When planning glass and aluminum systems for a commercial building, choosing between a commercial storefront system and a curtain wall system is an important design and construction decision. Although both systems use aluminum framing and glass to create exterior building envelopes, they are designed for different applications, building conditions, and performance requirements.
Storefront systems are commonly used at ground-level retail spaces, entrances, offices, and tenant improvement projects. Curtain wall systems, on the other hand, are typically used for larger exterior elevations and multi-story commercial buildings where the glazing system must span multiple floors and manage greater structural and environmental demands.
Understanding the differences between storefront glass and curtain wall systems can help architects, general contractors, developers, and property owners select an appropriate glazing solution for each area of a commercial project.
What Is a Commercial Storefront System?
A commercial storefront system is an aluminum-framed glazing system commonly installed at the exterior walls of ground-level commercial spaces. It can incorporate large glass panels, aluminum framing, entrance doors, sidelites, and other components to create an attractive and functional building façade.
Commercial storefronts are frequently used in retail stores, restaurants, offices, medical facilities, shopping centers, and tenant improvement projects.
Because storefront systems are generally designed for lower-rise applications, they are particularly practical when a project requires extensive glazing at the first floor without the complexity of a multi-story curtain wall.
Storefront systems can also be configured around commercial glass entrances, display windows, and other areas where visibility and accessibility are important.
For projects involving a new or modified storefront, contractors need to consider opening dimensions, existing framing, glass specifications, door requirements, waterproofing, and coordination with adjacent construction.
What Is a Curtain Wall System?
A curtain wall is a non-load-bearing exterior glazing system designed to span larger areas of a building envelope. It typically consists of aluminum framing, glass panels, and related components that are engineered to transfer wind and other environmental loads back to the building structure. Unlike a storefront system, curtain wall systems are commonly designed to extend across multiple floors.
Curtain walls are frequently found on office buildings, hotels, high-rise developments, mixed-use properties, and other commercial structures where large portions of the exterior façade require continuous glazing.
The system can incorporate fixed glass, operable components, spandrel glass, insulated glazing units, and other elements depending on the project’s architectural and performance requirements.
Because curtain wall systems are engineered for larger and taller applications, their design and installation typically require more detailed coordination between architects, engineers, contractors, and glazing professionals.
Storefront vs. Curtain Wall: Major Differences
While storefront and curtain wall systems can look similar after installation, their construction and intended applications are different.
| Feature | Commercial Storefront | Curtain Wall |
| Typical application | Ground-level and low-rise areas | Multi-story exterior façades |
| Primary use | Retail, offices, entrances, tenant improvements | Office buildings, hotels, mixed-use and larger commercial buildings |
| Framing | Typically lighter aluminum framing | Engineered aluminum framing for larger spans and elevations |
| Installation | Often installed within or around individual openings | Commonly designed as a continuous exterior façade |
| Structural role | Generally suited to lower-rise applications | Designed to manage wind and environmental loads across larger elevations |
| Glass | Single or insulating glass depending on design | Often incorporates higher-performance glazing configurations |
| Design flexibility | Excellent for entrances and storefront openings | Well suited to large continuous glazed elevations |
| Project complexity | Generally simpler | Typically requires more engineering and coordination |
The appropriate system depends on the building’s height, location, design, performance requirements, existing structure, and architectural intent.
Where Storefront Systems Are Commonly Used
Commercial storefront systems are particularly common where a building needs a combination of glass visibility, aluminum framing, and accessible entrances.
Typical applications include:
- Retail storefronts
- Restaurants and cafés
- Office buildings
- Medical and professional offices
- Shopping centers
- Ground-floor commercial spaces
- Tenant improvement projects
- Building entrances
- Interior commercial partitions
- Renovation and remodeling projects
For retail environments, storefront glass can provide large viewing areas for merchandise while allowing natural light into the space.
For office and professional environments, glass storefront systems can create an open appearance while defining the boundary between interior and exterior spaces.
Where Curtain Walls Are Commonly Used
Curtain wall systems are generally selected for larger commercial façades where the glazing extends vertically across multiple floors.
Common applications include:
- Multi-story office buildings
- Hotels
- Mixed-use developments
- High-rise commercial buildings
- Institutional buildings
- Large corporate facilities
- Modern commercial façades
- Large-scale building renovations
Curtain walls are particularly useful when architects want a visually continuous glass façade rather than a series of individual storefront openings.
Their design can also accommodate different glass types, opaque panels, insulation strategies, and architectural details to meet the requirements of a specific building.
Ground-Level Retail Applications
For a ground-level retail space, a commercial storefront system is often a practical solution. Retail storefronts need to balance several considerations: visibility, natural light, customer access, durability, appearance, and integration with commercial entrances.
Large storefront glass panels can provide clear views into a retail space, while aluminum framing provides the structure needed around the glazing.
Storefront systems can also be coordinated with:
- Glass entrance doors
- Door hardware
- Transoms
- Sidelites
- Display windows
- Interior partitions
- Signage areas
- Adjacent wall systems
For tenant improvement projects, the glazing system may need to be modified to accommodate a new floor plan, entrance configuration, or updated exterior appearance.
Multi-Story Commercial Buildings
Multi-story buildings present different challenges. A glass system extending across multiple floors must account for factors such as wind pressure, building movement, water management, thermal performance, and the relationship between the glazing system and the building structure. This is where curtain wall systems are commonly considered. Instead of treating each window opening as an individual storefront assembly, curtain wall can create a continuous exterior glazing system across larger sections of the building.
For architects and contractors, this can provide greater flexibility when designing a consistent commercial façade across multiple floors.
Aluminum Framing Differences
Both storefront and curtain wall systems use aluminum framing, but the framing configurations and engineering requirements are different.
Storefront framing is typically designed for relatively smaller spans and lower-rise applications. It is commonly assembled around individual openings and can efficiently accommodate commercial doors and glass panels.
Curtain wall framing is engineered for larger exterior elevations. Mullions and other framing components form a system that can transfer environmental loads to the building structure.
The exact framing configuration depends on the manufacturer’s system, project requirements, structural design, glass selection, and applicable building codes.
For this reason, architects and contractors should not select a framing system based solely on appearance. The system needs to perform appropriately for the building and installation conditions.
Glass and Performance Considerations
The glass itself is another important part of the decision. Depending on the project, commercial glazing may incorporate different configurations such as:
- Monolithic glass
- Insulating glass units
- Tempered glass
- Laminated glass
- Low-E coated glass
- Tinted glass
- Spandrel glass
- Other specialty glazing products
Glass selection can affect thermal performance, solar heat gain, visible light transmission, safety, acoustics, and appearance.
The appropriate specification depends on factors such as the building’s location, orientation, energy requirements, occupancy, exposure, and applicable codes.
A commercial glazing contractor can coordinate with the project team to help ensure that the selected glass and framing system are compatible with the intended application.
Entrances and Doors
Commercial entrances are another area where storefront systems are commonly used. A storefront assembly can integrate aluminum-framed glass doors with fixed glazing, sidelites, and transoms to create a complete entrance system.
Entrance configurations may include:
- Single glass doors
- Double glass doors
- Center-hung or other commercial door configurations
- Sidelites
- Transoms
- Automatic door systems
- Accessible entrance configurations
For retail stores, offices, restaurants, and other commercial properties, the entrance must provide more than an attractive appearance. Door operation, accessibility, hardware, durability, safety glazing, and coordination with the surrounding storefront are all important considerations.
Curtain wall systems can also incorporate entrances, but the door and entrance assembly may be coordinated as part of a larger façade design rather than functioning as a simple storefront opening.
How Architects and Contractors Determine Which System Fits
The decision between storefront and curtain wall should be based on the requirements of the specific project rather than simply choosing the system with the lowest initial cost. Architects, contractors, developers, and glazing professionals typically consider factors such as:
Building height
A ground-floor retail space and a multi-story commercial façade have very different glazing requirements.
Location of the glazing
Storefront systems are frequently used around individual openings and ground-level commercial spaces, while curtain walls are commonly used across larger exterior elevations.
Structural and environmental loads
Wind exposure, building movement, and other design conditions can affect the required framing system.
Thermal performance
The project’s energy requirements can influence the selection of glass, framing, and overall glazing configuration.
Water and air management
Exterior glazing systems must be designed and installed to manage water penetration and air infiltration appropriately.
Architectural appearance
The desired sightlines, mullion configuration, glass size, and overall façade design can influence the system selection.
Existing building conditions
Renovation and tenant improvement projects may need to work with an existing storefront or curtain wall system rather than starting from a completely new building envelope.
Budget and construction schedule
System availability, fabrication requirements, installation complexity, and project scope can all affect cost and scheduling.
Ultimately, the glazing system should be selected according to the project’s architectural, structural, performance, code, and construction requirements.
Can a Commercial Building Use Both Systems?
Yes. A commercial building can use both storefront and curtain wall systems.
In fact, using different glazing systems in different areas of the same building is common. For example, a multi-story office or mixed-use building might use curtain wall across its upper floors while incorporating storefront glass at ground-level retail spaces. A building could also use curtain wall on a prominent exterior elevation while using storefront systems around individual entrances, smaller commercial spaces, or interior applications.
The two systems do not necessarily compete with one another. They can serve different functions within the same commercial glazing project.
The key is coordinating the transitions between systems so that the finished building provides a consistent appearance while meeting the required performance and installation requirements.
Storefront Glass and Curtain Wall for Commercial Projects
The difference between commercial storefront glass and curtain wall comes down to more than the appearance of the finished glazing.
Storefront systems are commonly suited to ground-level retail, offices, entrances, and tenant improvement projects where aluminum framing and glass are installed around defined openings.
Curtain wall systems are generally designed for larger exterior façades, including multi-story commercial buildings where the glazing system must address greater structural and environmental requirements.
Choosing the right system requires consideration of the building’s height, location, design, glass specifications, aluminum framing, thermal performance, structural requirements, and existing conditions.
For a new commercial construction project, renovation, or tenant improvement, early coordination between the architect, general contractor, and glazing contractor can help identify the appropriate system before fabrication and installation begin.
Commercial Glass and Glazing in the Seattle Area
Glazenix LLC provides commercial glazing solutions for businesses, contractors, developers, architects, and property owners in the Seattle area. Commercial projects can involve storefront glass, glass entrances, commercial windows, curtain wall systems, partitions, railings, and other architectural glazing applications.
Whether a project involves a new commercial storefront, a tenant improvement, a renovation, or a larger building glazing application, the glazing system should be coordinated with the project’s design and construction requirements.