Windows are an often underappreciated part of a brick-and-mortar store’s architecture. Windows provide both aesthetic and pragmatic functionality to a business. Without proper ventilation, stores often have terrible temperatures and humidity. In some cases, it also makes the interior of the store look unwelcoming to patrons.

Today, we will be discussing the best kinds of windows to install for your business. No one window is universal, and it’s important

Types of Glass

The kind of glass your business uses is important before settling on any designs. Different types of glass offer different benefits to a store.

Clear Glass

Clear glass is the most common type of glass in the market. It’s completely transparent, meaning it’s perfect for showcasing your store’s interior or products. Retail stores and family restaurants get a lot of benefits from this type of glass. It’s also one of the cheapest options.

Laminated Glass

Laminated glass is best for businesses that are in a vandal-filled neighborhood, or perhaps a stormy location. They are often the glass used for vehicles, but they can also be used for commercial buildings. 

Security/Tempered Glass

For stores that have incredibly valuable luxury items, or simply want more security, tempered security glass is the best option. They are incredibly thick and tough, so they are sure to ward off most hostile individuals from entering your store.

Frosted/Tinted Glass

Certain stores, such as casinos, high-end restaurants, or shops that cater to adult products, like to provide their patrons with due privacy. Frosted glass allows light to still enter the store, but prevents any people from the outside from looking in to see what patrons are doing. It’s perfect for private establishments.

Insulated Glass

Insulated glass is basically clear glass but geared for colder climates. They help retain heat within a building much better than any other glass, so it’s perfect for those scenarios. Insulated glass is also beneficial for water management planning, as the interior temperature is a key factor for water management professionals’ planning.

Types of Windows

Several types of windows can be used for your business. Remember, each business has different goals, and no one window answers all the needs. One important note is that a commercial business should primarily use single-pane designs. Otherwise, the establishment would look more like a house.

Arched Windows

Arched windows are purely a design choice, but for luxury businesses, it’s a fantastic way to spice up the architecture. It provides a lot of sunlight as a bonus, but the real purpose is to give patrons inside an aesthetically pleasing view of the outside.

Awning Windows

For commercial establishments in a rainy climate, awning windows are a practical ventilation choice. They open in such a way that any rain slides away from the building. It’s a great way to keep the building humid without completely drenching the interiors.

Bay Windows

Another aesthetic choice, bay windows are perfect for overlooking businesses. Coastal restaurants with a  view of the sea, or mountainside cafes with a view of the forests below would make great use of bay windows. 

Egress Window

A window that acts more as a preventive measure in case of emergencies. This type of window is essential to install for your employees’ safety. Businesses with basements are required by certain states to provide an egress window. This is to make sure that in the case of a disaster, people in the basement have a way to escape. 

Garden Window

Garden windows, unsurprisingly, are perfect for showcasing plants. Functionally, they provide a ton of sunlight for your plants as well as your patrons. Garden windows can make businesses feel roomier than they are too.

Block Windows

Glass block windows are a primarily aesthetic design choice. They are often used to give rooms a decorative touch as well as muted sunlight. They can also double as a sort of security glass, as they are built using thick cubes of glass that can’t be easily shattered.

Picture Window

As the name suggests, it’s meant to show a “picture” for people looking in and vice versa. They are perfect for displaying the interior of your business and are quite common in hotels and restaurants. Aesthetically, they can also make a room look much bigger than it truly is.

Circle Windows

Round windows are another primarily aesthetic choice and harken back to Victorian or Gothic design sensibilities. They provide a lot of variance from the typical rectangular designs found in other commercial establishments.

Skylights

Skylights are perfect for businesses that want to keep their walls window-free but still value natural light. They are a bit pricier due to the difficulty of the build, however.  Skylights are natural light sources and provide the best natural light for commercial establishments. However, hiring professional window cleaning services is best when you need it maintained. The height alone is already too risky to send up non-specialized staff.

Storm Windows

For businesses in storm-heavy areas, this is a must. It’s hard to fit with other window designs, but practicality trumps design every single time. For the matter of storms, prioritizing safety over design is the right choice.

Windows aren’t the only thing you have to worry about when building a business. If you want to learn more about the do’s and don’ts of commercial establishments, take a look around our site now for more expert tips.