We supply and fit commercial glazing for shops, offices and small businesses in North Kensington. This page is for owners, tenants and landlords who need a new shopfront, a safer entrance or better glass on a commercial unit. You will see the main options, how we fit them with little disruption, what drives the cost and what the rules ask of you.
Our team fits aluminium shopfronts, entrance doors, automatic doors and security glazing. Each job is made to measure from a site survey and backed by our 10-year guarantee. For the full range, see our main commercial glazing page.
Commercial glazing in North Kensington: what we see locally
- Streets we work on: Oxford Gardens, Bassett Road and St Quintin Avenue
- Planning: Several conservation areas cover the area, including Oxford Gardens and St Quintin, so replacement windows on front elevations usually need to keep the original style.
Building control for this area is handled by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. We tell you on the survey if your job needs sign-off and who will deal with it.
Types of commercial glazing we fit in North Kensington
Most of our commercial work here is on high street shops, cafés, offices above shops and small trade units. The right system depends on how many people come through the door, how much glass you want on show and how exposed the front is at night.
- Aluminium shopfronts: slim frames with large glass panels that show off your goods. They come with a stall riser, a fanlight and an entrance door.
- Commercial entrance doors: heavy-duty aluminium doors with strong hinges, door closers and panic or push bars where needed.
- Automatic doors: sliding or swing doors that open on a sensor. These help with access for wheelchairs, prams and people carrying goods.
- Security glazing: laminated glass that holds together when struck, often paired with roller shutters or grilles.
- Office glazing: glass screens, internal doors and replacement windows for offices and upper floors.
Frames, finishes and glass
We use aluminium for nearly all commercial frames. It is strong, so it can carry large panes with slim sections. It does not rot or warp, and it holds its shape for many years of heavy use. The frames are powder coated in any RAL colour, so you can match your brand or the look of the street.
Frame profiles come in different depths. A shallow profile suits a small shop with modest glass. A deeper profile carries larger and heavier panes and handles wind load on an exposed corner. We pick the profile on the survey and show it on your drawing.
The glass makes a big difference to safety and comfort. These are the main types:
- Toughened glass: heat treated to be much stronger than plain glass. If it breaks, it shatters into small blunt pieces.
- Laminated glass: two or more panes bonded with a clear layer. If it breaks, the pieces stick to the layer and the pane stays in the frame.
- Insulated units: double glazed units with a low-E coating to keep heat in and cut noise from the street.
- Solar control glass: cuts glare and heat build-up on fronts that face the sun.
Security for shops and offices
A shopfront is the first thing a thief sees. Good security starts with the glass and runs through to the locks and fixings. We fit laminated glass in the areas most at risk, such as the lower panes and the door. We use multi-point or hook locks on doors, and fix the frames deep into the structure so they cannot be forced out.
Many owners pair new glazing with roller shutters or internal grilles. Others prefer to keep the front open at night for display and rely on stronger glass. We can talk you through each choice and what your insurer may expect. Our security glazing page explains the glass grades in more detail.
Access, safety and the rules
Commercial glazing has to meet more rules than a house. The main ones are:
- Safety glass: glass in doors and low panels must be toughened or laminated, so it is safe if someone walks into it.
- Manifestation: large glass panes need marks or bands at eye level so people can see the glass is there.
- Access: doors should be wide enough for wheelchairs and easy to open. Level thresholds help too.
- Fire escape: exit doors may need panic bars or push pads that open in one movement.
- Energy: Part L of the Building Regulations sets limits on heat loss for new or replaced glazing.
Planning is a separate matter. A new shopfront that changes how the building looks often needs planning consent, and some streets have extra controls. The local note above tells you what to expect in North Kensington. If consent is needed, we supply the drawings and product details your agent or the council will ask for.
How we fit commercial glazing with little disruption
We know every hour your doors are shut costs you trade. We plan the work around your opening times. Where we can, we work early, late or on a quiet day. We make sure the unit is secure at the end of every shift, with boarding if the new frame is not yet in.
A typical shopfront swap goes like this. We take out the old frame, check the opening and fix the new frame level and square. We fit the glass, hang the door, fit the closer and test the locks. Then we seal the frame inside and out and clear away all waste. Most small fronts are done in one or two days.
Access and parking can be tight on busy streets. We plan deliveries for quiet times, use the right size van and keep the pavement clear and safe for the public. Our full process, from survey to aftercare, is set out on our how we work page.
What drives the cost of commercial glazing
We do not publish fixed prices for commercial work, because every unit is different. Each job gets a written, fixed quote after a free survey. You can ask for your quote here. These are the main cost drivers:
- Size: the width and height of the front and the number of panes.
- Glass type: laminated, insulated and solar control glass cost more than plain toughened glass.
- Doors: manual, automatic, single or double, and the type of locks and closers.
- Frame depth and finish: heavier profiles and special colours add cost.
- Building work: new stall risers, lintels or making good after removal.
- Out of hours work: early, late or weekend fitting to keep you trading.
Your quote lists each item, and it sets out the payment stages in writing.
Servicing and upkeep
Commercial doors get heavy use, so a little care goes a long way. Wash the frames and glass on a regular cycle. Keep door tracks and floor springs free of grit. Check the closer still shuts the door fully and does not slam. We offer service visits to adjust closers, oil locks and test automatic door sensors, so small faults do not turn into a shut front door.
To see our other work in the area, visit our North Kensington glazing page, or see our services across Ladbroke Grove.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the guarantee cover on a new shopfront?
Our 10-year guarantee covers the frames, the sealed glass units and our fitting work. Moving parts such as closers, locks and automatic door motors have their own maker's cover, which we set out in writing. Fair wear, damage and break-ins are not covered by the guarantee, so we suggest you check your shop insurance as well.
Can existing brickwork take a new aluminium shopfront?
In most cases, yes. We check the opening, the lintel and the stall riser on the survey. If the brick is sound, we fix the new frame straight into it. If the lintel is weak or the riser is cracked, we tell you up front and include the repair in your quote, so there are no surprises on the day.
Will new glazing affect your shop insurance?
Stronger glass and better locks can make your premises less of a target. Many insurers ask about the type of glass, locks and shutters you have. Tell your insurer about the upgrade and send them the spec we give you. Each insurer sets its own terms, so check with yours before and after the work.
Do aluminium shopfronts cut noise from the street?
Yes, if you choose the right glass. Double glazed units cut road noise well. Laminated glass does even more, because the bonded layer damps sound. Good seals round the doors and frames also help. If noise is a concern for your shop or office, tell us on the survey and we will spec the glass to suit.
How long does a custom shopfront take to make?
It depends on the size, the colour and the glass. Standard colours and glass are quicker to make. Special finishes, large laminated panes and automatic doors take longer. We give you a lead time with your quote and a fitting date once you order. If your front is unsafe now, we can board it up while you wait.