Glazing Design
More light with more impact.
Transforming building facades with advanced glazing is an excellent way to make the most of a commercial property’s potential.
From office curtain walling and structural glazing to retail storefronts and high-performance rainscreen integrations, commercial glazing solutions are fully customisable and enhance aesthetics, natural daylight, and energy efficiency without requiring major structural overhauls.
Whatever type of commercial glazing you’re looking for, our designers will work closely with you to understand your needs and vision, guiding you from initial ideas to completion.
Achieve your glazing ambitions.
Our Glazing Design Service
Our commercial glazing design packages include everything you need to transform building envelopes with high-quality, compliant glazing systems, including:
- A site visit and consultation with a designer to assess your project’s potential and feasibility
- Measurements and drawings of the existing facade, including structural interfaces and wind load considerations
- Design concepts and visualisations, including the proposed glazing layout and finishes
- Detailed construction drawings, including elevations, sections, and interface details
- Specifications for materials and finishes
- Support with planning permission and building regulations applications
- Optional project management services to ensure smooth project completion
From standard curtain wall systems to advanced structural glazing, unitised facades, or bespoke rainscreen projects, our architectural design team manage the entire process to give you a seamless, stress-free experience, using cutting-edge design software to bring your ideas to life.
Ready to move up in the world?
Book a consultation with one of our designers today.
Glazing Design FAQs
Commercial glazing is the specialised design and integration of large-scale glass systems into non-residential buildings such as offices, retail units, industrial facilities, and public structures. It includes curtain walling, structural glazing, window wall systems, and rainscreen cladding integrations, delivering modern aesthetics, superior thermal performance, weather resistance, and structural integrity. Commercial glazing services focus on engineering for wind loads, energy efficiency, and compliance, far beyond standard domestic windows.
Commercial glazing services involve expert architectural design, technical detailing, system selection, and regulatory support for facade projects. At PDK, we provide tailored commercial glazing design and detailing to contractors and fabricators across the UK, working with leading systems to ensure projects achieve performance, visual, and building regs glazing standards.
The main factors are the glazing system type, building height and exposure (affecting wind loads), performance requirements (thermal, acoustic, fire), and integration complexity. Adding unitised panels, custom interfaces, or advanced building regs glazing compliance increases costs. We always strike a balance between design ambition and cost-effectiveness, so your investment delivers maximum value.
There are several types of commercial glazing systems, each suited to different buildings and budgets. Options include:
- Curtain wall systems: lightweight, non-load-bearing facades with large glass areas for modern aesthetics
- Structural glazing: minimal-frame or frameless designs for seamless, high-end appearances
- Unitised glazing: pre-fabricated modular panels ideal for fast-track high-rise installation
- Rainscreen cladding with glazing: ventilated systems combining protection, insulation, and visual impact
- Window wall systems: floor-to-ceiling glazing for offices, showrooms, and retail
Our architectural design team will recommend the right solution for your property after a comprehensive survey.
Many commercial glazing replacements or upgrades fall under permitted development, meaning no planning permission is required. However, significant facade alterations, listed buildings, or conservation areas may need approval. We handle all drawings, applications, and dealings with local planning authorities, giving you peace of mind.
Yes. Proper architectural and technical plans are essential to ensure your commercial glazing is structurally sound, compliant with building regulations, and suitable for approvals where required. PDK provides a complete design package, from thorough surveys to detailed construction drawings.
Integrating rainscreen cladding with glazing creates a ventilated, weather-resistant facade with striking visual appeal. This hybrid approach combines insulated panels with glazed elements for optimal thermal performance and aesthetics. It’s popular for commercial buildings requiring durability and modern design, we detail all interfaces precisely.
Why Choose PDK Project Engineering?
Your project deserves more than a one-size-fits-all design.
Since our establishment, we’ve helped contractors and fabricators across the UK bring their commercial glazing vision to life. Unlike many practices, PDK Project Engineering work independently of contractors and suppliers, meaning every recommendation we make is based solely on what’s best for you.
With clear plans, attention to detail, and a personal approach, we promise a transparent process and exceptional results.