Aluminium shopfronts
We fabricate and install aluminium shopfronts for retail and hospitality premises, including Browns jewellers in Sheffield and Harrogate. A good shopfront has to look right, let customers in easily and be installed with as little disruption to trading as possible.
In short
HB Aluminium fabricates and installs aluminium shopfronts for supermarkets, high-street retailers, restaurants and shopping centre units, including replacement and refurbishment of existing frontages. We are Kestrel and Novastruct dealers, based in Leeds and installing UK-wide.
Systems and partners
We are dealers of Novastruct and Kestrel systems, and we work with trusted partners for glass, automatic doors and powder coating, so every part of the frontage is specified properly.
- Supermarkets and shopping centres
- Restaurants and coffee shops
- Jewellers
- Petrol stations
- Smaller high-street shopfronts
Appearance
The frontage sets the tone for the business. Sightlines, frame depth, colour, the proportion of glass to solid panel and how signage and fascias sit above the glazing all affect the result. Landlords, brand guidelines and, in some locations, the local planning authority may set requirements on appearance.
Access and entrances
The entrance door is the most used element of the shopfront. Its width, threshold, opening direction and hardware need to suit the customers and the premises, and accessibility requirements apply. Where an automatic door is wanted, it is specified as part of the design.
Glazing configuration
Large panes, transoms, stallrisers and the arrangement of fixed and opening sections affect display space, security and glass sizes. Safety glazing is required in areas at risk of impact, which on a shopfront usually means most of the glass.
Replacement work and trading
Many shopfront projects replace an existing frontage on a unit that wants to keep trading. Removal, temporary security, out-of-hours working and the order of work are agreed in advance. Where the shopfront adjoins neighbouring units or shopping centre structures, coordination with the landlord and other trades is part of planning the job.
General guidance. Specific systems, performance and test evidence are confirmed for each project.
Project evidence
Full portfolio
Tennyson House, Great Portland Street, LondonRecent
Bronze-framed aluminium shopfronts and entrance doors at Tennyson House, 159-165 Great Portland Street, London.
Costa Coffee and Subway, Crown Point, Leeds
Shopfront entrances for Costa Coffee and Subway units at Crown Point, Leeds.
Browns, Sheffield and Harrogate
One of two shopfronts fabricated for Browns, in Sheffield and Harrogate, on a quick turnaround.
B&Q, Hull
Shop frontage with a large aluminium framework and glazing at B&Q, Hull.
Questions and answers
Can part of an existing shopfront be replaced?
Sometimes. It depends on the condition and construction of what is there. Photographs help us tell you whether partial replacement is sensible.
Can the work be done outside trading hours?
Timing is agreed with each client. Tell us your trading hours and constraints and we will discuss how the work can be sequenced.
Do shopfronts need planning permission?
A new or altered shopfront often does, particularly in conservation areas. That is normally handled by the client or their agent, and we can work to approved drawings.
Further reading
Sectors we provide this for
Talk to us about your project
Send the location, scope and programme, with drawings if you have them. We offer a free computer-aided estimating service.