Shopfronts that make retail units work harder
A shopfront is the first thing a customer sees and the last line of defence when the shutters come down, so it has to look sharp and perform hard. We survey, manufacture and install commercial shopfronts across the UK, from thermally broken aluminium framing to frameless toughened-glass frontages, all built around your unit’s dimensions, brand and security needs. Survey, glass and installation stay with one accountable team.
Your options
Aluminium Shopfronts
A framed shopfront built from thermally broken aluminium profiles, glazed with insulated or toughened units and powder-coated to any colour. Choose aluminium for a durable, low-maintenance, energy-efficient frontage that carries doors, shutters and signage zones.
Glass Shopfronts
A minimal or frameless frontage using large panes of toughened glass on patch fittings, slim rails or structural silicone rather than a full frame. Choose glass for maximum transparency and a premium, uninterrupted display in showrooms and high-end retail.
Why retailers choose Swift for shopfronts
Made to your unit, not off the shelf
Every frontage starts with an on-site survey and is fabricated to your exact opening, so awkward, out-of-square or listed frontages are handled properly.
Security built in
Frames are designed to carry roller shutters, grilles or laminated security glazing, and can be specified to standards such as PAS 24 or LPS 1175 where a resistance rating is needed.
Lower running costs
Thermally broken aluminium and insulated glass units reduce heat loss, helping the unit work toward Approved Document L and cut heating bills.
Accessible entrances
Low thresholds, wide clear openings and accessible door hardware help satisfy the Equality Act 2010 and Approved Document M.
Low maintenance, long life
Architectural powder-coat and anodised finishes resist weathering and colour fade, so the frontage stays sharp with minimal upkeep.
One point of accountability
Survey, manufacture and installation sit with one family-run team, removing the gaps that appear when glazing and fitting are split across suppliers.
Built for commercial use
- Thermally broken or non-thermal aluminium framing from UK-available proprietary systems
- Polyester architectural powder-coat to any RAL or BS colour; anodised and dual-colour options
- Glazing options: toughened, laminated safety glass or sealed double-glazed units to BS EN 1279
- Solar-control, low-E, acoustic and obscured glazing specifications
- Integrated provision for roller shutters, retractable grilles, canopies and fascia signage
- Commercial entrance doors, manual or automatic, heavy-duty closers, panic/emergency hardware
- Low DDA thresholds and wide clear openings for accessible entrances
- Weather performance (air, water, wind) specifiable to CWCT and BS EN test methods
Typical applications
- High-street & retail-parade frontages
- Shopping-centre & retail-park store fronts
- Restaurants, cafés, bars & takeaways
- Banks, estate agents & professional offices
- Showrooms, dealerships & trade counters
- Convenience stores, pharmacies & post offices
Specified & tested to recognised standards
We can specify and test products to the relevant British and European standards for your project.
Common questions
Aluminium or frameless glass: which should I choose?
Aluminium suits most retail and trade units: durable, carries doors and shutters, accepts insulated glass for Part L, and comes in any RAL colour. Frameless toughened glass gives the most open, premium display for showrooms and high-end retail, but costs more per square metre and offers less scope for integrated shutters and thermal performance.
Do I need planning permission or listed-building consent?
A like-for-like replacement often falls under permitted development, but a new or altered frontage, especially in a conservation area or on a listed building, usually needs consent from the local planning authority. We can survey the frontage and supply drawings to support an application.
What glass is used and is it safe?
Shopfronts in critical locations use toughened or laminated safety glass classified to BS EN 12600 under Approved Document K. Toughened glass breaks into small blunt granules; laminated glass holds together when broken and also improves security and acoustics.
Can the shopfront take a roller shutter?
Yes. We design the framing and lintel/box zone to carry roller shutters or grilles, and integrate the shutter at survey stage so the finished frontage looks and works as one system.
How long does a shopfront take from survey to installation?
Bespoke aluminium frontages typically run a few weeks from approved survey to fit, depending on finish and glass; frameless and structural-glass frontages take longer because panes are made to order. We confirm lead times at quotation.
Get a free, no-obligation quote
Tell us about your site and we’ll arrange a free survey, with prices back to you within 24 hours.