storefront upgrades: common questions
Can I upgrade my storefront glass without replacing the frame?
Often, yes. Laminated glass, low-E coatings and new insulated units can usually go into an existing aluminum frame if the glazing pocket is deep enough. Hurricane-rated and ballistic upgrades usually need matching rated framing.
What is the most cost-effective storefront upgrade?
For most buildings, upgrading the glass at the moment it has to be replaced anyway: a broken lite or a fogged unit. You pay for the new glass either way, and the step up to laminated or low-E is a smaller extra.
Is laminated glass worth it for a retail storefront?
If the storefront has been broken into or sits in a high-risk location, usually yes. Laminated glass holds together when broken, which slows entry and keeps the opening closed until it can be replaced.
Do ADA upgrades always mean a new door?
No. Many accessibility problems are fixed with a new threshold, closer adjustment, lever or push-pull hardware and lower opening force. A new door is needed when the clear width is too narrow.
When does an upgrade become a full replacement?
When the frame is the problem: it is bent, leaking at the sill, not thermally broken or too shallow for the glass you need. At that point new framing makes more sense than upgrading parts.
Where this fits in your storefront project
Every storefront moves through the same five stages: repair, deciding whether to repair or replace, upgrading, replacing and installing new. Pick the stage that matches where you are.
Repair
Fix what is broken. Broken glass, doors, frames, hardware, leaks and emergencies.
Repair vs Replace
Decide what makes sense. Damage, cost, building age, energy, safety and code.
Upgrade
Improve performance. Better glass, security, energy savings, access and appearance.
Replacement
Replace the whole system. Tear-out, full replacement, remodels and modernization.
Installation
Build something new. New construction, tenant build-outs and new storefronts.
Is the frame itself the problem?
When the frame is bent, leaking, not thermally broken or past its service life, upgrading the glass alone will not fix it. See what a full replacement involves.