When you are selecting windows for a retail store, they can differ significantly from the types you get for residential units. While there are over eight different types of retail windows, this only part of the solutions you need for your retail store construction or commercial construction needs. For instance, in addition to choosing the right window type, there are other treatments that can be added to reduce glare or prevent fires. To get a better idea of the differences between treatments, frames and glass types, keep reading. Of course, if you need more information, Stovall Construction is one phone call away.
Choosing the right type of frame and materials for retail windows
One of the keys to designing a specific look for your retail store construction project is getting the right overall artistic presentation. After all, you want your store to look a certain way from the street to customers passing by. In general, customers will choose something like a plate-glass window for a commercial or retail space — but there are more options within this choice. Listed below, the main types of commercial construction windows are listed.
Closed windows – Glass in front with a solid wall in the back
Semi-closed windows – Allows for half of the window to be exposed to what is going on inside the business
Open-back windows – This is a window that has no wall in the back
Open window – Commonly found in shopping cart corral areas, this is a framed opening with no glass
Elevated windows – Upper-story or higher-level windows
Corner windows – Windows seen from two directions
Island windows – Stand alone windows common in storefronts
Shadow boxes – Small windows used to display merchandise that is smaller such as jewelry
Choosing the best glass for your retail or commercial space
When it comes to having a successful business, you want to keep your operating costs at the lowest. For these reasons, you may choose certain types of glass for your commercial windows because it lowers costs with utilities in the long run. Along these lines, choosing safer glass types means your overall insurance premiums could be lower.
Annealed glass – Rarely used in buildings, this type of glass is sold in sheets and treated to be strong, but it is not a safety glass
Fully tempered glass – A piece of annealed glass that is stronger by about four times and is one of the safest glass types
Tempered glass – This glass is meant to be broken in case of emergency and is commonly used for car door windows
Heat soaked tempered glass – This type of window is typically used for oven doors because it can withstand up to 550-degree heat
Laminated glass – Made from two fused interlayers of polyvinyl butyral (PVB), this is a top-rated safety glass that will crumble instead of shatter if under duress.
Wire glass – If a priority is fire protection, wire glass windows are shatter-resistant in high heat
Finding solutions with window glazing
Are you concerned with too much direct light coming through the front of your business that can damaged merchandise or temporarily blind employees? When you have a storefront that is facing east or simply need to protect merchandise from the damaging rays of the sun, the solutions lie in window glazing. In some cases, these glasses are best applied during the construction phase as opposed to adding them later.
Gas fills – This is a double panel treatment that place is gas between window panes to reduce the flow of heat in and out of the windows
Heat-absorbing tints – This treatment reduces solar radiation through the glass and will tint the glass in a color of your choosing
Insulated glaze – This is applied to windows with more than one pane and will lower the U-factor and SHGC.
Low-emissivity coating – This application will glaze the glass to keep it insulated with energy-loss reduced by as much as 50-percent
Reflective coating – To keep glare out of the building while reducing heat inside of the building, this is your best line of defense
Let us help you design your commercial or retail windows!
Now that you have a better understanding of the types of options available for retail windows, your next step is to give Stovall Construction a call with any questions you may still have. We are happy to help you get a better understanding of the types of retail or commercial window services you need along with any construction advice that will help your next project to be a success. To get started, give us a call at Stovall Construction today!