Aluminium shopfront glass is a public-facing safety surface as much as a display: people walk close to it, lean on it and occasionally walk into it. Choosing the right glass for each pane decides how safe, cool, private and attractive a frontage is. This guide explains the safety rules, the glass options available on Coetz™ shopfronts, how to choose glass pane by pane, and what to do when a pane breaks.
In this guide
Safety first
A shopfront is a public frontage, so the glass in doors, side panels and low-level panes must be safety glass that meets SANS 10400-N, published by the South African Bureau of Standards. Laminated and toughened glass are both safety glass:
- Laminated glass holds together on its interlayer when broken, so the pane stays in the frame. It is slower to get through and cuts outside noise.
- Toughened glass is much stronger than ordinary glass and breaks into small, blunt pieces.
Which suits each pane depends on its position and size, and is confirmed for the specific shopfront. See shopfront glazing requirements and toughened vs laminated glass.
Aluminium shopfront glass options
Five kinds of aluminium shopfront glass cover most frontages:
| Glass | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Clear | The truest view of the display | Most display panes |
| Tinted | Cuts glare and sun on the shop floor | Sunny north and west frontages |
| Obscured | Lets light in, blocks the view | Back of house, consulting rooms, toilets |
| Performance | Controls solar heat | Hot frontages and large panes |
| Double glazing | Reduces heat transfer and street noise | Busy roads, air-conditioned stores |
Tinted, obscured, performance and double glazing are available on shopfronts and are quoted separately.
Choosing shopfront glass pane by pane
Different panes in the same frontage can take different aluminium shopfront glass:
- Display panes: clear, so the stock looks its best.
- Panes in the sun: tinted or performance glass to cut glare and heat.
- Back-of-house panes: obscured, so storerooms and offices stay private.
- Doors and low panes: safety glass, as the regulations require.
- Noisy streets: consider double glazing for the main frontage.
Large spans also need the right thickness and framing for wind loads; that is confirmed when the shopfront is designed.
Glass and the brand
Clear aluminium shopfront glass keeps colours true, which matters for fashion and food retail. Tinted glass changes how the display looks from outside, especially on a bright day, so test a sample before committing. Signage and stickers on the glass reduce the display area; plan a signage band above the glass instead. See aluminium shopfront design.
Glass and security
No glass makes a shop break-in-proof, but the choice matters. Laminated aluminium shopfront glass stays in the frame when it is struck, so it is slower and noisier to get through, and it keeps the frontage closed until it can be replaced. Good lighting inside after hours and a monitored alarm do as much for security as the glass. Coetz™ does not supply shutters, so plan any shutter with a specialist before the frontage is designed.
When a pane breaks
- Make it safe. Keep people away and tape over a cracked laminated pane.
- Note the pane size and position, and whether it is a door, side panel or display pane.
- Replace like for like. A shopfront pane must be reglazed with the correct safety glass, never ordinary float glass.
- Ask for a quote. Contact us with photos and sizes, and we will advise on the replacement.
Shopfronts with clip-in glazing beads are faster to reglaze; see clip-in vs traditional shopfront systems.
Cleaning shopfront glass
Clean aluminium shopfront glass with a soft squeegee and mild glass cleaner. Never use blades or abrasive pads on tinted or performance glass, which can scratch the surface. Wash the aluminium frame with mild soap and water at the same time.
Ordering
Every shopfront is quoted per project after a site measure, including the glass for each pane. Coetz™ makes the frontage and MC Automations, our parent company, installs it. See aluminium shopfront cost and aluminium shopfronts.
Aluminium shopfront glass: frequently asked questions
What glass is used in a shopfront?
Safety glass, laminated or toughened depending on the position, with tinted, obscured, performance or double glazing as options.
Can I get double-glazed shopfront glass?
Yes. Double glazing is available on shopfronts and quoted separately.
Which glass stops the shop getting hot?
Tinted or performance glass cuts solar heat on a sunny frontage.
Can different panes have different glass?
Yes. Display, sun-facing and back-of-house panes can each take the glass that suits them.
Can a broken shopfront pane be replaced?
Yes. It must be replaced with the correct safety glass; send us photos and sizes for a quote.
Coetz™, Unit 2, 84 Ridge Road, Laser Park, Johannesburg. Call 010 412 0062, WhatsApp 076 613 4418 or use our contact page.
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