Brighton & Hove · East Sussex
Shopfront Glazing in Brighton & Hove
Our glaziers fit shop windows and entrance doors in Brighton & Hove for retailers, cafés, salons and offices, planning the work to limit disruption to trading.
- BN1
- BN3
- BN2
- Guide from £375
Shop window glass in Brighton & Hove: what to know
Under the Equality Act 2010 in England, Wales and Scotland, businesses serving the public must make reasonable adjustments, which can include physical changes such as a ramp where the only entrance is a step. Northern Ireland has its own disability discrimination law, so the duties there differ.
Manual entrance doors in buildings other than dwellings in England should open with no more than 30N of force at the door edge from closed to 30 degrees, then 22.5N from 30 to 60 degrees. Heavy doors and strong closers often fail this, so closers are chosen and adjusted to suit.
New or changed signs may need advertisement consent from the local planning authority. Many plain, non-illuminated fascia signs have deemed consent subject to conditions, while illuminated signs more often need express consent. Displaying an advert without the consent it needs is a criminal offence in England.
Security glazing is classified under BS EN 356 by its resistance to manual attack. Classes P1A to P5A are tested by dropping a steel ball on the glass from set heights, and the higher classes P6B to P8B are tested with repeated axe and hammer blows.
What's included
- Safety or security glass specified to suit the position
- Survey of the frontage, structure above and entrance layout
- Manifestation where required, final clean and handover
- Aluminium or timber framing, doors and ironmongery as quoted
Local details for Brighton & Hove
- Postcodes covered
- BN1, BN3, BN2 and the surrounding area, including Burgess Hill, Worthing and Seaford
- Coast
- Brighton & Hove is about 1 km from the coast or a tidal estuary, so salt air and wind-driven rain are worth planning for. Seafront shops face salt spray and wind-driven rain on frames, door gear and seals. Suitable aluminium finishes, regular washing of frames and clear drainage slots help, and wind exposure affects the size and thickness of display glass specified.
- Daylight and sun
- In Brighton & Hove the midwinter sun reaches about 16° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.7 hours of daylight, rising to about 63° and 16.3 hours in midsummer. South- and west-facing display windows can fade stock and overheat the shop in summer, while low winter sun causes glare that hides window displays. Solar control glass, window film and internal blinds can all help.
- Access and setting
- High-street shopfronts may need a council licence for scaffolding or hoarding on the pavement, lifting at restricted times and overnight boarding. Conservation area rules, neighbouring businesses and shared freeholds can all shape the design and programme.
- Rules in England
- Approved Document K requires safety glass in critical locations in England: glazing in doors and in side panels within 300 mm of a door, up to 1500 mm above floor level, and any glazing in walls or partitions up to 800 mm above floor level.
Guide prices in Brighton & Hove
| Typical job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Replace a laminated pane, 2000 × 2200 mm | £855 – £1,095 |
| Security laminated pane, 2000 × 2200 mm | £1,195 – £1,495 |
| Toughened door pane, 900 × 2000 mm | £375 – £485 |
Get a guide price for your size
Replacing windows and doors with similar ones is usually permitted development for houses in England. Flats, listed buildings and homes in conservation areas or covered by an Article 4 direction can need permission, so check with the council first.
What you can choose
Laminated security glass
Laminated glass classified under BS EN 356 that resists manual attack and stays in the frame when broken, keeping the shop secure.
Toughened display glass
Toughened safety glass that breaks into small, blunt pieces, used for doors and low-level panes where impact safety is the main need.
Frameless glass entrance
Toughened glass doors on patch fittings and floor springs, giving an open, clear entrance between framed or frameless display screens.
Shopfront Glazing in Brighton & Hove: questions
Do I have to remove the step at my shop entrance?
Not automatically, but in England, Wales and Scotland the Equality Act 2010 requires service providers to make reasonable adjustments, which can include physical changes like a ramp or a level threshold. What is reasonable depends on the business and the building. When an entrance is replaced, building regulations on access also apply to the new work.
Does shop glass need markings on it?
Large areas of clear glass that people could walk into need markings. In England, the guidance for buildings other than dwellings puts manifestation at 850–1000mm and 1400–1600mm above the floor, and workplace rules across Great Britain require glass to be made apparent where needed for safety. Logos or frosted bands can meet this if they contrast clearly.
Do I need consent for new shop signs?
You may need advertisement consent from the planning authority. Many plain, non-illuminated fascia signs have deemed consent within set conditions, while illuminated signs and signs on listed buildings or in conservation areas more often need express consent. In England, displaying an advert without the consent it needs is a criminal offence, so check before ordering signage.
Do I need planning permission for a new shopfront?
In England, a new shopfront or alterations that materially change its appearance, such as new doors, a different layout or external shutters, usually need planning permission. Listed buildings also need listed building consent. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own planning systems. We can provide drawings and specifications to support your application to the planning authority.
Do you cover Brighton & Hove for shopfront glazing?
Yes. We can quote for shopfront glazing across Brighton & Hove and the surrounding East Sussex area, including postcode districts BN1, BN3 and BN2, and nearby Burgess Hill, Worthing and Seaford. Start with your postcode on the quote form and a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.
More glazing in Brighton & Hove
Get a written quote in Brighton & Hove
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.