Regardless of the type of business you run, having a good storefront is critical in attracting customers, maximising security, and maintaining a solid business reputation.
What makes a shopfront good? Read on to find out.
Clutter-Free
No one wants to go into a store that looks cluttered and messy. Because of this, you should avoid putting too much signage and merchandise in your shopfront. Keep it relatively clear and make sure you clean it regularly.
Lighting
Making sure you have the right amount of lighting in your shopfront is also important in attracting potential customers. You want to have just enough lighting to illuminate your store and make it stand out, but not so much that it will appear overly-bright.
Security
Aside from drawing in customers, the main role of your shopfront is to keep your store secure. In order to achieve this, ensure the material your storefront is made from is strong and sturdy. If you want to install a glass shopfront, choose safety glass such as toughened or laminated glass. These glass types are significantly more resistant to force and less easy to break than standard annealed glass.
Easy to Maintain
Last but not least, for your sake, you want to ensure your shopfront is easy to clean and maintain. Select materials that stay cleaner for longer and don’t require excessive maintenance (such as glass and aluminium) over materials that get dirty quickly and require frequent touch-ups (such as timber).
If you’re wanting to install a new glass storefront in your business, call Magic Glass today. We can provide you with a free quote for a shopfront that will attract customers and keep your business safe!
Safety glass is a type of glass that is designed to be less likely to break and less likely to inflict serious injury in the rare event it does break. The two main types of safety glass include toughened (or tempered) glass and laminated glass.
One of the most common questions we get asked is ‘which type of glass is the safest?’ Although toughened glass is most commonly recommended for safety, it does ultimately come down to what it is being used for.
Toughened Glass
Toughened glass is manufactured through the use of thermally or chemically controlled treatment processes. It is these processes that strengthen the glass and make it more resistant to force.
Although it is very difficult to break toughened glass, it’s not impossible. In the rare event breakage does occur, toughened glass shatters into many smaller pieces rather than large, sharp shards of glass. Because of this property, it is much safer than standard, annealed glass and is significantly less likely to inflict injury. This is why toughened glass is often used in motor vehicle windows and diving masks.
Toughened glass is also Grade A safety glass and is therefore frequently used in areas and spaces where compliance with Australian Glass Safety Standards is a must. This includes schools, hospitals, low-level glazing, aged care facilities, and child care centres.
Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is composed of two pieces of glass with an interlayer commonly made from polyvinyl butyral. This prevents the glass pieces from shattering as they remain stuck to the interlayer rather than breaking off into sharp shards.
As laminated glass sticks together even when it is shattered, it provides much greater security against potential break-ins, severe weather, and sudden impact. Because of this, laminated glass is most commonly used in shopfronts, windows and doors, balustrades, and glass fencing.
If you’re wanting to install safety glass into your commercial or residential building and are still unsure which type is best for you, give Magic Glass a call! Our friendly team will be able to provide you with recommendations and point you in the right direction when it comes to installation.
We can also provide you with a free quote for custom safety glass fabrication and installation.
Whether it’s rain, wind or shine, harsh weather conditions can have significant effects on your building. Strong winds, rain and hail can cause breakage to glass whilst exposure to sunlight can cause UV rays that penetrate glass panels and damage items inside.
It is therefore important to take necessary precautions in protecting your glass windows and doors from harsh weather. Our guide on 4 Ways to Protect Your Glass from the Elements will help you get started .
Safety Glass
A great way to take precaution against weather damage is to invest in safety glass for your windows and doors. Safety glass is designed to withstand high - impact forces and extreme weather conditions, including strong winds, high-powered storms, and fluctuating temperatures.
They are often also effective in filtering UV rays, protecting the interior of your home from sun damage and boosting your home’s energy efficiency by keeping the heat out.
There are different types of safety glass, including tempered and laminated glass. To find out which is best for you and your property, read our Laminated VS Tempered Glass blog.
Security Film
Security window film is an easy and affordable way to protect your windows from weather damage. These films are made of a pliable Myler coating that is applied to the inside of your glass. They help the glass withstand larger forces and prevent glass from shattering dangerously.
Security films can be tinted, mirrored or coloured and are also effective at blocking out harmful UV rays.
Storm Windows and Doors
Storm windows and doors involve installing a second window or door panel over an existing one. They provide protection from extreme weather conditions by reinforcing windows, without replacing the existing glass.
They are a good option if you’re seeking a cost-effective method to prevent weather damage that’s more effective than security film.
Storm Shutters
Storm shutters are a type of protective shutter that attaches to the outside of a window. They are effective in protecting the window from strong winds, rain, hail, and sunlight.
Storm shutters are a popular choice for homeowners as they can be folded or rolled away so you can still enjoy your view. They are also more cost-effective than completely replacing your glass with safety glass.
Look for shutters made of aluminium, aluminium-wrapped foam, or reinforced fabric.
If you’re wanting to take precaution against weather damage, give Magic Glass a call. We can advise you on the best safety glass options for your building and can also help in the event of glass breakage caused by weather. Call us on 18 000 GLASS.
Owning or managing a large scale commercial or residential building comes with a vast amount of legal responsibilities. If you are a building owner, Building Manager or Strata Manager, you are responsible for providing all residents, workers, and visitors with a safe environment. This includes ensuring they are protected from any glass related accidents.
Whether major or minor, glass accidents are dangerous and can pose the risk of injury and even death. If the accident is found to be a result of the building not being up to safe standards, Building and Strata Managers can be liable for negligence.
To ensure the glass in your building is safe, the first thing you must do is check that it is compliant with Australian Standards AS2208-1996 and AS1288-2006. These are the standards relating to safety glazing materials in buildings and glass in buildings, respectively.
AS2208 and AS1288 present the circumstances in which you must have safety glass installed instead of standard glass. As the name suggests, this glass is safer and stronger than typical glazing units.
These standards also state requirements relating to the thickness and dimensions of glass doors and panels, balustrades and glass used in schools, childcare centres, and nursing homes.
Ensuring all glass in your building is up to Australian standards can be a strenuous activity, but it must be done. Fortunately, Magic Glass is here to support you along the way.
Magic Glass is a member of the Australian Glazing and Glazier Association (AGGA). We are proudly accredited by the AGGA as we have demonstrated how our products and services are safe and comply with Australian Standards. Being one of the founding members of the association, we take our accreditations seriously and strive to maintain the reputable standards we have set for ourselves.
Should you find that any of the glass in your building does not comply with the legal requirements outlined above, contact Magic Glass for a free quote to remove and replace the glass to all relevant Australian Standards.
