Navigating the selection of commercial glass doors hinges on two fundamental needs—enhancing your business's appeal
and fortifying its security. This article cuts through the complexity to spotlight the prime choices and their
implications for your storefront, ensuring you're equipped with the expertise for a savvy investment in your
commercial property's aesthetics and safety.
Key Takeaways
Commercial glass doors not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of a storefront but also improve visibility and
security, with options for heavy-duty locks and tempered glass for safety.
Choosing the right commercial glass door involves considering factors such as location, safety requirements,
material type, foot traffic, and cost, with customization options available for unique business needs.
Proper installation and regular maintenance are crucial for the performance and longevity of commercial glass
doors, and they must meet ADA compliance standards for accessibility.
Understanding Commercial Glass Doors
Commercial storefront doors play a pivotal role in aligning your physical presence with your brand image. Among
standard storefront doors, storefront aluminum doors and most storefront doors bring a sleek and contemporary look
to your storefront, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere with the right choice of storefront doors.
Enhanced visibility through these doors allows potential customers to engage with your store's products, even before
stepping inside.
The Aesthetics of Glass Doors
Commercial glass doors have the power to create an open, spacious environment. They bring a sophisticated touch and
elevate your commercial setting, thereby attracting more customers.
These entrance doors, also known as exterior doors, are solid core wood doors with steel doors options that align
with modern design trends, offering sleek aesthetics that greatly enhance your brand image.
Security Considerations for Your Storefront
Commercial glass doors can be outfitted with heavy-duty locks such as laminated bolts and Grade-1 Mortise Locksets,
enhancing the security of your premises. Tempered glass, which fractures in a spiderweb pattern rather than
shattering, is another excellent addition. It impedes easy entry through broken glass and acts as a deterrent
against violence.
Visibility and Natural Light Benefits
With commercial glass doors, visibility is drastically improved. This visibility alters customer perception,
highlighting your distinct value and consequently leading to potential sales growth.
Utilizing natural light can also result in significant energy conservation, leading to cost savings for your
business.
Selecting the Right Storefront Door for Your Business
The decision to pick the appropriate storefront door for your business carries significant weight. It's not just
about aesthetics. You need to consider the following factors:
Location
Safety requirements
Type of material
Average foot traffic
Cost
Your location can dictate factors such as safety requirements and visibility, while high customer traffic calls for
durable and secure options like metal or glass doors.
Factors Influencing Door Selection
The door selection process heavily relies on the following factors:
Durability: Considerations such as location, climate, and material quality significantly impact the selection
process.
Aesthetic appeal: Your door should reflect your brand's image and desired aesthetic.
Budget considerations: Paramount in narrowing down your choices.
Customization Options for Unique Requirements
Commercial glass doors offer a multitude of customization options, including:
Metal coatings
Decorative glass options
Filtered, tinted, glazed, or double-paned glass options
Frameless, sliding, swinging, and balanced doors
These options allow you to tailor your door to meet your unique business requirements.
Types of Commercial Glass Doors
A variety of commercial glass doors are available, each with their distinctive benefits. Swinging commercial glass
doors, for instance, offer enhanced security and reduced noise levels, while the sliding ones save space.
Automatic door systems are an excellent option for businesses with heavy foot traffic. They offer the advantage of
easy entry, especially for individuals with disabilities.
Sliding vs. Swinging: Pros and Cons
Sliding commercial glass doors offer exceptional natural light and ventilation benefits. Their compact design is
particularly beneficial for commercial environments with restricted space.
On the other hand, swinging door systems offer a robust solution for commercial environments. They optimize the
movement of people within the area, reduce noise, and ensure necessary privacy.
Automatic Door Systems for Enhanced Accessibility
Automatic door systems enhance accessibility by enabling independent wheelchair access, promoting inclusivity, and
delivering a smooth experience for users. They are beneficial for businesses with significant foot traffic, such as
office buildings, retail stores, and hospitals.
Commercial Door Hardware Essentials
Efficient operation of commercial glass doors necessitates hardware components such as:
locks
hinges
door closers
push/pull plates
Door rail systems, in particular, provide stability and support to the door panels, and can be customized to
accommodate various door widths and thicknesses.
Door Rails: The Backbone of Stability
By accommodating a variety of door widths and thicknesses, door rails ensure stability and durability, thereby
contributing to the overall strength of commercial glass doors. The standard dimensions of door rails for commercial
glass doors vary, with widths typically ranging from 32 inches to 48 inches, accommodating various door sizes and
offering substantial support.
Handles and Locks: Ensuring Safety and Ease of Use
Commercial glass doors rely heavily on essential components such as handles and locks. From lever handles to mortise
locks and cylinder locks, these elements ensure safety and ease of use.
Energy Efficiency and Insulated Glass Options
Commercial buildings can benefit from energy-efficient glass doors through decreased heat transfer, reduced energy
consumption, lower utility bills, improved security, and superior insulation.
Insulated glass, defined as windows with two or more panes of glass separated to offer insulation, decreases heat
transfer and enhances thermal insulation, thus contributing to energy efficiency.
Maintenance and Upkeep of Commercial Glass Doors
Regular maintenance is a must to guarantee the longevity and optimal performance of your commercial glass doors. This
includes lubricating the hinges, cleaning the glass, and inspecting for any signs of wear and tear. A comprehensive
maintenance should ideally be carried out at least once a year, while a qualified inspection should be done
biannually or seasonally.
Customizing Your Commercial Door System
To align with your business's brand identity, you may incorporate logos and branding directly on the glass, use
custom glass signage, etch your logo on the door, or apply custom artistic decals to enhance the visual appeal.
Commercial glass doors are a valuable investment for any business. They enhance aesthetics, provide security, and
offer benefits like energy efficiency. Choosing the right door involves considering various factors and
customization options. Regular maintenance and adherence to standards are essential for longevity and optimal
performance. By understanding these aspects, you can make an informed choice for your commercial glass door system.
Call Industrial Door Company of Chicago today for a quote.
