Commercial Glazing Fortis Green

We supply and fit commercial glazing in Fortis Green, from shopfronts and entrance doors to office partitions and curtain walling. This page is for shop owners, landlords, office managers and builders with a project in Fortis Green. It sets out the main systems, the rules that apply, what drives the cost and how we plan work around a business that needs to keep trading.

Our team is FENSA registered, and our work comes with a 10-year guarantee. For the full range of systems we offer, see our main commercial glazing page. For homes and other services in the district, go to our Fortis Green glazing page.

Commercial Glazing Systems We Fit

Most commercial jobs in Fortis Green fall into one of these groups:

• Shopfronts. Aluminium frames with large glass panes, a door and often a fanlight or signage zone. They can be fitted with roller shutters or security grilles.
• Entrance doors. Single or double doors with level thresholds, door closers and push bars or pull handles. Automatic doors are also an option.
• Office partitions. Glass walls inside a building that split up open space but let light through. They can be single or double glazed for sound.
• Curtain walling. A full glass facade hung off the building frame. It suits new builds and larger refits. See our curtain walling page for more detail.
• Windows for business premises. Aluminium or uPVC windows for offices, clinics, schools and flats above shops.

Glass Types and Where They Go

The glass is chosen for the risk at each spot, not just the look.

• Toughened glass is heat-treated. It is much stronger than plain glass and breaks into small, blunt pieces. It is used in doors and low panes.
• Laminated glass has a plastic layer between two sheets. If it breaks, it holds together. It adds security and cuts noise.
• Low-E double glazing keeps heat in during winter. It helps the building meet Part L of the Building Regulations.
• Solar-control glass cuts heat gain on south and west facing fronts. It keeps shops and offices cooler without darkening them too much.
• Fire-rated glass is needed in some escape routes and between some spaces. It must be fitted in a tested frame to keep its rating.

Large glass panes in busy spaces also need marks at eye level, so people can see the glass is there. This is called manifestation, and we can supply it as frosted bands or your logo.

Frames: Stick, Unitised and Frameless

How the frame is built affects speed on site, cost and the final look.

System	Main benefit	Best for
Stick	Built on site, easy to adjust	Low-rise and refits
Unitised	Made in the factory, fast to fit	Larger blocks and offices
Frameless	Very few frame lines	Entrances and inside walls

Most shopfronts and small office jobs in Fortis Green use stick systems in aluminium. Aluminium is strong, light and needs little upkeep. Powder-coated frames come in many colours to match your brand. Steel frames suit some period buildings and fire-rated screens.

Building Regulations, Planning and Access

Commercial glazing has more rules than home glazing. We plan for them from the start.

• Safety glazing. Approved Document K sets out where safety glass and manifestation must go.
• Heat loss. Part L sets limits on how much heat the glazing can lose. New and replaced units must meet them.
• Fire safety. Part B covers escape routes and fire-rated screens. Your fire risk assessment may also apply.
• Access. Part M covers level thresholds, door widths and how easy doors are to open. This matters for shops and public buildings.

Planning consent is often needed for a new shopfront, a change in its look or new signs. In conservation areas, the rules can be tighter, and the council may want the design to suit the street. We can supply drawings and product details for your application.

What Drives the Cost of Commercial Glazing

We do not quote set prices on this page. Each job is different, and these are the main cost drivers:

• Size and number of panes. More glass means more material and more lifting.
• Glass spec. Laminated, fire-rated, solar-control and acoustic glass all cost more than standard units.
• Frame system. Frameless and unitised systems cost more to make than standard stick frames.
• Doors and hardware. Automatic doors, access control and panic hardware add cost.
• Access and hours. Scaffolding, lifting gear, road permits and out-of-hours work all add time.
• Strip-out. Removing old frames, signs or shutters adds labour and waste.

After a free survey, we send a written, fixed quote that lists each item. Payment stages are set out in the quote. To start, use our quote request form.

Working Around Your Business

We know a shop or office cannot just close for a week. We agree a plan before we start.

• We can fit early in the morning, in the evening or at weekends.
• We board up or secure any opening at the end of each shift.
• We keep a clear, safe route for staff and customers.
• We arrange permits for loading or road space where needed.

Our full process, from survey and quote to fitting and aftercare, is set out on our how we work page. For commercial jobs, we also supply method statements and risk assessments on request.

Upkeep and Signs It Is Time to Replace

Good commercial glazing lasts a long time with simple care. Clean the glass and frames often, and check door closers and locks each year. Keep drainage slots clear so rain does not build up in the frame.

Signs you need repairs or new glazing include:

• Mist or water between the panes of a sealed unit.
• Doors that drag, drop or do not close on their own.
• Draughts, leaks or rot around the frame.
• Locks or hinges that no longer hold firm.
• Single glazing that makes the space cold or noisy.

Often a new sealed unit or a door closer fixes the problem. If the frame has failed, we will tell you straight and quote for a new one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can modern glazing be fitted to an old or heritage building?

Often, yes. Slim aluminium or steel frames can suit older fronts, and we can match the lines of the old glazing. If the building is listed or in a conservation area, you may need consent first. Heritage officers often want the new work to look close to the old. We can supply drawings and samples to help your application, and work with your architect.

Does commercial glazing affect our building insurance?

It can. Insurers may ask about the glass type, locks and shutters on a shopfront. Laminated glass and tested doors can help meet their terms. Tell your insurer about any changes before work starts. We provide a certificate and product details when the job is done, so you have the paperwork they may ask to see.

Can tinted or reflective glass cause planning problems?

Yes, it can. Very dark or mirrored glass may be refused on a high street, as it can look out of place and reflect glare onto homes nearby. Councils often prefer clear glass at street level, so passers-by can see in. We can suggest solar-control glass that keeps heat down without a strong mirror effect, which tends to sit better with planners.

How long does a shopfront install take?

A standard shopfront often takes one to three days on site once it is made. Larger fronts, curtain walling or jobs with building work take longer. We give you a clear plan with dates before we start. Where we can, we fit the new frame and glass in one go, so the opening is never left unsecured overnight.

Do you work on flats above shops?

Yes. Many buildings in the district have a shop at street level and flats above. We can replace the shopfront and the windows above in one project, which saves on access costs. The flats may need different glass and fire rules from the shop, and we plan each part to meet the right regulations.

Have a commercial glazing project in Fortis Green? We also cover sites across East Finchley. Book a free survey and we will visit, measure up and send you a written quote.