Quick Summary
When you are renovating a retail space, replacing a damaged entrance, or launching a new location, timing matters. Every day your doors are closed, boarded, or under construction can affect sales, staff access, and customer confidence.
The on-site shopfront installation usually takes 1 to 5 days once materials are ready. However, the full process from your initial enquiry, site survey, design, manufacturing, approvals, installation, and final handover can take a few days to 4 weeks for many standard projects. If your project requires local council permits, planning permission, or highly specialist fabrication, this window can extend to 4 to 8+ weeks.
At Redwood Shopfront, we manage survey, design, supply, installation, and repair work in-house for commercial shopfronts, shutters, glazing, doors, and entrances.
Shopfront Installation Timeline by Project Type
These are general ranges. The final timeline depends on the size of the opening, site access, design complexity, fabrication, glass specification, shutter type, electrics, working hours, and whether the existing frontage needs to be removed first.
| Type of Work | Typical Installation Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|
Emergency glass replacement |
Same day where possible |
Broken door glass, unsafe panels, urgent security |
1–3 days |
Retail shops, cafés, offices, takeaways | |
1–3 days |
Showrooms, salons, restaurants, high-visibility units | |
Frameless glass shopfront |
2–5 days |
Premium retail, restaurants, offices, lobbies |
1–2 days |
Shops, warehouses, commercial units | |
Shopfront with integrated shutters |
2–5+ days |
Higher-security commercial premises |
Large custom or structural project |
1–2+ weeks on site |
Multi-unit, structural, landlord-led, or complex fit-outs |
Full Shopfront Installation Timeline: From Survey to Handover
Because high-quality commercial storefronts are custom-engineered to order, the project lifecycle starts long before our installation crew arrives at your premises.
| Phase | Description | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
Site Survey & Design |
Accurate measurements, material selection, access checks, fixing point review, door position planning, and structural checks around the opening. |
3–7 days |
Council Permits, If Required |
Waiting for local planning authority approval where shopfront changes, shutters, signage, conservation rules, or building restrictions apply. |
4–8 weeks, variable |
Manufacturing & Fabrication |
Cutting glass, preparing aluminium, steel, or timber frames, powder coating, preparing doors, and manufacturing shutters where needed. |
2–4 weeks |
On-Site Installation |
Removing the old shopfront and fitting the new frame, glass, doors, locks, shutters, controls, and finishing details. |
1–3 days |
Handover & Adjustments |
Final safety checks, sealing, alignment, cleaning, operation testing, and customer sign-off. |
Same day |
Important note: Not every project needs council permission. Many like-for-like replacements can move from survey to manufacturing and installation without a long approval stage. However, listed buildings, conservation areas, major frontage changes, external roller shutters, signage changes, and shopping centre requirements can extend the timeline.
The Simple Rule: Installation Is Usually Fast, Preparation Takes Longer
For most businesses, the physical fitting is the quickest part of the journey. The overall timeline usually falls into two main phases:
1. The Pre-Installation Stage: A Few Days to Several Weeks
Unless you are dealing with a straightforward emergency glass replacement, quality shopfronts are never “off-the-shelf.” They must be custom-tailored to your building’s precise geometry.
During this phase, the project moves through these crucial steps:
- Site Survey & Measurements: A surveyor or installation specialist checks the opening, floor levels, fixing points, door swings, and electrical requirements for automatic entry or motorised shutters.
- Design & Material Selection: You finalise your choice between materials like powder-coated aluminium or frameless glass, alongside your choice of security hardware, access control, and roller shutters. See our guide: Aluminium vs Glass vs Timber Shopfronts: Which Is Best for a London High Street?
- Approval & Sign-off: The design is approved and costed. Note: Delays frequently happen here if you need to wait for a landlord, franchise owner, or local council planning permission.
- Fabrication & Ordering: Frames are cut, glass is treated (toughened or laminated), and shutters are assembled in the workshop.
2. The On-Site Installation Stage (1 to 5 Days)
Once materials are fabricated, the installation date is booked. This is the heavy-lifting phase where the old frontage is removed, the new system is securely anchored, glass panels are glazed, commercial doors are aligned, and security systems are rigorously tested.
Real-World Examples: Redwood Project Timelines
To show you how these timelines play out in practice, look at a few real-world projects completed by the Redwood Shopfront team:
| Project Type & Location | Actual On-Site Timeline | What the Work Included |
|---|---|---|
Same Day |
Securing the area, safely extracting shattered panels, prepping the frame, and fitting a matching commercial-grade replacement pane. | |
1 – 3 Days (Once fabricated) |
Full perimeter frame installation, fitting heavy-duty laminated safety glass, precise door hanging/alignment, hardware installation, and weatherproofing. | |
2 – 5 Days |
Installing thick structural glass panels, heavy-duty floor springs, stainless steel patch fittings, and a custom architectural entrance lobby. | |
1 – 2 Days |
Measuring and mounting structural guide rails, fitting the shutter barrel/box, threading the curtain, wiring electrical motors/controls, and safety testing. |
Emergency vs Planned Shopfront Installation
Not every shopfront job follows the same timeline. Emergency work and planned installation are very different.
Emergency Shopfront Work
Emergency work is usually about making the site safe and secure quickly. This may include boarding, glass replacement, shutter repair, lock repair, or temporary securing.
Common emergency jobs include:
- Broken shopfront glass
- Door glass replacement
- Jammed roller shutter
- Damaged shutter after attempted break-in
- Unsafe entrance
- Failed lock or frame damage
Redwood provides 24/7 emergency shop front repair support for issues such as shattered shopfront glass, jammed roller shutters, failed automatic door sensors or motors, and post-break-in security restoration.
Planned Shopfront Installation
Planned work is more detailed. It usually includes survey, design, measuring, ordering, fabrication, installation, testing, and final handover.
This is the better route for:
- New shopfronts
- Full aluminium shopfronts
- Frameless glass systems
- Integrated roller shutters
- Restaurant and retail refurbishments
- Office glass fronts
- Commercial entrance upgrades
Can a Shopfront Be Installed Without Closing the Business?
Yes, in many cases, we can keep your business operational during the upgrade. While a full shopfront replacement typically requires at least a partial closure due to open structural thresholds and heavy lifting equipment, it does not mean you have to lose valuable trading hours.
A good installer should tell you clearly:
- Whether the business needs to close
- How long the entrance may be unavailable
- Whether temporary boarding is needed
- Whether staff and customers can safely access the site
- What will be completed each day
Key Factors That Can Delay Your Installation
While most projects run like clockwork, a few variables can throw a wrench into your timeline. Knowing these ahead of time helps you mitigate risk:
- The Weather: Extreme wind, torrential rain, or freezing temperatures can delay on-site installation, particularly when handling large glass panes or applying external silicone sealants.
- Complex Access Issues: If your shop is on a busy high street with zero parking, or requires scaffolding and council pavement licenses, logistics will take longer to coordinate.
- Late Design Changes: Requesting a change in door handles, lock types, or frame colour after fabrication has started will reset your manufacturing timeline.
How to Keep Your Project on Schedule
To ensure your shopfront is installed as quickly as possible, follow these three golden rules:
- Lock In Decisions Early: Lock in your material choices, colours, and hardware options during the design phase to avoid mid-production delays.
- Clear the Workspace: Ensure the interior of your shop is completely clear of construction debris or retail stock so the glazers have immediate, safe access to the storefront.
- Hire a Turnkey Contractor: Working with a company that handles everything from initial survey and council paperwork to fabrication and installation eliminates the communication gaps that cause delays.
Redwood Shopfront’s Advice
Do not judge the timeline by installation days only. A one-day fitting can still need several days of preparation if the glass, frame, shutter, or colour finish is made to measure.
The best way to avoid delays is to book a proper site survey early. This helps confirm measurements, materials, access, security needs, and whether the work can be completed during trading hours or needs out-of-hours installation.
Need to know exactly how long your shopfront installation will take? Redwood Shopfront can survey your site, recommend the ideal configuration, and provide a clear, binding timeline before any work begins.
Request a free site survey or speak with the Redwood Shopfront team today.
FAQ
How long does it take to install a new shopfront?
Most new shopfronts take 1 to 5 days to install on site once materials are ready. A simple aluminium or glass shopfront may take 1–3 days, while frameless glass, shutter-integrated, or more complex commercial projects can take 2–5+ days on site. The full project timeline may be longer because survey, fabrication, approvals, and scheduling happen before fitting begins.
Can a shopfront be installed in one day?
Yes, some simple shopfront jobs can be installed in one day, especially smaller aluminium systems, glass replacement, or straightforward shutter installations. Larger, custom, or structural projects usually need more time.
How long does emergency shopfront glass replacement take?
Emergency glass replacement can sometimes be completed the same day, depending on glass size, availability, safety requirements, and site access. If specialist glass is needed, the site may be made safe first and the final glass fitted later.
How long does aluminium shopfront installation take?
A standard aluminium shopfront usually takes 1 to 3 days to install on site once fabrication is complete. The timeline depends on the size of the frontage, number of doors, glass specification, locks, access control, and whether roller shutters are included.
How long does a frameless glass shopfront take?
A frameless glass shopfront usually takes 2 to 5 days to install on site. It can take longer than a standard framed shopfront because the glass panels, doors, floor channels, fittings, and finishing details all need accurate alignment.
What delays shopfront installation the most?
The most common delays are custom fabrication, glass ordering, old shopfront removal, structural changes, landlord approval, council planning requirements, electrical work, and limited site access.
Do I need to close my shop during installation?
For a full replacement, you may need to close the entrance temporarily. Some work can be planned outside trading hours to reduce disruption. Emergency repairs and smaller glass jobs may be completed with limited interruption.
What is the first step before installing a shopfront?
The first step is a site survey. This confirms the measurements, material options, safety requirements, access, frame condition, shutter needs, and installation plan.
As the lead writer for Redwood Shopfront, Tom has over 7+ years of hands-on experience in the London commercial property sector, establishing himself as a leading authority on shopfront design and high-security structural glazing. Helping business owners in high-traffic areas like Soho and Walthamstow navigate complex security requirements, including LPS 1175 and PAS 24 compliance. His work ensures that every storefront is not just visually striking, but fully secured against modern threats.
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