Godalming · Surrey
Shopfront Glazing in Godalming
We cover Godalming and Surrey for shopfront glazing, from single display panes to complete aluminium or timber shopfronts with accessible entrance doors.
- GU7
- Guide from £375
Aluminium shopfronts across Godalming
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.
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.
Laminated glass holds together when broken because the layers are bonded to a plastic interlayer, so a smashed display pane usually stays in its frame until it is replaced. Toughened glass breaks into small pieces and leaves an open hole, which is why laminated glass is often chosen for street-level shop windows.
In England, works that materially affect the external appearance of a shopfront, such as a new frontage, new entrance doors or a changed layout, usually need planning permission. Reglazing a broken pane to match the existing does not change the appearance, but check with the local planning authority if unsure.
What's included
- Manifestation where required, final clean and handover
- Safety or security glass specified to suit the position
- Aluminium or timber framing, doors and ironmongery as quoted
- Survey of the frontage, structure above and entrance layout
Local details for Godalming
- Postcodes covered
- GU7 and the surrounding area, including Guildford, Aldershot and Farnham
- Coast
- Godalming is well inland, around 42 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Godalming the midwinter sun reaches about 15° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.7 hours of daylight, rising to about 62° 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
- 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.
- 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 Godalming
| 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
Approved Document Q applies to new homes in England, where doors and windows are expected to meet PAS 24 or an equivalent standard. It does not apply to replacements in existing homes, but PAS 24 products are still a sensible choice.
Specification choices
Insulated glass units
Sealed double-glazed units in the shopfront frames, reducing heat loss and condensation compared with single sheets of display glass.
Aluminium shopfront framing
Slim, powder-coated or anodised aluminium frames for display glass and doors, available in many colours and suited to most modern frontages.
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 Godalming: 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.
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.
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 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 Godalming for shopfront glazing?
Yes. We can quote for shopfront glazing across Godalming and the surrounding Surrey area, including postcode districts GU7, and nearby Guildford, Aldershot and Farnham. Start with your postcode on the quote form and a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.
Get a written quote in Godalming
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.