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Aluminum storefront framing is the structural backbone of any commercial glass facade. It holds your glazing, integrates your door frames, and has to perform reliably under New York City's wind loads, foot traffic, and DOB inspection requirements. Liberty Door Supply fabricates and installs aluminum storefront framing systems for retail storefronts, office building lobbies, mixed-use ground floors, and institutional entrances across all five boroughs.

What systems does aluminum storefront framing actually include?

Storefront framing covers more than the visible frame around a glass door. A complete system includes the head, sill, jambs, intermediate verticals (mullions), and horizontal rails that hold fixed lite glass and operable door units together in one continuous assembly.

Liberty Door Supply works with proven commercial framing systems from Kawneer, YKK AP, and Tubelite. Common product lines we fabricate and install include:

These systems accept a range of glass thicknesses and configurations, including insulated glass units (IGUs), tempered safety glass, laminated security glass, and low-e coatings. Frame finish options include standard anodized finishes in clear, bronze, and dark bronze, as well as Kynar paint in custom colors for branded retail storefronts.

Door frames within the storefront system are fabricated to accept aluminum swing doors, all-glass frameless doors, and heavy-duty commercial doors with panic hardware, overhead closers, and ADA-compliant automatic operators. Every component is cut, machined, and assembled in our shop before arriving on site, which reduces installation time and field error.

How does the fabrication and installation process work for NYC commercial projects?

New York City projects have specific demands that standard framing details do not always account for. Facade conditions vary block by block. Substrates range from cast-iron columns in pre-war Tribeca buildings to poured concrete in Bronx mixed-use new construction to brick-and-block in Queens retail strips. Our field team measures every opening in person before any material is cut.

The process follows a consistent sequence:

  1. Site survey and field measurements - We visit the location, document existing conditions, and confirm opening dimensions and substrate type.
  2. Shop drawings and DOB coordination - We produce stamped shop drawings and coordinate with your architect or expediter on any required DOB filings or special inspection requirements.
  3. Fabrication - Aluminum extrusions are cut to length, CNC-machined for hardware prep, and assembled into frames in our shop.
  4. Demolition and prep - Existing storefront, sills, and anchors are removed. The rough opening is cleaned and prepped for new anchors and sealant.
  5. Frame installation and glazing - Frames are set, shimmed, and anchored plumb and level. Glass units are installed, glazed, and sealed. All sightlines are checked against shop drawings.
  6. Hardware installation and final inspection - Closers, panic bars, exit devices, and ADA operators are installed and adjusted. We walk the job with the GC or property manager before signing off.

We self-perform installation across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. No subcontracting the field work to crews unfamiliar with NYC facade conditions.

Why does aluminum storefront framing matter for NYC DOB and ADA compliance?

A storefront that looks good but fails inspection costs more to fix than it would have to spec correctly from the start. New York City DOB requires that storefront alterations on buildings with a Certificate of Occupancy meet current energy code requirements under NYCECC, which governs thermal performance of the framing and glazing assembly. Non-thermally broken frames do not meet current code in most commercial occupancy categories. We specify thermally broken framing systems where required and document the assembly for special inspection sign-off.

ADA compliance affects every entrance. Door clear widths, threshold heights, maneuvering clearances, and automatic operator placement all have to meet ICC A117.1 and NYC Building Code Chapter 11 requirements. We build those dimensions into the frame layout from the shop drawing stage, not as an afterthought in the field.

Rolling security gate pockets, if included in the storefront design, are also coordinated during the framing phase. Integrating the gate housing into the head and jamb framing produces a cleaner finish and avoids field modifications that compromise the structural assembly.

If your project is in active bidding, under construction, or needs emergency storefront replacement after damage, call Liberty Door Supply at (347) 928-7349. We serve the full New York City market and can turn around estimates quickly for GCs working against schedule.

Frequently asked questions

How long does aluminum storefront framing installation take in NYC?

Most single-storefront framing projects run two to five days from demo to punch-list, depending on opening size, glass delivery lead times, and DOB permit requirements. Larger multi-bay or curtain wall jobs take longer and are scheduled in phases to keep the building operational.

Do aluminum storefront frames need a NYC DOB permit?

Yes. Any structural alteration to a building facade or ground-floor storefront opening in New York City requires a DOB filing. Liberty Door Supply works with registered special inspectors and can coordinate the permit process so your project stays compliant and on schedule.

What is the difference between storefront framing and curtain wall?

Storefront framing is a stick-built aluminum system anchored to the building structure at the floor and head. It handles typical ground-floor and low-rise openings. Curtain wall is a fully engineered, floor-to-floor or multi-story system that carries wind and live loads independently from the building frame. Liberty Door Supply installs both.

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