Welcome to Redwood Shopfront
Most aluminium shopfront enquiries begin with a practical problem. The existing entrance may be too narrow, the doors may no longer close properly, or an older frontage may not provide enough glass and display space for the business.
Solving that problem involves more than choosing an aluminium frame. The door position, glass panel sizes, threshold, locks, closer and available shutter space all affect how the finished entrance will work.
Before an aluminium shopfront is made, we inspect and measure these details at the property. The layout is then prepared around the opening, the access required by customers and staff, and the space needed for deliveries.
Aluminium suits commercial frontages where the business needs relatively slim framing around the glass, doors made for regular use and a finish that does not require the same upkeep as painted timber.
The frame can be powder-coated in a chosen RAL colour and arranged around single doors, double doors, fixed glazing or a more open entrance. This makes it useful when an existing frontage needs to be changed rather than copied.
It is not automatically the right material for every property. Timber may suit a traditional building or conservation setting, while a frameless glass shopfront may be more appropriate where the aim is to minimise visible framing.
The decision should be based on the building, entrance and daily use, not appearance alone. Our guide comparing aluminium, glass and timber shopfronts explains where each option fits.
The layout should follow the way the premises is used. A pharmacy with steady customer traffic has different entrance requirements from a showroom, office or café.
A glazed aluminium frontage uses aluminium framing around fixed glass panels and entrance doors. It suits businesses that want products, displays or the interior to remain visible from the pavement.
The size of each panel, position of the door and amount of visible frame are agreed before the system is prepared. Toughened or laminated safety glass can be specified according to the location and use of the glazing.
For a frontage with minimal framing, see our toughened glass shopfronts.
A fully glazed frontage is not suitable for every business.
Clinics, offices, salons and treatment rooms may need more privacy at lower levels or around particular internal areas. Solid panels, frosted glazing or a combination of clear and private sections can be incorporated into the aluminium frame.
The position of these sections should follow the internal layout rather than being added simply to fill space.
A single door leaves more width available for fixed glazing. Double doors create a wider opening for customer access and deliveries but require enough space within the frontage.
Door width is only part of the specification. The direction of opening, handles, locks, threshold and door-control hardware also need to suit the property.
Restaurants and cafés sometimes need a frontage that can open more widely during suitable weather.
A bifold arrangement can open several panels together, while a separate swing door may be retained for normal day-to-day access. Sliding doors may be considered where the layout and available space support them.
View our aluminium windows and doors for related entrance options.
Automatic sliding or swing doors may suit pharmacies, supermarkets and other entrances with frequent customer movement.
The opening, sensors, controls, power supply and safe operation must be considered as part of the system. Automatic equipment should not be added without checking whether the existing entrance is suitable.
Redwood Shopfront is listed as an installer member of the Automatic Door Installation Association.
Small specification decisions can make a noticeable difference once the entrance is in daily use.
The entrance can sit centrally or to one side of the frontage. Its position affects customer movement, available display glass and the internal layout.
We also check which way the door will open and whether it has enough clearance from counters, displays and floor finishes.
Toughened and laminated glass behave differently when broken. The appropriate option depends on the panel size, position, impact risk and security requirement.
There is no single glass thickness or type that is correct for every aluminium shopfront. It should be selected for the particular opening.
Locks, handles, hinges, pivots, floor springs and overhead closers need to suit the size and weight of the door.
Hardware used on a lightly used entrance may not be suitable for a shop or restaurant door that opens repeatedly throughout the day.
Differences between the pavement and internal floor can affect the threshold and door clearance. These levels are checked during the survey so they can be considered before fitting.
A planned roller shutter affects the available space above and beside the shopfront. The shutter box, guides, controls and signage should be considered together instead of being added independently later.
Solid, perforated and punched roller shutters are available for different visibility and closure requirements.
A damaged door or glass panel does not always mean that the complete frontage needs replacing.
Repair may be suitable when the main frame remains correctly aligned and the problem is limited to a replaceable component. Replacement may make more sense where the frame has been distorted, the entrance no longer works for the property or several parts of an older system are failing.
Bent or moved aluminium sections are checked for alignment and damage. We then advise whether the affected area can be repaired or needs replacing.
We measure the damaged glazing and inspect the existing frame before ordering a replacement. Temporary make-safe work may be used if a new panel is not immediately available.
Doors that stick, drop or fail to close may need attention to the hinges, pivots, floor spring or closer. We identify the cause before replacing parts.
Worn locks, handles and closers can often be replaced without changing the full frame. Any replacement must suit the existing door and access requirements.
The cost is based on the measured opening and the agreed specification. Two frontages of a similar width can have different prices because of the glass, doors, hardware and work required at the property. The quotation can be affected by:
The following projects involved different openings and show why the aluminium layout has to be decided around the property.
We installed 8.8mm laminated safety glass with powder-coated aluminium profiles for a clean, durable finish built for busy high-street use.
We replaced an inefficient timber entrance with high-grade thermal aluminium profiles and toughened safety glass.
The entrance was made safe, the damaged glass was removed carefully and the new panel was fitted and checked for smooth operation.
On average, a small to medium aluminium shopfront installation costs between £1,440 and £5,200. The final price depends on size, glass type, door setup, locks, finish, access, and whether roller shutters or automatic doors are included. Contact us for a free quote.
For a full breakdown of pricing by size, glass type, doors, finish, and security options, see our guide on how much a new shopfront costs in London.
Most standard aluminum installations are completed within one to two days on-site. Because we manufacture in-house, we can often transition from initial survey to final handover quickly than other market players.
Yes. Aluminium shopfronts can be highly secure when combined with laminated safety glass, strong commercial locks, reinforced doors, access control, and roller shutters. The best setup depends on your premises, trading hours, and security risk.
Yes. Roller shutters can be installed with aluminium shopfronts to improve after-hours protection. This is especially useful for shops, restaurants, pharmacies, warehouses, and high-street businesses that need extra security.
Yes, we provide emergency repairs 24/7. If your shop front glass is broken, our team can secure the area, board up the site, and arrange for a replacement as soon as possible.
Aluminium shopfronts are often more cost-effective than timber shop fronts and usually require less ongoing maintenance. Frameless glass can create a more premium open look, while aluminium offers a practical balance of cost, durability, security, and design flexibility.
Toughened safety glass and laminated safety glass are common options for commercial shopfronts. Laminated glass is often preferred where extra security is needed, while toughened glass is widely used for strength and safety.
Yes. We can install aluminium shopfronts with automatic sliding or swing doors, depending on your premises, customer flow, accessibility needs, and available space.
It depends on the building and proposed changes. Listed buildings, conservation areas, illuminated signage and material changes to the external appearance may require approval. Landlord or freeholder permission may also be needed.
Send us a front-facing photograph of the existing shopfront, the property address and a short description of what you want to install or replace.
Approximate measurements can help with the initial conversation. The final layout and quotation will be based on measurements checked at the property.Redwood Shopfront carries out aluminium shopfront installation, replacement and repair across London and nearby areas from its base in Barking.
