The shopfront is a crucial aspect when designing or renovating a commercial premise to create an exterior appearance and the usefulness of the area. When choosing the appropriate design, it must be not only appealing to the eye but also be able to accommodate building materials, quality of installation, and durability.
This blog is a systematic guide used by businesses to identify the most appropriate aluminium shop fronts, glass shop fronts, and any other structural preferences that can suit their branding and operational requirements.
1. Understand Your Business Type and Space Requirements
The layout of your business and the quantity of customer interactions will determine how to put a shop front.
- To modern retail stores, the use of glass shop fronts provides the retail store with transparency and openness.
- For companies that are concerned about security, aluminium shopfronts are strong and long-lasting.
2. Identify the Right Material Combination
The materials will determine the life span, security, and the overall effect of your shop front. The most popular ones:
- Aluminium Shopfronts: Aluminium frames are strong and lightweight, and they allow for customization and design.
- Smartened Glass Store Fronts: These provide a clean and modern look and are generally used for application in places where appearance and view are of the essence.
- Hybrid Designs: The integration of aluminium framing with toughened glass shop fronts will make it possible to add more stability and achieve a professional appearance.
3. Focus on Visual Identity and Brand Alignment
Take into account your colour palette, where to put your logo, and the visibility of your signs. The use of glass shop fronts is usually based on the fact that it provides a good presentation of the interiors and products.
The installers should ensure that every design element, from door handles to frame finishes, is connected to create a cohesive brand while installing the shopfronts.
4. Evaluate Installation and Structural Integrity
Hire professional shop front installers capable of having both experience in shop front installation and shop front fitting.
Key considerations include:
- Fine-tuning of panels and doors
- Fixing of glazing and frames
- Effective insulation and weatherproofing
5. Plan for Accessibility and Functionality
Depending on space limitations and business traffic, shop front installers are able to incorporate a sliding door, a hinged door, or a bi-fold door mechanism.
Clear lines of sight for pedestrian safety and door operation are feasible with toughened glass shop fronts. In the case of aluminium shopfronts, the threshold level and door framing should be the same so that there is a free flow and compliance with accessibility.
6. Assess Energy Efficiency and Lighting Impact
Natural light is maximized with the help of the transparency of the glass shop fronts, which minimizes the need for artificial lighting. Yet, glare control and thermal insulation properties should also be evaluated.
In the case of aluminium shopfronts, thermally broken profiles have been incorporated to ensure good control of internal temperatures.
7. Review Maintenance and Durability Aspects
Toughened glass shop fronts require regular cleaning to maintain their clarity and look, whereas aluminium shopfronts require checking on the surfaces to ensure they are not worn or corroded.
Select materials and finishes that are resistant to environmental factors, more so in places where people are in large numbers, or where they are exposed to the outside environment.
8. Final Inspection and Quality Testing
After the installation is finished, do a thorough checkout with your shop front installers. Check the doors for alignment, sealing, and operation. Ensure the glazing in any glass shopfronts is not chipped, cracked, or distorted. Check that all joints and fixings are present, and follow the design if your shopfront is aluminium.
Whether you choose aluminium shopfronts, toughened glass shopfronts, or a combination of the two, each element should be viewed as beneficial to your company, both in terms of functionality and aesthetics. When working with seasoned shop front fitters, you will see the final product reflecting longevity, and brand association, which leaves a lasting impression on your business premises.