Aluminium shopfront cost is the first question most retailers ask, and the honest answer is that no two frontages cost the same. A shopfront is made to fit one opening in one building, so the price is worked out per project after the site is measured. This guide explains what drives aluminium shopfront cost, what you can control, the confirmed prices for automatic door operators, and how to get an accurate quote.
In this guide
Why there is no price per square metre
A shopfront is not a catalogue window. Two frontages of the same width can differ in height, glass, doors, access and site conditions, and each of those moves the price. That is why Coetz™ quotes every shopfront individually after a site measure, rather than publishing a rate per square metre that would rarely match the real job.
What drives aluminium shopfront cost
1. Size and layout
The width and height of the frontage set how much framing and glass you need. More mullions and transoms, and more separate panes, add to aluminium shopfront cost. Glazed panels go up to 3 000 mm.
2. Glass specification
Shopfronts are glazed with safety glass, chosen for each position. Tinted, obscured, performance and double glazing are all available on shopfronts and are quoted separately, so the glass choice is one of the biggest variables. See shopfront glazing requirements.
3. Doors
A manual hinged entrance costs less than an automatic one, but automatic doors suit busy retail. The confirmed prices for the operators are below.
4. Framing system and finish
The framing system and its sightlines affect the price. Any powder-coat colour is available, so you can match your brand. Compare systems in clip-in vs traditional shopfront systems and frameless vs aluminium shopfronts.
5. Site conditions
Height, access, working hours inside a shopping centre and removing an old frontage all affect aluminium shopfront cost. A ground-floor street frontage with good access is the simplest case. A double-volume frontage that needs scaffolding, or a mall unit where work can only happen after hours, takes longer and costs more.
6. Installation
Coetz™ makes the shopfront and MC Automations, our parent company, installs it. Installation is part of the project quote.
Automatic door prices
If the shopfront includes an automatic entrance, these are the confirmed operator prices, excluding VAT, at the time of writing (October 2026):
| Operator | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| MC-125 | Automatic sliding door | R27 590 |
| MCW-100 | Automatic swing door | R15 900 |
Installation of the operator is included in Gauteng. Both carry a 24-month warranty on the operator, with a service every six months. See aluminium shopfronts with automatic doors.
Replacing an old shopfront
On a refurbishment, aluminium shopfront cost includes taking out the old frontage and making good the opening. Old steel or timber frontages are often out of square, so the site measure matters even more. If only the doors are failing, it may be possible to automate or replace the entrance without replacing the whole frontage, which costs less.
How to keep shopfront cost under control
- Decide on the doors early. An automatic entrance changes the framing, so drawing it in from the start avoids rework.
- Use clear glass where you can. Tinted, obscured and performance glass cost more, so use them only where they earn their place.
- Keep the layout simple. Fewer, larger panes usually cost less than many small ones.
- Leave power at the header for an automatic door during first fix.
- Get one quote for the whole frontage, so the shopfront and doors are planned together.
- Compare like with like. When you compare aluminium shopfront cost between suppliers, check that the glass, doors and installation are included in each quote.
Getting an accurate quote
- Send photos and rough sizes of the opening.
- Tell us about the doors: manual or automatic, sliding or swing.
- List any glass requirements: tint, privacy or performance.
- Book the site measure so the quote reflects the real opening.
Safety glazing must meet SANS 10400-N, published by the South African Bureau of Standards. For the full overview, read aluminium shopfronts.
Aluminium shopfront cost: frequently asked questions
How much does an shopfront cost?
Each shopfront is quoted per project after a site measure, because size, glass, doors and site conditions all change the price.
What is the biggest factor in shopfront cost?
Usually the size of the frontage, followed by the glass specification and the choice of doors.
How much is an automatic door for a shopfront?
The MC-125 sliding operator is R27 590 and the MCW-100 swing operator is R15 900, excluding VAT.
Is installation included?
Yes. MC Automations, our parent company, installs Coetz™ shopfronts as part of the project quote.
Can I choose any colour?
Yes. Any powder-coat colour is available on a shopfront.
Coetz™, Unit 2, 84 Ridge Road, Laser Park, Johannesburg. Call 010 412 0062, WhatsApp 076 613 4418 or use our contact page.
Related: aluminium shopfront glass and aluminium shopfront windows.
Rate, examples and installation across the province: aluminium shopfronts Gauteng.
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