Renovating your business’s glass storefront makes sense for a number of reasons. First and most importantly, a well-designed glass storefront welcomes customers in and creates a lasting first impression about the character of your business. Your storefront is what draws potential customers into your business, and a well-designed façade can add to the bottom line.
Plus, storefront windows let in loads of natural light, offer an opportunity to display products, and ensure your business stands out along crowded commercial corridors.
Is a new glass storefront on your business wish-list? Often, many business and property owners have a bevy of questions when they sit down to plan a project. What are my options for storefronts? What are the costs? How do I remodel the storefront to fit in – but also stand out – from my neighbors? If you have questions like these, you’re not alone; Aeroseal can help.
For decades, our team has built and designed glass storefront windows for businesses and renovated historic storefronts all along the East Coast and Ohio. We want to share some of that expertise with business and property owners considering storefront remodels and renovations.
Glass Storefront Elements to Consider
When planning a glass storefront or building façade, you should first consider the unique architectural features of your property, as well as the architectural style of the surrounding businesses. An effective design will mesh with these businesses, as well as accentuate your building’s unique features and brand’s personality. Additional criteria to consider include:
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Framing Type
In general, there are three major framing styles for storefront windows you can use: Wood, aluminum or metal, and frameless glass storefronts. Typically, we do not work with wood framing styles and stick to aluminum and glass. Frameless glass storefronts, like those used in Apple Store locations, create an ultra-modern, sleek appearance. They’re ideal for forward-thinking brands – i.e. tech companies or designer fashion retailers – because they enable futuristic, modern designs.
Aluminum storefront framing, on the other hand, is one of the most common and adaptable styles available. Aluminum framed glass storefronts can be used to create a contemporary, straightforward look – like those seen in shopping centers, schools, and apartment complexes.
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Framing Color
Aluminum storefront framing is available in an array of colors, and the use of color can be a useful tactic for helping your business stand out. Black framing, for example, gives the building an elegant profile, and steel gray is useful for creating a contemporary look. Brighter colors like royal blue or yellow might be beneficial for lively brands – like a fast-casual restaurant or a quirky coffee shop – while copper green might help to create an old-timey look. In shopping centers in which the architecture is very similar, a skillful use of color offers a great opportunity to distinguish your business from others and help create a unique storefront.
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Type of Glass
In many applications, clear viewing storefront glass is a common choice. Yet, there are a range of options that may be used. For example, reflective glass can help reduce direct sunlight for properties that receive a lot direct sunlight. This type of glass has a tinted look and can reduce some of the visibility looking in. Tinted glass is a common choice for an office or residential storefronts. Insulated or thermal storefront glass can help to properly insulate the building, as well as deafen noise from nearby traffic or busy shopping areas.
New glass storefronts can lead to a substantial thermal and energy improvement from existing systems. Many old storefronts are not thermally broken and that can lead to heat and energy waste. Even if it is thermally broken, different glass coatings for your storefront glass can improve thermal and energy efficiencies.
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Glass Curtain Walls
In addition to storefront, oftentimes businesses want to use glass as a structural element along the front façade or upper façade of the storefront. Glass can be used to replace existing walls, helping to create a more welcoming appearance and allowing additional natural light to enter. Glass curtain walls can also serve as a modern, elegant design element. In retail locations, glass curtain walls that incorporate large shop windows are perfect for creating welcoming window displays. And many restaurants utilize curtain walls to showcase their dining rooms and entice customers to stop in.
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Additional Architectural Designs
Finally, awnings, signage boards, and lighting fixtures are additional elements that can create a cohesive appearance for your property. Awnings can be used to help diffuse natural light, or as an accent to the property. And lighting and signage should match the overall aesthetics of the property. For example, modern lighting and signage would accentuate a frameless glass storefront, while traditional awnings, faux gaslights, and simplistic signage would complement a historic property.
Contact Aeroseal for Glass Storefront Window Installation & Repair
Need help designing your storefront windows? Aeroseal can help. Our team of design specialists can help you create glass storefront that’s appealing, welcoming and that matches your brand’s personality. Contact us today for an estimate!
