Best Commercial Glass for Storefront Use

An eye-catching window display or beautiful storefront can do wonders for a business. However, if those windows are broken, dirty, or not quite right for the job, the whole look can fall flat. That’s why it’s so important to know the best commercial glass for storefront use.

How to Choose the Best Commercial Glass for Storefronts

When choosing a commercial glass for your storefront, consider what these doors or windows will need to do. Are they more functional or decorative? Do you want people to see clearly through to the inside, or do you and your customers need a little privacy? And of course, all the best commercial glass for storefront use should be safe.

Consider Your Commercial Glass Needs:

Durability

For most storefronts, glass needs to be durable. Hopefully, you have lots of customers walking through your doors, so the glass should be able to withstand high traffic.

Safety

Safety should be top priority when considering the best commercial glass for storefront use. Regular, or annealed glass, breaks into sharp pieces when broken, which can be very dangerous. Accidents happen, so it’s best to go with a type of glass that crumbles instead of shatters:

Security Glass
Security glass is great for storefronts, as it doesn’t shatter into sharp pieces. It has an internal or external laminate that holds it together, so pieces don’t go flying. When broken, security glass looks like a spider web. You can see in this picture of broken security glass, that it holds together really well.
Tempered Glass
Tempered glass is also a very safe option for commercial or storefront use. It is designed to crumble when broken. The broken pieces of tempered glass have an almost rounded, smooth edge, as pictured below. This helps prevent injury to any customers that might be in the area.

Privacy
You should also think about how private or not your commercial space needs to be. If you are installing glass for a retail store, you don’t necessarily want privacy, as the customers will need to see all your awesome products. On the other hand, if you are opening a spa, your clients will probably want a little more privacy in the waiting area.

- Clear Glass
  Clear glass is the best choice if you want to turn passersby into customers. This type of glass lets you display your products for outsiders to see clearly. It is also a great option for a business that wants to create a bright, inviting ambiance, like an ice cream parlor or retail store. You can see in this photo how well the product is displayed in a clear glass window.

Frosted/Tinted Glass
If your business is a little more private, frosted or tinted glass may be the way to go. Privacy glass can still let in natural light, but your customers are given a comforting amount of privacy. Frosted or tinted glass is often used in commercial spaces such as dental offices or spas. Frosted glass even allows you to get creative with the etching and design as well, like this image shows.