The glass in your storefront is one of your biggest assets to attract customers. An open and inviting store window or door encourages people to come inside. It shows your store to be clean, well-stocked, and modern.
Damage to those storefront windows, then, damages not only your reputation but also your potential income stream. Avoid both problems by protecting your windows from these three common causes of breakage.
Weather
Storefront windows are open to the elements 365 days each year. They may stand up to the everyday pressures of the cold, heat, rain, and snow, but will they stand up to hail storms or extreme wind events? What about as the window ages over the years?
There are a few measures you can take to protect against future weather damage. Where possible, keep your window area clear of potential hazards - such as tables, signs, and loose plant containers. If you have the ability, secure these elements with bolts or chains and designate an interior storage area for when the weather worsens.
Be prepared for bad weather with some common materials to board up windows. You should also have the number for a reliable window service who can help you prepare for or clean up after an extreme weather incident.
Accidents
Accidental damage - a vehicle parking badly in front of your store, staff hurrying through glass doors, or kids having fun on the sidewalk - is one of the most common ways to break a window.
Your best protection for this type of breakage is to have adequate property insurance so you can get the damage fixed quickly. You can also work with a professional glass service to include safe window solutions, such as stormproof windows and tempered glass.
Of course, you can also be proactive to work against accidents by being diligent about curtailing dangerous activities going on around the windows. If your store has a kid section, for instance, consider placing it well away from windows or glass doors. And if staff has to walk in and out of certain doors often, why not use a less problematic wood or metal door?
Age
Windows often appear timeless, but they do age just like any other building material. Common signs of aging windows include fogging or permanent grime within the glass panes, failure to open and close easily, and condensation between double panes. Check out the frame as well. Old windows may have developed cracks and broken sashes, wood rot, moisture damage, or drafts around the panes.
Aging windows are a slow-moving problem, but they can cost serious money to your budget. Poor insulation or windows without low-E and argon gas lead to higher utility s bills as your HVAC system tries to keep the store comfortable for guests. In addition, damaged frames can be a safety hazard both for everyone in the store. And shabby windows make your store look worn-down and shoddy.
Prevent old windows from becoming a bigger problem by maintaining them properly. You can add or replace flashing tape or caulking, which can help keep drafts and energy loss to a minimum.
In addition, proper cleaning helps you and your staff identify small breaks, cracks, or infestations before they become expensive repairs. And a regular practice of replacing one or two old windows each year keeps the budget manageable.
What are the biggest concerns you have about your store windows? No matter whether it's bad weather, the safety of others, or maintaining a professional appearance, attention to your windows will undoubtedly help. At All American Glass, we offer decades of experience helping business owners find the right solutions for all their glass challenges. Call today to learn more.
