As a shop owner, it’s important that your business is kept safe and secure as well as looking good. You need to find a good balance between an attractive shopfront and using a material that isn’t easily broken into or susceptible to deterioration or wear and tear. There are many shopfronts on the market, but which is the best for your business? Keep reading to find out more.
Types of shopfronts available
Your shopfront should be able to do three things. Communicate what your business is offering, attract passers-by and keep your shop safe and secure. You can choose between glass, aluminium or wood and each offers different benefits that may or may not suit your business.
Glass shopfronts
Glass shopfronts are ideal for retail shops like clothing stores, shoe shops, offices, travel and estate agencies and even banks. Shopfront glass has become increasingly popular because of the improvements in glass technology making it even more safe and secure. If you want to showcase what your business offers with vibrant and informative displays, glass is a great choice. It offers a sleek design that offers a sense of sophistication and elegance, offering a modern style.
There are many reasons why shopfront glass is a popular choice. It allows you to advertise promotions and offers easy maintenance and durability. You can also choose between a variety of glass shopfronts such as tinted, fire glass, toughened, frosted and even laminated glass. Frameless and toughened glass is the most durable option for glass shopfronts.
Wood shopfronts
Wood shopfronts are perfect for restaurants, cafes, libraries, boutiques and small offices. They offer a more vintage and classical look for your shopfront that many businesses choose to fit into their niche shopfront. If you want a more traditional or historical essence, wood is a great choice. For example, if your business is based in a historical or conservative area, modern shopfronts such as glass or aluminium won’t fit in well and may be considered an eyesore. Wooden shopfronts help businesses blend in with their surroundings while still looking elegant and eye-catching. Wooden shopfronts can also be handcrafted, to give your business a completely unique shopfront.
Aluminium shopfronts
Are you looking for a shopfront for a retail shop, reception entrance, display window, school, hospital or office? Aluminium shopfronts are a great choice. Aluminium can be cut and shaped to fit any configuration and is extremely versatile. It allows you to perfectly integrate into irregular shapes and odd-shaped areas. It is able to withstand bad weather and is not prone to mould, rot or termite infestation as well as allowing you to control the amount of sunlight entering your workplace. You can use aluminium frames for automatic doors and glass to ensure your business is still welcoming as well as being safe and secure.
The benefits of aluminium doors and windows
So you’re considering aluminium doors and windows to create the perfect shopfront for your business? You may be wondering what the advantages are of this choice and why they may be right for you.
Affordability
The first major advantage of aluminium shopfronts is that they are more affordable than other options. Wooden frames and timber can be more expensive than aluminium windows and require a lot more maintenance. Plastic frames such as uPVC can be cheaper than aluminium but it is likely that they will deteriorate over time, meaning they are more costly in the long run. By choosing aluminium frames you can ensure that you won’t have to pay maintenance costs to keep them looking great.
Durability
One key thing to consider when choosing a shopfront is how long it will last. Aluminium windows can last up to 30 years. They are resistant and strong against outside elements in comparison to other materials. You won’t have to worry about rot or termites and they will be able to withstand harsh weather. This is because aluminium has a high strength-to-weight ratio so they are hard to dent or damage.
Easy maintenance
If you can find a way to reduce the amount of time and money spent on the maintenance of your building, you will be able to ensure your business is more profitable. With aluminium windows and frames, you can reduce the amount of maintenance required. They usually just need a quick wipe-over every now and again to remove any dirt build-up. They are quick and easy to clean and ensure your shopfront continues to look modern and shiny.
Suitable for many designs
With many shopfronts, it can be a challenge to find a material that fits the design of your business. Aluminium is manufactured in a way that makes it very easy to meet the specifications of your exact design while still keeping its structural integrity. You can also choose between a wide range of finishes and colours so it is easy to find something that perfectly suits the style of your business.
Thermal efficiency
Another key benefit of aluminium windows is that they can easily achieve improvements in heat gain and heat loss through windows by around 60 per cent. They offer fantastic thermal efficiency in comparison with expensive alternatives such as timber and uPVC. Due to the use of polyamide technology, aluminium windows are ahead of the game when it comes to energy performance, allowing you to save money on heating and energy bills.
Eco-friendly
As a completely sustainable material, aluminium is an eco-friendly choice for your shopfront. It is 100% recyclable and non-toxic, ensuring your environmental footprint is kept to a minimum. Recycling aluminium only uses 5 percent of the initial energy required to consume and create it.
Things to consider
Now you know how great aluminium windows are as a choice for your business shopfront, what are some other things you may need to know?
There are a few drawbacks to aluminium windows, however, it usually comes down to different preferences. Depending on what you are looking for as your shopfront, you may choose to opt for other options such as glass or wood. For example, if you have a traditional or historical building, aluminium may not be an option for you. Despite the excellent thermal efficiency, durability and low maintenance, aluminium just doesn’t suit certain styles and areas and can lead to your business looking out of place.
Why choose aluminium frames?
Still not sure what to choose? This is how aluminium frames fare against other types of frames.
Aluminium Vs uPVC
uPVC windows are cheaper than aluminium, however, will require more maintenance. Aluminium frames will last longer and are more environmentally friendly. The initial cost of installing aluminium windows is usually worth it when you consider that aluminium is more durable and looks more professional.
Aluminium Vs Wood
You may choose wood because of its aesthetic appeal, and in comparison to aluminium, it mainly comes down to what style you want for your business. However, you should also consider that aluminium is usually cheaper than wood, requires less maintenance and offers greater flexibility. You could also choose aluminium-clad wooden windows which provide extra protection against weather but also offer the traditional look of wood.
Sunrise Shopfronts and Shutters - Aluminium Shopfront Manufacturers
Looking for quality aluminium shopfront manufacturers in Birmingham? At Sunrise Shopfronts and Shutters, we offer a great range of shopfronts including aluminium, to help you create the perfect front for your business. We work hard to help each and every customer achieve the look they desire, offering glass repairs, industrial doors and security shutters. To get started on your new shopfront, get in touch with our team today. We’ll be happy to discuss your requirements and help you to create the shopfront you want.
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