Clip44 shopfront system — here is what South African buyers need to know, with supply, installation and service from Coetz Glazing.
Aluminium shopfronts can be glazed in different ways. The Clip44™ system (a 44 mm clip-in aluminium shopfront framing system) uses snap-in glazing beads for fast, clean glazing and reglazing, while traditional shopfront systems rely on older putty or screw-fixed bead methods. For modern commercial frontages, the clip-in approach has become the standard — here’s why, and when a traditional system still has a place.
Quick comparison
| Feature | Clip44™ System | Traditional Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Glazing method | Snap-in clip beads | Putty or screw-fixed beads |
| Install speed | Fast | Slower, more labour |
| Reglazing | Quick — unclip and replace | Fiddly — remove putty/screws |
| Sightlines | Clean, slim, modern | Bulkier, dated |
| Maintenance | Low | Higher — putty perishes |
| Best for | Modern retail & commercial fronts | Repairs to existing old systems |
How the glazing works
The Clip44™ system uses aluminium glazing beads that clip firmly into the frame, holding the glass securely with neat gaskets and no messy putty. Traditional systems bed the glass in putty or hold it with screwed beads — a method that works but is slower to fit, harder to reglaze and prone to the putty perishing over time.
Installation & reglazing
Clip-in beads make both the original glazing and any future reglazing quick and clean — a real advantage for busy retail sites where downtime costs money. If a pane is damaged, the bead simply unclips, the glass is swapped, and the bead clips back. Traditional systems take longer to fit and to repair, and reglazing can be messy.
Looks, durability & when traditional still fits
The Clip44™ system gives slim, modern sightlines and low-maintenance aluminium durability that suits today’s commercial frontages. Traditional systems tend to look bulkier and dated and need more upkeep. That said, a traditional system may still be the right call when you’re matching or repairing an existing older frontage rather than building new.
Advantages of the Clip44™ system
- Fast, clean clip-in glazing
- Quick, low-mess reglazing
- Slim, modern sightlines
- Low-maintenance aluminium durability
- The standard for modern commercial shopfronts
Advantages of traditional systems
- Familiar for matching existing old frontages
- Useful for like-for-like repairs
- Simple, long-established method
Which should you choose?
- Best for new retail & commercial fronts: Clip44™.
- Best for fast install and reglazing: Clip44™.
- Best for slim, modern sightlines: Clip44™.
- Best for matching an existing old frontage: traditional.
- Best low-maintenance option: Clip44™.
Coetz™ supplies and manufactures modern aluminium shopfront systems for retail and commercial projects. Send us your requirements for a no-obligation quotation.
What is the Clip44™ shopfront system?
u003cpu003eClip44™ is a 44 mm clip-in aluminium shopfront framing system. It uses snap-in glazing beads and gaskets to hold the glass securely, giving fast, clean glazing and slim, modern sightlines — the standard for today’s commercial frontages.u003c/pu003e
Why is a clip-in system better than a traditional one?
u003cpu003eClip-in beads make glazing and reglazing fast and clean, give slimmer sightlines and need less maintenance than traditional putty or screw-bead systems, which are slower to fit and prone to the putty perishing.u003c/pu003e
Is reglazing easier with Clip44™?
u003cpu003eYes. If a pane is damaged the bead simply unclips, the glass is replaced and the bead clips back — much quicker and cleaner than removing putty or screwed beads, which reduces downtime on retail sites.u003c/pu003e
When would a traditional shopfront system still be used?
u003cpu003eMainly when matching or repairing an existing older frontage like-for-like. For new commercial shopfronts, the modern clip-in aluminium system is the practical choice.u003c/pu003e
Shop & related
Custom Shopfronts
Custom aluminium shopfronts, designed and manufactured.
Clip44 Shopfront System
Coetz Glazing designs, supplies to spec, then services what we fit — contact us for a site measure and a fixed-price quote.
What to expect from Coetz Glazing
Every shopfront system project at Coetz starts with a free site measure, so we can confirm the opening, the power supply and the traffic flow before quoting a fixed price.
We manufacture each unit from a durable aluminium frame, glaze it with 6.38mm laminated safety glass, and finished to your specification.
Because we manufacture and supply every shopfront system ourselves, one accountable team looks after your order from quote to delivery, ready for installation by your own contractor.
Frameless vs Aluminium Shopfronts
Compare frameless glass frontages with framed systems.
Helpful next steps: Custom Shopfront Work · Automatic Doors · Contact the project team.