When most people look at a commercial entrance, they see glass. What they may not realize is that a storefront entrance is actually a coordinated system made of aluminum framing, glazing, doors, and hardware that all work together.
Whether you're specifying a glass commercial door for a retail storefront, replacing aging aluminum storefront doors, or designing a new entrance with commercial glass double doors, understanding how each component functions can help you choose the right system for your project.
Learn more about aluminum and glass storefront door systems with the experts at CDF Distributors on YouTube.
What is a Storefront System?
A storefront system is a non-load-bearing exterior wall system commonly used in retail stores, restaurants, office buildings, healthcare facilities, schools, and other commercial spaces. Rather than consisting of a single door, the system combines framing, glass, entrances, and hardware into one integrated assembly.
The door itself is only one part of the larger system. The surrounding aluminum framing, glass panels, and hardware must all be designed to work together for proper performance, appearance, and operation.
If you're evaluating options, it's helpful to understand the differences between a complete storefront system and a standalone entrance door. Learn more about commercial storefront doors and how they fit into larger building envelope designs.
Why Storefront Glass Doors Are So Popular
Few commercial entrance types offer the same combination of visibility, aesthetics, and functionality as storefront glass doors.
Storefront systems are designed to:
- Maximize natural daylight
- Improve visibility into and out of the building
- Creating a welcoming customer entrance
- Support modern architectural designs
- Maintain durability in high-traffic environments
Retail stores often use storefront systems to showcase products and create an inviting customer experience. Office buildings, healthcare facilities, and educational campuses benefit from increased daylight and improved occupant comfort.
If you're unsure whether storefront doors are appropriate for your application, this guide explores whether storefront doors are right for every commercial building.
The Role of Aluminum Framing
At the heart of every storefront system is the aluminum framing.
The framing creates the structural framework that holds the entire system together. Those vertical and horizontal lines separating glass panels are called storefront mullions, and they provide support for doors, sidelites, transoms, and glazing.
Benefits of Aluminum Storefront Doors and Framing
Aluminum storefront doors remain one of the most popular commercial entrance solutions because they offer:
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Low maintenance requirements
- Long service life
- Attractive modern appearance
- Flexible design options
- Compatibility with numerous glazing systems
Unlike heavier steel entrance systems, aluminum storefront assemblies provide strength while maintaining slim sightlines that maximize visible glass.
You can explore additional design options in this overview of commercial storefront doors and aluminum entry systems.
Common Storefront Configurations
Aluminum Framing can be configured in numerous ways, including:
- Single door with sidelites
- Single door with transom
- Single door with sidelites and transom
- Double door with sidelites
- Double door with transom
- Double door with sidelites and transom
These flexible configurations allow storefront systems to accommodate everything from a small retail entrance to a wide commercial lobby opening.
For larger entrances, many designers choose storefront doors with sidelites to increase visibility and daylight while creating a more expansive experience.
Understanding Storefront Glass Options
While many people refer to storefront glazing simply as "glass," several different glass types are commonly used in commercial applications.
Choosing the right glazing depends on your project's performance requirements, building codes, climate conditions, and security needs.
Tempered Glass
Tempered glass is the most common option found in a glass commercial door. Because it is safety glazing, it is designed to break into small, granular pieces rather than dangerous sharp shards.
Tempered glass is often required by building codes in commercial entrance applications. The U.S. Department of Energy provides additional information about glazing performance and energy-efficient building envelope design at energy.gov.
Insulated Glass
Insulated glass units contain panes separated by an air- or gas-filled space.
Benefits include:
- Better thermal performance
- Reduced heat transfer
- Improved occupant comfort
- Potential energy savings
Insulated glass is commonly used in office buildings, healthcare facilities, and commercial buildings with higher energy-efficiency requirements.
Low-E Glass
Low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings help reflect infrared heat while allowing visible light to pass through.
Low-E glazing can help:
- Reduce solar heat gain
- Improve thermal performance
- Lower HVAC loads
- Enhance occupant comfort near entrances
For projects in warmer climates or buildings with extensive glazing, Low-E glass can provide substantial performance benefits.
Understanding Storefront Door Configurations
The storefront door is the operable portion of the entrance system. While fixed glass panels remain stationary, the door allows occupants to enter and exit the building safely and efficiently.
Single Storefront Doors
A single storefront door is typically used when traffic levels are moderate and a standard opening size is sufficient.
Common applications include:
- Small retail stores
- Professional offices
- Medical clinics
- Service businesses
Single doors offer simplicity and often reduce hardware costs.
Commercial Glass Double Doors
For larger openings and increased traffic flow, commercial glass double doors are often the preferred solution.
Double-door configurations provide:
- Wider clear openings
- Improved accessibility
- Easier movement of equipement and merchandise
- Better crowd management during peak traffic periods
Many retail stores, educational facilities, and hospitality venues use commercial glass double doors to accommodate higher occupancy loads.
If you're comparing configurations, browse available storefront door options before finalizing your specification.
What are Sidelites and Transoms?
Many storefront entrances include additional glass components that expand the visual impact of the opening.
Sidelites
Sidelites are fixed glass panels located adjacent to the door.
Benefits include:
- Increased daylight
- Enhanced visibility
- Improved aesthetics
- A larger perceived entrance size
Transoms
A transom is a fixed glass panel positioned above the door.
Transoms can:
- Increase the overall height of the entrance
- Allow additional natural light into the building
- Create a more professional appearance
- Help storefront systems fit taller openings
Sidelites and transoms can be combined with either single doors or commercial glass double doors to create a customized storefront solution.
Understanding Door Stiles
One term used when discussing storefront entrances is "stile."
The stile refers to the vertical aluminum members located along the edges of the door.
Stile width has a major impact on both appearance and functionality.
Narrow-Stile Doors
Narrow-stile doors maximize visible glass and are popular in retail environments where transparency and visibility are priorities.
Advantages include:
- Contemporary appearance
- Increased sightlines
- More glass exposure
Medium-Stile Doors
Medium-stile doors provide a balance between aesthetics and functionality.
Benefits include:
- Improved structural strength
- Greater hardware compatibility
- Versatile design options
Wide-Stile Doors
Wide-stile doors are frequently selected for high-traffic commercial applications.
Advantages include:
- Enhanced durability
- Additional support for hardware
- Greater design flexibility
The appropriate stile width depends on traffic levels, hardware requirements, building design, and operational demands.
Please note that at this time, CDF Distributors is only able to offer narrow stile widths.
Why Hardware Matters More Than Most People Realize
While the hardware may represent a small percentage of the overall entrance package, it has a major impact on performance.
Storefront door hardware affects:
- Security
- Accessibility
- User Experience
- Code compliance
- Long-term durability
Typical storefront hardware may include:
- Exit devices
- Panic hardware
- Closers
- Continuous hinges
- Pull handles
- Cylinders
- Deadlocks
- Eletric Strikes
- Access control components
Hardware choices should never be made independently of the storefront door configuration.
For example, a narrow-stile aluminum door may have different hardware options than a medium- or wide-stile system. That's why coordinated design is essential.
For additional guidance, see this Adams Rite storefront hardware guide.
What Does "Glazing" Mean?
Another term frequently used during storefront projects is glazing.
Glazing refers to both:
- The glass itself.
- The method used to install and secure the glass within the framing system
When specifying glazing, several factors must be coordinated:
- Glass type
- Glass thickness
- Safety requirements
- Energy-performance requirements
- Framing compatibility
- Building code compliance
Simply asking for "storefront glass" is rarely enough information to accurately specify an entrance system.
Designing a Complete Storefront System
The most successful storefront projects treat the entrance as a complete system rather than a collection of individual components.
A properly coordinated storefront includes:
- Aluminum framing
- Appropriate glazing
- Correct door configuration
- Compatible hardware
- Code-compliant specifications
When these pieces are selected together, the result is a storefront entrance that delivers better performance, easier installation, improved aesthetics, and fewer problems in the field.
For projects requiring custom configurations, CDF's ProBuilder tool allows users to configure doors, frames, hardware, and storefront components in one workflow. If you're working from construction drawings, you can also upload project plans for additional review and assistance.
Final Thoughts
A glass commercial door is much more than a piece of glass swinging in an opening. Successful storefront entrances combine aluminum storefront doors, framing, glazing, and hardware into a coordinated system designed around the needs of the building.
Whether you're specifying storefront glass doors for a retail space, evaluating glazing options for energy performance, or designing commercial glass double doors for a high-traffic entrance, understanding how these components work together will help ensure better results from design through installation.
