Double Glazed Shopfronts
Double-glazed shopfronts provide commercial buildings with a secure, energy-efficient entrance built to handle daily use. At Dasco, we design, manufacture and install double-glazed aluminium shopfronts for commercial properties across Scotland. From retail units to hospitals and university buildings, our glazed shopfront systems are built to perform in high-use environments.
Get a quote for your double-glazed shopfront from a SafeContractor-certified manufacturer.
Our Range of Double-Glazed Aluminium Shopfronts
Our double-glazed shop fronts are available in a wide range of configurations, offering flexibility to suit different commercial buildings and entrances. Each unit is manufactured at our Cumbernauld facility and tailored to the building it is installed in, whether that’s a retail unit, school, hospital or council office.
Aluminium is the material of choice for commercial shopfronts because it is lightweight, durable and well-suited to carrying large glazed panels. It does not rust or corrode, and maintains its structural integrity over years of heavy daily use, making it the right material for long-term use in commercial settings.
What is a Double-Glazed Shopfront?
A double-glazed shopfront uses two panes of glass with a sealed cavity between them, creating an extra layer of insulation. This reduces heat loss compared to single glazing and helps keep the building warmer without working the heating system as hard. The glass is set into an aluminium frame with a built-in thermal break, reducing heat transfer through the frame itself.
Glazing thickness in our commercial shopfronts ranges from 6mm to 24mm, depending on the door size and weight. Our engineers will confirm the appropriate specification for your building at the survey stage.
Glass Options and Safety
The type of glass used in a double-glazed shopfront matters just as much as the unit itself for both safety and functionality. Our commercial shopfronts use toughened glass as standard.
Glass Type | Application | Key Benefit |
Toughened (tempered) glass | Standard commercial entrances and high traffic areas | Meets Building Regulations, breaks safely into blunt pieces |
Laminated security glass | Enhanced security and forced entry resistance | Holds together after impact, maintaining the entrance barrier |
Low-E coated glass | Improved thermal efficiency and all-season comfort | Reflects heat into the building, reducing energy costs |
Tinted or solar control glass | South-facing shopfronts and solar heat management | Reduces solar heat gain without compromising natural light |
Obscured glass | Privacy screens, secondary doors and office lobbies | Provides privacy while still allowing light through |
Aluminium Finishes, Colours and Design Options
Your shopfront is often the first thing customers and visitors see. Our aluminium shopfronts are available in three finishes, with colours chosen from the full RAL range to match your brand or building specification.
1. Polyester powder coating
Applied in-house in a single or dual colour to complement your branding. Standard and enhanced coating thicknesses are available, with heavier coatings recommended for coastal or marine environments that require additional corrosion protection.
2. Anodised finish
Applied to a minimum of 25 microns. Supplied in satin, it gives a clean, consistent look that works well across a range of commercial environments.
3. Mill finish
The natural surface of the aluminium has no additional treatment. A sleek, raw option suited to modern or industrial shopfront designs, with a style that works well on contemporary commercial buildings.
Where Are Double-Glazed Door Systems Used?
Double-glazed shopfronts are suitable for any commercial premises where security, appearance, and energy performance are important. We install glazed shopfronts across a wide range of sectors in Scotland.
Retail stores and shopping centres: Visibility into the store and a welcoming entrance are directly linked to footfall
Schools and universities: Glazed entrance doors here need to handle high footfall while helping the building meet its energy targets
NHS buildings, hospitals and health centres: safety glass compliance, reliable operation, and ease of access are all non-negotiable in healthcare settings
Council offices and public sector buildings: durability and low maintenance matter most here, so the shopfront needs to hold up over years of use without demanding much in return
Car showrooms and petrol stations: large glazed areas let customers see straight into the space, giving the premises an open, professional look from the street
Get in touch with our engineers to specify the right double-glazed shopfront for your premises.
Call +44 1236 914 660 today.
Benefits of Double-Glazed Frames for Commercial Premises
Aluminium double-glazed shopfronts are the go-to for commercial buildings because of the practical advantages they offer. Here is what makes them well-suited to busy, high-use areas.
01
Boosted Security
Double-glazed units with laminated or toughened glass offer greater strength and impact resistance than single-pane glazing. If the outer pane is damaged, the inner pane stays in place, keeping the building secure until the unit is replaced. Our shopfronts are available with a range of locking systems, from standard cylinder and mortice locks to electromechanical systems that work alongside your existing access control setup.
02
Low Maintenance
Aluminium does not rust, warp or rot. A double-glazed aluminium shopfront is easy to look after. The frames need only a wipe-down, the moving parts benefit from lubrication, and the door system should be serviced once a year. We offer maintenance packages for every door system we install, so you have a single point of contact for the life of the shopfront.
03
Noise Reduction
The sealed cavity in a double-glazed unit also provides sound insulation. For premises on busy streets or in high-footfall locations, this keeps the working and customer environment quieter without any additional work.
04
Energy Costs and Compliance
Under Scottish Building Standards, commercial glazing must meet defined energy performance requirements. Double glazing meets the accepted standard for most applications, though specific compliance depends on the building type and use. Better thermal performance also cuts heat loss throughout the year, which feeds directly into lower running costs across the life of the installation.
How Our Process Works
Every shopfront installation at Dasco follows a clear process from start to finish.
1. Enquiry
Get in touch with your project details, building type and what you need the entrance to do.
2. Estimate
We prepare a detailed estimate based on your requirements.
3. Onboarding
Once you are ready to proceed, we assign an engineer to your project.
4. Survey
Our team visits the site to take measurements and confirm the specification.
5. Parts order
Once the survey is complete and the specification is confirmed, parts are ordered ahead of manufacture.
6. Manufacture
The unit is manufactured at our Cumbernauld facility by our in-house team using UK-sourced materials.
7. Delivery and installation
Our in-house installers fit the shopfront, working around your operations to keep disruption to a minimum.
8. Invoicing
Final invoicing follows completion and sign-off.
FAQs About Double-Glazed Shopfronts
These are the questions we get asked most often about our double-glazed shopfront systems.
Yes. Double-glazed units can be incorporated into automatic sliding doors, automatic swing doors, and other automated entrance systems. The glazing is specified to match the weight and door movement requirements. In buildings where DDA compliance, security integration, or high footfall matter, the shopfront glazing and door automation are designed and installed together.
Toughened glass is a safety glass that has been heat-treated to make it stronger. If it breaks, it fragments into small, blunt pieces rather than sharp shards, making it the best option for entrance doors under the Building Regulations.
Security glass covers a range of products designed specifically to resist forced entry. This typically means laminated glass, which holds together after a breakage rather than shattering. Both are available in our shopfront range, and we can talk you through which suits your building and budget.
A well-maintained double-glazed aluminium shopfront, when properly cared for, will last for several decades in a commercial setting. Aluminium does not corrode, and the sealed glazed units are durable over time as long as the seals are intact.
The main upkeep required is replacing weather seals and lubricating door hardware. A regular service keeps everything running to the original standard and adds years to the life of the installation.
Don’t keep your questions to yourself!
If you have questions about glazing specifications, compliance or installation, our team is here to help. Contact us today or request a quote online.
Dasco: Entrance Technology Experts for Commercial Premises
Dasco Entrance Technology has been working with commercial businesses across Scotland for over a decade. We manufacture, supply and install double-glazed aluminium shopfronts across Scotland, and we look after them once they are in place.
We are SafeContractor approved and a member of the Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA). Our in-house engineers manage every stage of the project, so the shopfront that goes in is built and finished to the right standard of quality and style.
Get in touch to talk through your double-glazed shopfronts and request a quote.
Get a free quote today
Typical door size
1150mm (Not PAS24 Compliant)
