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Impact Storefront, Window Wall & Entrances in Miami
Impact-rated storefront, slab-to-slab window wall and commercial entrance doors in Miami, Broward and Palm Beach, with NOA-approved systems.
- Storefront
- Ground floor & retail
- Window wall
- Slab to slab
- Doors
- Swing, slide, automatic
- HVHZ
- Impact-rated NOA
About storefront, window wall & entrances
Storefront and window wall are the workhorses of the building envelope. Storefront frames ground-floor openings and shop fronts; window wall spans from slab to slab on each floor, a common choice for condominiums and hotels.
We supply the framing, glass and entrance doors as one coordinated package, so the doors, hardware and automatic operators fit the frames and the approvals match the opening sizes.
Anatomy of storefront, window wall & entrances
- FramingCenter-set or front-set aluminum storefront frames, thermally broken where energy performance matters.
- Sill pan & flashingA sloped sill pan with end dams collects and drains water at the bottom of the opening, the most common leak point.
- Entrance doorsNarrow, medium or wide stile doors with continuous hinges, closers, panic or accessible hardware.
- Window wall unitsSlab-to-slab units with a slab-edge cover, used on condominiums and hotels between the floor plates.
- Impact glassLaminated impact glass approved with the frame for the opening sizes and design pressures.
- Automatic operatorsSliding or swing operators coordinated with access control and fire alarm release.
Engineered and tested for Miami's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone.
Performance standards
A curtain wall is one of the most tested assemblies in a building. These are the tests and approvals our engineers design to and document for every project.
ASTM E283 · Air leakage
Measures air infiltration through the wall under a pressure difference. Commercial curtain wall is commonly specified at 0.06 cfm/ft² at 6.24 psf.
ASTM E331 · Static water
No uncontrolled water penetration at the project test pressure, proving the seals, gaskets and internal drainage work together.
AAMA 501.1 · Dynamic water
Wind-driven rain simulated with a high-velocity fan, closer to a real tropical storm than a static test.
ASTM E330 · Structural
The wall is loaded to its design wind pressure and to a 150% proof load, with deflection and permanent set measured.
AAMA 501.4 · Inter-story drift
Floors are moved relative to each other to confirm the wall accommodates building sway and slab movement without failure.
TAS 201 / 202 / 203 · HVHZ
Miami-Dade protocols for large-missile impact (a 9 lb 2x4 at 50 ft/s), static pressure and thousands of cyclic pressure reversals.
Miami-Dade NOA / FL Product Approval
The approval that lets a system be permitted in Miami-Dade and Broward (HVHZ) or elsewhere in Florida, matched to sizes and design pressures.
AAMA 501.2 / AAMA 503 · Field testing
Water testing of the installed wall on site, used to verify workmanship on the first areas installed.
Code references are summarized for orientation. Final requirements are confirmed by the engineer of record and the building department for each project.
Design considerations
What our engineering team reviews with the design team before the drawings are final.
- Match the approval to the openingEvery NOA lists maximum sizes and pressures. We size openings and doors to approved configurations to avoid redesign at permit stage.
- AccessibilityClear widths, low thresholds and opening forces are checked on every entrance door.
- Coordinate hardware earlyLocks, card readers, door position switches and power transfers are coordinated with the security consultant.
- Tenant flexibilityOn retail projects, storefront modules are planned so tenants can add doors or signage later.
Our project · InternationalCurtain wall systems compared
A quick reference our engineers use with architects and owners when choosing the right system.
| Unitized | Stick-built | Structural glazing / point-fixed | Storefront & window wall | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assembly | Factory-framed and glazed units | Framed and glazed on site | Glass bonded or point-supported | Framed on site between slabs or at grade |
| Best fit | Towers, hotels, condos | Low and mid-rise, podiums, lobbies | Lobbies, atriums, feature walls | Ground floors, retail, slab-to-slab |
| Schedule | Fastest close-in on repetitive floors | Flexible, more site labor | Detail-intensive, engineered per project | Fast on standard openings |
| Quality control | Highest, glazing done indoors | Depends on site conditions | Very high, adhesion tested | Standard |
| Look | Narrow joints, stack-joint lines | Captured caps or SSG | Flush, frameless glass | Visible framing, doors integrated |
What we supply
One package from design-assist to closeout, so there is one team accountable for the result.
- Impact-rated storefront framing
- Slab-to-slab window wall
- Swing, sliding and automatic entrance doors
- Panic, accessible and access-control hardware coordination
- Shop drawings, approvals and calculations
- Installation management with licensed and insured partners
Options & specifications
Final systems, glass and finishes are confirmed per project in shop drawings and submittals.
| Framing | Center-set or front-set storefront, thermally broken options |
|---|---|
| Doors | Narrow, medium or wide stile; automatic sliders |
| Glass | Laminated impact, insulated, low-E, tinted |
| Approvals | Miami-Dade NOA or Florida Product Approval matched to sizes |
From plans to closeout
- Plans reviewSend drawings and specs. We review the scope, the wind zone and the code path, and list any questions.
- ProposalA priced proposal with the system, glass and finish, plus value-engineering options where they help budget or lead time.
- Engineering & approvalsShop drawings, structural calculations by a Florida-licensed PE, product approvals and samples for the architect's review.
- FabricationSystems are fabricated to the approved drawings and delivered to suit the site schedule.
- InstallationInstallation by licensed and insured partner crews, with our project manager on site. The permit is pulled by the contractor of record.
- CloseoutPunch list, warranties, as-builts and maintenance information handed over.
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Storefront, Window Wall & Entrances: FAQ
Do you supply storefronts for tenant improvements?
Yes. We price storefront replacements and new shop fronts for tenants, landlords and contractors, including the entrance doors and hardware.
Are impact storefronts required in Miami?
Exterior glazing in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone must be impact-rated or protected. We select approved products sized for the openings and design pressures.
What is the difference between storefront and window wall?
Storefront is installed at grade or within an opening, usually one story. Window wall spans from slab to slab on each floor of a multi-story building.
Do you replace existing storefronts?
Yes. We remove old storefronts and install new impact-rated systems, often as part of a facade renovation.
Request a Storefront, Window Wall & Entrances quote
Send the scope, drawings or a link to the bid set. We review it and reply with questions, a system proposal or a price.
- Free, no-obligation quote or bid
- Value-engineering options included
- Scope review by our technical team
- One point of contact from bid to closeout
Prefer to talk to our estimating team?