Undeniably, a shop front is something that has to be taken very seriously. Shopfront design is the first thing that the customers or the passers-by will notice about your shop and thus will impact their behavior.
It can become a little tricky when it comes to choosing between aluminum shop fronts or a glass shop front for your store. Since both of them work very fine in every environment.
Your shop front should have a sleek, modern, and professional look. It is the best way to increase the conversion rate of new customers. Thus, it is very important to make sure that the impression on the customers should last long.
Various shop fronts share the same features like providing the greatest security to the premises, etc. Some also protect from harsh weather conditions like excessive heat & cold.
Hence, in this article, we have listed the features and benefits of each of them. Such detailed information will prove helpful for you before coming to any decision.
Aluminium Shopfront
It is robust, versatile, and provides immense security to your premises. This is the reason that such storefronts are the best-proven choice of various people. Moreover, various business owners choose aluminum for their doors and windows.
Studies done by Atlus Contractors in the UK, have shown that aluminum shop front frames have certain properties like high visibility during night hours. Due to its reflective properties, this shop front category is much better at drawing people’s attention.
Aluminum is highly resistant to corrosion. Due to its corrosion-resistant properties, it is an ideal choice for every business. That is why it is an attractive and modern solution, especially for commercial stores.
Features of Aluminium Shopfronts in London
- Durable
Everyone wants durability in their doors and windows. Aluminum is one of the raw materials that have durability and strength-like properties.
The fact is supported by the figures which prove that 90 % of the doors in commercial organizations are made of aluminum. The residential doors are also made of 75% of the same material.
2. Low Maintenance is required
You do not have to make an effort to keep aluminum clean or take care of it by varnishing or polishing it. This means that your aluminum shop front will always look the same.
If it gets dirty or greasy you can just wipe it with a cleaning product and the problem is gone in seconds.
3. Powder coated looks
Proper matching of paint and surface material are factors that eventually peels away from the material. Powder coating offers much better adhesion when applied properly. Powder-coated materials tend to need less maintenance.
4. Cost-effectiveness
Price increases depending upon the wide range of the designs for shop fronts. However, aluminum has proven to be the most cost-effective than its counterparts.
5. Customizable
In the modern world, we see a lot of materials being used in new and innovative ways. One such material is aluminum. It is quite easy for the designers to give it a shape. Redesigning them gives them an appealing look that matches the brand’s image.
Moreover, it can be paired with manual swing doors or automated ones. Customized aluminum shop fronts come in a variety of options for your business. For example, the temperature controlling system.
This feature ensures that you can keep an eye on the comfort level while working in the summer months
Why do people prefer Aluminium Shopfronts for their business?
Aluminum has a lot to offer :
- Aesthetically Attractive
Aluminum is lightweight, versatile, and aesthetically pleasing to the customers that pass by. The natural metallic surface of aluminium is adequate in that it does not require further finishing.
- Aluminium – Renewable and Eco-Friendly
Aluminium has many qualities that make it a superior material. For example, it is 100% recyclable and environmentally friendly. It is also immensely strong despite being recycled numerous times. - Aluminium Versatility
Aluminum is a versatile material that can be customized to suit your needs. Aluminum is a versatile material that can be modified easily to suit your needs.
Aluminum’s strength remains as it is no matter what shape it comes in. This makes this metal perfect for installing at shops and also all at an affordable price.
The aluminum metal can be used with irregular spaces and shapes. There is no need to use any unsightly joints or rivets on the outside of your business facade.
- Easy to update
It is easy to update aluminum by using paint or special spray paint. The advantage for shop fronts is that this process can be done by specialists on site.
Such versatility allows you to adapt your shop front to suit your business needs. It allows you to change your color scheme and business branding without the need for a complete refit.
Toughened Glass Shopfront
Toughened glass is a type of safety glass that is processed by controlled thermal or chemical treatments. This processing increases its strength as compared to the normal glass. Due to this, it is also known as tempered glass.
Tempering the glass puts the outer surfaces into compression and the inner part into tension. These stresses will prove that it will shatter into small chunks.
These granular chunks are less likely to cause injury as compared to normal glass. The toughened glass used in shop fronts is installed at commercial stores and businesses across London.
Tempered glass is used in passenger vehicle windows, shower doors for its safety and strength. They are also used in mobile phone screen protectors, bulletproof glass components, diving masks, etc.
Features of Toughened Glass Shopfront
- Resistance to Thermal Breakage
Tempered glass is up to five times more heat resistant than standard glass. It can withstand temperatures as high as 250 degrees which are uncomfortably hot.
This feature makes it much safer in the event of a fire. This means that most high-rise apartments, government buildings, and offices have toughened windows. Their doors and windows are made from this material due to their durability.
- Durability
Toughened or tempered glass is much more durable than any other glass material. It is due to the process called “thermal tempering”. It makes the window panes five times stronger than their counterparts.
For example, It becomes four to five times stronger than annealed glass, and thrice times than heat strengthened glass. This glass quality has the highest withstanding capacity. Like it can bear harsh weather conditions.
Toughened glass systems also minimize the damage in case of an accident. This makes it considered a safe and secure option when looking for a shop front. Frameless glass door is also highly resistant to corrosion.
- Strength
Toughened glass is not only strong, but it can also take a lot of stress and pressure. The material has been proven to withstand the intense pressure of 10,000lbs per square inch before breaking or cracking in two. This makes them perfect for safety purposes.
Why do people prefer to install Toughened Glass Shopfronts at their business?
- Sound Reduction
Toughened glass is stronger and much harder than standard glass. This quality makes it an excellent choice for those looking to improve their home or business frontages.
12mm or 15mm toughened glass thickness usually provides up to 20 dB sound reduction properties. It is much more than the standard or laminated glass.
- UV Protection
Tempered glass is a great option for not only your home but also for your business as well. It absorbs 65% of the UV rays, giving it an SPF around 16.
You can also get tinted finishes of bronze or grey. This will further increase the protection of your glass by blocking more UV light than before.
- Enhanced Security Features
All toughened glass used in our frameless glass doors are manufactured in accordance with BS EN12150. It is the legal British standard for glass doors for shop fronts.
Therefore, it must be met with EN12150 rules and regulations. This makes it thermally toughened safety glass. The toughened glass thickness is made with 12mm. This ensures the glass is scratch-resistant and difficult to penetrate.
4. Visually Appealing
Toughened glass shopfronts are visually appealing and come with a range of security features. This makes them a practical option for a wide range of uses.
Toughened glass shopfronts of different sizes are installed at hotels, restaurants, retail shops. They are installed at business offices, hospitals, schools, etc.
What do we suggest?
Both kinds of shop fronts have their own importance and are a preferred choice among people of London. Whether to choose an aluminum shop front or toughened glass shop front for your store, it solely depends upon your business’s needs and requirements.
If you want detailed information on this, you can visit one of the leading shopfitters for expert advice.
