Commercial Storefront Doors

Glass curtain walls that incorporate glass doors can be stick-built or unitized. Installers piece together the former on-site, while for the latter, they create and glaze large panels in the factory for later installation. Typically, unitized curtain walls come in prepared panels one floor tall and one glass lite wide.

For systems glazed on-site, where the installers put in the glass makes the system interior or exterior glazed. Access often determines which of these glass installation methods the team uses. For upper levels of high-rise buildings, exterior glazing reduces the impact of the work inside. However, exterior glazing requires scaffolding, a man lift or swing stage to reach the appropriate level for installing the glass and framing. For lower levels or those where barriers prevent access to the outside, installers use an interior glazing method.

When installing curtain walls, the method used to prevent moisture entry into the building can vary.

• The most reliable way, pressure-equalized rainscreen, uses pressure between the glass and air barrier to force water outside the building.
• The next most effective means of keeping water out is water-managed systems. These systems include weep holes and drain systems, but don’t have air barriers to use pressure to keep water out. Often, curtain walls that use screw splines to create the frames use water managed systems for moisture control.
• A third means of keeping moisture out is face-sealed. This method requires regular upkeep of perfect seals around the glass and at junctures of the mullion parts.

All three ways will occasionally need maintenance and repairs, but this last method likely needs more because it relies solely on the integrity of the seals to keep out moisture without backup measures.

Installing the curtain wall and glass doors in it will give your building an open, airy look from the front while letting in more light. Talk to us about what your building needs for glass doors or curtain walls.

If you have curtain walls and glass doors in them, you will eventually need to schedule repairs.

Leaks account for one of the most common reasons business owners require repairs.

If you have exterior glazed curtain walls, the repair team members will use scaffolding or a swing stage to reach the glass to make repairs or replacements. Interior glazed curtain walls that need either repairing or replacing only need ready access to the glass from inside the building.

For water getting inside, as with storefronts, our team will find the leaks and re-caulk the area. Precise seals are so integral to keeping moisture out that resealing the area around curtain walls will dramatically curtail leaks. We can fix leaks and do other repairs to the glass on your business’ curtain wall or around the glass entryway.