When a new tenancy hands over and the builder needs the glazing in before trading starts, the commercial shopfront becomes the last thing between an empty shell and an opening date. We’ve been fitting shopfronts across Penrith, Emu Plains and St Marys since 1985, mostly for builders, shopfitters and centre managers who need the job done clean the first time. A commercial shopfront is not a residential window scaled up. It’s engineered aluminium, structural glass and door hardware that has to survive daily public use.
What we install
Most jobs are one of three system types. Framed shopfronts with 40 mm or 50 mm aluminium sections, semi-frameless with a bottom rail and clamped head, or fully frameless with patch fittings and floor closers. Glass is usually 10 mm or 12 mm toughened, laminated where AS 1288 calls for it near doors and low panels. Powder coat colours are matched to the tenancy brief, black satin and Monument being the two we push through the paint shop most weeks.
- Framed aluminium shopfronts, 40 mm and 50 mm sightlines
- Semi-frameless with clamped head and toughened bottom rail
- Full frameless with patch fittings and floor-mounted closers
- Auto sliders and swing entry doors with mag locks or transom closers
- Sidelights, transoms and full-height display windows
Working with builders and fitouts
Most of our shopfront work comes through builders, project managers and shopfitters running a fitout to a fixed programme. We prefer to be on site early, take actual measurements after the frames are set out, then fabricate off-site and return for a clean install. Site measure to install is typically 5 to 10 working days for standard sizes, longer if the glass is imported low-iron or has a custom interlayer. If you’re a builder chasing a same-week install for a soft opening, ring first and we’ll flex the schedule.
Materials and standards
Every shopfront window we fit is glazed to AS 1288, with safety glazing zones (doors, sidelights and panels below 500 mm from finished floor) picked up in laminated or toughened glass to AS/NZS 2208. Aluminium framing is fabricated to AS 4667 tolerances. For heavy foot traffic tenancies, we spec 12 mm toughened doors with heavy-duty patch fittings rated for door mass above 100 kg. On weathertight junctions we use structural silicone or wet seal to the head and jambs, not just backing rod and pointing.
Timeline on site
A standard 6 metre by 3 metre shopfront with two swing doors runs 1 to 2 days on site for install, once the frames are up and the slab is clean. Frameless doors take longer to plumb and tension. We work after-hours in retail centres where the landlord requires it, usually 6 pm to 6 am, and we carry the plant to run quiet.
Cost drivers
Three things move a quote. Glass thickness and type (10 mm toughened versus 12 mm laminated makes a real difference), the framing spec (mid-tier aluminium versus commercial-grade), and site access. A ground-floor tenancy in Kingswood is a different job to a first-floor food court unit needing goods lift access at 5 am. Budgets for a straight shopfront replacement typically land between $3,500 and $18,000 depending on size, glass, and doors. Insurance-linked commercial shopfront work is quoted per scope.
After-hours make-safe
If you’re searching for shopfront repair near me after a smash, we run a 24/7 make-safe crew across Penrith and Western Sydney. We board up first, then re-glaze once the replacement glass is in from the toughening plant. See our after-hours emergency glass page for how the make-safe hour works. For like-for-like repairs to an existing shopfront window, our shopfront repair service is the direct route.
If you’re planning a new fitout, a shop refurb or a full commercial glass replacement, give us a call and we’ll come out to measure. 02 4722 2787. We service Penrith, Emu Plains, St Marys, Glenmore Park, Kingswood and everywhere in between.
Frequently asked questions
Do you supply and install, or install only?
Supply and install. We fabricate the aluminium framing and toughen the glass through our own supply chain, then install with our own crew. No sub-contracting.
Can you work after-hours in shopping centres?
Yes. Most centre installs happen between 6 pm and 6 am to meet landlord conditions. Ring with the site and we’ll price accordingly.
How long from quote to install?
Standard commercial shopfront jobs are usually 2 to 3 weeks from accepted quote to install, sometimes faster if the glass is stocked and the framing is a standard section.
Do you deal with insurance work?
Yes, we handle insurer make-safes and full replacements. We provide itemised reports and photos for claim managers.