Storefronts in Southwest Ranches, FL
Customers decide a lot about a business before they touch the door handle. A storefront with fogged glass, a door that sticks, or framing streaked with corrosion tells them something, even if what is inside is excellent. MJM Glass and Aluminum
installs aluminum and glass storefronts in Southwest Ranches for shops, offices, restaurants, and other businesses that depend on a front people want to walk through.
What Makes Up a Storefront System
A storefront is more than a big window. It is a set of parts that have to work together every day the business is open.
01
Aluminum Framing
The frame is the skeleton: vertical mullions, horizontal rails, and the sill and head that tie the system to the building. Aluminum is the standard material because it is strong for its weight, does not rust, and holds a finish well in Florida humidity.
02
Glass
Large glass panels give a business visibility from the street and natural light inside. Depending on the building and its exposure, the glass may be laminated for impact resistance, tinted or coated to cut heat from the afternoon sun, or both.
03
Entry Doors and Hardware
The door takes the hardest use of anything in the storefront. Hinges or pivots, closers, locks, and push or pull hardware all open and close hundreds of times on a busy day. Restaurants and other spaces where larger groups gather may also need panic hardware, depending on their occupancy.
Storefronts and Hurricane Protection
Commercial buildings in Broward County fall within the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, so glazed openings must either be impact-rated or protected by approved shutters. For a storefront, impact-rated framing and glass means no panels to install across the front of the business every time a storm approaches. The same laminated glass technology used in
residential impact windows applies here at a larger scale, with framing sized for the wider spans.
An Accessible Entrance
The entry has to work for every customer. Accessibility standards call for a clear door opening of at least 32 inches and a threshold no taller than 1/2 inch, along with hardware that can be operated without tight grasping or twisting. A new storefront is the right time to make sure the entrance meets those requirements.
Planning Work on an Open Business
Replacing a storefront means the front of the building is open for part of the job. Talk through timing early, including whether the business needs to stay open, which days are slowest, and how the entry will be secured until the new system is complete.
Gyms, salons, and dance studios often pair a new storefront with interior glass work. If that is your plan, our
mirror walls for studios and gyms page covers what goes into large mirror installations.
Storefronts in Southwest Ranches and Nearby Cities
Our base is Southwest Ranches, and we install storefronts for businesses in Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, and Sunrise. Homeowners can find our residential work on the MJM Glass and Aluminum
home page.
Storefront Questions
Can a damaged storefront be repaired instead of replaced?
Often, yes. A single cracked panel can usually be replaced on its own, and a dragging door may only need its pivots or closer adjusted or replaced. Replacement makes more sense when the framing is corroded at the sill, several panels are failing, or the system does not meet current hurricane requirements.
What size framing do storefronts use?
A common storefront frame measures 1 3/4 inches by 4 1/2 inches. Taller openings, wider spans, and higher wind loads may call for deeper framing to carry the weight of the glass and the pressure on it.
What is the difference between narrow, medium, and wide stile doors?
The stile is the vertical part of the door frame. Narrow stile doors run about 2 inches wide and show the most glass. Medium stile doors are around 3 1/2 inches, and wide stile doors around 5 inches, which leaves room for heavier locks and holds up better under constant traffic.
Does a storefront in Broward County need impact glass?
Glazed openings in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone must be protected. That can mean an impact-rated storefront system or approved shutters over a non-impact system. Impact-rated systems avoid installing shutters before every storm.
How wide does the entry door need to be?
Accessibility standards require a clear opening of at least 32 inches when the door is open 90 degrees. The threshold should be no more than 1/2 inch tall, with beveled edges where it rises above 1/4 inch.