How Much Does a New Shop front Cost in London?

Q: How much does a new shopfront cost in London in 2026?

Our recent installations show the average price range between £2,650 to £20,150+, depending on size, glass specification, frame system, access, and extras such as shutters and signage.

Q: How much does an aluminium shopfront cost in London?

An aluminium shopfront in London usually costs around £2,650 to £8,650 installed, depending on frontage size, glass type, door style, colour finish, access, and whether removal or security upgrades are included.

Q: How much does a timber shopfront cost?

A timber shopfront usually costs around £10,150 to £25,150+ in London. Bespoke heritage-style timber shopfronts can cost more depending on design, joinery, finish, and conservation requirements.

How Much Does a New Shopfront Cost in London in 2026

by Tom Whitmore May 7, 2026

Quick answer:

Planning to install a new shopfront in London? A new shopfront in London typically costs between £2,550 and £20,150+, depending on the size of the unit, frame material, glazing specification, security requirements, and installation complexity.

For most small to medium retail units, a standard aluminium shopfront with toughened safety glass usually falls between £2,650 and £8,650 installed.

Frameless glass systems, timber shopfronts, automatic doors, laminated security glazing, and integrated shutters increase the overall cost due to fabrication, compliance requirements, and installation time.

At Redwood Shopfront, we survey, manufacture, supply, and install commercial shopfronts across London.

This guide explains realistic 2026 price ranges, what affects the final price, what is normally included in a quotation, and how to avoid hidden costs before work begins.

Average Shopfront Costs in London

For most small to medium commercial units in London, the cost of a new shopfront falls into one of these ranges:

Shopfront Type	Typical Price Range	Best For
Basic aluminium shopfront	£2,650 – £4,650	Aluminium remains the most popular option because it is durable, low-maintenance, and cost-effective for most retail and commercial premises.
Mid-range commercial shopfront	£4,650 – £8,650	Restaurants, offices, salons
Frameless glass shopfront	£6,650 – £15,150+	These systems are commonly used for restaurants, salons, showrooms, and premium retail spaces where visibility and modern appearance are important.
Timber shopfront	£10,150 – £25,150+	Conservation areas and listed buildings
Bespoke or high-security shopfront	£8,650 – £20,150+	Larger frontages, jewellery stores, high-risk locations, premium designs

The final cost depends on:

frontage width and height
glazing specification
frame system
shutters and security upgrades
signage
electrical works
access restrictions
removal of the existing frontage
installation complexity

Pro Tip

Timber shopfronts are expensive because they usually need custom joinery, decorative mouldings, painting or staining, and more detailed finishing than aluminium. A small timber frontage can cost around £10,150 – £18,150, a more detailed timber shopfront is usually £14,150 – £22,150.

Real Shopfront & Security Installations

1. Aluminium Shopfront Installation – Westcliff-on-Sea

This project involved a new aluminium commercial shopfront installation for a retail premises in Westcliff-on-Sea.

Project included:

powder-coated aluminium framing
toughened safety glass
commercial entrance door
full removal and replacement

Typical projects like this generally fall between:

Estimated Cost Range: £3,500 – £6,500 + VAT

For many London businesses, aluminium gives the best balance between price, appearance, durability, and security. Aluminium shopfront average cost range:

2. Frameless Glass Shopfront & Lobby Installation – Exeter

This frameless glazing installation used large glass panels to create a clean, modern commercial entrance and lobby system.

Features included:

frameless structural glazing
specialist glass fixings
minimal-frame appearance
commercial-grade safety glass

Projects of this type typically range between:

Estimated Cost Range: £8,000 – £15,000 + VAT

In security-sensitive areas, laminated safety glass is often a better option than standard toughened glass because it tends to remain intact after impact.

3. High-Security Shopfront Installation – Slough

Reinforced commercial frontage for a retail unit. Included:

reinforced aluminium system
security glazing
integrated shutters
heavy-duty locking system

Typical cost range: £7,500 – £14,000 + VAT

Read more: High Security Shopfront Slough

4. Electric Roller Shutter Installation – Croydon

Perforated electric shutter installation for a retail store. Included:

electric motor system
perforated shutter design
powder-coated finish
commercial security upgrade

Typical cost range: £2,000 – £5,000 + VAT

Read more: Roller Shutter Croydon

5. Emergency Glass Replacement – Walthamstow

Same-day replacement of a broken commercial glass door panel. Included:

emergency callout
toughened glass replacement
secure installation

Typical cost range: £350 – £1,200 + VAT

Read more: Glass Replacement Walthamstow

Shopfront Cost Per Metre

Many commercial shopfront projects are estimated partly by linear metre pricing.

Shopfront Type	Typical Cost Per Metre
Standard aluminium	£900 – £1,550
Thermally broken aluminium	£1,250 – £2,050
Frameless structural glass	£2,050 – £4,150+
Timber systems	£2,550+

This varies depending on:

access restrictions
glass specification
steel supports
door configuration
signage integration

What Is Usually Included in a Shopfront Quote?

A professional quotation should clearly include:

aluminium or glazing system
safety glass
entrance door
installation labour
trims and sealants
removal of the old frontage
disposal
basic making good

Items often charged separately:

shutters
signage
electrical works
decorating
structural alterations
planning applications

Full replacement becomes more cost-effective when:

frames are structurally damaged
glazing systems are outdated
thermal efficiency is poor
multiple repairs are required repeatedly

Shopfront Repair vs Replacement Costs

Minor repairs are often cheaper than full replacement. Typical Repair Costs

Repair Type	Average Cost
Door closer replacement	£120 – £350
Glass panel replacement	£250 – £1,200
Lock replacement	£90 – £300
Aluminium frame repairs	£300 – £1,500

Full replacement becomes more cost-effective when:

frames are structurally damaged
glazing systems are outdated
thermal efficiency is poor
multiple repairs are required repeatedly

What Affects Shopfront Installation Costs?

1. Frontage Size

Larger frontages require:

more aluminium
larger glazing panels
additional structural support
more labour time

A 3m frontage costs substantially less than a 7m retail unit.

2. Glass Specification

All commercial shopfront glazing should comply with BS EN 12600 safety standards.

Typical Toughened Glass Prices

6mm toughened glass £45 to £50/m²
10mm toughened glass £65 to £70/m²
12mm toughened glass £80 to £90/m²

Laminated security glass usually costs around 20–35% more than standard toughened glass.

Low-E thermal coatings can improve insulation and reduce heating costs.

3. Security Requirements

Security upgrades commonly include:

laminated glazing
anti-bandit glass
perforated shutters
electric roller shutters
access control systems

Businesses in high-footfall London locations often choose laminated glass because it remains in place after impact, slowing forced entry attempts.

4. Installation Access

London installation costs are often affected by:

parking restrictions
congestion charges
night installation requirements
shopping centre access rules
limited pavement access

Out-of-hours installations usually cost more due to labour premiums.

5. Door Systems

Door specification impacts pricing significantly. Options include:

single entrance doors
double doors
automatic sliding doors
swing doors
DDA-compliant entrances

Automatic systems substantially increase costs due to motors, sensors, and electrical works.

How to Reduce Shopfront Costs Without Choosing Poor Quality

You can control the cost without cutting corners by making practical design choices.

Good ways to reduce the price:

Keep the layout simple
Avoid unnecessary curved or oversized glass
Choose aluminium instead of timber if suitable
Use standard colours where possible
Confirm the glass specification early
Install shutters at the same time if you need them
Make sure removal and making good are included
Send photos and rough measurements before requesting a quote
Avoid last-minute design changes after fabrication starts

The cheapest quote is not always the best quote. A low price that excludes removal, disposal, trims, making good, or safety glass details can become more expensive later.

Red Flags When Comparing Shopfront Quotes

Be careful if a quote does not mention:

Glass type or thickness
Frame system
Door hardware
Removal of the old shopfront
Disposal
Making good
VAT
Installation timescale
Planning or landlord requirements
Warranty or aftercare
Whether shutters, signage, or electrics are included

A good quote should be clear, itemised, and easy to compare.

Get a Shopfront Quote

Redwood Shopfront supplies and installs commercial shopfronts across London for retail, hospitality, office, and high-street premises.

Our team is based in London and understands local access issues, trading hours, landlord requirements, and the practical problems that come with high-street shopfront installations. For an accurate price, contact Redwood Shopfront for a site survey and itemised quote.

Call us on: 07380 111166, Email: info@redwoodshopfront.co.uk

FAQ

How much does a new shopfront cost in London in 2026?

Our recent installations show the average price range between £2,650 to £20,150+, depending on size, glass specification, frame system, access, and extras such as shutters and signage.

How much does an aluminium shopfront cost in London?

An aluminium shopfront in London usually costs around £2,650 to £8,650 installed, depending on frontage size, glass type, door style, colour finish, access, and whether removal or security upgrades are included.

What is the cheapest type of shopfront?

Aluminium is usually the cheapest shopfront option. It is strong, low-maintenance, and suitable for many shops, offices, salons, cafés, takeaways, and commercial units.

How much does a timber shopfront cost?

A timber shopfront usually costs around £10,150 to £25,150+ in London. Bespoke heritage-style timber shopfronts can cost more depending on design, joinery, finish, and conservation requirements.

Do roller shutters increase the cost?

Yes. Roller shutters can add around £900 to £6,100+, depending on whether they are manual, electric, perforated, insulated, or high-security. The size of the opening and control system also affect the price.

Do I need planning permission to replace a shopfront in London?

You may need planning permission if the replacement changes the external appearance, affects a listed building, sits in a conservation area, or involves structural changes. Signage may also require advertisement consent.

Is it cheaper to repair or replace a shopfront?

Repair is usually cheaper if the damage is limited to glass, door hardware, locks, or a small section of the frame. Replacement makes more sense if the frame is failing, the frontage is unsafe, security problems keep repeating, or the business wants a new look.

Tom Whitmore

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.