Entrance Glass

At PFG Glass, we manufacture high-quality glass products used in commercial entrance systems across Canada and the western United States. With more than three decades of experience and one of Canada’s most advanced glass manufacturing facilities, we supply architects, glazing contractors, and building professionals with glass solutions that meet both design objectives and performance requirements.

What Is a Glass Entrance System?

A glass entrance system consists of the glazed doors, sidelites, transoms, framing, and supporting hardware that form the primary point of access to a commercial or institutional building. While aluminum framing and hardware provide structural support, the glass itself plays a significant role in safety, energy efficiency, visibility, and the overall appearance of the entrance.

Unlike standard windows, entrance glazing is subjected to constant opening and closing, frequent pedestrian traffic, impact loads, changing weather conditions, and building movement. As a result, entrance glass must satisfy strict building code requirements while maintaining long-term durability and clarity.

Selecting the appropriate glass specification early in the design process helps ensure the entrance system performs reliably while complementing the architectural style of the building.

Types of Glass Entrance Systems

Glass entrance systems are available in several configurations depending on the building’s function, traffic volume, and architectural design.

Framed Glass Entrances

Framed glass entrance systems use aluminum framing to support glass doors, sidelites, and transoms. These systems are widely used for office buildings, schools, retail centres, healthcare facilities, and other commercial properties because they provide excellent durability while allowing flexibility in size and design.

Frameless Glass Entrances

Frameless glass entrances minimize visible framing to create a clean, contemporary appearance. Heavy glass doors are supported using specialized hardware, floor closers, and patch fittings that maintain structural integrity while maximizing transparency. These systems are commonly specified for corporate offices, hotels, restaurants, and high-end retail spaces.

Automatic Glass Entrances

Automatic glass entrance systems combine glass doors with automated opening mechanisms to improve accessibility and traffic flow. Frequently used in hospitals, shopping centres, airports, and public buildings, these systems help accommodate large volumes of pedestrian traffic while supporting accessibility requirements.

Glass Products for Entrance Applications

No single glass product is suitable for every entrance system. Each project has unique safety, performance, energy, and aesthetic requirements. We manufacture a comprehensive range of architectural glass products that can be incorporated into commercial entrance systems.

Tempered Safety Glass

Tempered glass is one of the most common products used in commercial entrances because of its strength and safety characteristics. Through a controlled heating and cooling process, tempered glass becomes significantly stronger than standard annealed glass. If broken, it fractures into small granular pieces rather than sharp shards, reducing the risk of injury in public spaces.

Many entrance applications require tempered glass to comply with Canadian building code safety glazing requirements.

Laminated Glass

Laminated glass consists of two or more pieces of glass bonded together with a durable interlayer. If breakage occurs, the interlayer holds the glass fragments together instead of allowing them to fall away.

This added level of protection makes laminated glass an excellent choice for entrances where security, impact resistance, or post-breakage retention are priorities. Laminated glass also improves acoustic performance by reducing the transmission of exterior noise into the building.

Insulated Glass Units (IGUs)

Where entrance systems include large glazed sidelites or transoms, insulated glass units help improve thermal performance and occupant comfort. Multiple panes of glass separated by sealed air or argon-filled spaces reduce heat transfer while improving energy efficiency throughout the year.

Our insulated glass units are manufactured using flexible spacer technology, helping improve edge seal performance and reduce condensation around the perimeter of the unit.

Low-Emissivity (Low-E) Glass

Low-E coatings improve the thermal performance of entrance glazing by reflecting infrared heat while allowing visible light to pass through the glass. During warmer months, Low-E coatings help reduce unwanted solar heat gain, while in colder weather they help retain interior heat.

These coatings contribute to improved building energy performance without sacrificing natural daylight or visibility.

Decorative Glass

Many commercial projects incorporate decorative glass into entrance systems to strengthen branding or achieve specific architectural objectives. Decorative options may include acid-etched finishes, ceramic frit patterns, tinted glass, or other custom treatments that provide varying levels of privacy and visual interest while maintaining functionality.

Why Quality Glass Matters

Commercial entrance systems experience thousands of opening and closing cycles over their lifespan. Selecting properly manufactured glass helps improve durability, maintain appearance, and support long-term performance.

Working with an experienced glass manufacturer also provides greater confidence that the specified products meet project requirements for safety, thermal performance, and compatibility with the overall entrance system. Our manufacturing capabilities allow us to produce architectural glass solutions that meet the demanding specifications of commercial construction projects across North America.