A storefront is the first thing a customer, tenant, or patient sees when they approach your building. It sets the tone for everything inside. Forthright Construction installs commercial storefront systems that look sharp, perform in Vermont's climate, and go in right the first time — no callbacks, no leaks, no energy code surprises.
We work directly with general contractors, developers, and building owners on new construction and renovation projects across Vermont. Our storefront specialist has deep experience in aluminum framing systems, glass setting, and entrance hardware — the kind of hands-on knowledge that keeps a project on schedule when the shop drawings don't match the rough opening.
Storefront Systems We Install
Aluminum Storefront Framing
Standard and thermally broken aluminum framing systems for commercial exterior walls. We work with Kawneer, YKK AP, Oldcastle, and other manufacturer systems. Thermally broken framing is standard for Vermont's climate — it meets energy code and eliminates the condensation issues common with non-thermal systems in cold-weather applications.
Glass Entrance Systems
Commercial glass entry doors and sidelite packages for retail, office, healthcare, and hospitality. Aluminum-framed swing doors, automatic door rough-ins, and vestibule systems. We coordinate with hardware suppliers and door closer manufacturers for complete entrance packages.
Curtain Wall
Stick-built aluminum curtain wall systems for low- to mid-rise commercial buildings. Continuous vertical framing with thermally broken aluminum and insulated glass units. For buildings where a fully glazed facade is part of the design intent — office buildings, mixed-use, hospitality, and institutional.
Hollow Metal Frames & Doors
Knock-down and welded hollow metal frames for interior and exterior commercial openings. Paired with wood, steel, or fiberglass door slabs as the project requires. Code-compliant fire-rated assemblies for stairwells, corridors, and rated partitions.
Storefront Replacement
Retrofit and replacement of existing storefront systems on occupied commercial buildings. We sequence work to minimize interior exposure, use temporary weatherproofing during transitions, and keep business disruption to a minimum. Retail, medical, mixed-use — we've done it in tight windows.
Interior Glazed Partitions
Aluminum-framed interior glass partition systems for office fit-outs, conference rooms, and tenant build-outs. Full-height and partial-height systems, fixed and operable panels. Coordinates cleanly with our commercial framing and drywall work.
What Sets Our Storefront Work Apart
Storefront installation looks straightforward until the rough opening is out of tolerance, the glass lead time shifts, or the hardware spec changes after the frames are set. Our storefront specialist has seen all of it — and knows how to keep the project moving when it happens.
We carry complete shop drawings, coordinate directly with fabricators on glass sizing, and document every opening with photos before and after installation. GCs get what they need for their closeout packages. Owners get a system installed to spec with a clear warranty trail.
Vermont's climate puts real demands on commercial storefronts — thermal cycling, ice load at entries, condensation risk on non-thermal frames. We spec and install accordingly, and we flag issues we see during rough framing before they become storefront problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
A commercial storefront system is a non-load-bearing aluminum framing system that holds glass panels, entry doors, and glazed sidelites in a commercial building's exterior wall. Storefront systems are used in retail, office, hospitality, healthcare, and mixed-use buildings. They differ from curtain wall in that storefront is installed within the building's structural openings, while curtain wall spans continuously across floors. Forthright installs storefront framing and sets the glass packages for new construction and renovation projects.
Forthright is a framing and installation contractor — we coordinate with glass suppliers and fabricators to deliver a complete storefront package. We work with your GC or architect to source the right system for the project, manage the shop drawings, and handle the installation from rough opening through glazing and hardware.
We install standard aluminum storefront framing from major manufacturers including Kawneer, YKK AP, and Oldcastle. System selection depends on project specs, thermal performance requirements, and budget. For Vermont's climate, thermally broken framing is strongly recommended — it reduces condensation and meets current energy code requirements for commercial buildings.
Yes. Storefront replacement on occupied commercial buildings is a significant part of our work. We sequence the work to minimize exposure time for the building interior, use temporary weatherproofing during transitions, and coordinate with building management on access and business-hours restrictions. We've completed storefront work on retail spaces, medical offices, and mixed-use buildings where occupancy couldn't be interrupted.