Commercial Shopfronts and Screens

Commercial shopfronts and screens are large windows designed for retail premises, office buildings as well as providing sidelights toplights and framing for commercial aluminium doors.

Available in insulated thermally broken or solid, non-thermal versions, these screens come in all manner of sizes, configurations and powder-coated finishes. 

commercial aluminium doors
Commercial shopfronts and screens as sidelights with commercial doors

Aluminium commercial shopfronts and screens for retail, and public buildings

While particularly suitable for shops, these shopfronts also work well in many other uses.  Ground floor framing systems, shopfronts and screens while mostly used in retail also provide general screening solutions. They’re simple to make, fast to install and often come at a lower cost solution than aluminium windows. The flexible glazing arrangement also makes these screens ideal for glass, panels, letterbox arrangements in flats, security screens and even display units.

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Commercial aluminium and steel Products

For entrance doors to apartments, a suitable shopfront and screening system provides side panels and an area for buzz entry systems, letter boxes and a glazed window for more light. 

At ground or first floor level, these products also provide cost-effective windows. Their 45-50mm face thickness makes them ideal as contemporary glazing. There’s also the option for insetting opening windows. 

Simple to fabricate, easy to fit and long-lasting, these tried and tested systems are specified and installed in many types of buildings. Examples include

  • Retail premises
  • Leisure 
  • Educational establishments
  • Blocks of residential apartments at ground level 
  • Transport hubs

Completely flexible in design, these aluminium commercial shopfronts and screens also suit extensive modification. It’s possible to create shapes, curves and even accompany door sets with automatic operation. Their simple design also makes them popular for internal partitions, showroom sample stands and many other uses.  Ground floor framing provides a solution where the more costly facade and curtain wall glazing isn’t required.

Typical Specifications of commercial framing systems

Depending on the aluminium system company and product, these come with several options for glazing. 

The pocket or shuffle glazed system remains the most popular. There’s also beaded systems where shuffle glazing isn’t suitable such as internal glazing or where alternative panels or glass thicknesses are required. 

Aluminium extrusions meet standard requirements for quality, thickness and conformity. The powder coated surfaces additionally meet specific coating standards depending on the applicator and polyester powder used. 

grey commercial shopfronts and screens
Supermarkets, retail parks and shops is a popular use for ground floor framing.

Providers of Commercial Shopfronts and Screens

Virtually every major aluminium systems company provides a commercial system of ground-floor framing, shopfronts and screens. Some of the best known systems and providers of these products include: 

Aluprof UK

The commercial framing products by Aluprof are broad ranging and extensive. From basic shopfront systems to fire-rated and high security products, Aluprof is well-known and established in the field of commercial doors, framing and facades. The MB system offers all manner of products including office partition systems. 

AluK Systems

Complementing the AluK GT55 TB Thermally broken commercial door and the GT55NI non-insulated system is the GT55 TB GFT and GT55 NI GFT. These are highly specified ground floor-framing systems and widely used in all market sectors. 

Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems

The Comar name is synonymous with commercial doors and framing, having started over fifty years ago in this sector. Complementing their Comar 7 and Comar 7 P.i Insulated Door Ranges are four different systems. 

Comar 1 provides single glaze solutions. The Comar 3, Comar 4 and 8 systems provide both pocket/shuffle glazed solutions as well as the more traditional nib and bead system. 

Exlabesa Systems

Matching the Exlabesa KSF Non-Thermal door system or the KTS thermal system is a matching commercial ground-floor treatments suite. Exlabesa is well-known and widely used by fabricators offering shopfronts and commercial doors to the trade as well as commercial markets. 

Jack Aluminium Systems

Coventry based Jack Aluminium design and extrude fine quality commercial shopfront and framing systems. 

The TD68 suite provides installers and the trade with thermally broken shopfronts and ground-floor framing. For projects requiring a non-insulated product is required, this comes with the JD47 system. 

Like other commercial shopfronts and screens providers, Jack Aluminium products are proven in high-traffic buildings and premises requiring a reliable, tried-and-tested product. 

Kawneer Systems

High specification Kawneer products are the choice of many architects and their shopfront systems enhance the well-known 190 commercial door, 350 Heavy Duty commercial doors and the latest Dual Moment product. 

For shopfronts you’ll find the Trifab, EnCORE, IR500, IR501 as well as other solutions where projects demand a top-brand commercial system. 

Kestrel Aluminium Systems

Kestrel Aluminium Systems provides non-insulated, insulated and low-rise curtain walling systems, all suitable as shopfronts and ground floor framing. It’s another system widely available through a nationwide network of suppliers for the trade. 

Metal Technology

Ireland-based Metal Technology serve the commercial sector for their innovative aluminium products comprising great engineering and design. System 10 commercial doors from Metal Technology are robust and flexible commercial aluminium doors available at wide ranging sizes and glazing options.

Reynaers Aluminium

When used commercially, Reynaers shopfront and ground-floor framing systems provide high-tech glazing systems designed for architecturally appealing projects. 

With several different versions available, including the popular Vision 50, Reynaers remains the architect’s choice as well as high-end retail, leisure and other commercial buildings. 

SAPA Building Systems

For many years and previously under the Glostal name, SAPA shopfronts and ground floor framing come under the well-known Stormframe ST II and the 202 non-thermally broken system. Also available by SAPA and widely used in high-performance installations is the WindowWall range. SAPA products now come under the Technal brand. 

Schuco Aluminium Systems

Matching the vast Schuco door range is a range of framing solutions. These enhance multiple commercial door products. Examples include the ADS90.SI, ADS75.SI, ADS 75 HD.HI, ADS71.HI and ADS70HD suite of doors. Each of these comes with a thermally enhanced and highly engineered shopfront and commercial framing system. 

Widely used in apartment buildings, office blocks and industrial buildings, the Schuco name is well-down and widely specified.

Senior Architectural Systems

Doncaster based Senior Architectural Systems is another well-known system company for commercial shopfronts and screens. 

The Senior Architectural range comes well-designed, affordable and widely used commercially. Matching door systems include the SFG and SD products as well as the highly insulated PURE heavy duty door. 

Smart Systems Shopline

Shopline is a non-thermal system by Smarts used in shops, entrance screens and industrial buildings. It’s a brilliantly designed modular system with the signature 50mm sightlines. It’s benefits include rapid fabrication and installation as well as flexible design options. 

Technal Systems

Now including the SAPA brand name, Technal Systems provides the PY55 system of commercial shopfronts and screens. 

commercial shopfronts and screens
Silver anodised thermally insulated shopfront

More information about Commercial Shopfronts and Screens for installers and the trade

Installers, construction professionals and the wider trade can get in touch using our contact form for suppliers and more information about shopfronts, ground-floor framing and commercial doors.

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Andrew DOBSONAndrew DOBSON
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guard Charlieguard Charlie
12:28 14 May 23
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Nick is very helpful indeed. Extremely knowledgeable on bifolds which was in relation to my query. Great website as well, some very useful articles. Particularly appreciated the article that lists all the major bifold options in order of their sightlines! Thank you!
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Carol NortonCarol Norton
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I've been so confused about how to achieve the look I'm after, and going round in circles with various window/door companies, trying to get away from the huge chunks of plastic currently around my windows. I didn't expect an email to a company found through a Google search to really help - but I was desperate, so I tried. I'm SO glad I did. Finally I have clear explanations from ATS of where I've been going wrong, exactly what I'm looking for, and a list of local companies that might be able to provide it! The response has excelled my expectations and I feel as if I'm finally inching closer to a home with which I'll be happy and comfortable: thank you.
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Chantal AuerbachChantal Auerbach
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Lee JonesLee Jones
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I dropped Nick at Aluminium Trade Supply an email re high security slim sightline bi-folds and their alternatives and he responded that quickly (and so comprehensively) that I felt bad I’d not paid him for his time!Nick Sir your product knowledge is outstanding and you are providing a level of service that goes wayyyy above and beyond expectations. I’ll definitely make sure I mention Aluminium Trade Supply to anyone I encounter looking for a fenestration solution 🙏🏼
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15:13 13 Feb 23
We are looking to replace some old UPVC patios doors with aluminium ones. The ATS website is a great source of advice in an area where clear information is sorely lacking. Having used the website, I then followed this up with a number of specific questions relating to our search, and Nick came back very quickly with clear, detailed and very useful advice.I have been very impressed with both the website and with Nick's advice. My only regret is that I didn't come across ATS before replacing various windows in 2021 - I'm sure it would have saved me a lot of grief and money! Thanks again Nick.
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Nick was super fast to respond and provided some great recommendations. I would recommend this website to anyone looking to find bifold or sliding aluminium doors.
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Nick from Aluminium Trade Supply has been extremely helpful with navigating the jungle that is aluminium glazing for our upcoming extension project. His advice was prompt, detailed and always impartial. Very grateful for your input, thanks Nick!
Amanda BurtonAmanda Burton
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Brilliant website and an excellent service. Nick provided not only detailed advice and supplier contacts, but highlighted the considerations of various products so I could make an informed choice. Our Sunvista minimal sliders were fitted this week and I couldn't be happier, stunning. Thanks once again for your advice and recommendations, invaluable!
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