Kent · England
Shopfront Glazing in Kent
Need a wider, step-free entrance for customers in Kent? We can quote for new shopfront doors and thresholds designed around current access guidance.
- Guide from £375
- 23 towns covered
- Postcode areas BR, CT, DA, ME, TN
Shop front glass replacement in Kent
The same guidance in England asks for an accessible entrance to have a level threshold or, where a raised threshold cannot be avoided, one no more than 15mm high in total, with a level landing in front of the door at least 1500mm by 1500mm clear of the door swing.
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.
Some councils' shopfront guidance discourages solid external roller shutters and grilles, and in England external security measures that change the frontage's appearance usually need planning permission. Laminated security glass or internal open-mesh grilles are often considered as alternatives that keep the window display visible.
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.
Towns we cover for shopfront glazing in Kent
Choose your town for local details, nearby areas and the postcode districts we cover.
What applies in Kent
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.
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.
Kent has its own coastline, so for homes and businesses near the sea, salt air and wind-driven rain are part of the brief. 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.
Market-town and village shops are often in older or listed buildings where timber shopfronts and traditional proportions are expected. Council design guidance and longer travel for large glass deliveries can both affect the timescale.
Guide prices
| 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 |
Choosing your shopfront glazing
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.
Insulated glass units
Sealed double-glazed units in the shopfront frames, reducing heat loss and condensation compared with single sheets of display glass.
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 Kent: questions
Can my shop stay open while the shopfront is replaced?
Often, yes, at least in part. Work can be phased so one section is replaced while the entrance stays usable, or carried out early, late or on closing days where access and noise rules allow. Temporary boarding keeps the premises secure between stages. We agree the programme with you before work starts so trading disruption is planned.
What type of glass should a shopfront have?
Shopfront glass must be safety glass wherever it sits in a critical location, such as doors, panels beside doors and low-level panes. Beyond that, laminated glass is often chosen for display windows because it stays in the frame when broken, keeping the premises secure. Higher-security laminated glass classified under BS EN 356 can be specified where risk is greater.
How long does a new shopfront take?
Replacing a single display pane can often be done in one visit once the glass is made. A complete new shopfront involves survey, any consents, manufacture of frames and glass, then installation, so allow several weeks or more overall. The fitting itself is usually short, and we board up where needed to keep the shop secure throughout.
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.
Which parts of Kent do you cover for shopfront glazing?
We cover the whole of Kent, including Maidstone, Gillingham, Chatham, Tunbridge Wells and Folkestone, and postcode areas BR, CT, DA, ME, TN. Building rules for shopfront glazing here follow the regulations for England. Enter your postcode on the quote form and we will confirm cover; then a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.
Other glazing services in Kent
- Replacement Glass in Kent
- Misted Glass Repair in Kent
- Emergency Glazing in Kent
- Safety Glass in Kent
- Window Repairs in Kent
- Window Film in Kent
- uPVC Windows in Kent
- Aluminium Windows in Kent
- Sash Windows in Kent
- Composite Doors in Kent
- Bifold Doors in Kent
- Sliding Doors in Kent
- Secondary Glazing in Kent
- Roof Lanterns in Kent
- Glass Balustrades in Kent
- Frameless Glass in Kent
- Shower Screens in Kent
- Glass Splashbacks in Kent
- Bespoke Mirrors in Kent
- Glass Roofs in Kent
- Curtain Walling in Kent
- Glass Partitions in Kent
- Property Glazing in Kent
Get a written quote in Kent
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.