Trade Topics
April 2004

Commercial Glass

Storefront Glazing System

A very common system for glazing building lobbies, retail storefronts and interior glass walls, its metal (aluminum) cross section (head, sill and mullions) is 1-3/4" x 4" and most often is anodized dark bronze. The other 'standard' colors are: clear aluminum finish and white which are available at no additional charge.

Costs are in this bulletin are presented in a "Rule of Thumb" context. Various factors will affect actual project cost; among these are: Project difficulty, size, market forces at the time of bid.

Using the table above one can easily calculate the approximate cost of filling an opening with a glass store front and door. Say you wanted to remove a 12' x 12' roll up door and fill the opening - Multiply the area of the opening (144s.f.) x 25.00/s.f. for the glass and framing ($ 3,600.00) and add one door, 3' x 7' ($1,200.00) = $4,800.00

On occasion doors and glass will have to be a color other than 'standard'. Add $5.00 per square foot (of storefront area) for custom paint . In the example given above a custom color would add $720.00 to the job.

1/2" Butt Glazed Wall System

A "butt glazed system" ("butt", in this case, referring to the vertical edges of the glass) relies on the thickness (1/2") and tempering of the glass to support itself without a metal frame. It makes a very elegant glass wall found in higher end tenant improvements.

Miscellaneous Hardware and Repair

Trade Contributor: Pro Glass and Door