Life Style

Aluminium shop front vs laminated glass shop front

Aluminium shop front

Shop fronts are the best way to increase the conversion rate of new customers. Installing them at the stores has become a very popular choice among various big and small brands in London. So, it is very important that you choose them very carefully. 

These are an attractive, modern and hard wearing solution for all types of commercial properties. They are quite stunning, modern for any kind of commercial property.

Shop frontages are basically designed to suit the client needs and requirements. They are much better at drawing people’s attention. Moreover, various intensive studies have been carried out in terms of reflective features.

The shop front category has certain reflective properties. For example, these are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and high visibility during night hours.

Why do we need Aluminium shop front ?

The reason behind the greatest demand for installing aluminium shop fronts in London is because it is very cost-effective. Aluminium is in abundance and can be cheap depending upon your design and vision. Business owners can get good value for money by installing an aluminium shop front.

It is cheaper and will save you money in the long run. Also, its thermal insulation properties are brilliant. This means that you can now save on your heating bills by maintaining an ambient temperature of the place.

Moreover, an aluminium shop front is an affordable option which is not only safer but also eco-friendly too.

Pros of aluminium shop front doors

  • Strong and durable

Since the front door is a critical entryway into your home, you want it to be secure and keep intruders out. Aluminium doors are so strong that they can withstand plenty of force. For example, an attacker trying to break in.

  • Corrosion resistant
    Aluminium doors are a great choice for anyone who wants their home to stay looking beautiful and new. Unlike wood, these superior metal components don’t rot or get corroded. They look the same during your lifetime when it was once installed.
  • Great appearance

Aluminium shop front door is an excellent choice for modern homes and commercial places. They are often sleek and simple. However, these same features also make older style homes stand out.
It can be customized with a variety of designs and a wide range of colors to suit your personal taste. 

They should be painted using a powder coating to maintain its great appearance. Manufacturers use this to maintain the aesthetic look of these doors for years.

  • Versatile
    Aluminium is immensely durable and strong. It has an impressive weight-to-strength ratio. This means that even large windows can withstand immense pressure from storms or heat waves with various beautiful designs.
  • Sustainable
    Installing aluminium front doors is a great option for those looking to go green and still save money. They can be infinitely recycled, so there is no need to worry about decreasing in its quality after recycling it.

    Aluminum has long been seen as one of the most sustainable options on the planet earth. Therefore, it doesn’t really matter how many times such metals get recycled.

Cons of aluminium shop front doors

  • High maintenance

Some parts of the aluminium doors can rub against each other over the passage of time. This can lead to problems like jamming of the door. Such issues may end up not being able to shut your front door properly.

So, you need to lubricate the jammed parts of the aluminium door with a suitable product. Lubrication on a regular basis avoids the jamming of the doors.  

  • Not thermally efficient

Aluminium is a metal, which means it is excellent at conducting heat. This can be bad for your energy bills. You will have to use more power in order to keep the rooms warm during winter and cool down when summer rolls around.

  • Problems with condensation

Aluminium is a good heat conductor. This signifies that you can end up with condensation. You may find that in humid rooms with aluminium doors, water droplets form on the glass or door frame.

This happens because they are colder than the temperature of the room. You can end up with mould growth if you don’t deal with the problem quickly. This can even cause various health problems. 

Laminated Glass Shopfront

Laminated glass is a type of safety glass that holds it together when shattered. It is held in place by an interlayer in the event of breaking. The interlayer is made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). 

It is sandwiched in between two or more layers of glass. The purpose of the interlayer keeps the upper and lower glass layers bonded with each other even when broken. Its high strength prevents the glass from breaking into large sharp and pointed pieces.

Laminated glass is a popular material that is used in shop fronts and car windscreens. 

Why do we need Laminated Glass Shopfront ?
There are ample places where there is a need to install laminated glass. For example, where there is a possibility of human impact. It is also used to install in various architectural applications where there is a possibility that the glass falls and shatters.

It acts as hurricane-resistant in geographical areas. Laminated glass is often used in exterior storefronts, curtain walls, and windows for higher safety. That is why it is also known as safety glass which provides the best kind of protection from storm damage and vandalism.

Pros of Laminated Safety Glass

– Safe and Secure
Laminated glass window panes will not break as easily. This means that it is a great choice for anyone who wants to keep their home secure. It also makes the intruder less likely to break in. This glass material provides safety at all costs so you can feel safe and secure inside your own home.

  • Sound resistant
    The laminated glass windows provide the ability to reduce outside sounds. It makes it possible and a good choice for people living near busy cities or suburbs.

    Acoustic laminated glass reduces the noise by 10 decibels. Laminated glass is also used to improve the sound insulation level of a window. It improves sound attenuation as compared to other glass panes of the same thickness. A special “acoustic PVB” compound is used for the interlayer for this purpose.
  • Energy Efficient
    Low-emissivity glass aids in reducing the heat gain from the sun. This allows air conditioning to be used less frequently and reduces emissions. Emissivity is basically defined as the energy ratio that is radiated from a material’s surface.
  • More design choice
    Laminated glazing is available in many colors, tints or tones to match any style. The wide variety of shapes and sizes make it one of the most versatile products in appearance.
  • Protection from natural disasters
    Laminated glass protects people from the event of natural disasters. It remains in its frame to reduce the high-rated risks. This makes a life-threatening situation slightly safer.

Cons of Laminated Safety Glass

  • Creates optical distortion
    The lamination process used is cast resin type which is a major concern. Due to this, it results in thickness variation which causes optical distortion. When heat absorbing glasses with a high absorption rate are used in laminated units, they are susceptible to thermal breakage.
  • It is expensive
    Laminated glass windows are a lot more expensive than regular ones. This is because the manufacturing process occurs in-depth. Like, it requires many layers of the glass material to maintain its thickness.  

Once you have installed this glass material to your window panes,  you only have to replace it once or twice during your entire life.   

  • Availability of less manufacturers
    There are much fewer companies that manufacture laminated glass. So, it gets very hard to find the right company. You might have to wait for several days, weeks, or even months before they can be finally made for you.



How to choose the right product for your job?

Both types of shop fronts explained above are considered safety glazing materials and can be obtained in a variety of thicknesses and colors or tints. The optical clarity for both aluminium shop front and laminated glass shop front are excellent in either product.

The pros and cons of both types of the shop fronts described in this article will make it easy for you to decide what type of shop front suits you the best.


Frequently Asked Questions

How good is laminated glass?

Laminated glass is a superior material to all other types of glass. The plastic inter layers provide some degree of soundproofing. There are also special “acoustic grade inter layers” for those who want more insulation from the outside noise pollution.

What colours normally people prefer for the shopfront frameworks, and other products?

Powder coated colours from the RAL colour palette are used for shop fronts, and roller shutters. Wide range of colours are provided for individual taste or to suit corporate, and brand requirements.

How long does laminated glass last?

If laminated glass is kept away from direct sunlight it can last more than 10 years. Two categories of  laminated glass such as PVB and SGP usually used as outdoor architectural glass like curtain walls with much longer life.

How can one maintain and keep up with Aluminium shop fronts?
People should hire professionals for the maintenance of aluminium shopfronts:

  • Regular cleaning
  • Preserving doors as well as locking systems
  • Covering it with paint from time to time

To get detailed information on this, you can consult shop front fitters for expert’s advice.

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