storefronts


VERSATILE SOLUTIONS for your custom storefront and entryway systems



Your custom storefront and entryway system welcomes people inside. We understand that a fully integrated custom storefront design involves more than just your door and jamb. Storefront assemblies can include clerestory courses, large fixed window expanses, transoms and sidelites—all with high performance insulated glass, integrated hardware solutions, and solid wood construction. 


Millwork details such as mull caps, casing, and panels contribute to a harmonious concept that can extend through the entire ground floor of hour building. For Historic and Classic architectural styling, nothing else will do. For modern buildings, more architects and designers are looking to the warmth of wood to make their designs feel fresh, contemporary, and warm.

An entry system design needs to take comfort and performance into consideration. Higher exposure elevations may require a more robust glass specification. Greater UV performance, solar heat gain coefficients, or wind load ratings can be incorporated into any design. Bring us your specifications, or we can consult with you to determine what will best meet your needs. 



When selecting wood, your vision includes a final finish. We can explore paint-grade and stain-grade options, including priming for split finish if you want to have both. We can even build split-species assemblies, allowing even more design flexibility. When taking exposure into consideration, we can guide you through these choices and create something truly unique.



Quality design and expert craftsmanship are part of every Versatile project.


ELEMENT EXPOSURE

Triple laminated construction: Not all doors need it, but some require it. Thick doors, tall doors, higher exposure doors—these can all benefit from extra strength and stability. A single, solid piece of wood isn’t always the best option. Gluing together three layers of solid wood (triple laminated, or triple lam for short) provides the best insurance against warping and bowing. 


We carefully evaluate exposure levels alongside performance requirements and design needs. This involves evaluating the right wood species and construction methods, finishing options, glass choices, water return systems, sills, and overhangs involved in your project. Some elevations are more vulnerable to sun, wind, and precipitation. Wood storefronts can last for decades, even under harsh conditions, when these factors are correctly considered.


We use high-performance kerfed-in weatherstripping on all doors and operable windows, and can integrate threshold and sweep systems that will address water return and energy performance needs.


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HISTORICAL REQUIREMENTS design that meets review standards

Historic properties require an additional layer of expertise. We can develop your project to pass design review requirements for historic districts and buildings. And, importantly, we can do so while incorporating modern energy performance, security hardware, and accessibility into the plan. 


Our product designers are fluent in the unique challenges that old buildings can pose—existing decorative or structural members, out-of-square openings, matching surviving details, and more. We also provide Product Design Services when detailed drawings are required for review in advance of the project start.


Versatile built our brand on being the obvious solution for historic buildings, and we have numerous case studies to draw upon. Our team is uniquely qualified to make your project a success.


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ADA COMPLIANCE   Achieving seamless design and accessibility, with style

ADA compliance is easily designed into your entry system, no matter the style. Appropriate thresholds, egress, and modern operating hardware ensure all standards are met. We can conceal wiring for automatic door openers without sacrificing design elements, even in Historic designs.


If you are replacing an original, non-compliant entry, we can help revise the existing configuration to something that matches the spirit of the original while meeting ADA requirements.



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