What is a shopfront (Dutch: pui)?
A shopfront, or more broadly a ground-floor front, is the lower part of a building’s facade that usually differs in material or make-up from the facade above. In Dutch this part is called the pui. Typical examples are a glazed shop window beneath a brick upper facade, or a large glazed wall facing the garden at the back of a house. It consists mostly of frames, doors and glass.
Types
| Type | Feature |
|---|---|
| Shopfront | Large glazed areas with an entrance door on the ground floor of a shop |
| Glazed front | Fixed and opening glass panels over the full storey height |
| Sliding patio doors | Panels slide past each other, so no swing space is needed |
| Bi-fold doors | Panels fold up concertina-style, leaving the opening almost fully clear |
What to watch when replacing or enlarging one
- Structure. A larger opening in a load-bearing wall needs a heavier beam over it, these days usually steel. Have a structural engineer size the beam and its bearings, and prop the wall above during the work.
- Permissions. Altering a front elevation, and shopfronts in particular, often needs planning permission, and structural changes need building regulations approval. Listed buildings and conservation areas always require consultation with the local authority.
- Security. A ground-floor front is a weak point. Choose doors and windows tested to a recognised security standard, such as PAS 24 in the UK or EN 1627 class RC2.
- Weathering. The threshold must shed water outwards and connect properly to the damp-proofing. Level thresholds need particularly careful drainage.
- Insulation and thermal bridges. Choose insulating glazing and thermally broken frames, and bring the wall and floor insulation neatly up to the frame.
Budget several thousand euros or pounds for new sliding or bi-fold doors including fitting; width, material, glazing and any structural work determine where you end up. Always get several quotes on the same specification.
Related terms
- Window frame
- Lintel
- Bressummer
- Facade
- Structural engineer
Want to learn more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.